Morris Habitat Appoints New President and Two New Board Members

Morris Habitat for Humanity, a major builder and leading advocate for affordable housing in New Jersey, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Lou Panzano (Panzano Enterprises) as the new president of the Board of Directors, as well as the election of two new board members, Bill Flagg (ERA Queen City Realty) and Reid Eder (Eder Law Firm).

“Our newest Board members will broaden the talent and knowledge of our already experienced and committed leaders,” said Liz DeCoursey, Morris Habitat CEO. “We’re excited to have them by our side as we pursue bold growth and our deep-rooted belief that every person deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.”

Mary Lou Panzano joined the Board in 2022 while serving as Vice President of U.S. Internal Communications at Bayer. Now semi-retired, she is a sought-after speaker, coach, leader, author and founder of Panzano Enterprises.

"I'm honored and humbled to serve as Board President for Morris Habitat this year,” said Panzano. “We have a bold strategy to build homes and hope for New Jersey families, and I'm excited to work with our distinguished Board, our CEO, Liz DeCoursey, the leadership team, staff and supporters to make that happen."

Bill Flagg is an award-winning, licensed real estate broker and executive with more than 40 years of wide-ranging experience in the housing sector. Flagg is a past president of both the North Central Jersey Association of Realtors and the Greater Union County Association of Realtors.

Reid Eder has worked as a senior attorney for several large law firms representing insurance companies and local municipalities in cases involving real estate, construction defects, personal injury and employment litigation. Currently, Eder is a partner at Eder law firm in East Brunswick where he focuses on personal injury and workers’ compensation. Eder graduated from Rutgers University Law School in Camden, N.J. in 2012.

Continuing their service on the Morris Habitat Board of Directors for 2024 are: President Mary Lou Panzano, Panzano Enterprises; Vice President Gene Messina, Community Volunteer; Treasurer James A. Christy, Provident Bank; Secretary Donna Brightman, Woodbridge Housing Authority; Alan Archuleta, Archuleta Builders; Jessica Esteves, Community Volunteer & Homeowner; David Fine, Tuzag; Tara French, Northfield Bank (Retired); Rahul Gupta, PWC Strategy&; Donna Hughes, Hughes Solutions LLC; Marsha Merola-Salmon; Baccarat, Inc.; Erica Scott, Community Volunteer & Homeowner; Michael Scott, Community Volunteer & Homeowner; Thomas Vitiello, Sphere Construction Group.

ABOUT MORRIS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International, committed to building homes, communities, and hope. The organization, which is one of the leading builders of affordable housing in New Jersey, serves 68 municipalities in Morris and Middlesex Counties and the Greater Plainfield area. Through volunteer labor and monetary donations and materials, Morris Habitat builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to income eligible families and individuals. Since 1985, Morris Habitat has served nearly 1,000 families through building 188 local homes, preserving 431 homes for low-income and senior residents, and helping 373 families with housing solutions worldwide. The local affiliate organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers in its various programs. Morris Habitat also operates a successful ReStore home improvement and furnishings outlet in Randolph which has kept 19,727 tons of reusable materials out of landfills and funded 39 homes. For more information, visit MorrisHabitat.org or call 973-891-1934.