Council Adds Two Professionals to Expanded Communications Department
WASHINGTON, DC – March 2, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) promoted Kim Duty to Senior Vice President of Public affairs and Industry Initiatives. Duty’s new position includes lead responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic communications program for the Council.
A 14-year veteran of NMHC, Duty brings a wealth of housing policy and communications experience to the position, where she oversees the Council’s member information/content strategy; public and media relations, including advocacy communications; and digital/web communications.
“Kim has long served a unique a unique and strategic role for the Council that far surpasses typical communications department functions. During this time of great transition within the housing market, I couldn’t imagine better leader and advocate for multifamily industry,” said NMHC President Doug Bibby. “She has a finger on the pulse of the apartment sector’s needs, and this promotion makes official a role she already played for some time.”
Prior to joining NMHC, Duty served as Assistant Director of the National Association of Home Builders’ Multifamily Council where she managed the council’s legislative and regulatory issues and directed the group’s communications and public relations program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from The College of William & Mary and a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Duty leads an expanded communications department that includes the hiring of two new staff members, Sarah Yaussi as Director of Industry Communications and Jim Lapides as Director of Public Relations.
Yaussi is an award-winning business journalist and communications specialist with extensive experience covering issues related to housing and mortgage finance. Most recently, she served as the editor of Big Builder magazine, a Hanley Wood publication for senior executives at the largest public and private home builders. She holds B.A. in English (Phi Beta Kappa) from Colgate University and a Masters in Journalism from Syracuse University.
Lapides joins NMHC from the American Society of Landscape Architects, where he managed public relations, social media and consumer marketing programs. His work earned awards and recognition from the Webby Awards, PR News, Washington Business Journal, Graphic Design USA and others. He holds a B.A. in English and Communication from Denison University and a Masters in Communications from Johns Hopkins University.
Note: Click the images to the right to download hi-res images of NMHC’s 2012 & 2013 Officers.
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Based in Washington, DC, NMHC is a national association representing the interests of the larger and most prominent apartment firms in the U.S. NMHC’s members are the principal officers of firms engaged in all aspects of the apartment industry, including owners, developers, managers and financiers. One third of Americans rent their housing, and more than 14 percent live in a rental apartment.
For more information, contact NMHC at 202-974-2300, e-mail the Council at 
Contact:
Jim Lapides, 202/974-2360,
