Avesta Housing has awarded the 2013 Mike Yandell Award for extraordinary work in the field of affordable housing to John Ryan, president of Wright-Ryan Construction.

During a presentation Monday, June 10, at Pearl Place II in Portland, Avesta President Dana Totman presented the award to John in recognition of his commitment to making Maine communities better. Portland-based Wright-Ryan has built six projects for Avesta, three of them award-winning.

In presenting the award, Totman highlighted John’s service to the community, including his role on Portland’s task force to end homelessness, his company’s work for Preble Street, and his support of the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine. “As an individual, John Ryan is a true professional, an accomplished business owner, tremendous leader, and someone who takes the success of each and every project seriously.  He has served on Portland’s recent Task Force on ending homelessness.  He built Preble Street Resource Center and the new teen shelter.  He is an active supporter of Portland Boys Club and an incredibly generous contributor to many causes locally.  We have seen how John, through his business – and personally – is committed to making Maine communities better places.”

“I am deeply honored to accept this award,” said John Ryan. “I do so on behalf of the entire team at Wright-Ryan, whose dedication to serving our customers and the end users of our projects is unrivaled in our industry.”

About the Mike Yandell Award

Since 2005, Avesta Housing has recognized an individual or organization for their service and dedication to the affordable housing industry. The award is named for the late Mike Yandell, a former Avesta Housing board chair and the former president of Gorham Savings Bank, who is remembered for his commitment to improving the community.