When Walt started with Mission First Housing Group in 1994, the organization’s portfolio consisted of 366 units; today it provides safe, affordable, sustainable homes to nearly 3,000 people in over 2,000 units. Walt provides leadership to a staff of more than 100, reports to the Board of Directors and works collaboratively with Executive and Director-level staff members to ensure the organization consistently achieves its mission and financial objectives. Walt oversees development and implementation of the strategic plan. His role is to ensure effective management growth as a multi-state nonprofit affordable housing developer; assure financial strength, balancing financial health and stability while advancing the mission; and to build external identity in order to promote visibility, preserve and expand resources, and connect with other professionals and organizations. Most recently, Walt has overseen a geographic expansion throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, bringing Mission First’s model for applying traditional real estate practices to advance a social mission to new geographies and populations. Walt’s visionary leadership transformed Mission First from an operating agent of under 400 housing units to the large nonprofit developer and operator of affordable housing it is today. Prior to coming to Mission First, Walt negotiated troubled loan restructures for CoreStates Bank and the Resolution Trust Corporation. He also worked in many facets of commercial and residential real estate development, with an emphasis on rehabilitating troubled properties and coordinating the legal aspects of subdivisions, sales and partnerships. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Economics from the United States Naval Academy in 1970, Walt served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps until 1975. Then, he earned his Juris Doctor and LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova Law School. Walt has been in real estate development since 1978.