Announcing NH&RA’s 2015 Vision Award Winners

By Mark Olshaker
October 8, 2015 2 min read

Sheila Dillon, Bill Machen: 2015 Vision Award Honorees

Each year since 2004, NH&RA has bestowed its Affordable Housing Vision Award to affordable housing and community development leaders who have made valuable contributions to the field and demonstrated years of leadership, commitment and imagination. Recognizing that providing housing for those who cannot meet the market rates is an always complex and challenging endeavor, demanding both perseverance and foresight, NH&RA seeks to single out men and women in all aspects of the industry whose careers and achievements serve as examples and role models. Traditionally, one individual is chosen from the profit sector and one from the nonprofit sector.

Honorees are nominated and selected by an expert committee of NH&RA directors representing a range of disciplines, including developers, syndicators, attorneys, accountants and other affordable housing industry professionals.

The two individuals honored this year are Sheila Dillon, Cabinet Chief of Housing for the City of Boston and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development, for the nonprofit sector award; and for the profit sector, William F. Machen, partner in the Boston office of the nationally renowned law firm Holland and Knight, and an expert in tax and business planning in real estate development and syndication.

Ms. Dillon and Mr. Machen each have years of experience and leadership, and verify the view that Boston remains among the most vibrant and creative communities for affordable housing and community cohesiveness. NH&RA Executive Director Thom Amdur says, “Historically, Boston has been an intellectual hub for the affordable housing community. Both Sheila Dillon and Bill Machen are deeply involved in development and finance in the Boston area. They are among the behind-the-scenes people who are critical in the affordable housing process.”

Previous Vision Award winners include the late Mayor Tom Menino, former Congressman Barney Frank, Jack Manning of Boston Capital and Lisa Alberghini of the Boston Archdiocese Planning Office for Urban Affairs. Last year’s awardees were Andrea Daskalakis of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation for nonprofit, and David Abromowitz of the law firm Goulston & Storrs.

Continued…

A Keen Eye on the Big Picture
Bill Machen, Attorney, Holland & Knight

Love Affair with Her City
Sheila Dillon, Cabinet Chief of Housing for the City of Boston and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development

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