WHO WE ARE
Making the invisible, visible.
Brunswick Partnership for Housing (BPH) was established in 2019 through the insightful vision of area church representatives and the Southport-Oak Island community. Even before 2014, this group saw homelessness as a significant, but invisible social problem in our communities. They witnessed a clear lack of services for families threatened with homelessness. Together with other local agencies they tried to fill the gap. But it wasn’t enough.
With BPH, the time is now to make the invisible, visible. As a community we can solve the challenge of homelessness and lack of affordable housing for families in Brunswick County.
The Brunswick Partnership for Housing Board of Directors was formed in 2020 to help address this need.
Meet the Leadership of the Brunswick Partnership for Housing
Sally Learned
Executive Director
Sally T. Learned has built a career focused on service to her community. A graduate of Duke University, Sally was community director for housing and economic development programs throughout the state. She was executive director for Repay, Inc., a non-profit, community-based criminal justice agency serving Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and McDowell counties in North Carolina. Later she led the Burke County United Way. Most recently she was Development and Human Resources officer for Catawba Valley Behavioral Health/Catawba Valley Health Care where she was responsible for grant writing, the annual fund, human resources and program development.
As an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church, Sally serves at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Southport, North Carolina. Through this service, she became aware of the critical need to find solutions to the homelessness issue in Brunswick County. With diligent focus and collaboration with local churches and community leaders, Sally was instrumental in helping form the Brunswick Partnership for Housing.
William J. Fairley
Vice Chair
The Honorable Judge William F. Fairley is newly retired as district court judge for the Thirteenth Judicial District, presiding over Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties. In his years as judge, he witnessed the impact of homelessness on families in the legal system and courts.
Keith Lintz
Treasurer
Keith brings his financial expertise to the board. He retired as chief financial officer for the McWane Ductile Pipe Group in 2018 after nearly 30 years with the ductile iron pipe and fittings manufacturer. He graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and earned his master’s degree from UNC Wilmington.
“Since my retirement, I have been in search of a cause, like the Brunswick Partnership for Housing, that would benefit our local community serving those in need.”
Keith and his wife, Carol, moved to Southport in 2019 from central Ohio.
Susan Fellows Crabtree
Board Member
Susan Fellows Crabtree is a retired marketing and communication executive for Fortune 500 life insurance companies. She also served on several nonprofit boards.
Stephen J. Dillon
Chair
Stephen J. Dillon brings decades of nonprofit executive management and fundraising experience to the Brunswick Partnership for Housing. An undergraduate of Villanova University, he earned his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
In partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Family Services, Stephen directed the startup and operation of a 24/7 shelter for neglected and abused children. He went on to transform a century’s old foster family care agency whose mission became keeping families together by providing intensive in-home services.
Stephen served 10 years as national director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, raising funds to support the national headquarters and 500 local affiliated agencies. As president of the United Way of Chester County, West Chester, Pennsylvania, he was recognized by United Way of America for having the fastest five-year growth rate within the United Way system.
Steve and his wife moved to North Carolina in 2004 when he became executive director of the Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina in Wilmington until his retirement in 2010.
Steven Moore
Secretary
Steve Moore brings 30 years of experience as a public school teacher and administrator. Recently retired as a principal with the New Hanover County School System, he is currently working part-time as an educational consultant with Curriculum Associates. As a school administrator, Steve worked to ensure students received a strong educational experience along with support to help ensure their safety and well-being. As an advocate for families, he collaborated with human health and services agencies to provide families with access to affordable housing and meals through Backpack Buddy programs.
Prior to relocating to Southport, Steve was an active volunteer with Durham Urban Ministries in Durham, NC. Steve and his husband, Stephen, reside in Southport and are active members of the community. Steve is chairperson of the Parish Life Ministry Board of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and Stephen is a realtor with Keller Williams.
Karl Moser
Board Member
Karl Moser is the plant general manager for the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport. With a career spanning more than 40 years, he has provided leadership focused on the safe reliable power generation to the communities he has served via nuclear energy. He enjoys volunteering for local community projects and serving on advisory boards.