Milet Hopping Named NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) named Milet Hopping, President and CEO of the Waco Housing Authority, as one of two Outstanding Professionals of the Year. The award was presented on September 27, at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
“Milet is a powerhouse,” said Mark Thiele, NAHRO CEO. “She’s an experienced houser, a vibrant manager and advocate, a longtime NAHRO leader, and an inspiration to many, including me. I’m thrilled to present her with this well-deserved award.”
For the past eight years, Ms. Hopping has served as the President/CEO of Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates located in Waco, Texas, where she supervises and facilitates the needs and training of over 80 staff members as well as over 2,000 public housing residents and 6,000 housing choice voucher participants, over 5 counties. Mrs. Hopping began her career with Waco Housing Authority 30 years ago, first as the Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator and then became the Director of Community Services. After 10 years of working within the community Services Department she was promoted to the Chief Operating Officer position.
Before moving to Texas, Mrs. Hopping lived in Washington state, where she worked with migrant students and their families to ensure that they lived in safe conditions and that their children were attending school. Immediately after graduating from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Spanish in 1981. After graduating college, she remained in Massachusetts working for Catholic Social Service helping to place children for adoption as well as working with a program for runaway teens.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.
About the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award
The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award is NAHRO’s highest and most prestigious award given to honor an exceptionally qualified person who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life through service in the field of housing or community development. The award is made on the basis of extraordinary accomplishments and contributions.
The Outstanding Professional of the Year award was established in 1975 in the name of M. Justin Herman. It was renamed and revamped in 2019 to better reflect the purpose of the award and to encourage nominees from all agency sizes to apply.