Will Cooper Jr. |
IRVINE, CA (June 27, 2016)
– WNC Founder and Chairman Will Cooper Sr. has been awarded the David Reznick
Lifetime Achievement Award by The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition.
The award was presented to Cooper Sr. by Senator Mike Crapo (R-IA) and
Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) at
the 22nd annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards.
Held at the U.S. Capitol
Visitors Center in Washington D.C., the event honors low-income housing tax
credit (LIHTC) developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier
communities in urban, suburban and rural areas nationwide.
“Will Cooper Sr. is
appropriately known as a pioneer of the affordable housing industry, having
been at the forefront of the LIHTC program since its creation by Congress in
1986,” said Senator Crapo.
Sen. Mike Capro |
“He is a key member of the
affordable housing industry who has helped show many how the low-income housing
tax credit provides essential capital to underserved communities and provides
key financing for small and rural affordable housing developments. Will is a
nationally recognized leader and this lifetime achievement celebrates his
remarkable career and work.”
The David Reznick Lifetime
Achievement Award recognizes Cooper Sr.’s longtime commitment to supporting the
work of the affordable housing and community development industry on the
federal, state and local levels. He has testified before both the U.S. Senate
and House of Representatives and has worked tirelessly for decades to create
and preserve affordable homes for low-income families across the country.
“David was a friend of
mine, as he was to so many in the affordable housing industry,” said Cooper Sr.
“He was also a member of WNC’s Advisory Board and provided us with excellent
insight. I’m very thankful to the board of the Tax Credit Coalition for honoring
me, and for the incredible work the organization does on Capitol Hill to
support the low-income housing tax credit program. And thank you to everyone in
our industry who help to make our nation’s housing better and more affordable.”
Sen. Xavier Becerra |
Cooper Sr. founded WNC, a
national investor in real estate and community development initiatives, in 1971
in Irvine, California. Over time, he built the company’s investor base to
include Fortune 500 companies, insurance giants, and multinational banks,
helping to bring private investment into the affordable housing sector. In 1997
he cofounded the California Housing Consortium to unite the businesses and
organizations working to support affordable housing in the state in a
nonpartisan advocacy effort, to great success.
David Reznick
was co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Reznick Group, P.C. before the firm
combined with J.H. Cohn in 2012 to form CohnReznick LLP. The success of
CohnReznick is due, in large part, to the formidable presence David established
in the affordable housing industry more than 40 years ago. An industry legend
and visionary, he was known for his tireless work to create and protect
affordable housing.
“Our founder, my father,
has dedicated much of his life to ensuring the delivery of quality, safe homes
to individuals and families in need throughout the country,” said Will Cooper
Jr., president and chief executive officer of WNC. “He has not only helped lead
the low-income housing tax credit industry over the past 30 years, but has also
played a significant role in ensuring its success.”
For a complete copy of the company’s news
release, please contact:
Julie Leber
Spotlight Marketing
Communications
949.427.5172 ext. 703