Canadian to Lead Habitat for Humanity’s Reconstruction Efforts in US Gulf Coast

Kenneth J. Meinert appointed to head up “Operation Home Delivery”

TORONTO – September 28, 2005 – Habitat for Humanity International announces today the appointment of Kenneth J. Meinert to senior vice president responsible for Operation Home Delivery. This initiative is Habitat for Humanity’s response to the crisis caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita which has devastated approximately 500,000 homes and families along the Gulf Coast.

Meinert and his team will engage more than 1,700 Habitat for Humanity affiliates and their strategic partners across North America in planning and executing this critical initiative.

“Responding to a crisis of this magnitude will not be possible without the collaborative efforts of partner agencies that share in our vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live,” says Meinert, who is calling on governments, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to join in this effort.

An accomplished engineer, corporate executive, and entrepreneur, Meinert has more than 25 years experience working in senior leadership positions within the construction industry in Canada, the United States and Europe. He was president and CEO of CGC Inc., a leading manufacturer of gypsum construction materials, vice president of U.S. Gypsum Co, president and chief operating officer of KML Engineered Homes Inc., and owner of a privately held production and construction company.

“We are extremely fortunate to find someone of Kenneth’s caliber to lead this initiative,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “In addition to being a highly skilled construction industry executive, he comes to us with a track record of using innovative building methods to solve problems. This will prove invaluable as we set out to rebuild communities in conditions where there is almost no infrastructure left behind and where we will need to find new ways of building homes.”

Meinert began his relationship with Habitat as a volunteer on a build site in St. John’s, NFLD and as a corporate sponsor while at CGC. This was followed by several years on the Habitat for Humanity national board of directors where he served both as treasurer and as chair.

Meinert’s first priority will be to help the 17 Habitat for Humanity affiliates that were affected by the hurricanes to regain normal operations so that they can continue to build homes and communities using Habitat’s time-tested homeownership program. Meinert will also be mobilizing an assessment team to evaluate conditions along the Gulf Coast and will be seeking input from world experts who have experience in such reconstruction efforts.

Among the approaches to be used in Habitat for Humanity’s “Operation Home Delivery” will be the innovative “house in a box” program, which will leverage the skills of Habitat’s huge corps of volunteers across North America. Volunteers will pre-build various house components, including wall panels and roof trusses, which will then be shipped from various corners of North America to be assembled into complete homes in the Gulf Coast.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to Ken Meinert’s leadership and his commitment to our work of building homes and building hope for families in need, ” says David Hughes, president & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. “We are very proud to have Ken representing us at our international headquarters and know that this will assist us in our efforts to mobilize Canada’s response to this crisis.”

Habitat for Humanity Canada has established a fund to support the long term rebuilding efforts in the hurricane stricken regions of the Gulf Coast. Individuals and corporate partners interested in donating to these efforts can visit www.habitat.ca or can call toll free to 1-800-667-5137. All funds designated for the victims hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be used to support Habitat for Humanity’s “Operation Home Delivery” program.

About Habitat For Humanity Canada:
Habitat for Humanity Canada is an independent, non-profit organization that works to break the cycle of poverty and build strong communities by helping people gain access to affordable and sustainable housing. The association operates with the support of over 30,000 volunteers and 67 affiliated organizations in all 10 provinces, Nunavut and the Yukon. It is a member of the worldwide network of Habitat for Humanity International, which spans 100 countries and has built 200,000 homes around the world since it was founded in 1976.