LANSING — Habitat for Humanity of Michigan’s board of directors named Sandra A. Pearson to serve as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer.

Pearson, currently executive director and chief operating officer, will assume her new responsibilities in an orderly transition that will be effective Oct. 1, 2010, at which time Dr. Ken Bensen will turn over his CEO responsibilities to focus on fund development. Bensen has agreed to remain involved in a supporting role to insure a seamless leadership transition.

A graduate of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, Pearson began her career in housing with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), where she served for 16 years and was recognized with several awards and commendations.

While at MSHDA, she began working with local, state and federal resources as a community development specialist developing nonprofit housing finance tools and home ownership programs.