Reginald E. Gordon Named Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that Reginald E. Gordon will be the next Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building. Gordon follows the tenure of Dr. Thad Williamson, who was named the first director of the new office two years ago.

“We’ve been well-served by Thad Williamson in the post and appreciate the sabbatical he took to work with us during this time,” said Mayor Jones. “Given the great work and good stewardship that Thad has offered, our challenge had been in identifying a viable successor. I’m confident that we’ve identified the right fit for this next phase of our community wealth building efforts in the personality of Reggie Gordon.”

Beginning June 13, Gordon will serve as the central point of contact for the Office of Community Wealth Building (OCW). OCW initially grew out of the work of the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission, now known as the Maggie L. Walker Initiative for Expanding Opportunity and Fighting Poverty. Jones successfully worked to make the office a permanent department within city government so that the work toward de-concentrating poverty and transforming Richmond’s public housing will continue, even with changing leadership.

“Reggie’s leadership with the American Red Cross, along with his previous posts with the William Byrd Community House, Homeward, and United Way, have all had him working in the same wheelhouse of focus on communities and transformation,” noted Mayor Jones. “He is bringing a wealth of experience and a heart for the issues that will help further anchor our efforts and advance our goals.”

Mr. Gordon has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Virginia Region since July of 2007. He earned a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law (1986) and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University (1982). He is the recipient of numerous honors including the John Jasper Trailblazer Award, the Ukrop Community Vision Award, the Better Housing Coalition Creative Collaborator Leadership Award, and also previously served on the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy as well as the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission.

“I look forward to Reggie’s leadership in improving the lives of our residents through programs, projects, and initiatives aimed at reducing levels of poverty throughout the City of Richmond,” said the City’s Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn.