I want to welcome Gina Downs, our newest board member at H.O.M.E., and introduce her to you. You may have read about Gina’s work as director of the Citizens Transportation Coalition. I’ve also watched her on the Collier County Productivity Committee and been impressed with her enthusiasm and tenacity when it comes to accomplishing a goal. She doesn’t stop until success is achieved.

Gina brings us a lifetime of experience – teaching economics, running her own company, and actually swinging a hammer as a carpenter’s helper for ten summers in her friend’s remodeling business. As you can see, she’s a roll-up-your-sleeves person, exactly what H.O.M.E. needs.

As you know, H.O.M.E. has no employees. Our unpaid board members do all the work to organize and manage finding, financing, and rehabilitating our homes. People like Gina make that possible.
Gina and her husband moved to Naples full time three years ago after several years as part-time residents. Like our other board members, she finds that spending her time working to improve the quality of life in Collier County brings a richness to her life that she missed living the “resort lifestyle,” sitting by the pool and playing golf. You can usually find her lobbying our elected officials and speaking to groups throughout South Florida about making our roads and intersections safer and toll-free. And now, you’ll find her helping us make homes available to deserving families.

H.O.M.E. needs the energy and talents of folks like Gina Downs. We’re delighted to welcome her to our board.