New Executive Director and Board Members

Somerville, New Jersey (February 16, 2021) – Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) announces the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors, and the hiring of a new Executive Director. Joining the Board of Directors are Renee Casey, Ellen Harris, and Michael Scribner. The new Executive Director is Melissa Flynn.

Melissa Flynn joins RV Habitat for Humanity after serving as the Operations Director with Warren County Habitat for Humanity (WCHFH). Flynn joined the Warren Habitat affiliate in 2008 as a volunteer on various committee and projects, and ultimately moved into a project management position to oversee the construction of a Warren Habitat ReStore. She proceeded into the Operations Director position, overseeing all aspects of WCHFH including planning a community center that will open this spring. Flynn takes over the Executive Director position upon the retirement of Jan Holmstrup, who served in the position since 2016 with important and impactful accomplishments, including opening the Habitat ReStore in Manville.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Flynn to the RVHFH family,” remarked Meg Helms, RVHFH Board of Directors President. “Besides her extremely valuable 12 years of prior Habitat experience, her friendly and outgoing nature are a great fit for our team, as they have been in all of the civic endeavors she pursues. Her contributions to her Warren County community include serving as a member of the PTA, a Sunday school teacher, preschool leader, and even as a women’s fitness class leader. Her energy and drive are admirable, and she is sure to make a positive impact for families in our community. We are honored to introduce her as our Executive Director.”

The first of the new Board of Director appointees is Renee Casey, a Senior Director of Strategic Capabilities and Customer Experience at Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices. Ms. Casey brings a depth of experience in leadership, customer engagement, sales, and marketing, and will help to strengthen strategic fundraising and marketing efforts at RVHFH. Her involvement with Habitat for Humanity started years ago as a volunteer in Trenton with St. Borromeo Church and now in Raritan Valley. Ms. Casey said “When I read that Habitat was building a home in my own backyard in Montgomery, I was inspired to get involved at the organization level. I am excited to accelerate Habitat’s mission and to build homes for deserving families in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.”

Ellen Harris, Esq. is Senior Counsel at Norris McLaughlin, PA Attorneys at Law, based in Bridgewater, and joins her colleague Tim McKeown on the Board of Directors. Ms. Harris has wide-ranging experience negotiating and creating comprehensive agreements for construction projects, low-income housing tax credit transactions, multi-family housing development, and related expertise that will strengthen RVHFH’s work in providing affordable housing opportunities in the community. She tells us, “I am truly excited about serving on the RVHFH Board. My family has had a long-standing commitment to Habitat for Humanity starting in Daytona Beach, so the mission has been fostered and encouraged over the last 30 years. I was an integral part of the municipal team that made land available to Habitat in Newark. The reward of my career in housing is manifested in the joy of seeing families receiving a home of their own.”

Michael Scribner is a co-owner at BH Wireless LLC, overseeing the daily operation of various Verizon locations and Apple repair centers. Mr. Scribner has extensive experience overseeing retail operations at stores throughout the northeast, and his experience will be integral in creating relationships and partnerships with small businesses in the communities that RVHFH serves. When asked why he joined the RV Habitat Board of Directors, Mr. Scribner said that “Affordable housing is an issue which affects many Americans, and many families in our area. Joining the Habitat Board affords me a greater opportunity to focus on this issue rather than just making just a financial contribution.”

“I am excited to tackle the changes we will have to make to accomplish our mission of bringing people together to build communities, homes and hope during this unprecedented time in our lives,” said Melissa Flynn, RVHFH Executive Director. “The appointment of three new Board members revitalizes and strengthens our board, which will help us to continue expanding our presence and services in the region, and I look forward to what’s to come.”

About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 6275 Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit www.rvhabitat.org/volunteer.