Larry Curtis, president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment, has been elected to the board of trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization committed to the preservation of America's historic properties.
"While at Winn, I have been lucky enough to provide local communities with much needed and quality affordable housing through historic rehabilitation projects," said Curtis. "I am extremely honored to have been selected as a new member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's board of trustees and for Winn to be recognized for its commitment to the preservation of historic and iconic buildings. I look forward to applying my experience with historic redevelopment projects to help contribute to the efforts of this important organization."
Curtis has led a wide range of real estate development and acquisition activities throughout his career of more than 25 years, during which he maintains a primary focus on historic rehabilitation developments and the creation of affordable housing. Curtis has been instrumental in helping Winn grow from 3,000 units in 1986 to more than 90,000 units, which the company currently has under management in 23 states across the country.
WinnDevelopment has a national reputation for completing historically sensitive renovation projects, including the adaptive re-use of historic buildings, with numerous properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such as Nazing Court in Dorchester, Mass. The company's developments have received multiple awards from City and State Agencies, non-profits and industry associations for historic preservation, community impact, design and sustainability. In recent years, Winn has completed 17 historic mill redevelopment projects.
"Larry's knowledge and personal experience using preservation as a tool to revitalize communities and create jobs will be an important addition to the National Trust Board of Trustees," said Stephanie Meeks, president and chief executive officer, National Trust for Historic Preservation. "We look forward to the many contributions he will bring, not only to the Trust but to the entire preservation movement."
Curtis is the immediate past president of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA) and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Multi-Housing Council, as well as the Citizens Housing and Planning Association. He also served as the chairman of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) in 2006 and as a co-chair of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies' annual campaign in 2008.
Curtis has received numerous awards, including the Paul E. Tsongas Award from Preservation Massachusetts. He also co-founded New Lease, a non-profit based in Boston that provides a clearinghouse of affordable housing units for families staying in state-funded shelters and motels throughout Massachusetts.