MEDIA RELEASE: Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Names Camal Pennington Chief Executive Officer

Community leader and nonprofit director to succeed Ann Felton Gilliland, who built one of the nation’s leading Habitat affiliates over more than 36 years

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) Board of Directors has named Camal Pennington as the organization’s next chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Pennington succeeds Ann Felton Gilliland, who is retiring Dec. 31 after more than 36 years leading the affordable housing ministry in Central Oklahoma.

Pennington was selected following a national search led by The Mettise Group, an Oklahoma City-based consulting firm retained by the COHFH board. He will work alongside Felton Gilliland through her Dec. 31 retirement to ensure a seamless transition.

Ann Felton Gilliland, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s longtime chair/CEO retires in December. She says she’s confident that Habitat’s future CEO Camal Pennington will continue COHFH’s success as one of the top Habitat affiliates in the nation.

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) Board of Directors announces Camal Pennington, a civic leader, local attorney and the Oklahoma City Councilman for Ward 7, as Habitat’s next CEO effective Oct. 1, 2026.

Pennington brings a rare combination of nonprofit leadership, community development experience and deep Oklahoma City roots. He currently serves as executive director of It’s My Community Initiative, a nonprofit focused on strengthening families and building healthy communities, and represents Ward 7 on the Oklahoma City Council. An attorney by training, he is a former chair of the Oklahoma City Planning Commission and has served on numerous civic and education boards across the metro. Earlier in his career, Pennington worked as a congressional staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives and as an attorney for the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers. He earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma and his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University.

“Homeownership is at the heart of the American Dream, and every family deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable place they can call home,” Pennington said. “A stable home gives families the foundation to thrive, build wealth and create opportunity for generations to come. I’m excited to work with Ann Felton Gilliland and the outstanding team at Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to build more homes and champion policies and partnerships that make affordable homeownership possible for more working families.”

COHFH Board Vice Chair Larry Ball said Pennington emerged from a competitive national pool as the clear choice to lead the organization forward.

“Camal is a proven leader with a deep commitment to this community and to the families Habitat serves,” Ball said. “He brings vision, energy and a strong record of bringing people together to solve hard problems. After a thorough national search, the board is confident he is the right person to lead Central Oklahoma Habitat into its next chapter.”

Felton Gilliland joined COHFH in 1990 and, over more than 36 years, grew it from a small startup ministry into one of the nation’s leading Habitat affiliates. Under her leadership, the organization has helped more than 2,000 families through affordable homeownership and critical home repair, built more than 1,172 homes across central Oklahoma and opened two ReStores. She was named to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and will be inducted in November.

“Leading Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity has been the honor of my life,” Felton Gilliland said. “I’m proud of what we’ve built together, and I’m just as proud of who will carry it forward. Camal understands that our work is about more than houses — it’s about families, dignity and opportunity. I have every confidence that Habitat’s best days are ahead.”

Pennington will assume the chief executive officer role Oct. 1 and lead the organization’s day-to-day operations, homebuilding and critical home repair programs, two ReStores and its work to expand affordable homeownership across central Oklahoma.

To learn more, visit www.cohfh.org or call 405-232-4828.