Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation welcomes Michael J. Stewart to the executive team as Assistant Director. Stewart has more than 20 years of public sector leadership in affordable and public housing, asset management, project management, capacity building, stakeholder development and the administration and procurement of federal, state and local grants. This includes prior leadership roles with the Houston Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish.

As UREC’s Assistant Director, Stewart provides executive leadership and manages all aspects of business operations to ensure organizational effectiveness across UREC’s affordable housing, human development and community engagement initiatives.

UREC President and CEO Carl Dillon said, “Michael is a leader and collaborator whose experiences with affordable housing and social services align with UREC’s mission of transforming communities by investing in people and restoring neighborhoods. He is an integral part of our executive team and adds value to our operational success and external initiatives.”

Stewart said, “I am excited to be a part of UREC’s future and appreciate my role of ensuring best practices that will benefit UREC’s trajectory and mission.”

Throughout his career, Stewart has been instrumental in ensuring the quality of affordable housing initiatives that foster self-sufficiency for families and communities. He previously secured more than $1M in federal and state grants for several social and supportive service initiatives and has managed programs with budgets of more than $60M.

In 2015, he represented the City of Baton Rouge at the White House for the presidential initiative ConnectHome.  He has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Southwest Regional and Louisiana Chapters of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish’s Board of Commissioners for his professional contributions and best practices.

A native of Baton Rouge, La., Stewart earned a bachelor’s from University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is certified in public housing executive management, public housing management and blended occupancy management from Nan McKay and Associates. He currently serves as treasurer and executive board member for Istrouma High School Alumni Association and is a member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent’s Istrouma High School Advisory Committee.