Bobby Watts Named New CEO of National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Bobby Watts Named New CEO of National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Welcoming Bobby Watts

Bobby Watts

Bobby Watts, CEO of the National HCH Council

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Nashville, TN: The National Health Care for the Homeless Council, America’s leading voice for the advancement of homeless health care and secure housing for all, has named G. Robert (“Bobby”) Watts as its new chief executive officer.

Watts, who most recently served as executive director of New York City’s Care for the Homeless, a healthcare, shelter, and policy organization, is succeeding the Council’s founding Executive Director John Lozier, who retired in late December.

“The selection of Bobby Watts as our new CEO is the culmination of a year-long search process to find the right candidate to continue the exemplary leadership and vision that was the hallmark of John Lozier’s long tenure with the Council,” said Kevin Lindamood, President of the Council’s Board of Directors. “Watts brings exactly the combination of experience and passion we were seeking, and we are thrilled about the prospect of working with him to craft the Council’s future.”

A former Board President of the National HCH Council, Watts is a nationally recognized advocate and leader in meeting the health needs of people without homes. He will bring more than 25 years of experience in administration, direct service, and implementation of homeless health services to the Council. His work with people without homes began as a live-in staff member of the New York City Rescue Mission in Manhattan.

Introducing Bobby Watts: 3 Questions With Our New CEO

“I am deeply honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with sharing the stewardship of our organization and our vital movement to ensure that health care and housing are seen as human rights,” said Watts, who praised the Council’s “outstanding” leadership, staff, and community which includes consumers. “We must protect those Americans who are depending on us. It will take our collective will, smarts, and heart, and I know we are up to the challenge; the stakes are simply too great not to be. Thank you for this great honor.”

A graduate of Cornell University and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Watts led New York’s Care for the Homeless for 11 years, during which time the organization tripled in size, adding major programs and initiatives. Watts also has served as the finance officer of the New York City HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council, a steering committee member of the New York City Medicaid Managed Care Task Force, and a member of the New York State Interagency Council on Homelessness, co-chairing its Health Committee—in addition to serving on multiple governmental task forces and boards of membership organizations.

Watts officially begins his duties on March 27, until which the Council’s Senior Director of Programs, Darlene Jenkins, is serving as interim executive director following Lozier’s retirement.

The Council selected Watts following a comprehensive nationwide search assisted by Raffa, an executive search firm with a nonprofit focus. Jean Hochron, a former President and Chair of the Council’s Search Committee, recognized the efforts of the Council’s Search Committee, Board members, and staff, in addition to the search firm for their “countless hours and thoughtful insights as we created a vision for our new leader,” adding, ”As with all grand endeavors, ‘it takes a village’ to achieve great things.”

About the National Health Care for the Homeless Council

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council is a network of doctors, nurses, social workers, patients, and advocates who share the mission to eliminate homelessness. Since 1986 we have been the leading organization to call for comprehensive health care and secure housing for all. We produce leading research in the field and provide the highest level of training and resources related to care for persons experiencing homelessness. We collaborate with government agencies and private institutions in order to solve complex problems associated with homelessness. Additionally, we provide support to more than 200 public health centers and Health Care for the Homeless programs in all 50 states. Learn more.

Media Contact

For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Crissy Zitka, Senior Director of Advancement
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
(615) 226-2292

Learn More About Bobby

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Selected Publications and Interviews

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