As a non-profit organization whose mission is to build homes, communities and hope for local families in need of a decent and affordable place to live, we rely on the support of our Board of Directors. Board members serve for a minimum of four years and advocate for affordable housing in the community, advise our senior leadership team, and financially support Habitat’s mission on an annual basis. Along with providing guidance on building affordable homes, Habitat board members will also be advising the organization as it helps low-income homeowners make repairs after Hurricane Ian.
Please join us in welcoming Chairman Timothy F. Hawkins, and two new members, Roger Desjarlais and Tiffany Williams to our 2023 Board of Directors! In partnership with Habitat leadership and fellow board members, they will work to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families throughout Southwest Florida.
“The demand for affordable housing is at a critical level,” said Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry County CEO Becky Lucas. “More people are in need than ever before. We know our board members’ diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences will help Habitat usher in an era of immense growth and strengthen our organization as we increase access to affordable housing and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Ian.”
Chairman Timothy F. Hawkins is currently CEO of Hospital Experts. With more than 50 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Timothy has served as CEO, VP of Clinical Services, and Chief Administrative officer for hospitals and healthcare systems on the East Coast. Beginning his career as a surgical technician while simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Akron allowed Timothy to understand the needs of physicians and nurses while managing the business of hospital operations. During his career, he became Board Certified in Healthcare Administration, a Board-Certified Healthcare Safety Professional, and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Guided by his faith, Timothy is an ardent supporter of Habitat, helping to spread the mission and access to affordable housing. “I believe God expects us to tithe of our time, treasure, and talent,” explained Timothy. “I have been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for almost 30 years now towards that goal.”
Roger Desjarlais is the County Manager for the Lee County Government, overseeing a $2 billion budget and 2,640 county employees. He has dedicated himself to public service for more than four decades, serving as County Manager in Lee County since 2013. Previously Roger served as Chief Deputy at the Lee County Property Appraiser office and as Broward County Manager for seven years. Prior to that, he had a two-decade career with Lee County government, including a post as Assistant County Manager. Through his work within the government, Roger has witnessed the cycle of poverty and its toll on families. He will now work with other board members to forward Habitat’s mission of making affordable homeownership accessible to all, breaking the cycle.
Tiffany Williams is an Executive Vice President and President of the Fort Myers office for FineMark National Bank & Trust. She joined FineMark in 2010 and has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to her current role, Tiffany served as Chief Banking Officer, where she oversaw banking operations companywide. She serves on FineMark’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Committee and the Marketing Committee. Tiffany earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Florida State University and is also a graduate of the Florida Bankers Association Trust School. Along with serving on Habitat’s board, Tiffany volunteers with multiple community organizations, including C.O.A.C.H (Community Outreach to Achieve Change on the Homefront) and Big Brother’s Big Sister’s Beyond School Walls program. Tiffany’s belief that a home is an essential part of life, providing stability for families will allow her to join other board members in empowering Habitat’s families to build a better community for generations to come.
