Number
R13788
Version
Original
Reference
Sponsor
The Chair
Title
Resolution commending Mr. Ken Barbeau for 27 years of dedicated service to the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Analysis
Body
WHEREAS, Ken Barbeau is scheduled to retire on July 10th, 2026 from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) after 27 years of service to HACM’s residents, voucher recipients and the people and neighborhoods throughout the City of Milwaukee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau has served the Housing Authority and its residents in a number of roles, most recently as the Interim Secretary-Executive Director, unanimously appointed by this body in January 2025, tackling the role as HACM faced the challenge of being named a “Troubled Performer” by HUD, providing a long-serving and informed hand at the rudder of the organization as he shepherded HACM’s comprehensive turnaround effort to restore public trust, stabilize operations, and chart a new path forward to ensure continued services for more than 10,000 Milwaukee families, seniors, and adults with disabilities,; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau’s interim service allowed the Board of Commissioners and its Executive Search Committee time for a thorough and transparent recruitment process, resulting in Harold S. Ince, Jr. succeeding him in the role of Secretary-Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau’s service prior to being named Interim Secretary-Executive Director included titles as the Economic Development & Supportive Services Manager, Director of Community Programs & Services, and most recently as the Chief Operations Officer of Program Services, where he led HACM’s mission to enhance and improve the lives of HACM’s residents by providing quality supportive services, including education, employment, healthcare, youth development, senior services, and financial literacy programs, partnering with dozens of nonprofits, and advocating for services and programs to enhance the lives of residents and Milwaukeeans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau’s expertise was also utilized by HACM as one of the organization’s grant writers, during a time in which the organization received over $500 million in financing, which provided for new and improved housing and additional resident services, the impact of which would affect residents’ lives in ways big and small, and ripple outward, expanding throughout Milwaukee and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau’s leadership, defined by humility, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for the people HACM serves, leaves a multitude of warm memories amongst HACM’s staff, as he never refused a request to assist staff, conquered the largest of projects and was expertly able to take in verbose, technical jargon, and quickly assess the correct and complete actions required, among so many other abilities that will be greatly missed; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barbeau is a shining example of a servant leader who is principled, strives to ensure that all people feel both heard and empowered, forges collaborative solutions between diverse stakeholders, and earns respect through hard work, consistency, and a deep moral compass; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee that Mr. Ken Barbeau be and is hereby thanked and commended for his 27 years of dedicated service to improving the lives of citizens of Milwaukee, including public housing residents, voucher recipients and other low-income families; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that best wishes of the Board and staff be extended to Mr. Ken Barbeau for a long and fulfilling retirement.
Requestor
Drafter
Housing Management July 1, 2026