Tom O'Connell from Habitat for Humanity of Medina County to become executive director of Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority

MEDINA — Habitat for Humanity of Medina County Executive Director Tom O'Connell was selected by the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority board of commissioners to fill the housing authority's executive director role. In 2018, O'Connell was going through a career change after doing faith-based, nonprofit work for 17 years. He worked as a manager of Habitat for Humanity of Medina County's ReStore for a few months before he interviewed for Habitat's executive director role and officially took over the position in April 2019. "Over the six years that I've been in this role, I've seen the impact that safe and affordable housing has on families," he said. "It creates stability in their lives to know this is what it's going to cost, and it's going to be affordable to us." Since O'Connell became the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Medina County, the organization has built and sold 16 homes, started an aging in place program for Medina County seniors and increased ReStore operations and sales. O'Connell said safe, stable and affordable housing is very important for families and individuals to succeed and thrive. "If you're worried about the cost of housing, the rent going up continually or can you afford it, that creates so much undue stress on families' lives," he said. "I think being able to take that out allows them to breathe in a way, step back and think about other decisions and other priorities." Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority Board Chair Julie Batey said the board received many applications from people who were very qualified for the position. The board was impressed by the leadership O'Connell has shown through his work at Habitat for Humanity. "He is already well-known and well-respected in Medina County's housing community and with our other county partners," she said. "It is clear Tom has a genuine commitment to supporting individuals facing housing challenges and making sure that everyone in our community has access to a safe, affordable place to call home." O'Connell will succeed current Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority Executive Director Skip Sipos, who has been the organization's director since March 1994 and is retiring at the end of the year. "Tom inherits a great organization with a dedicated board and passionate, caring staff," Sipos said. "Tom's experience in affordable housing will surely help to continue the great work done by (Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority)." Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority has projects in the works such as "The Lafayette," a 10-unit supportive housing unit that will be built in Medina, which will serve people who have federally defined disabilities and who are dealing with housing insecurity. North View Manor, an 85-unit senior apartment community in Medina, will also undergo a redevelopment starting this winter. "Skip and the team have laid an amazing foundation these 30-plus years," O'Connell said. "To be able to build on that incredibly strong foundation that Skip and the team have laid really is a great opportunity." O'Connell will join the housing authority on Dec. 1 and work with Sipos in December with the goal of having a smooth transition at the beginning of the year. The Habitat for Humanity of Medina County Board of Directors is working to find someone to fill O'Connell's role at their organization. "I'm looking forward to being a part of the (Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority) team and to help move that mission and that work forward, as the opportunities present themselves, to provide additional affordable housing units here in Medina County," O'Connell said. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.