Tom McCasland is an attorney, real estate investor, and affordable housing professional. During his tenure as director of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department, he leveraged over $1 billion in affordable multifamily development, formed the Houston Community Land Trust, and managed the nation’s fastest response to the eviction crisis caused by COVID-19. He previously served as the CEO of the Harris County Housing Authority, prioritizing homeless veterans, low-income seniors and working families living in poverty. While he has gardened since childhood, his passion for Texas native landscape developed from a prairie restoration project in Washington County that he oversees with his partner, Elena.