Sandra Henriquez Gets Obama Appt

Boston Housing Authority's long-time chief, Sandra Henriquez, was named today to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing in the Obama Administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Henriquez has led the housing authority since 1996 -- making her one of the longest-serving members of Tom Menino's cabinet. She has received tremendous credit for progress made at BHA developments in Charlestown and South Boston, in particular.

Her son Carlos is running for city council against Chuck Turner, in his second campaign for that seat.

It's a great appointment for Henriquez, and a significant loss for Menino.

It could also make it easier for his opponents to criticize Menino for a lack of high-ranking minorities in his administration. Charlotte Golar-Richie, another African-American woman, left the administration two years ago. On the plus side, Menino recruited Carol R. Johnson as superintendent of the public schools in 2007.

From the announcement put out by the White House this afternoon:

Sandra Henriquez assumed her duties as the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Housing Authority in April 1996.  Ms. Henriquez is the Chief of Public Housing for the City of Boston, which is a Cabinet position within the administration of Mayor Thomas M. Menino.  She previously served at the Boston Housing Authority in various capacities from 1977 to 1983.  Sandra returned to public housing after ten years as a Principal of Maloney Properties, Inc., a full service real estate property management firm specializing in the delivery of services to resident-controlled and non-profit sponsored housing.  Prior to her time with Maloney Properties, she served as the Director of Housing Management and Tenant Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Housing and Community Development.  Ms. Henriquez is a Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA).  She is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors of the YWCA Boston.  As a Trustee for nine years, and now an Honorary Trustee of the New England Baptist Hospital, Sandra also sits on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and participates on the Compensation Committee.  In addition, she is a Director of the Massachusetts-based Citizens Housing and Planning Association.  The Rental Housing Association of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board honored Sandra Henriquez in 2000 with the Excellence in Public Service Award.  In 1997, Ms. Henriquez received the Abigail Adams Award from the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus and was recognized by Banker & Tradesman as a “Leader Making A Difference”.  Sandra was also named Executive Director of the Year in 2002 by the National Organization of African Americans in Housing.  Ms. Henriquez has three children, two sons and a daughter.