KENNEDY ELECTED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ST. LOUIS EQUITY FUND

The board of directors of the St. Louis Equity Fund elected John Kennedy president and CEO of the investor-funded affordable housing development organization. Kennedy, who was SLEFI’s executive vice president and CFO, succeeds John Wuest, who served as president and CEO since 2005 and announced earlier this year that he was stepping down from both roles.

“John’s selection was a logical choice given his strong experience based in tax credits and his specific knowledge of SLEFI and its operations. The transition is anticipated to be seamless given these facts,” said SLEFI Board of Directors Chair Joe Ambrose. “Our organization is currently well positioned and will continue to prosper under John’s direction.”

Kennedy joined SLEFI in 1998 and has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and residential real estate development, affordable housing development, and the syndication of tax credits. As executive vice president and CFO, he was responsible for all financial accounting, financial reporting, year-end tax reporting, and reporting to investors. He and John Wuest also led the formation of Gateway Community Development Fund, Inc., a U.S. Treasurycertified Community Development Financial Institution and a SLEFI subsidiary.

“I’m looking forward to furthering the mission of the St. Louis Equity Fund in developing much-needed affordable housing,” Kennedy said. “I want to express my gratitude to John for his leadership and hard work in shaping and growing SLEFI.”

Wuest will remain vice chair of SLEFI, chair of the Gateway Community Development Fund Board of Directors, and chair of the Community Asset Management Company Board of Directors., a SLEFI affiliate company. “John’s knowledge and experience will ensure a seamless transition providing for the continued success of SLEFI,” Wuest stated.

Kennedy announced that Meredith Toler, who joined SLEFI last year as controller and is a licensed CPA, will succeed him as treasurer and CFO. “Her development with SLEFI has been rapid and impressive and we are confident that she will become a critical part of the management team,” Kennedy explained.

SLEFI, founded in 1988, facilitates the development of low and moderate-income housing units throughout Missouri, Southern Illinois and Eastern Kansas. Each year a multi-investor fund consisting of financial institutions and corporations is formed. The proceeds are used to finance the construction of safe, affordable rental housing for low and moderate-income residents, including the special needs population.

��B�9�v���