By Zacharia Washington and The Associated Press
Dallas Morning News
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
President-elect Donald Trump announced Scott Turner as his nominee for U.S. Housing and Urban Development secretary on Friday, and his selection quickly garnered lots of support online, including from North Texas leaders.
Republican state Rep. Jeff Leach, writing on X, said Trump “couldn’t have picked a better man and servant.” Leach represents House District 67, which includes a portion of Collin County.
In Friday’s statement, Trump credited Turner — the highest-ranking Black person Trump has selected for his administration — with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities”— referring to what he calls the success of Opportunity Zones during Trump’s first term.
A Richardson native, Turner’s career has spanned from the NFL to the White House with several initiatives and roles in North Texas. The 52-year-old started his career as an NFL cornerback, but he didn’t stop there.
After his nine-season run as a professional football player with Washington, San Diego and Denver, Turner went on to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2013 and served two terms.
In April 2019, Turner led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, whose mission was to coordinate with various federal agencies to attract investment to the so-called “Opportunity Zones,” or economically depressed areas eligible for development with federal tax incentives.
“I am thrilled to continue the outstanding work we began in your last administration at HUD with an incredible team,” Turner said in a post on X, in response to Trump’s nomination. “I would also like to express the sincerest of gratitude to my mentor, Secretary [Ben Carson]. Few people are as compassionate and gracious as he is, and I am aware that I have big shoes to fill.”
Carson was Trump’s first-term pick for the agency, and one of the president-elect’s supporters. He wrote a post on X congratulating Turner, saying he “worked with [Carson] at HUD, playing a large part in the success of our Opportunity Zones program.”
In North Texas, Turner currently serves as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church, a megachurch based out of Plano.
“Scott Turner is a beloved pastor at Prestonwood and personal friend, whom I have known since he was a teenager. His integrity is impeccable and leadership skills are off the charts,” senior pastor Jack Graham said in a statement sent to The Dallas Morning News on Saturday. “Scott brings much experience to this role, given his position working under Dr. Ben Carson in President Trump’s last administration, and the work he’s done through his own foundation.”
Graham also said on X Friday that Turner is a “glorious choice.”
In 2021, Turner and his wife, Robin, founded the Plano-based Community Engagement & Opportunity Council to “tackle the steady decline in reading proficiency” across the nation, according to its website.
The CEOC offers a learning lab, which offers Christian-based reading enhancement programs for kindergarten through 5th grade students, the website said. The organization also has a mentorship initiative that was “created to encourage high school athletes to use their love and talent for the game to go beyond the field of play.”
According to the website, the CEOC is partnered with Prestonwood, Bentley Dallas and local real estate developer JPI. The organization did not immediately respond to The News’ request for comment.
In June 2023, JPI appointed Turner as its chief visionary officer, a new leadership role focused on the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic vision for the company’s growth and expansion, according to its website.
JPI is a development and construction company, specializing in Class A multifamily housing. At JPI, Turner is responsible for “creating and implementing a comprehensive strategic vision to drive the company’s growth and expansion,” the website said.
Jay Parsons, a rental housing economist based in the D-FW area, said on X that Turner’s nomination for HUD is a “home run,” citing his background in multifamily housing development.
“I am eternally grateful to my wonderful wife Robin, my son Solomon, and the many incredible friends who have supported me on this journey,” Turner said on X at 8:18 p.m. Friday night. “We have an important mission ahead. To God be the glory. Let’s get to work!”
| This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas. |
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