Meet Ross Williams, NTCIC’s Summer 2026 Open Access Fellow. At the conclusion of his fellowship this summer, we sat down with Ross to learn more about his background and future in community development. Read his interview below!

Can you talk a little bit about your background and what brought you into the community development world?

I grew up in New York City in a family where opportunity had to be built rather than inherited. I was the first man in my family to graduate from college, so I understand from experience what it means when opportunity depends on someone deciding to invest in you.

After college, I played professional basketball. Even then, I was drawn to business and finance, so when I transitioned off the court, I began building the career I had always envisioned. I started in accounting and capital markets in New York, moved into investment banking, and eventually earned my MBA at UVA Darden.

Alongside my professional career, I founded Freedom Financial, a financial literacy platform that reached more than 100,000 people. Helping people has always been a constant for me. That’s ultimately what brought me to community development and fund creation. The opportunity to do well while doing good, and to help communities filled with people who share backgrounds similar to mine, is something I had always hoped to be part of.

What are some of your professional strengths and interests?

Strategic thinking, financial modeling, and problem solving are some of my biggest strengths. I enjoy taking something genuinely complex, whether it’s a fund, a capital stack, or a tax structure, and building it into a model that anyone can open with confidence and trust. I also care about the unglamorous details, making sure documents align, numbers tie out, and assumptions are clearly documented so they can be challenged. Just as importantly, I enjoy making complex work visually clear and easy for the audience to understand.

Another strength is finding ways to improve how work gets done. This summer I leaned heavily into AI to pressure test financial models, automate repetitive tasks, and accelerate first drafts of analyses, allowing me to spend more time on judgment rather than mechanics. I enjoy identifying tools that make the entire team more effective, and I believe that ability will only become more valuable over time.

Beyond the technical side, I’m drawn to work where finance and mission intersect, because getting the numbers right is what makes the mission credible.

What have you been learning and working on this summer? Have you learned anything unexpected that you didn’t know before the fellowship?

The anchor of my summer was helping stand up a new lending initiative by building the fund model, working through the economics with our auditors and fund administrators, coordinating with tax and legal counsel, and drafting materials that explain the strategy to investors. It was a front row seat to how a fund is actually built, which is something very few people get to experience this early in their careers. I owe a lot of that opportunity to Adrian, who trusted me with the engine of the fund early on and encouraged me to speak up rather than defer.

Beyond the model, I had the opportunity to work across nearly every part of NTCIC, from acquisitions and asset management to investor reporting and fund development. That gave me a real appreciation for how each piece fits together. I joined the team for Historic Tax Credit Lobby Day on Capitol Hill advocating for the credit this organization is built on, attended a Novogradac conference, participated in AI training that I immediately put into practice, and spent time in Scottsdale, Arizona with Adrian, David, and Angelica during my first week, which set the tone for the entire summer.

The biggest surprise was realizing how much of launching a fund is about language, not just math. One of the hardest parts is making sure the financial model, legal documents, and investor materials all communicate exactly the same thing. I also learned that impact claims deserve the same level of rigor and precision as financial ones.

What are some of your goals and next steps when you finish the fellowship?

My next chapter is in corporate finance, where I’ll continue building technical and operational skills at a scale. What I discovered this summer, though, is that community development finance is not a detour in my career. It’s a space I hope to stay connected to throughout it.

Long term, I want to be someone who can move comfortably between institutional finance and mission driven investing, bringing institutional discipline to purpose driven capital. I also look forward to staying engaged with NTCIC and cheering the fund on as it reaches its milestones.

Who or what inspires you the most?

During my first week, David handed me a copy of Moral Ambition, and one idea from the book stayed with me all summer: ambition is a resource, and it matters what you point it toward. I saw that reflected throughout NTCIC in people who could work anywhere but choose to spend their careers making difficult deals happen in communities the market often overlooks.

For me, helping people has always been the foundation. I grew up seeing what happens when talented people never receive an opportunity, and being the first man in my family to graduate from college reinforced how one open door can change a family’s trajectory.

I’m also motivated by competing with myself to improve every day and by seeing something I helped build become real. Basketball taught me that the most valuable teammates are not always the loudest. They’re the people who consistently do the work no one notices. I’ve found the same to be true in finance.

Would you recommend the fellowship? And if so, who is the ideal candidate?

Without hesitation.

