National Equity Fund Announces Two New Board Members

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Sep 23, 2015, 10:57 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Equity Fund, Inc.'s board of directors recently announced the appointment of its newest members, Jane Graf, president and CEO of Mercy Housing, a national affordable housing nonprofit and longtime partner of NEF and Patrick J. Nash, managing director at JPMorgan Capital Corporation and head of the Direct Housing Investments Group.

"Both Jane and Pat have each spent more than 35 years working in and advocating for affordable housing and we're thrilled to have them join NEF's board of directors," commented Larry Dale, board chairman. "They bring a wealth of experience coupled with a deep commitment to changing lives for the better."

National Equity Fund, president and CEO, Joe Hagan added, "We look forward to Jane and Pat's participation on our board of directors. They are each distinguished professionals within the affordable housing community and we are so pleased to have them aboard."

Graf joined Mercy Housing as president of the California region in 1992 when the housing development department of Catholic Charities and Mercy Housing merged. In this role, she presided over three organizational mergers that expanded the reach of Mercy Housing California growing its portfolio from 706 units of housing to 7,434 units, a tenfold increase. She was then named president of the western region in 1999 responsible for the growth of Mercy Housing in California, Washington and Idaho overseeing the development of more than 12,000 units of affordable housing. In 2011, she became Mercy Housing chief operating officer responsible for all of the organization's five geographic regions in 19 states. In 2013, she was named president and in 2014 she became president and CEO.

Prior to joining Mercy, Graf founded Specialized Housing, Inc. in 1981 and in 1987 she joined Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco as director of housing development where she was responsible for the development of one of the first LIHTC properties in San Francisco, Peter Claver Community, just months after the program became operational. She has served on numerous boards throughout her career.

Nash has years of experience in affordable housing and commercial real estate that include all facets of finance, investment and sales. He joined the First National Bank of Chicago's Real Estate Department in 1990 and assumed responsibility for its housing product in 1994. In addition, he was president of Community Investment Corporation, a Chicago-based non-profit lender to owners of apartment buildings in Chicago's inner-city communities. He served on the City of Chicago Department of Housing's Advisory Committee and from 1979 to 1983 he was a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority. He also served as past president of the Affordable Housing Investor's Council recently reconnecting with the group joining its Board of Directors and now serving as its Chairman.

About National Equity Fund, Inc.
National Equity Fund, Inc. is a leading syndicator of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The Chicago-based non-profit is an affiliate of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and has played an integral role in creating affordable housing options, revitalizing communities and strengthening local economies for more than 27 years. It has invested $11.4 billion in 2,300 LIHTC developments, creating approximately 140,000 affordable homes for low-income families and individuals. For more information, visit www.nefinc.org/

Contact: Maureen Mullady
312.480.6175
[email protected]

SOURCE National Equity Fund