NW Metro Atlanta Habitat expresses our gratitude for the service of long-time Board of Director members Carol Sullivan, our 2016-2017 Board Chair; and Bob Byrd, Past Secretary. Carol and Bob retired from the board earlier this year.
Carol works for Munich Re, U.S. Life, as the manager of corporate marketing and communication. She is also responsible for the corporate citizenship program for the company. She participated in her first build with her company almost a decade ago.
Carol lives in Cobb County with her husband and two of their three sons. Their oldest son is married and also lives in Cobb.
When Carol was asked about what she would like the community to know about Habitat, she said, “A Habitat house is not a freebie. Our homeowners pay a mortgage, taxes and insurance just like more affluent homeowners, they pay closing costs, and they put in 200 hours of sweat equity.
“These first-time homeowners will contribute a significant amount in taxes and other economic activity to our community as a result of their homeownership. They are responsible, industrious and great members of the community who simply need a hand up.”
Robert Byrd, served secretary of the Board of Directors, and is a veteran Atlanta communications executive. He retired in 2017 as senior director of communications for Assurant, a leading provider of insurance and risk management services, where he held responsibilities including public relations, employee communications and community affairs.
Prior to joining Assurant, he served as president of Hayslett Group, an Atlanta public relations firm, and executive speechwriter and communications editor for The Coca-Cola Company. A former journalist, Bob worked for a decade as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press; and holds a journalism degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Dr. Michelle DeHaven, founder of the Cumberland Animal Clinic, live in Buckhead; their daughter, is a student at Agnes Scott College.
“We were very blessed to have the talents and servant hearts of both Carol Sullivan and Bob Byrd. We appreciate their many years of service and the difference they made for Habitat families,” said Jessica Gill, CEO. Best of luck Carol and Bob!