The fellowship gave me real responsibility on real work. It wasn’t a shadowing experience. The team, starting with David and Adrian, treated me as someone who could contribute to the fund’s history rather than as a summer visitor.

The ideal candidate is someone with strong technical curiosity who wants their work to matter beyond the spreadsheet. The fellowship rewards people who ask why just as often as how. You don’t need to arrive knowing tax credits. You need to care enough to get the details right, because in this industry the details determine whether communities ultimately get served.

Ross— we’re so grateful for all of the contributions you made on our NT Impact Capital team this summer! Best of luck in all your future endeavors!

As we close the books on our latest fiscal year, we’re taking a step back to look at the range of projects we’ve been honored to support. From a long-shuttered 1930s theater now restored as a live performance venue, to historic mill complexes returning to use housing and commercial space, these projects highlight the transformational impact of historic rehabilitation.

Tgether, these investments reflect the breadth of NTCIC’s work today, preserving significant buildings while creating places where people can live, learn, gather, create, and connect, with clean energy helping shape what comes next.

None of this happens without the dedication of our partners, investors, and the communities behind each project. We’re grateful for your continued support and look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.

Washington D.C. – June 5, 2026: The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) and NT Solar are pleased to announce the successful financial closing for the rehabilitation of Park Synagogue. This landmark investment marks the first time NTCIC and NT Solar have provided tax credit financing within the same project.

The $52 million redevelopment of the nationally significant modern landmark, designed by architect Eric Mendelsohn, will transform the historic synagogue into a multitenant arts, education, and community campus while preserving one of the most important examples of modern religious architecture in the United States. 

A Modern Landmark Begins a New Chapter 

Completed in 1953, Park Synagogue was designed by world-renowned architect Eric Mendelsohn as a new home for the Anshe Emeth Beth Tefilo Congregation following the community’s move to Cleveland Heights after World War II. Conceived as a modern synagogue integrating worship, education, and community life, the building is widely regarded as one of the most important examples of modern religious architecture in the United States. Its iconic copper clad dome and sculptural concrete forms have made it a defining architectural and cultural presence for decades. 

After the congregation established a new facility nearby in 2021, the historic building entered a new chapter, led by Sustainable Community Associates and the Friends of Mendelsohn, a development team committed to preserving Mendelsohn’s vision while reimagining the site for arts, education, and community use. 

Reimagining a Center for Arts, Education, and Community 

The rehabilitation of the 70,000 square foot Park Synagogue transforms a former single congregation house of worship into a multitenant arts, education, and community campus while preserving its most significant historic spaces. The restored building will host Oberlin College’s satellite practicing arts program, Park Arts performance and educational spaces, and Colorful Minds Studio, expanding access to education, cultural programming, and community services. 

The sanctuary and chapel are preserved for religious observance and lifecycle events, maintaining continuity with the building’s original purpose. The vision for the project reimagines and extends Mendelsohn’s original center for education and community, building on the congregation’s legacy of social engagement by opening the site to broader public use while preserving a place for Jewish life. 

Park Arts will operate the worship and assembly spaces as performance, event, and community venues, including the historic sanctuary, ballroom, Miller Chapel, library, and select classroom and performance areas. Oberlin College will establish a satellite campus for the Bachelor of Fine Arts portion of its BA/BFA double degree program, continuing the building’s historic educational function. 

The project also includes Colorful Minds Studio, which will provide arts programming for adults with developmental disabilities, supporting creative expression, inclusion, and community connection through structured artmaking. 

Preservation and Sustainability Working Together 

The rehabilitation enhances both the building and its surrounding 28‑acre campus, improving public access and long‑term environmental performance. Site improvements include new walking trails and a footbridge across the ravine, expanding access to the landscape surrounding the synagogue. 

The project incorporates a geothermal heating and cooling system and major improvements to the building’s thermal envelope, reducing energy use while supporting the long‑term preservation of this nationally significant historic structure.

Financing Preservation & Sustainability

NTCIC supported the redevelopment of Park Synagogue by providing an equity investment in the $16 million in combined Federal and Ohio State Historic Tax Credits generated through the preservation and rehabilitation of the landmark. In addition, NT Solar, a subsidiary of NTCIC, financed the $6.0 million in Investment Tax Credits generated by the project’s geothermal energy system. 

Learn more about Park Synagogue here.

