2008

Michael P. Rizer
Executive Vice President, Director of Community Relations, Wachovia Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina

Michael Rizer is being honored for his dedication to creating partnerships that resulted in more affordable housing solutions for Charlotte. A former member and Chair of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc.’s (CMHP) Board of Directors, Rizer helped the agency undertake several new affordable rental housing developments. During Rizer’s tenure on the CMHP Board, the organization increased its assets from $38 million to $45 million, built 485 high-quality, affordable rental units, helped 246 families become homeowners, and provided counseling to nearly 2,200 families. Rizer also played an instrumental role in activating the nonprofit response to Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s foreclosure crisis.  Identified as having the highest foreclosure rate in the state of North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s first-time homebuyer market has been especially affected. Upon participating in discussions on how to address the crisis and the region’s response, Rizer offered his support, which brought together local resources to address the looming problem.

2007

Daniel Abrego, Jr.
Abrego Ventures, Inc.
Tejano Center for Community Concerns
Houston, Texas

Daniel Abrego, Jr. has been a supporter of the Tejano Center for Community Concerns for 13 years. A respected local business developer with a passion for the East End community of Houston, Abrego’s lifelong connection to the Port Houston community served by the Tejano Center links back to his father’s local grocery store. As a small businessman from a longstanding community-oriented family, Abrego sees first-hand the value and benefits of service to his community and society as a whole. Abrego has supported the Tejano Center through thick and thin, from donating rent-free space for operations to working to find resources to maintain services. His high energy and natural problem-solving ability enables Abrego to address community issues and find the resources necessary to resolve them. He is a forward thinker who believes in the sustainability of his community by generating opportunities for residents.