HUD Appoints Assistant Secretaries for Intergovernmental Relations, Community Development

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has  appointed Sheila M. Greenwood (pictured) as the new assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental relations and Susan Peppler as HUD’s new assistant secretary for the department’s office of community planning and development.”As congressional and intergovernmental relations increasingly become the focus of our nation’s housing recovery, there is no better person than Sheila to serve as our principle liaison to Capitol Hill and our local communities,” says HUD Secretary Steve Preston. “Sheila also has a keen appreciation for the needs of Gulf States as they continue to rebuild after the devastating hurricanes nearly three years ago.”Greenwood says, “I plan to work closely with our Congressional partners to resolve complex housing and community development issues utilizing bi-partisan coalitions. In the remaining months of this administration, Americans require and expect that we work together to confront the myriad of legislative initiatives and difficult policy choices before us.”Prior to this appointment, Greenwood served as HUD’s deputy chief of staff since last October where she helped to manage the department’s role in supporting the long-term disaster recovery along the Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, Peppler will manage an office within HUD that is charged with supporting community development, increasing access to affordable housing, and helping to house and serve persons who might otherwise be living on the nation’s streets.”Peppler comes to HUD with a wealth of hands-on experience in affordable housing and community development,” says Preston. “From her days as a grassroots volunteer to her role as Mayor of the City of Redlands, California, Peppler’s mission to improve neighborhoods makes her a perfect fit here at HUD.”Peppler who most recently served as deputy associate administrator in the office of intergovernmental affairs at the General Services Administration (GSA), says, “I realize there is a short amount of time in which my colleagues and I can affect positive change but rest assured I intend to roll up my sleeves and make a significant contribution with the time I am given.”