Leading with Resilience: Navigating Natural Disasters and Recovery at the Tampa Housing Authority
by Jerome D. Ryans, President & CEO, Tampa Housing Authority
As a housing authority responsible for over 60,000 families across Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) has a deep responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of our residents, especially in times of crisis. This responsibility became strikingly clear during Hurricane Milton, which left several of our properties damaged and caused widespread power outages, with the majority of Hillsborough County residents losing power for days. Among those most affected were our senior residents, who make up nearly 30% of our population, and faced even greater challenges during this disaster. In the face of such a formidable test, our team, our partners, and our leadership rose to the occasion, demonstrating what it truly means to be committed to our mission.
At THA, we are fortunate to have strong, enduring relationships with key partners. Organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Red Cross, and numerous others stepped forward, providing critical resources to ensure our residents were cared for during and after the storm. Furthermore, federal, state, county, and city governments all played an active role in supporting recovery efforts, underscoring the importance of maintaining relationships with stakeholders who are vested in the wellbeing of our community.
A housing leader must know how to nurture these partnerships long before the storm clouds gather. Yet, the cornerstone of any disaster response is the internal strength of the organization. In our case, that strength comes from our team members, who made our residents their priority even while they were personally impacted-many of them dealing with damage to their own homes, temporary displacement, and evacuation orders.
Every department at the Tampa Housing Authority played a pivotal role in responding to the crisis. From public safety to resident services, from property management to communications, each team was engaged in the response-even when our offices were closed. Those on the frontlines, delivering water, food, and helping residents access critical services, exemplified the very essence of service. Our team did a flawless job at showing what commitment to mission truly looks like in the most trying of circumstances.
Much of this success is a direct reflection of the leadership of our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Leroy Moore, whose exceptional role-modeling created a team of professionals equipped to make mission-driven decisions. Moore has long championed the idea of hiring the right people and entrusting them with the autonomy to lead in their respective areas of expertise. This philosophy pays off exponentially in times of crisis, allowing for swift, organized, and effective action even under the most challenging conditions.
As we look ahead to the long process of recovery, it is important to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our staff. Whether they were delivering meals, assisting residents with critical services, or managing behind-the-scenes operations such as procurement and IT, each person contributed to our overall success. Their dedication exemplifies what makes the Tampa Housing Authority a leader in the housing sector. It is in moments like these that the true strength of an organization is revealed-not just in its structures, but in its people.
Likewise, none of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our Board of Commissioners. Their leadership provides the foundation for THA's resilience and ensures that we continue to prioritize the needs of our residents, even in the most difficult circumstances. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their steadfast commitment to our agency's mission. The importance of cultivating good relationships with Board members cannot be understated for leaders, especially in housing, a sector that requires heavy community involvement to secure the well-being of residents.
Leadership through a natural disaster is not simply about responding to the immediate crisis. It's about being prepared, hiring the right people, nurturing relationships with key partners, and empowering staff to act decisively when it matters most. This is the standard we uphold at THA, and this is the commitment that will continue to guide us as we rebuild stronger than ever.
