Our Honorary Champions of Housing... NNI




	Denise Lynn Nappier is the first African-American woman elected to serve as a State Treasurer in the United States and the first African-American woman elected to a statewide office in Connecticut. She has been a champion of economic empowerment and opportunity and established the first state-wide Individual Development	Susan M. Ross is the President/CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, the center for philanthropy in Fairfield County, CT. The Community Foundation specializes in working with and on behalf of donors to address critical local and regional needs through grants and strategic initiatives. NNI recognizes Susan Ross as a
Account program. NNI recognizes Denise Nappier for her ongoing commitment to advancing an affordable housing agenda for this State. NNI honors Denise Nappier as a Champion of Housing for her work as the architect of the coalition of housing, business and community and municipal leaders who worked with legislators in 2005 to establish the $100 million Housing Trust Fund for Economic Growth and Opportunity, aimed at increasing affordable housing for working families in Connecticut. The Treasurer and her Office sit on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and in 2006 actively worked with the Home Connecticut Coalition, which was instrumental in the adoption of legislation to promote affordable housing opportunities in towns and cities throughout the State.		2007Champion of Housing for shining a spotlight on issues that affect the quality of life for individuals and communities in Fairfield County such as the lack of affordable housing, the increasing immigrant population, and the economic instability of low-income working mothers. NNI is pleased to single out Ms. Ross for the Foundation’s leadership, under her presidency, in the establishment of the Fairfield County Collaborative Fund for Affordable Housing.
		Richard E. Taber is chairman and chief executive officer of First County Bank, Stamford. Dick Taber has spent his entire career at First County Bank, rising through the ranks for 40 years. NNI recognizes Dick Taber as a Champion of Housing for his many years of giving back to the
		community on a personal and professional level. As past president and a current director of the Housing Development Fund, past treasurer of Stamford Development Corp., and director of The Business Council of Fairfield County, he has been a guiding force in shaping affordable housing policies and programs that benefit Stamford and the region. And under his leadership, First County has been early and generous supporter of NNI housing development and preservation initiatives in the community.



She’s been called the most important woman in Stamford’s history. NNI has been proud to call her its own. A constructive force for change, Pat Marshall was the heart, soul and power that propelled NNI from its inception in1967. From 1969 until failing health forced her to step back in 1983, she served at various times as NNI’s Board	Gertrude “Pat” Marshall	Rev. Winton M. Hill III	The Rev. Hill is a passionate advocate for housing that hard working low and moderate income families at the heart of Stamford’s economic engine can afford, For giving voice to people who are not heard on their own and effecting policy changes in the city’s affordable housing ordinance on their behalf, he
Director, President and CEO and her influence continued until her passing in 2000 and even to today. Under her stewardship, NNI pioneered the development of affordable housing in Stamford and set a standard that all non profit developers measure themselves against. A dynamic community leader, Pat was the first woman to head the United Fund, precursor to the United Way. As early as 1956, she was named Stamford Citizen of the Year. But she’d only just begun. Pat envisioned a vibrant and diverse downtown Stamford. As the first woman appointed to Stamford’s Urban Redevelopment Commission she was a driving force in shaping and implementing that vision and served as the URC chairwoman from 1960 to 1964. The same passion and vision informed her concern about the need for housing. “I’ve seen families living in apartments whose kitchens were a sheet of ice because of leaky roofs, broken windows and n heat,” she said. “How can you expect human being to live like that, let alone develop to their full potential?” The legacy that Pat Marshall created is one that NNI carries forward with pride.		was named an Outstanding Leader in the Advocate’s 2002 Community Leader of Year Awards and honored as Stamford 2002 Citizen of the Year by the Jewish War Veterans Post 142. The pastor of Stamford’s Bethel AME Church for 12 years, he was called upon by his Church in 2004 to supervise two dozen AME churches and relocated to New Jersey. NNI is grateful to have had the benefit of Hill’s wise counsel, friendship and advocacy, as a Board Director from 1997 through 2004 and as NNI Board Chairman (1999 to 2002).