Inlivian Appointed Heather Franklin Interim CEO
The housing agency selected its long-time Chief Financial Officer to lead following the retirement of Fulton Meachem.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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The Inlivian Board of Commissioners has appointed Heather Franklin as the agency's interim president and CEO. Franklin, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer, assumed the new leadership role on October 2, 2026.
Why it matters
The transition follows the retirement of Fulton Meachem, who led the Charlotte housing provider for 14 years. The appointment ensures operational continuity for the agency while the board prepares to launch a search for a permanent successor.
The transition marks a change in leadership after Fulton Meachem served 14 years in the position. Incoming interim CEO Heather Franklin brings a 25-year history with the organization to the role.
The players
Heather Franklin
She is the interim president and CEO of Inlivian who previously served as the agency's Chief Financial Officer.
Fulton Meachem
He is the former president and CEO of Inlivian who retired from his leadership role after 14 years of service.
Inlivian
This is a Charlotte-based housing agency that manages public housing and development initiatives for the local community.
The details
The Inlivian Board of Commissioners initiated a leadership appointment process to fill the vacancy created by Meachem's recent departure. Franklin has spent her entire two-and-a-half-decade career at the agency, providing a familiar hand as it begins the search for a permanent leader in the coming weeks.
Timeline
Heather Franklin assumed the interim position on October 2, 2026.
Fulton Meachem retired in the week preceding October 6, 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment reflects a common industry practice of promoting tenured internal executives to ensure stability during leadership transitions. This shift positions the agency to maintain its current operational trajectory while the board evaluates its long-term strategic needs.
Residents and stakeholders can expect continuity in agency services during this interim period. The board's decision aims to minimize administrative disruptions for those who rely on the housing provider's programs.
The takeaway
Selecting an internal leader with a long history at the agency often serves as a strategy to prevent service gaps during executive transitions. Residents and staff typically benefit from the stability that a known, long-term administrator provides during the search for a permanent replacement.
What happens next
The Inlivian Board of Commissioners is expected to begin a formal search process for a permanent president and CEO in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCCB Charlotte.
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