Jens Christensen, the head of Chattanooga Community Kitchen in for the past seven years, has been named president of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.
Christensen replaces Dave Butler who retired last month after leading the nonprofit home building group for the past seven and a half years.
Christensen, who has worked at the Community Kitchen for nearly 17 years, said his love for those experiencing poverty led him to his new position at Habitat.
"There are tremendous opportunities in Chattanooga for affordable housing," said Christensen. "Habitat changed the focus on poverty to establish home ownership, which in turn, changes the future of the family for generations. The mission of helping people as they establish a sustainable future is something that excites me about the work done by Habitat."
As he leaves the Community Kitchen, board chair Mary Jayne Allen said she looks forward to potential partnerships between the two organizations.
"Jens understands the homeless community and was able to navigate keeping our doors open to serve our clients during the pandemic," she said. "He also has a broad view of partnering with other agencies in meeting those needs and we're optimistic that his new position will allow us to explore shared opportunities."
Habitat board chair Marcus Jones said Christensen's passion and experience "make him uniquely qualified to lead Habitat."
Christensen is a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga and serves on the boards of the Metropolitan YMCA, H*Art Gallery and the Chattanooga Interagency Council on Homelessness. He is a past board member of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults as well as the Homeless Coalition. He earned his undergraduate degree from Guilford College and his MBA from Georgia Southern.
At work in Chattanooga since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area is a faith based non-profit organization whose vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Chattanooga Habitat has built 283 homes.
- Compiled by Dave Flessner