Bio

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Bruce Gunter, a part-time lecturer at the School of City and Regional Planning, has developed a very wide range of residential real estate over a 25-year career. As founder and CEO of the largest non-profit in Atlanta involved in affordable housing and community development, he has led Progressive Redevelopment, Inc (PRI) in their three business lines of residential development, property management, and resident services.  Over 5,000 low-income families and individuals have resided in one of twenty-seven properties owned at one time by PRI around the state.  Over his career, Bruce has been involved in the development of over twenty Habitat for Humanity houses, thousands of units of rental housing—including permanent housing for persons experiencing homelessness—and shared equity housing formats such as cooperatives and co-housing.  Additionally, he was a partner and CFO in the development of one of Atlanta’s most prestigious and high-end condominiums ever built in Atlanta.

Since graduating with an MBA in finance in 1980, Bruce has been involved in finance—but always with a community oriented perspective.  Starting out as a banker lending to local small businesses, he then began an entrepreneurial career.  His first company, Social Responsibility Investment Group, was a money manager for individuals who insisted that ethics and morals play a decisive role in the investment selection process. Next, Bruce co-founded PRI and went on to become one of the leaders in the field.

Civic engagement and leadership has been a hallmark of Bruce’s career, and his interests cover a wide spectrum. He serves today on the Carter Center Board of Councilors and a homeless ministry founded 30 years ago by his church, St Luke’s Episcopal. He has chaired numerous affordable housing and community development boards and commissions, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board. His passion for affordable housing took root during his 1991-95 tenure on the board of Habitat for Humanity International, during which time he served as Treasurer.  He also served on the boards of the Georgia Conservancy, Fannie Mae Housing Investment Advisory Council, and the Emory Board of Visitors.  

Educational background:

• 1976—BS industrial management with high honors, Georgia Tech
• 1980—Masters in finance, Scottish Rite Fellow, George Washington University
• 1996—Senior Executive’s program at the JFK School, Harvard University, Fannie Mae fellow
• 2006—Senior Executive’s program at the Business School, Harvard University

Fields of interest

• Affordable housing
• Community development
• Local real estate development