Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville Names Patrick J. (PJ) McCarthy as Next President and CEO
National affordable housing leader to succeed Danny Herron following his retirement at the end of 2026.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville announced today that Patrick J. (PJ) McCarthy has been selected as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. McCarthy will succeed Danny Herron, who will retire on Dec. 31, 2026, after 16 years of leadership and service to the organization. The appointment follows a comprehensive national search and board-led succession process.
A National Leader in Affordable Housing
McCarthy brings more than 18 years of executive leadership experience in affordable housing, mortgage finance, capital deployment and community development. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Affordable Lending at Fannie Mae, where he led a $25 billion affordable lending platform focused on expanding access to homeownership opportunities in underserved communities nationwide.
According to Christie Wilson, chair of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Board of Directors, McCarthy emerged as the ideal candidate following an extensive search process.
“His combination of national housing expertise, strategic leadership, operational excellence and commitment to affordable homeownership makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead our organization into its next chapter.”
Throughout his career, McCarthy has led large-scale housing initiatives, developed innovative funding models, managed extensive public-private partnerships and helped shape programs designed to increase housing access and stability. He also played a key role in enterprise-level strategic planning and helped build Fannie Mae’s consumer homeownership education platform, which serves prospective homeowners across the country.
Bringing Both National Expertise and Local Perspective
In addition to his national leadership experience, McCarthy brings a local perspective through his Nashville-based real estate ownership and property management experience. His work has given him firsthand insight into the barriers many families face on the path to homeownership, including challenges related to financial literacy, housing stability and credit readiness.
J. Scott Gupton, chair of the board’s Leadership Succession Committee, cited McCarthy’s collaborative leadership style, commitment to building high-performing teams, governance experience and deep understanding of affordable housing as key reasons the committee recommended him for the role.
Building on a Strong Foundation
McCarthy said he was inspired by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s mission, leadership and track record of transforming lives through affordable homeownership.
“I am deeply honored to join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville as its next President & CEO. What has impressed me most throughout this process is the organization’s unwavering commitment to its mission, the strength of its leadership team and Board, and the lasting impact Habitat has on families and communities across Greater Nashville. I look forward to building on the extraordinary foundation established by Danny Herron while working alongside homeowners, volunteers, donors, community partners, the Board, and the talented Habitat team to expand opportunities for sustainable homeownership. I am excited to devote the next chapter of my career to helping more families build strength, stability and self-reliance through homeownership.”
McCarthy holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and has completed executive development programs at MIT Sloan School of Management, Harvard Business School and Babson College. He previously held leadership positions with Fannie Mae, Great Lakes Financial Group and Ernst & Young. He is also active in community and nonprofit organizations, serving as treasurer of the Nashville chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers and secretary of the Station Camp High School Bison Hockey Club.
Celebrating Danny Herron’s Legacy
Since becoming President and CEO in 2010, Danny Herron has guided Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville through a period of significant growth and impact across Middle Tennessee. During his tenure, the organization built more than 500 homes, expanded its service area into surrounding counties, increased total assets to more than $90 million, engaged more than 75,000 volunteer experiences and grew its ReStore operations across the region.
Herron’s leadership also included the purchase and renovation of Habitat’s combined ReStore and office locations in Davidson and Wilson counties; hosting President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, alongside Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, for the 2019 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Habitat’s Park Preserve community; helping lead the $2.5 million renovation of the historic Parkwood Community Club ballfields in North Nashville; supporting the creation of Trinity Hills Park; and positioning the organization for future growth through developments such as the Bella Terra community in Antioch.
Continuing the Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville serves a five-county region and operates ReStores in three counties. During its 40-year history, the organization has built more than 1,100 homes, engaged more than 180,000 volunteers and invested $295 million in the local real estate economy. Through its tithe program, Habitat has also invested $1.8 million in housing initiatives around the world, helping provide housing opportunities for approximately 500 families.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, visit habitatnashville.org.
