LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), a new independent countywide agency with broad new powers to support housing affordability and representation from small and large cities across the county, held a board meeting that introduced new board chair Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and featured the swearing in of newly-appointed interim CEO Ryan Johnson, effective immediately.

“The bold vision of LACAHSA has the potential to underwrite a brave new era of affordable housing production and homelessness prevention in every L.A. County neighborhood that is feeling stressed by housing costs,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, LACAHSA’s board chair. “To meet this vision, we need an innovative and entrepreneurial-minded CEO that is prepared to find solutions to address the region’s most complex challenge and deliver results, and we’ve found that in Ryan Johnson.”

For its first year of operations, the Agency has drawn on philanthropic grant funds in order to build its operating infrastructure. A key accomplishment was the hiring of new interim CEO Ryan Johnson, who has directed over $4B in multifamily development and acquisition and brings 17 years of expertise in real estate, capital formation, and affordable housing development. His career encompasses the for-profit real estate sector, private equity, and non-profit affordable housing, where he has effectively implemented innovative public policy and financial structures. 

“I am thrilled to join LACAHSA as the Interim CEO. LACAHSA offers a unique opportunity to confront the collective housing issues of the county with innovative solutions and collective financial impact,” said Johnson. “I am eager to leverage my professional experience, commitment to public service, and ability to create unique partnerships to contribute to these impactful efforts and drive meaningful change for our community. I also want to extend my gratitude to those who have tirelessly advanced this initiative; their dedication to the LA community is truly inspiring, and we are ready to get started.”

Johnson boasts a distinguished and dynamic background in finance, capital markets, and real estate, with extensive experience across various organizations. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer at Fulham Square Capital, a firm focused on workforce housing investments in the Southeast and Southwest. Previously, he served and as a Principal at Greyrock Capital Management, and additionally as Vice President of Capital Markets and Real Estate at Community Housing Opportunities Corporation where Johnson oversaw major transactions, led the expansion of the organization’s geographic footprint and mission-based reach in the western region of the U.S., and directed the first institutional sale of 54 HAP units including selecting a broker, negotiation of the PSA, and interviewing buyers. Johnson holds a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Real Estate Finance from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University, and dual undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. He is also a certified Argus Instructor and has completed specialized training in CCIM Troubled Asset Workshop and Fitch CMBS Credit Analysis.

Led by City of Bellflower Council Member and LACAHSA chair of Interim CEO Recruitment/Hiring Ad-Hoc Committee Victor Sanchez, LACAHSA performed a nationwide search to find the right fit to lead the agency and spur on innovation in the sector. Through a competitive bid process, LACHASA retained KEES, a national executive search firm, as its executive search partner earlier in 2024. Following a thorough national search, Johnson was appointed unanimously from a pool of distinguished finalists.

Sanchez commented, “The appointment of an Interim CEO marks a key step in our commitment to advancing the three P’s of housing: Production, Preservation, and Protection. This innovative regional strategy highlights our dedication to developing solutions for the complex housing challenges we face. By concentrating on these critical areas, and with our Interim CEO spearheading the initial efforts, we are positioning ourselves to effectively address the urgent issues of affordability and accessibility in our community.”

“We extend our congratulations to LACAHSA and eagerly anticipate the innovative and transformative impact Ryan will bring in the initial phases of the startup. It is an honor to have partnered with LACAHSA’s leadership and to witness this historic initiative unfold,” said KEES President and CEO Heather Eddy. “Ryan’s proven track record of driving projects and change to demonstrable results partnered with his entrepreneurial spirit will be invaluable as he helps LACAHSA achieve its ambitious start-up goals of establishing an agile, innovative, and sustainable organization.” 

LACAHSA was created in 2022 through state legislation (SB679) sponsored by then-California Senator Sydney Kamlager. LACAHSA is modeled after similar initiatives across the globe to scale up housing production and preservation from New York, San Francisco, and Singapore.

About the Partners

Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency

The L.A. County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency was created to make housing more affordable, help people stay in their homes, and increase housing options for people experiencing homelessness. It is a regional organization focused on all of L.A. County with leaders from across the county, and a single CEO, is accountable enough to cut through red tape so we can do more than ever before. In Q4 2024, LACAHSA will begin its search for a permanent CEO, continuing its partnership with KEES. To learn more, please visit: www.lacahsa.gov.

KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

KEES provides services to strengthen leadership teams through Executive Search, Board Coaching, Leadership Development, Human Resources Consulting, Specialty/Interim staffing, and Philanthropy/Fundraising, all with a focus on DEIB and equity lenses. Focusing its partnerships on organizations propelling social change, KEES has partnered with housing-focused missions in 40 states for over 25 years. We believe housing is essential for individuals and communities to thrive. From emergency housing, shelter, supportive and transitional housing, to permanent housing and long-term housing solutions, and supportive services related to housing and affordability, KEES is committed to ensuring public and nonprofit partners have diverse and dynamic leadership teams and infrastructure to support success. KEES values the role housing plays in the stability of life, work, and social dynamics. KEES also partners with clients who provide valuable wrap-around services such as food and nourishment, transportation, employment, and education.

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KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com

LACAHSA MEDIA CONTACT facilitated through Ocean & Mountain:

Jen Wheeler, jen@oceanmo.com

Marie Condron, marie@oceanmo.com