About NTCIC

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a mission-driven, impact investment asset management firm focused on the adaptive reuse of historic properties and renewable energy solutions across the country. Founded in 2000, NTCIC makes transformational impact investments in low-income & disinvested communities, promoting a brighter, more equitable future by revitalizing historic properties and expanding our nation’s renewable energy accessibility through innovative community development & tax credit investment strategies.

About NT Solar

NT Solar, an affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of NTCIC, is a leading national investment service provider, directing capital to solar and storage projects that power local communities. The team provides end-to-end support, from sourcing and diligence through closing and ongoing reporting, leveraging Renewable Energy credits to advance environmental progress and economic opportunity.

HTC Lobby Day: June 10, 2026

Hosted by the Historic Tax Credit Coalition, join us in DC for HTC Lobby Day to voice support for HTC provisions to be included in tax legislation. In addition to setting up meetings on your behalf and providing educational materials and maps, the Coalition will be hosting a mid-morning breakfast briefing before heading to Capitol Hill.

Contact Michael Phillips for More Information Below

Preservation Advocacy Week: March 2-5, 2026

Hosted by Preservation Action and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, Advocacy Week 2026 will feature new in-depth preservation policy trainings and briefings, member and partner meetings, exciting tours, networking opportunities, and of course congressional office visits.

Hear from NTCIC’s own Mike Phillips and learn how to best advocate for the historic tax credit.

Your advocacy has an impact! This is a critical time for historic preservation, and we need your voice as we advocate for the critical programs and policies the help preserve our nation’s historic resources.

Click here to view Preservation Action’s Advocacy Week 2026 Digital Materials

Advocating for HTC-GO in 2025

As Congress prepares for a major tax policy overhaul in 2025, the urgency to address expiring tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases. Despite delays, the upcoming legislative session will be crucial for major tax decisions affecting individuals and corporations.

This year, we are thrilled to join our advocacy partners in several upcoming HTC advocacy events and opportunities to learn more about state historic preservation incentives and priorities. These events will provide you with the latest information on the HTC legislation and equip you with the necessary knowledge to engage with legislators and advocate for the bill’s passage.

Get ready to be inspired, informed, and energized as we work together to secure crucial support for this initiative. Don’t miss out on the chance to refresh your knowledge and align your talking points as we embark on this exciting journey toward historic preservation. Let’s make history together by supporting this critical piece of legislation!

Washington D.C. – June 2, 2026: We’re proud to announce that for the second year in a row, the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) has been honored as one of DC’s Best Places to Work. This year, NTCIC was ranked number 12 in the Small Company Category.

“Being recognized as one of DC’s Best Places to Work is meaningful because it validates something we have long believed: strong culture and strong performance are not competing priorities. They reinforce one another,” said NTCIC President & CEO, David Clower.

NTCIC is a proud member of the National Trust family of companies, and our employees are directly connected to meaningful work that supports the country’s architectural heritage, community development, and renewable energy initiatives. As one of the most active impact investment and asset management firms in America, our staff sees the tangible impact of their investments every day, and that sense of purpose matters.

We’ve been a fully flexible and hybrid organization for years, which gives employees real opportunities in where and how they work. We maintain strong collaboration through regular virtual touchpoints and twice-yearly in-person retreats. This model lets us hire talent from across the country and genuinely support work-life balance. We also offer a strong benefits package including retirement match, comprehensive health coverage, and generous paid time off including a company-wide summer break. We invest in our people through structured onboarding, professional development support, and a real commitment to promoting from within.

Ultimately, we pride ourselves on being a company that intentionally seeks purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about creating lasting change. Our staff thrives in a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to bring bold ideas to the table and remains committed to excellence in everything. We prioritize taking care of each other, and to be recognized two years running as one of DC’s Best Places to Work is an honor.

About NTCIC

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a mission-driven, impact investment asset management firm focused on the adaptive reuse of historic properties and renewable energy solutions across the country. Founded in 2000, NTCIC makes transformational impact investments in low-income & disinvested communities, promoting a brighter, more equitable future by revitalizing historic properties and expanding our nation’s renewable energy accessibility through innovative community development & tax credit investment strategies.

Washington D.C. – May 18, 2026: The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is proud to announce the successful closing of financing for the redevelopment of the historic Ontario & Western Railway Station in Middletown, New York. The $44.8 million project will transform the long vacant landmark into a modern Head Start early childhood education and family services facility operated by the Regional Economic Community Action Program (RECAP), a private not-for-profit established in 1965 and designated as the anti-poverty agency in Orange County. 

