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Evette Hester is the Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO). In October 2019, Hester became the second Executive Director to lead the agency since its return to local control in 2014. In her role as the Executive Director, Hester manages the agency’s portfolio of 4,790 low-to-moderate income housing units, and 85 scattered sites, along with administering 18,000 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Hester brings three decades of executive-level experience to HANO from several housing authorities across the country including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chester, Houston, and Montgomery (AL). She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Montgomery Housing Authority (MHA). In this role, Hester planned and directed a $112 million development and modernization budget to create affordable housing options in Montgomery, AL. while securing its long-term viability. She utilized four percent and nine percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits to redevelop over 400 affordable housing dwelling units, including amenity spaces and administration buildings. In addition, Hester led the redevelopment of 250 dwelling units across two MHA communities through the use of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and HUD Capital funding.

Hester currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Business Administration from Morgan State University. She has served on numerous local and national boards, including the NAHRO International Committee, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of Tukabatchee, Women in Business, Alabama Domestic Violence Coalition, Homeless Coalition and Housing Authority Insurance, Inc., (HAI) Group, in addition to other community and civic boards.