Robert “Rob” Van Tassell (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities Hawaii)
Catholic Charities Hawaii has selected as its new chief executive officer and president a Washington state man with two decades of leadership in the development and operations of affordable housing.
Robert “Rob” Van Tassell starts Nov. 4. He is currently vice president of Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington, where he oversees the housing and community development for the third largest housing developer in the state.
He has led the development of more than 30 homeless, low-income, special needs, family, farmworker and senior housing projects that serve nearly 10,000 residents.
“Rob brings a valuable perspective to the position, as a financial professional, organizational consultant and person of strong faith,” said Kim Jones, chairperson of Catholic Charities Hawaii board of directors, in a news release. “He is a natural fit and we’re confident he will lead the organization well as we grow and evolve with the changing times.”
Van Tassell said he was “truly honored” to be picked to head an organization with an “incredible reputation for serving those most in need.”
Van Tassell helped establish the Communities of Concern Commission to focus on asset creation and community development of underserved populations throughout Washington. He also helped found the Catholic Collaboration Center within Catholic Housing Services to bring together Catholic institutions, community-based organizations, parishes and public agencies to create opportunities for poor communities to break the cycle of poverty.
His previous positions include housing developer for Beacon Development Group, executive vice president of Perspective Portals and associated consultant for Gunn Partners, among others.
Van Tassell serves on the Housing Community of Practice Coordinating Committee for Catholic Charities USA and on the boards of the Housing Development Consortium and F.A.M.E. / Equity Alliance of Washington.
He received the 2019 Friend of Housing Award at the Washington State Housing Conference and the 2017 Award for Housing Innovation, Creativity and Compassion from Impact Capital.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He and his wife of 30 years have three daughters.
