Retirement Housing Foundation Names Stuart Hartman Next President and CEO

Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF), one of the nation’s largest providers of affordable housing and services for older adults, working-class families and persons with disabilities, announced Nov. 5, 2020, that their National Board of Directors has selected Stuart Hartman as president and CEO of RHF, effective March 1, 2021. Until that time, Hartman will continue in his current role as RHF’s senior vice president of operations, acquisitions and development.

RHF’s current president and CEO, the Rev. Laverne Joseph, will remain in his position and continue to lead RHF until his retirement Feb. 28, 2021. Over the next three months, Joseph and Hartman will work closely to prepare for a smooth transition of leadership.     

Hartman has served in a variety of positions during his career at RHF. He has nearly 40 years of property management, resident services and construction experience (for-profit and non-profit). He will be RHF’s fourth president and CEO in the organization’s 60-year history.

In 1990, Hartman was hired by Joseph to be RHF’s regional manager for its Southern California communities. As the organization grew, so did Hartman’s responsibilities, with promotions to assistant director of management, director of housing management, vice president of housing and healthcare, and his current position as senior vice president of operations with functional oversight of affordable housing, healthcare operations, acquisitions and development.

Hartman holds a California real estate broker license and is the real estate broker for the Corporation’s two property management companies. He has National Assisted Housing Professional — Executive and Certified Manager of Maintenance designations from the National Council of Housing Management. He also is the Section 504 fair housing coordinator for RHF.

Prior to joining RHF, Hartman held positions with Goldrich & Kest Industries and V.M.S. Realty.

Founded in 1961, RHF is a national non-profit organization with a mission to provide a range of housing options and services for older adults, low-income families, and persons with disabilities.  RHF is affiliated with the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ and LeadingAge and its state affiliates, CAHF (California Association of Health Facilities) and also co-sponsors housing development with other varied denominational and community organizations.  RHF sponsors and manages 198 communities in 29 states and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.