Curtis Highsmith Joins Southampton Town Housing Authority Board

The Southampton Town Housing Authority Board of Directors has appointed Curtis Highsmith Jr. as a new director. The appointment, announced on March 7, came just a month after appointing him as vice-chairman of the authority’s not-for-profit organization, the Southampton Community Housing and Development Corp., which addresses social needs like career training, transportation, child care and education. Mr. Highsmith will sit on the Housing Authority board effective immediately.

“He’s a wonderful addition,” said Chairwoman Michelle Bonnie Cannon. “He’s already added value to our board. We have a good board and it’s getting even better.”

The Housing Authority aims to develop affordable, mixed-income housing across Southampton Town.

Mr. Highsmith, who lives in Southampton Village, already serves as the chairman of the Southampton Village Board of Historical Preservation and Architectural Review, and is a mortgage banker at JP Morgan Chase in the village as well.

Mr. Highsmith said this week that he believes his financial background and experience on the ARB will be beneficial qualities to bring to the Housing Authority’s board as liaison to the ARB.

“Affordability in Southampton sounds like an oxymoron to the community—we’re making it a reality,” he said.

Ms. Cannon also said the Housing Authority reaches as far as the Riverhead/Flanders area, where Mr. Highsmith has family, and attributes his familiarity with the area as a plus.

Mr. Highsmith is also a member of the Rotary International, the Southampton Chamber of Commerce and the Long Island Builders Association. He is a graduate of Riverhead High School and has a degree in business from Bryant University.

“We just thought he would be a good fit,” Ms. Cannon said, adding that she’s been talking with him about joining the board for some time. “There are a lot of intricacies looking at affordable housing everywhere. I’m glad to finally be able to get him appointed to the board.”