Robert “Rob” Van Tassell is a leader with more than 20 years of experience in affordable housing development and operations.

Prior to joining CCH, Van Tassell served as vice president of Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington, where he oversaw the housing and community development for the third largest housing developer in the state. In this role, he has led the development of over 30 housing projects, which now serves nearly 10,000 residents in homeless, low-income, special needs, family, farmworker and senior housing developments.

A collaborative leader, Van Tassell helped to establish the Communities of Concern Commission to focus on asset creation and community development of underserved populations throughout Washington. He also helped found the Catholic Collaboration Center within Catholic Housing Services to bring together Catholic institutions, community-based organizations, parishes and public agencies to create opportunities for poor communities to break the cycle of poverty.

Van Tassell’s past experience also includes positions within the private sector, including Housing Developer for Beacon Development Group, Executive Vice President of Perspective Portals and Associated Consultant for Gunn Partners, among others.

Active in community and professional organizations, Van Tassell currently serves on the Housing Community of Practice Coordinating Committee for Catholic Charities USA and on the boards of the Housing Development Consortium and F.A.M.E. / Equity Alliance of Washington. He received the 2019 Friend of Housing Award at the Washington State Housing Conference and the 2017 Award for Housing Innovation, Creativity and Compassion from Impact Capital.

Van Tassell holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He and his wife of 30 years have three daughters.