Doug LaBounty

Doug LaBounty, president of Community Housing Initiatives, Inc., in Spencer, has been selected to participate in the Neighbor-Works Achieving Excellence in Community Development program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

LaBounty is one of 47 leaders selected for this Achieving Excellence class -- a prestigious and highly selective training program offered by NeighborWorks America through the Kennedy School of Government.

Achieving Excellence is an 18-month educational program for senior leaders in community organizations that have a focus on affordable housing, community revitalization or community economic development. At the beginning of the program, participants select a specific and significant challenge facing their organizations for which solutions will not only dramatically change how their organizations do business, but also enable them to make lasting change in their communities.

"I am honored to have been chosen to participate in this challenging program and look forward to gaining skills that will strengthen Community Housing Initiatives, Inc. in its efforts to address affordable housing and community development issues throughout Iowa," said LaBounty.

According to Mary Jean Montgomery, president of CHI, Inc. Board of Directors, "The selection of Doug La Bounty to this prestigious program not only recognizes Doug's exemplary leadership at CHI, Inc., it also reflects the high standards and expectations of this organization when compared to housing organizations across the nation."

Independent evaluations have shown tremendous results for organizations that have participated in this program. In just the first two classes alone, Achieving Excellence graduates collectively achieved the following:

* Generated $5,566,076 in new income from fees for their services, which include loan servicing fees, property development fees, etc.;

* Raised an additional $6.7 million in new income from grants and loans to the organization for property development and other services the organization provides;

* Developed, managed or acquired more than 2,400 new affordable rental units;

* Created 89,100 square feet in new commercial space;

* Prepared 887 clients for homeownership; and,

* Provided community development services to more than 5,500 additional clients.

According to Kenneth D. Wade, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks® America, only the most experienced and sophisticated executive directors and senior level staff participate in this program.

"Mr. LaBounty's selection is a testament to his exceptional skills and long-term commitment to improving our nation's communities and the lives of their residents," said Wade.

Achieving Excellence includes three formal sessions at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, as well as executive coaching, intensive peer learning and guidance from Douglas K. Smith, principal designer of the program and renowned expert on performance, learning, innovation and change. The first session at Harvard University will take place in October, with additional sessions planned for March and October 2009 with a final session and graduation in spring 2010. Between academic sessions, participants will be actively working on the challenge critical to their organization's success and will be working closely with their executive coach and peer group.

The only comprehensive, intensive training of its kind, Achieving Excellence is subsidized by NeighborWorks® America and is made possible by a grant from Fannie Mae.