News

Columbus, OH – (October 22, 2020) – Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing today named Catherine A. Cawthon president and CEO, effective January 1, 2021.

Cawthon will join OCCH following more than 20 years at Fifth Third Community Development Corporation, serving the last 11 as president. The CDC, headquartered in Columbus, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp.

As CDC president, Cawthon was responsible for the complete investment process in low-income housing, historic and new market tax credit projects that support community revitalization. Cawthon has chaired the Affordable Housing Investors Council, the industry trade group for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit investors, and currently serves on the board of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Ohio Housing Council, the Council for Rural Housing in Ohio’s Advisory Board and the Joint Columbus and Franklin County Housing Advisory Board.

Fifth Third CDC has been one of OCCH’s largest investors over the years. OCCH Board Chair Susan Weaver said Cawthon was selected for her extensive community investment experience and leadership in the affordable housing industry. “Catherine knows our organization well. She has direct industry experience with developers, investors and housing finance agencies that will be a huge benefit to OCCH as we focus on acquisitions and strengthening relationships with our key partners,” Weaver said.

Cawthon succeeds Peg Moertl, who is returning to her hometown of Cincinnati. Hal Keller will serve as interim president and CEO through the end of the year. Keller was a founder of OCCH and served as president for more than 30 years.

Cawthon graduated from Illinois State University and earned an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She currently resides with her family in Powell, Ohio.

About Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing:

OCCH is a nonprofit financial intermediary based in Columbus, Ohio, that works with private and public developers to create affordable housing opportunities through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) programs. Since 1989, OCCH has invested more than $5 billion in the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing; creating economic opportunities, stable communities, and empowering those most in need. Our mission is to advance the preservation, production, and management of affordable housing through collaborative partnership and innovative thought leadership. www.occh.org

OCCH Contact:

Mary Kay Meagher, Director of Operations and Communications
614-778-8901 (mobile); 614-224-8446 x148 (office)
mmeagher@occh.org