September 10, 2025
Isabel Thornton
J.R. Riddlebarger
Community Housing Partners (CHP), which provides affordable and sustainable housing across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, has announced two appointments to its board of directors: Isabel Thornton, who joins as a new member, and J.R. Riddlebarger, who returns after previously serving on the board as well as CHP’s senior leadership team. Together, they bring a balance of new ideas and seasoned leadership that will support CHP’s mission to create homes and communities that are healthy, sustainable, and affordable.
Thornton is the Executive Director of Restoration Housing, an organization she founded in 2014 to advance affordable housing through historic preservation. She holds a B.A. in architectural history from the University of Virginia and dual master’s degrees in historic preservation and urban planning from the University of Southern California. In addition to her work with Restoration Housing, she serves on the Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness and the board of the Carilion Medical Center. Thornton has previously supported CHP through its Real Estate Development Committee and now extends that commitment through her board service. She lives on a farm in Botetourt County with her husband and four children.
Riddlebarger previously served on CHP’s board of directors in 2020 before transitioning into a staff role the following year. She joined the Asset Management team in 2021 and later became the Vice President of Property Management, a position she held until her retirement in 2024. She brings more than 37 years of experience in the real estate industry, including senior leadership roles at HHHunt, such as Interim COO and President of the Asset Management Group. A Virginia Tech alumna, she has served on the university’s Residential Property Management Advisory Board for 25 years and contributed to multiple professional and community organizations, including the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia, where she served as board chair.
“We are excited to welcome Isabel to the board and to have J.R. back with us in this role,” said Jeff Reed, CHP President and CEO. “Isabel adds a unique perspective through her work in preservation and community development, and J.R. adds tremendous value with her property management expertise and her long history with CHP. Having both of them at the table puts us in a great position to keep pushing our mission forward.”
Founded in 1975, Community Housing Partners (CHP) provides quality-built, responsibly managed, service-enriched homes for low-income individuals and families across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Through its mission to create homes and communities that are healthy, sustainable, and affordable, CHP has been a leading advocate of affordable housing development for 50 years. CHP’s activities include real estate development, construction, energy services and training, asset management, property management, realty and homeownership, and comprehensive resident services.