The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) named Sharon Wilson Géno, a 30-year veteran of the housing industry, as the organization’s President-Elect effective October 11. Wilson Géno will assume the role of President from Doug Bibby at NMHC’s Annual Meeting in January 2023, when he officially steps down after more than 20 years of leading the organization. Until then, he will work closely with Wilson Géno to ensure a seamless transition.
Wilson Géno most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Volunteers of America National Services. For the entirety of her career, she has helped guide numerous for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental entities on housing affordability, housing policy and related development and operational issues.
“I am incredibly excited to join the stellar team at NMHC—the leading voice when it comes to advocating for sensible, successful housing policy,” said Wilson Géno. “Throughout my career, I’ve admired the work that NMHC has done and I am proud to be a part of its next great chapter.”
“The U.S. is facing a national housing affordability crisis, and I am confident that I can leverage my experience in housing policy as well as my active role in developing and operating affordable and market-rate housing to help advance real solutions,” said Wilson Géno. “While much of my career has been focused on affordable housing, the challenges facing market-rate housing are the same—legislative and regulatory barriers, and NIMBY opposition to new housing production. I have spent nearly 30 years seeking to overcome those obstacles and advocating to increase the supply of all types of housing at all price points.”
“Sharon is the ideal person to continue to build on the great work Doug Bibby and the NMHC team have done to advance the multifamily industry,” said Ken Valach, CEO of Trammell Crow Residential and 2022-2024 Chair of NMHC. “She has an extensive knowledge of housing policy, has been a successful advocate on housing policy issues and has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to develop and operate both market-rate and affordable housing. And she has run a 3,100-employee organization with a gross consolidated revenue of $300 million annually.”
“It has been a true privilege to lead NMHC for the past 21 years,” said Bibby. “I am incredibly proud of the work our team has done to help foster a vibrant industry and I’m confident that Sharon will continue to drive the industry forward, confronting challenges and seizing opportunities. Over the course of my career, one of my proudest achievements has been to invest in the next generation of leaders. I know that I am leaving this organization and industry in great hands with Sharon and the team at NMHC.”
