Name: Michael P. Rizer

Position, Organization: Executive Vice President, Director of Community Relations, Wachovia Corporation

Nominating Organization: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc.

District: Mid-Atlantic

Biography

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.