MEDIA RELEASE: Ann Felton Gilliland to Retire Dec. 31 as Chair/CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity

CUTLINE: Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland says that after she retires on Dec. 31, she plans to spend time traveling and being with her family, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ann Felton Gilliland, whose visionary leadership has helped transform Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) into one of the nation’s leading Habitat affiliates, announced Tuesday that she plans to retire as COHFH’s chair and CEO Dec. 31 after more than 36 years of service to the affordable housing nonprofit.

For over three decades, Felton Gilliland’s leadership, financial stewardship and dedication to affordable housing have helped more than 2,000 families across central Oklahoma build brighter futures through affordable homeownership and critical home repairs.

Under Felton Gilliland’s direction, the Christian housing ministry operates two successful ReStores and runs a Critical Home Repair program that helps low-income homeowners with needed home repairs, accessibility improvements and safety modifications.

Felton Gilliland expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Habitat’s donors, volunteers and staff for helping to transform her long-term vision for affordable housing and critical home repair into reality for thousands of residents across the greater Oklahoma City area.

“We’re not just building houses at Habitat,” Felton Gilliland said. “We are building stability, dignity and long-term opportunities for hard-working local families who have been priced out of homeownership in central Oklahoma. I’m humbled by the overwhelming support we’ve received over the years from Habitat’s donors, volunteers and staff, as well as from my friends and mentors.

“What began as a vision for affordable housing when I started this journey more than 36 years ago has become a shared mission that has improved thousands of lives. Together, we’ve built more than homes — we’ve built neighborhoods, opportunity and hope for families across the greater Oklahoma City area.”

Felton Gilliland said she looks forward to spending more time traveling and being with her family, including her four grandchildren and her great-grandchild.

COHFH Board Vice Chair Larry Ball said Felton Gilliland’s transformational leadership has left a lasting mark on COHFH and the broader Oklahoma City community.

“Ann’s impact on Central Oklahoma Habitat and on the broader Oklahoma City community cannot be measured,” Ball said. “Her passion, drive and energy, supported by her strong faith, have made it possible for hundreds of families in central Oklahoma to experience the safety and security of homeownership. No doubt thousands of lives were changed for the better because of her dedication to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.”

The COHFH Board of Directors has retained The Mettise Group, an Oklahoma City-based consulting firm, to lead a national search for the organization’s next chief executive officer.

About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity:
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity builds new, energy-efficient, and affordable homes in central Oklahoma. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes, complete homeowner education classes, and purchase their homes at cost with no down payment. Since 1990, more than 1,165 homes have been built in central Oklahoma. To learn more, visit www.cohfh.org or call 405-232-4828.