Revitalizing a Railway Relic

Constructed in 1892, the New York, Ontario & Western Railway Station is one of Middletown’s most prominent historic landmarks. For more than sixty years, the Station served as a major economic and civic anchor for Middletown, operating as both a passenger terminal and the operational hub of the Ontario & Western Railway. Even after rail service ended in 1957, the building continued to serve Middletown through a series of adaptive uses before falling vacant following a fire in 2004. Despite years of disuse, the station has remained a powerful symbol of Middletown’s working history and its longstanding connection to regional economic life.

Head Start at the Station

Upon completion, the former railway station will reopen as a permanent home for Head Start and other childcare services operated by RECAP, bringing together programming currently offered across two leased locations within active churches. Today, RECAP serves 137 Head Start children in these community based settings. The project will relocate and expand this programming into a single, purpose built facility, allowing RECAP to enhance its learning environments, better align space with program needs, and increase capacity to serve more children and families.

The redeveloped building will support expanded enrollment, increasing preschool capacity for children ages 3–5 to nearly 150 children annually, while adding new programs serving infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 3 years and children ages 5 and older. The new facility will allow 100% full-day Head Start programming, compared to current part-day limitations, and will provide all enrolled children with additional services, including mental health support, vision and health screenings, developmental screenings, and early childhood substance abuse prevention. The project will also expand adult education and asset building services for families and support 54 fulltime equivalent jobs, with nearly all positions offering comprehensive benefits.

Financing Preservation 

NTCIC provided a $5 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation, along with an equity investment in the $13 million in federal and state Historic Tax Credits generated by the rehabilitation. Additional NMTC allocation was provided by Empire State Development and the project was supported through robust local- and state-grant funds as well as a capital campaign, showcasing strong local support for the development.   

By reactivating a long vacant historic landmark and expanding access to high-quality childcare in a designated childcare desert, the redevelopment of the Ontario & Western Railway Station strengthens early childhood outcomes, supports working families, and ensures this iconic building continues to serve Middletown for generations to come. 

Learn more about the Ontario & Western Railway Station project here.

Washington, D.C., May 13, 2026— NTCIC is pleased to announce that Ross Williams has joined the NT Impact Capital team this summer as a 2026 Open Access Fellow. The Open Access Fellowship first launched in the Fall of 2021 as an initiative created by advocates in the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) industry to increase diversity representation in community development finance. NTCIC was a founding sponsor of the program and NTCIC’s President and CEO David Clower currently serves on the Open Access board of directors.

Ross is an MBA candidate at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, graduating in May 2026, with eight years of experience across investment banking, corporate finance, and accounting. He has worked at Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, VO2 Partners, KPMG, BNY Mellon, and XP Investments, supporting M&A transactions, credit diligence, accounting, and portfolio analytics across healthcare, biopharma, and financial services. At Darden, Ross serves as CFO of Darden Capital Management and is a Public Service Scholar, MLT Fellow, and Generative AI Fellow.

He is the founder of Freedom Financial, a nonprofit focused on advancing financial literacy in underserved communities. Ross is passionate about deploying capital to drive economic mobility and is based in New York, NY.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

About NTCIC

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a mission-driven, impact investment asset management firm focused on the adaptive reuse of historic properties and renewable energy solutions across the country. Founded in 2000, NTCIC makes transformational impact investments in low-income & disinvested communities, promoting a brighter, more equitable future by revitalizing historic properties and expanding our nation’s renewable energy accessibility through innovative community development & tax credit investment strategies.

Washington D.C. – May 1, 2026: The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is proud to announce our successful closing of financing for phase two of the Loray Mill revitalization in Gastonia, North Carolina. The $52 million historic preservation effort led by Tribridge Residential will transform the long-vacant section of one of the state’s most significant industrial landmarks into new housing opportunities in the Charlotte suburbs. 

A Landmark of Industry and Labor History 

Constructed between 1900 and 1922, Loray Mill stands as a nationally significant example of early twentieth‑century industrial construction and, at over 600,000 square feet, one of the largest textile mills ever built in North Carolina. Originally developed for cotton cloth production, the mill later transitioned to tire fabric manufacturing following its acquisition by the Jenckes Spinning Company in 1919, with major expansions completed in 1921 and 1922. 

The mill is also historically notable as the site of the 1929 Loray Mill Strike, which involved more than 1,000 workers and brought national attention to labor conditions in the Southern textile industry. After the strike, the mill closed and was later purchased by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which operated the facility until 1993. Following decades of vacancy, rehabilitation efforts began in 2013 and continue today.

