Stewart Riley Consulting
After a lengthy tenure in national leadership appointments, state government and economic development, Antonio R. Riley founded Stewart Riley Consulting LLC in 2018. Its mission is to help rebuild communities through sustainable development and housing. The consultancy assists in the development of community-sustaining projects.
Using a lifetime of relationships and policy knowledge, Antonio works with real estate holdings, commercial developers and municipalities to overcome technical, financial and political hurdles. Steward Riley projects includes private housing developments, Public Housing Authorities, mass transit and mixed-use developments throughout the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Antonio believes that anyone can build a building, but his clients are committed to community revitalization. Whether working to bring special needs facilities to a community, developing public access to mass transportation or building market rate and affordable housing to meet demands, Antonio connects his clients to resources and develops strategic initiatives to make plans a reality.
Resourceful Connections
& Strategic Development
Available for:
Speaking Engagements
Consulting & Advising
Assistance with project funding
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
2010 - 2018
In October 2010, Antonio R. Riley was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Regional Administrator for the six states in HUD’s Midwestern Region which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
As the Regional Administrator, Antonio was the designated Senior Executive Service leader serving as HUD’s liaison to Governors, members of Congress, and other statewide and local elected officials, stakeholders and consumers in Region V. He was responsible for overseeing the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities and evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness. Antonio was one of 10 Presidentially Appointed Regional Administrators across the United States.
“What an honor it was to serve at the pleasure of the President, and a privilege to have made so many wonderful connections that are helping clients today make community strengthening projects a reality.”
Prior to joining HUD, Antonio served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) under Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. WHEDA was created in 1972 by the Wisconsin Legislature to meet an increasing need for affordable housing financing throughout Wisconsin. The Legislature broadened WHEDA’s purpose in 1983 to include financing for the expansion of business and agricultural activity in the state.
As the first African American to head the agency, Antonio oversaw what is considered the second largest bank in the state, with a $3 billion mortgage portfolio. During his tenure at WHEDA, Antonio stressed the inherent relationship between housing and economic development and was elected by his peers to the Board of Directors of the National Conference of State Housing Authorities (NCSHA).
“While at WHEDA, I focused on the relationship between housing and economic development by developing strategies to increase jobs, make home ownership affordable, and invigorate depressed neighborhoods.
these are areas of opportunity for developers to make connections with government to revitalize communities.”
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Wisconsin State Legislature
Antonio served 10 years in the Wisconsin Legislature representing Milwaukee’s 18th Assembly District. Throughout his career, Antonio has earned numerous accolades and awards including the Legacy Foundation’s prestigious Legacy Award for being a person who passionately promotes, supports and invests in efforts that increase entrepreneurial opportunities; and, consistently reflects passion through his actions in bold and innovative ways creating wealth-building opportunities for everyone.
“There is no better way to understand a community than by representing the people. It was a pleasure serving the 18th assembly district and making life-long friendships.”
Antonio is a proud community volunteer, currently the President of the Board of Directors for Centers for Independence (AKA MCFI). He is the former President of the Board of Directors for both the Transcenter for Youth (TCY) and the African American Leadership Alliance, Milwaukee, or AALAM, whose mission is to close gaps in economic and racial disparities.
Antonio has served on the boards of the YMCA of Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee American Red Cross, and the Center for Policy Alternatives. He was Founder and Chairman of the Board of Milwaukee’s Westside Healthcare Association (NKA Progressive Health Centers) and the former Commission Chairman for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
He is also a member of The American Swiss Foundation, the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Institute. Antonio served as the National Chairman of the State Legislative Advisory Board for the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).
A graduate of Carroll University in Wisconsin and also of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Antonio was born in Chicago and raised in Milwaukee, which he considers his hometown.
Community Volunteer
