Veteran Housing Official Erik C. Johnson named CEO of ARHA

(ALEXANDRIA, VA. – August 15, 2024) – The Board of Commissioners of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) today named the nationally recognized housing official Erik C. Johnson as CEO.

Johnson, who begins his role September 9, joins ARHA from his previous role as the Director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Hamden, Connecticut. He brings many years of executive level experience in city and regional planning, project finance, affordable housing, and building public-private partnerships.

“We want to welcome CEO Erik Johnson and his decades of impressive experience to the role,” said Anitra Androh, Chair of the ARHA Board of Commissioners. “He has the full confidence of the Board to lead ARHA. We know Erik Johnson is well-positioned to take over after the excellent leadership of Keith Pettigrew and Rickie Maddox.”

Johnson succeeds interim CEO Rickie C. Maddox, who was the first female to take this leadership role in the agency’s eight decades of existence. Maddox has led the Authority since November 1, 2023, when former CEO Keith Pettigrew left to serve as the executive director of the D.C. Housing Authority.

“I am honored to serve as CEO,” Johnson said. “I plan to build on the successes of Keith Pettigrew and Rickie Maddox to move ARHA into an even greater position to serve our residents. I look forward to helping ARHA bring more affordable housing to Alexandria.”

Before working for the Town of Hamden, Johnson was the Director of the Office of Development Services for the City of Hartford where he oversaw the Hartford Housing Department, which included a housing choice voucher (HCV)-only public housing agency with approximately 5,000 vouchers. He also led the successful negotiation and closure of $100 million in multifamily developmental projects during his time as director.

“I commend the ARHA Board on the choice of Erik Johnson, who has proven himself to be an accomplished leader,” said Rickie Maddox. “He has excelled in several areas such as building public-private partnerships and implementing economic development initiatives. We are elated to welcome him to Alexandria.” Maddox will ensure a smooth transition before she leaves ARHA.

Johnson’s other previous roles include Senior Director of Strategy Policy and Innovation for Elm City Communities under the Housing Authority of New Haven, Vice President of Development at the National Community Renaissance Corporation, and Executive Director of the Livable City Initiative for the City of New Haven.

Board Chair Androh added, “I would like to thank Rickie Maddox, who has ably served as interim CEO for nine months and ensured that the initiatives begun under Keith Pettigrew continued. Thanks to Rickie, ARHA didn’t miss a beat.”

Johnson is a native of New Haven, Connecticut and graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. He and his wife are the proud parents of two college-age daughters.

A headshot of Erik Johnson is available on request.

About ARHA

For over 80 years, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority has provided affordable housing, economic opportunities, and a suitable living environment free from discrimination for the citizens of Alexandria. Our mission is to be an industry leader in the development and management of model mixed income communities that provide the opportunity for residents to achieve self-sufficiency and to participate in economic opportunities that are made possible through this model. To learn more, visit http://www.arha.us/.