Erin Garrity Rank, CEO and President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles has been named to “Top 100 Irish-Americans for 2006” by Irish-America Magazine. Other honorees Include George Clooney, Ted Kennedy & New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 17, 2006 -- Erin Garrity Rank, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (www.habitatla.org,) has been selected by “Irish America Magazine” as one of the Top 100 Irish-Americans for 2006. The magazine is honoring those Irish-Americans in the fields of philanthropy, entertainment, medicine, and politics who embody the persistent spirit of their Irish ancestors. The honorees were celebrated at a gala in New York City on Thursday, March 16th, and will be named in the magazine’s April/May Issue. Irish America Magazine covers the accomplishments and concerns of American citizens of Irish descent, and has released its Top 100 issue for the past 20 years.
“It is an honor to be recognized by Irish America magazine and I am proud to be in the company of the accomplished people who have been named to this list,” stated Ms. Garrity Rank. “Contrary to popular stereotypes, the Irish culture values strong faith, devotion to family and a hard work ethic. Habitat for Humanity is an organization structured around the same values. It is because of this alignment with my heritage that I find it so rewarding to dedicate my life to helping hard working families build safe and affordable homes, which will be their foundation for future prosperity.”
Erin Garrity Rank has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to eliminating poverty housing in greater Los Angeles. Ms. Garrity Rank has served for eight years as the President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, an organization, which has built 180 homes in partnership with low-income families. Her ability to develop and implement strategies for success and her ability to understand market trends and respond strategically has helped the affiliate maintain its production goals despite Los Angeles’ rapidly increasing real estate costs. Habitat for Humanity is now seen as the only organization that is able to provide homeownership opportunities to families earning below $35,000 per year in Los Angeles County.
Under her leadership, the affiliate became #1 in house production in the State of California and ranked in the top 4% nationwide. Erin Rank has been featured on CBS Evening News with Dan Rather; ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings; and the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
In 2005, Ms. Rank led the organization through a successful merger, combining three Habitat for Humanity affiliates in order to better serve the Los Angeles region. During the same time, she quickly stepped into action to help house the victims of the devastating hurricanes by kicking off “Operation Home Delivery” -- a nationwide effort that allows non-affected areas to build and ship homes to the Gulf region -- in partnership with NBC’s Today Show and Habitat for Humanity International. Erin Rank’s affiliate is proud to have raised over $1,000,000 in donations to build and ship 15 homes to the Gulf Coast from Los Angeles.
Other 2006 honorees include actors George Clooney, Matt Dillon and Mischa Barton; New England Patriot’s Quarterback Tom Brady; Senator Ted Kennedy; ABC Nightline’s Cynthia McFadden; “Angela’s Ashes” author Frank McCourt; and the publication’s “Irish American of the Year”, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. The Top 100 Issue will hit newsstands at the end of March.
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