Jeffrey N. Wieser was announced today as the new President/CEO of the Interfaith Housing Association Homes with Hope.

Wieser will assume his responsibilities in late March and will replace the recently retired Peter R. Powell, who led Homes with Hope for the last 22 years, according to the agency's board chair John Walsh. Cathy Cohen, who has served as interim Executive Director of Homes with Hope since mid-January, will continue in that capacity until late March.

Wieser has a long association with Homes with Hope having served on the board in 1989-1990 and from 1995 until last month. He was Board Chair from 1998-2002. He comes to his new post from a 30-plus year career in international banking where his most recent position was as senior relationship manager at HSBC. He previously served as managing director of healthcare at HSBC, and as president of manufacturers Hanover Bank of Canada.

Wieser is an active member of the Westport community.  He is a member of the Westport RTM and has served on the Vestry at Christ & Holy Trinity Church and the boards of Earthplace and Staples Tuition Grants Committee.  He is also an advisor with Builders Beyond Borders.  He is a graduate of Princeton University (AB) and received his MBA from New York University.

"Jeff Wieser is the ideal candidate to lead Homes with Hope forward during these challenging times," Walsh said in a news release. "He is passionate about the agency and the problems of chronic homelessness; he has a proven record of successful community involvement; and he brings strong organizational skills to Homes with Hope."

Interfaith Housing Association Homes with Hope is a grassroots response to the problems of homelessness and those at-risk of homelessness in Westport, Weston and Wilton.  For more information on the continuum of services provided by the agency visit their website at www.homeswithhopect.org.