This time it looks like retirement is going to stick for Lon Erwin, who retired Friday from Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County after about a year at the helm.
“I’ve got grandkids to visit, motorcycles to ride and lemonade to drink,” he said. “You could call it going from Habitat to Honda.”
He got a lot done during his time at Habitat, the organization said.
During Erwin’s tenure, three homes were sold to households meeting eligibility requirements, the organization said in a news release. In April, two new homes broke ground. Also, a three-year business plan was completed and six building sites were acquired.
One of Erwin’s favorite accomplishments is helping the Habitat Re-Store increase its sales.
“That’s a really necessary thing,” he said. “Habitat’s going to need that kind of steady income to accomplish its goals.”
Erwin said he had always intended a short tenure at Habitat.
“All the parties agreed it would be a short time,” he said, adding that people’s definition of “short time” differed. “I agreed to stay as long as I had the will or spirit to do things.”
Erwin has spent much of his adult life leading nonprofits in Durango. He was the executive director for Community Connections for 17 years and stepped down last year from Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, where he was executive director for nine years.
He said retirement won’t stop his commitment to the community.
He’s the incoming president of the Durango Adult Education Center board of directors and sits on the board of the Southwest Colorado chapter of the Red Cross. He considers the Red Cross vital to the community’s well-being.
Erwin is also a longtime member of De Colores Civitan Club and is committed to the Citizens Health Advisory Council.
“We got them started with a big grant when I was with the foundation,” he said about the council. “I worked with Jaynee (Fontecchio-Spradling) to get the clinic started, and there’s a lot more work to be done.”
Rachel Taylor-Saghie, director of development and family services for Habitat, will serve as acting executive director until the board of directors finds Erwin’s replacement.
“They’re actively looking,” she said, “and they said they hope to have someone in about a month.”
Summer is a busy time for Habitat because it is building season.
The organization broke ground for two new homes in Fox Farm Village near Bayfield in April. The build will go on, with the new homeowners scheduled to accept their titles in the fall.
abutler@durangoherald.com
