Dear Friends,
In January 2019, I informed the CCH Board of Directors of my pending retirement after 13 years of service as CCH CEO and President. The Board immediately put in place a well-planned and thorough process to identify and secure a highly qualified, competent and equally dedicated person to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. They engaged a highly respected search firm to conduct a national search for the best possible candidate to fill this vital role. The search firm and search committee jointly identified more than 100 possible candidates and gradually narrowed the field to the top four candidates for careful vetting, interviewing and examination.
The results of this thoughtfully laid out process have led us right back home to where we began. After reviewing many qualified resumes, we have come to the conclusion that the best candidate is one of our very own people. The Board is excited to announce that Mr. Syd Najeeb has been promoted and hired to take on the vital role of CEO and President of CCH.
Mr. Najeeb has been working side by side with me for the last five years where he has served in the dual role of CFO and COO. In this capacity, he has become fully aware of all aspects of operations and development at CCH and is prepared to quickly and seamlessly step in as CEO and President. Well-versed in low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) compliance and financing, he is also a Certified Tax Credit Specialist and Certified Occupancy Specialist. Furthermore, he brings to the mission of CCH many years of experience in affordable housing development and operations both at CCH as well as other nonprofit firms in Northern California. In addition, his background includes a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Arts in Economics, and Master’s Degree in Business Administration. In CCH’s 58-year history, Mr. Najeeb will the 5th president.
CCH Board Chair Carroll Cotten said, “We very much appreciate the many years of exceptional leadership Don has provided at CCH over the course of 40 years. As a result of his admirable dedication and business acumen, CCH has the solid foundation enabling the organization to continue flourishing and expanding its mission into eight states across the country. We are genuinely excited that Mr. Syd Najeeb will continue this vital work and successfully execute a new strategy for growth in the coming years.”
Mr. Najeeb will work closely with me during a 60-day transition period and will take over full responsibility as CEO and President starting January 1, 2020. Please join me, our CCH Board Chair and Search Committee Chair in celebrating this change in leadership. Our commitment to providing affordable quality housing in caring communities will continue as we work to provide excellent customer service for our residents, Board members and partners.
All the Best,
Don Stump
CCH President/CEO
