WHEREAS, Linda Y. Kelleher, a respected business executive who offered her expertise as an advocate for affordable housing and senior care in Arlington County, retired in 2020 after a distinguished 46-year career; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Linda Kelleher began her career as a nationally syndicated consumer news columnist and subsequently served as director of consumer affairs for a public relations firm in Washington, D.C., and for the National Association of Home Builders; and

WHEREAS, Linda Kelleher joined the National Investor Relations Institute in 1983 and built the professional development program that produced half of the association's $5 million budget; she became an executive vice president of the company after serving as interim chief executive officer for one year; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Linda Kelleher became the director of community and resident services for the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and supported the organization in its mission to increase the number of affordable apartments in the Washington, D.C., area through grant writing, fundraising, outreach programs, and other efforts; and

WHEREAS, from October 2015 to July 2020, Linda Kelleher served as executive director of the Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation, implementing and managing the organization's strategic plan and ensuring that senior members of the Arlington community had options for affordable independent living and assisted living; and

WHEREAS, Linda Kelleher is certified by the American Society of Association Executives and was a 2004 graduate of Leadership Arlington; she has mentored and inspired students as a master's degree program instructor at Georgetown University, where she taught a required course on ethics; and

WHEREAS, as a resident of Arlington for 35 years, Linda Kelleher has volunteered her leadership to numerous boards, committees, and other community-focused initiatives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Linda Y. Kelleher on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Linda Y. Kelleher as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her professional achievements and contributions to the Arlington community.