HANAPEPE — Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity announced its new slate of officers for 2013-14 recently after being voted in at the annual board meeting. The new officers serving a one-year term include Thad Bond, president; Peter Wiederoder, vice president; Keith
HANAPEPE — Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity announced its new slate of officers for 2013-14 recently after being voted in at the annual board meeting.
The new officers serving a one-year term include Thad Bond, president; Peter Wiederoder, vice president; Keith Yap, treasurer; and LaVerne Bessert, secretary.
Other continuing board members include retired USDA official Robert Ray III, Tom Canute of First Hawaiian Bank, Doug Haigh of County of Kaua‘i Building Division, Julian Coiner of Green Realty Group, the Rev. Dr. Paul Kirchner of Lihu‘e Lutheran Church, and Fran McDonald of Coldwell Banker Makai Properties.
“I am happy to be working with such an amazing group of individuals,” said Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Stephen Spears. “We couldn’t have come this far without their tireless volunteer efforts.”
Immediate Past Board President Bob Ray commended fellow outgoing officers on their dedication to eliminating poverty housing and congratulated the incoming officers on their enthusiasm to further the work of Habitat on Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Its mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world “one house at a time” on Kaua‘i, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Through volunteer and homeowner labor, and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple housing that is up to code and utilizing green technology.
The incoming board officers bring a variety of experience and expertise to the organization.
Bond, who is vice president of planning and development at Kukui‘ula Development Company-Hawai‘i, has served as a board member since 2007. He will also serve on the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna subdivision committee.
Wiederoder is site leader for Dow AgroSciences. He joined the board in July 2012 after expressing his passion for the work of Habitat for Humanity. He also serves on the affiliate’s Capital Campaign Committee.
Yap, director of finance at Gay and Robinson, has served as a director for the last three years. His breadth of experience in finance enables him to offer solid leadership in the fiscal life of the affiliate.
Bessert is part owner and broker with Maile Properties of Kaua‘i. She has served on the board since 1995, and started as a volunteer with Kaua‘i Habitat from its earliest days following Hurricane ‘Iniki.
Kaua‘i Habitat features two main home building programs: New Home Construction Program and Repair and Renovation Program. It also operates a ReStore, to sells new and used discounted building and construction materials and household items.
Since 1992 Kaua‘i Habitat (www.kauaihabitat.org) has built 108 affordable homes and made critical repairs to 19 existing homes for Kaua‘i families whose household income is between 30 to 80 percent of median income. The current goal is to build capacity and build another 100 homes by 2020.
