I was very pleased to see the article on the Gazette’s front page (“Community builders,” Feb. 2) that highlighted the many accomplishments of two very special nonprofit leaders in the field of affordable housing who will be retiring soon — Joanne Campbell, executive director of Valley Community Development, and Peter Gagliardi, the CEO of Way Finders.
Having worked for Peter for 15 years, as well as collaborating with Joanne, I can attest to their exceptional commitment and ability to somehow secure sufficient funding to build affordable housing and other needed services (like programs for first-time homeownership, foreclosure prevention, homelessness, etc.) during a time when federal and state support has been reduced.
Both of them are highly respected in Massachusetts and nationally. Without their leadership, the severe lack of affordable housing in this area would even be worse than it is. Fortunately for us, they both have been able to hire extremely competent staff and establish a truly collaborative organizational culture in their agencies that will carry on their work.
So to you Peter and Joanne, enjoy your retirement, you really deserve it.
Jim Reis
Northampton