Meet our Board of Directors

Clifford Tyler, President

Marketing and sales/development consultant, retired from Hewlett Packard and South County Habitat for Humanity

"I joined Habitat to help give local families the opportunity for a better life, with access to safe and affordable housing, and a place that they can call home.”

Maura Travers, Vice President

Retired AVP Attorney, Farmers Group Inc.

"I joined Habitat to support the important work it does in providing safe, affordable housing and to give back to the community where I live."

Dr. J. Whitney Bancroft, Secretary

Retired State Leader, 4-H Youth Development Program

"I joined Habitat because I could put my faith and experience to work, having a real impact on the lives of families in need of the life-changing effect of having safe, simple, decent homes."

Scott Ostrowski, Treasurer

Senior Vice President & Chief Audit Executive, The Washington Trust Company

"I joined Habitat for many reasons, including its core vision of a world where we all have a decent, safe, and comfortable home to live, including right here in our beautiful South County, Rhode Island.  I was touched by the Team and other Board members I had met at South County Habitat for Humanity, and was drawn to their mission to achieve this world through the organization’s fundamental principles of bringing people together through faith and community, focusing on building homes together, and advocating for affordable housing.  We as humans all desire basic needs, including shelter, and the folks at Habitat work very hard, every day, to help meet this need here in our community.  I welcomed the opportunity to be a part of Habitat, to share my time and talent, and to help support and promote the mission!"

Richard Morrissey, At Large Director

Retired VP Global Supply Chain Logistics Systems Strategy, Schneider Electric

"I joined Habitat because I like to build and design things and help create the opportunity for affordable housing to be available to those in need."

Andrew McQuaide, Director

Individual & Family Supports Coordinator, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College

"I joined Habitat because our incredible community should be accessible and affordable and to support the amazing Habitat team that serves South County."

Peggy Benz, Director

Block Island Ferry

"I joined Habitat because Habitat has such a profound and positive impact on the lives of the families and communities it serves, in addition, an impact that will change the course of future generations. Another draw for becoming involved with Habitat, after living overseas in developing countries for a number of years,  is the fact that Habitat not only serves to fulfill the needs of providing safe secure housing locally but also international housing programs."

Scott Andrews, Director

Independent Financial Advisor

"I joined Habitat because I share the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to call home. The impact of building homes while empowering volunteers with new skills is something that has changed my life. For the last 12 years I have worked with Habitat for Humanity on Alternative Spring Break programs, first as a college student and now as an Alumni Advisor. I have served with hundreds of student volunteers who had no previous construction experience but after serving with Habitat felt empowered with new skills and confidence in their own ability to create meaningful change in the world... Building Homes, Building Hope. I joined Habitat because I could put my faith and experience to work, having a real impact on the lives of families in need of the life-changing effect of having safe, simple, decent homes."

Deborah Byrne, Director

Wealth Management Banking Specialist VP, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

"I joined Habitat because I strongly believe in the mission of the organization. I also believe that my purpose in life is to give back to the community and to help in any way that I can. It is important to me that I make a positive impact."

Leah Gardiner, Director

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

"I joined habitat because I have witnessed the success individuals and families can experience when their housing costs are a reasonable percentage of their household income.  I wanted to help habitat homeowners make the most out of their experience by sharing my knowledge of finance.  An affordable housing payment, combined with the ability to budget and save sets our homeowners up for long term success and that is something I am proud to be a part of."

William Stearns, Director

Retired, past owner of small retail stores and Manager of Restore

"I joined Habitat for Humanity because I believe every child deserves a good stable home to live in."

Ken Sisson, Director

Assistant Director, Enrollment Services at URI

"I joined Habitat because I enjoy working with the students and building affordable housing."

Jill Kass, Director

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