About the CEO
Zerik Samples, a staple in Coastal Georgia’s non-profit community, joins Savannah Habitat as the new Chief Executive Officer. After the retirement of Howard Tessendorf, the Board of Directors conducted a national search only to find their new leader at home in South Georgia.
“Samples fit the profile we were looking for perfectly”, said Jed Young, Board Chair. “He’s tenacious, and passionate about improving the lives of families in the community. I’m excited for our next phase.” Before transitioning to Savannah Habitat, Samples was Chief Development Officer of Coastal Georgia Community Action, in Brunswick.
During his tenure he built strong relationships in their nine county service area, revamped the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Breakfast; earned the stakeholder support of Congressman Buddy Carter and international TV personalities Judge Glenda Hatchet and the Rev. Dr. Clifton Davis. Samples also helped to secure more than $2 million dollars in grants and contributions for the agency.
“This opportunity is the change of a lifetime to give back to the community I love” said Samples who is no stranger to the Savannah area. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, formerly Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Samples is a member of St. Simons Island Rotary Club, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Philadelphia the Overcomers Church of Deliverance. He was named Most Outgoing in the Susan G. Komen Big Wig Campaign, received the Hope Dealer award from gospel artist Enrique Holmes, designated a Rising Leader by the Brunswick NAACP and is in Georgia Southern University’s 40 under 40 class of 2020.
“Samples fit the profile we were looking for perfectly”, said Jed Young, Board Chair. “He’s tenacious, and passionate about improving the lives of families in the community. I’m excited for our next phase.” Before transitioning to Savannah Habitat, Samples was Chief Development Officer of Coastal Georgia Community Action, in Brunswick.
During his tenure he built strong relationships in their nine county service area, revamped the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Breakfast; earned the stakeholder support of Congressman Buddy Carter and international TV personalities Judge Glenda Hatchet and the Rev. Dr. Clifton Davis. Samples also helped to secure more than $2 million dollars in grants and contributions for the agency.
“This opportunity is the change of a lifetime to give back to the community I love” said Samples who is no stranger to the Savannah area. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, formerly Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Samples is a member of St. Simons Island Rotary Club, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Philadelphia the Overcomers Church of Deliverance. He was named Most Outgoing in the Susan G. Komen Big Wig Campaign, received the Hope Dealer award from gospel artist Enrique Holmes, designated a Rising Leader by the Brunswick NAACP and is in Georgia Southern University’s 40 under 40 class of 2020.
Our Staff
Tamiko Jackson
Office Manager |
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Monisha Johnson
Accountant |
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Our Board
Board President:
Kirk Gilbert Manager Choate Construction |
Vice President
Annette Ogletree-McDougal |
Jed Young
Port City Logistics |
Jennifer Roach
Thomas and Hutton |
Kate Haslam
Hancock Askew & Co, LLP |
Corine Ackerson Jones
Georgia Southern University |
Joy Dunagan
Joy Marketing, LLC |
Dwayne Stephens
Built Environment Consultant/Impeccable 7 |
Cliff Murse
Cliff Murse Realty |
Vonnetta Epps
Process Manager/Georgia Ports Authority |
Bill Anderson
Southeast Division Manager/Terracon |
Mark Wilcox
Sterling Seacrest Pritchard |
Natalyn Morris
Councilwoman/ The City of Garden City |
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Steve Wheelock
KBRS Inc. |
Edward Gresham
Home Diagnostic and Solutions of Savannah |