“Few buildings in the Southeast carry the weight of Loray Mill — it powered Gastonia’s rise as Spindle City and anchored the region’s textile economy for nearly a century before sitting largely vacant for decades,” said Josh McPherson of Tribridge Residential. “Tribridge owns and operates historic properties across the Southeast, and we’re proud to take on the final chapter of one of the most ambitious mill rehabilitations in the region.“

Anchoring a Revitalized Mill Village 

Loray Mill Lofts Phase 2 completes the adaptive reuse of the historic mill by converting the long‑vacant west block into 143 market‑rate apartments with resident amenity spaces. The project builds on Phase 1 of the redevelopment, which delivered nearly 200 apartments along with commercial space and shared amenities, including an expansive and publicly accessible gym, that now anchor the mill campus. 

The new residences feature one‑, two‑, and three‑bedroom units designed to preserve the building’s historic industrial character through open floor plans, high ceilings, exposed brick, and visible structural elements, while introducing modern amenities that support long‑term residential use. Together, the project represents a key component of the broader revitalization of the Loray Mill Village.

Financing Preservation 

NTCIC made an equity investment in the $8.3 million Federal Historic Tax Credits, as well as the $16.5 million North Carolina Mill Rehabilitation Tax Credits, to support the preservation efforts of the final phase of revitalization. 

NTCIC served as the Federal Historic Tax Credit and North Carolina Mill Rehabilitation Tax Credit investment sourcer, underwriter, and closer for the transaction, and will serve as asset manager throughout the compliance period. The North Carolina Mill Rehabilitation Tax Credit played an important role in supporting reinvestment in a long‑vacant industrial property and encouraging continued preservation activity in distressed communities. 

Learn more about Loray Mill Lofts Phase 2 here.

NT Solar is proud to announce its first investment with United States Solar Corporation (US Solar) to support a portfolio of seven community solar projects located in Colorado. Throughout construction of the projects, NT Solar will provide an equity investment on the $43 million of Solar Investment Tax Credits (ITC) generated by the solar projects. The projects total 46 MWdc and are expected to generate approximately 90 million kWh annually — enough to power nearly 8,300 homes per year. 

“NT Solar’s first investment with US Solar reflects our commitment to expanding access to clean energy while delivering meaningful community benefits,” said Paul Holshouser, Director of NT Solar. “We’re especially proud to support projects that prioritize low-to-moderate income households and environmental revitalization.” 

US Solar is committed to community-focused energy solutions. Nearly 5,000 families will receive utility bill discounts, averaging around $600 per year in savings for each household — equivalent to cutting the average utility bill nearly in half. The developer has partnered with nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado to connect income-qualified households with those savings. Combining environmental innovation with social equity, US Solar’s portfolio supports low-to-moderate income households and transforms landfill-adjacent land into green energy hubs, and with six of the seven projects located adjacent to the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site landfill, the project will provide a green buffer for nearby communities. 

“Partnering with NT Solar on this community solar portfolio has enabled us to complete these projects that deliver both community and financial returns,” said Brian Lantz, Chief Financial Officer at US Solar.  “We look forward to continuing our partnership and deploying capital across additional community solar markets in the near future.” 

The roughly 90 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) generated annually by the installations are projected to sequester the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere as over 44,000 acres of forest and generate the amount of electricity equivalent to burning over 49 million pounds of coal. By investing in a project that will support thousands of low-income households in Colorado, delivering measurable community impact, NT Solar demonstrates its continued commitment to advancing equitable and impactful solar development across the country.

Learn more about the project here. 

About NT Solar

This is NT Solar’s first investment with US Solar and was made possible through NTCIC’s Renewable Investing Fund I, LLC. NT Solar, a division of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), provides tax credit equity for renewable energy projects that deliver measurable community benefits. NT Solar specializes in community solar, energy storage, and projects that serve low-income households or are located in historically underserved areas. Visit www.nt.solar to learn more.

About US Solar

Founded in 2014, US Solar is a developer, owner, operator, and financier of solar generation and storage projects with a focus on emerging state markets and community solar programs. The company helps utilities, partners, communities and residents expand access to clean energy across the country and save on electric costs. With more than 300 Megawatts of completed projects and over 2 Gigawatts in development or construction, US Solar is trusted nationwide. Visit www.us-solar.com for more.