Meet Our CEO, Charles Woodyard

On September 22, 2011, Charles Woodyard was appointed CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), effective October 24, 2011.

Before being confirmed by the CHA Board of Commissioners on October 18, Mr. Woodyard was president and CEO of the Charlotte Housing Authority since 2002, where he led a change process in both the business and administration of the agency.  In Charlotte, Mr. Woodyard proved particularly effective in his ability to integrate public housing into the fabric of the overall community, through mixed-income housing development.

Having spent 30 years in the public sector with a focus on housing, Mr. Woodyard has a wealth of experience in municipal government and the unique challenges facing public housing. In Chicago, he will utilize his experience of engaging the private sector in the real estate components of public housing, as well as integration through mixed-income development, to further the progress of CHA’s Plan for Transformation, which is now in its twelfth year.

Mr. Woodyard has held board positions on numerous local, regional and national boards, including Leadership Charlotte, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and Partners in Out of School Time (POST).

Mr. Woodyard is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, with a master’s degree in public administration.