Chief Executive Officer

Terry Peterson Chief Executive Officer Chicago Housing Authority

In June of 2000, Terry Peterson was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Chicago Housing Authority by Mayor Richard M. Daley. As CEO, he is responsible for the management of the Authority’s ten- year $1.5 billion Plan for Transformation. The Plan’s commitment is to rehabilitate or construct 25,000 units of public housing in communities that are safer, physically sound, and provide economic opportunities for residents.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Peterson served as an elected official holding the office of Alderman of the City of Chicago’s 17th Ward. As Alderman, Mr. Peterson was active within the City Council serving on eight separate committees and addressed the full range of neighborhood issues from crime to housing and development.

Mr. Peterson also served as Assistant Commissioner in the Chicago Department of Planning and Development overseeing neighborhood services and redevelopment before taking a top position in the office of Mayor Richard M. Daley. Among his many duties for the Mayor, he oversaw redevelopment initiatives surrounding the Cabrini-Green and Henry Horner public housing developments. Mr. Peterson embraced the Mayor’s vision of holistic community development built with public– private partnerships and anchored by major investments in parks, schools, libraries, police stations, and shopping centers.

Currently Mr. Peterson serves on the National Advisory Board of Fannie Mae, one of the nation’s premiere affordable housing and community development corporations. Additionally, Mr. Peterson serves on the Board of Directors of The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), an organization that researches and advocates for housing policy that ensures the preservation and improvement of public housing programs. Mr. Peterson is a graduate of Chicago State University and possesses a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University.