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Gridiron Partners with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity to Build Homes for Veterans

DANBURY, CT, November 11, 2019 – Gridiron Capital is partnering with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, the local housing nonprofit, to build homes for Veterans and their families.

According to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director Fran Normann, “We are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Gridiron Capital of New Canaan who will act as the major sponsor in developing a program to provide home ownership opportunities for Veterans of all service branches in the greater Danbury area.”  According to Normann, the initiative began several months ago when Gridiron’s management approached Housatonic Habitat to see how they could impact the shortage of Veteran owned homes in the region.  “We were enthusiastic to focus on this important need with a local firm which sees an ongoing commitment to this issue. As we build and renovate homes, our partner families will be service members who have retired and are working to build a better life for their families.”

In addition to building homes, the program will also include an expansion of Housatonic Habitat’s repair program, Brush with Kindness, which provides low-cost repairs to homeowners in need of preventive maintenance. Statistics from the Bureau of Veteran Affairs show that in Connecticut, a third of the estimated 200,000 Veterans served in the Vietnam Era and more than 50% are 65 years or older.  “We see an important need to help these Veterans age in place,” she said.

Tom Burger, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital said “At Gridiron Capital, we have seen firsthand, the importance of character traits and leadership qualities that Veterans bring to both Gridiron and our portfolio companies. Across our portfolio we employ over 300 Veterans ranging from titles of CEO to traveling nurse. The unique culture and desire to win created by these individuals help drive significant growth across their respective companies. The opportunity to partner with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity gives us at Gridiron Capital a chance to thank those individuals and families who fought for our freedoms.”

“We are proud to be launching this as an integrated component of Gridiron Capital’s broader Veteran’s Initiative,” Kevin Jackson, Managing Partner explained. “The close alignment of the Gridiron culture and values with those of our Veterans makes this is a natural cause and mission to support.”

Ed Francis, Gridiron Capital Operating Partner and US Army Veteran added “Gridiron is committed to recognizing the contributions of our Veterans to our Nation as we continue to create value in our portfolio.”

“I applaud Housatonic Habitat for Humanity and Gridiron Capital for this partnership in launching a great new program to address the housing needs of area Veterans and assist those Veterans aging in place in their homes who are in need of renovation and repairs in order to remain in their homes.  Many thanks to Habitat and Gridiron for their commitment to our collective responsibility of “Serving Those Who Served,” said State Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Thomas J. Saadi.

“We hope to engage active military members, Veterans, and supporters in our volunteer programs and to continue to provide access to financial literacy and home ownership education programs to all who qualify for Habitat home ownership programs,” Fran Normann added.

Housatonic Habitat for Humanity focuses on making a meaningful difference in the lives of qualified working families by promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency through ownership of affordable homes.

About Gridiron Capital:
Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry-leaders in branded consumer, B2B and B2C services, and niche industrial segments in the United States and Canada. We help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Additional information is available on the firm’s website: www.gridironcapital.com

About Housatonic Habitat for Humanity:
Habitat for Humanity focuses on making a meaningful difference in the lives of qualified working families by promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency through ownership of affordable homes. Households often consists of those who have limited assets and who have jobs that also have income caps. By providing decent, affordable, safe housing to qualified regional families (who earn approximately 66% of the median area income), Habitat contributes to community revitalization in the greater Danbury region by creating homes that can transform a street and neighborhood and add value to the community. This process transitions families from renters to homeowners who pay taxes; it helps stabilize families; and enables households to build equity for their future. Additional information is available on the Housatonic Habitat for Humanity website: http://housatonichabitat.org/

Press Contacts:

Fran Normann, Executive Director, Housatonic Habitat for Humanity
fran@housatonichabitat.org

Thomas A. Burger Jr., Managing Partner, Gridiron Capital, LLC
tburger@gridironcapital.com

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