Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County celebrates the legacy of George Rusaw at ‘Building Hopes & Dreams Together’ gala
Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County’s “Building Hopes & Dreams Together” gala, held on Friday, June 24, at Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club, was a resounding success, celebrating the impactful career of E. George Rusaw, the organization’s first paid CEO/President since 2011. The event also introduced Justin Leech as the incoming successor, marking a pivotal moment for the nonprofit.
Under Rusaw’s invaluable leadership, HFHCC has experienced unprecedented growth, profoundly impacting countless lives in Citrus County. His tenure saw the construction of over 200 homes, providing safe, affordable housing to families in need. His visionary leadership also spearheaded the development of significant communities such as Southern Pines and Habitat at Citrus Springs – the largest single-family home development undertaken by a Habitat affiliate across the United States. Both endeavors have dramatically expanded the organization’s reach and capacity to serve.
Born on October 21, 1952, Mr. Rusaw is a distinguished figure with a long and storied career in the building and development industry. He holds active licenses as a Residential Contractor, Pool and Spa Contractor, and Real Estate Sales Associate, showcasing his comprehensive expertise. Before joining HFHCC, Rusaw contributed significantly to his family’s firm, which was responsible for building an impressive 3,200 homes between 1956 and 1976. In 1976, he founded BGRusaw, Inc./Rusaw Homes, where he successfully completed approximately 2,200 projects and developed multiple residential communities before 2008.
Rusaw’s commitment to community and industry leadership extends far beyond his direct building endeavors. His extensive service includes being recognized as the 1993 Florida Builder of the Year by the Florida Home Builder Association. He also co-founded and served three terms as President of the Citrus County Builders Association, and for a decade, he chaired the Citrus County Builders Association Governmental Affairs Committee. Nationally, he chaired the Florida Home Builders Association Legal Action Committee and dedicated 10 years to serving on the Citrus County Planning and Development Review Board.
“George Rusaw’s dedication and transformative leadership have laid an incredible foundation for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County,” said Ron Daly, HFHCC Board Chairman. “His vision has not only provided homes but has built stronger families and a more vibrant community. While we will deeply miss his daily presence as CEO, we are excited to welcome Justin Leech, who will undoubtedly continue this vital work with passion and dedication.”
The gala served as a heartfelt tribute to Mr. Rusaw’s extraordinary contributions and a moment to look forward to the future under Justin Leech’s leadership. We extend our sincere gratitude to Bailey Vaughn, our newest Habitat homeowner, for serving as the keynote speaker and sharing her inspiring story. We also want to recognize Julie Mancini Photography for expertly capturing the evening as our official event photographer and DJ Trae for keeping our crowd entertained and dancing to the beat of his tunes.
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