Lifelong Civic Crusader to Head LISC Phoenix

PHOENIX, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Terry Benelli, a veteran community development leader, will be the new executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) Phoenix program. LISC is a national nonprofit that has invested more than $228 million to help revitalize some of the Phoenix area's most distressed communities.

Benelli comes to LISC from the Neighborhood Economic Development Corp. (NEDCO), where she served as executive director for seven years. NEDCO, which is based in Mesa, Ariz., specializes in jump-starting community renewal through capital investment in high-quality affordable housing, commercial corridor improvements and access to light rail.

"We are very pleased and fortunate to have Terry join the LISC team and to lead our local efforts for continued success in the Valley of the Sun," said Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO.

Benelli, a Flinn Brown Fellow with the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, has served on the boards of the Arizona Micro Enterprise Alliance, the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force and the Downtown Mesa Urban Summit, among others civic groups. She graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and has been a champion of local economic and neighborhood revitalization efforts ever since.

Benelli succeeds Teresa Brice, a dynamo in the Phoenix community development world for 35 years, who pioneered the visionary LISC initiative, Our Future is on the Line, which promotes sustainable and equitable development along the light rail system in the region. Brice is retiring at year's end.

When Benelli steps into her new role on January 1, she will assume direction of transit-oriented development programming and advance the goals of reducing transportation costs, improving air quality, and increasing economic competitiveness and building livable communities. "I am excited to continue the work of LISC Phoenix, empowering neighborhoods to engage, plan, evaluate and advocate for opportunities that support comprehensive community development," said Benelli. "I can't imagine a more fulfilling job."

Benelli brings to LISC Phoenix extraordinary expertise as a leader in community revival and creative placemaking. "Terry will ensure that our goals for Our Future is on the Line remain a priority, and she will carry on a long-standing commitment to improve neighborhoods through comprehensive community development," said Bryce Lloyd, president of First Bank and chair of Phoenix LISC's Advisory Board.

About LISC
LISC combines corporate, government, and philanthropic resources to assist nonprofit partners in revitalizing distressed neighborhoods through grants, loans, and equity. LISC delivers these resources through 30 urban offices nationwide and through our rural development partners. Since its inception, LISC has invested more than $13.8 billion to build or rehabilitate affordable homes, develop retail, community and educational space, and provide relevant training and programs to neighborhood partners nationwide.

Contacts:
Mariano Diaz: (213) 240-3119, [email protected]
Susan Castro-Valenzuela: (213) 240-3141, [email protected]

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SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation