The Hartford Land Bank identifies and acquires vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent and/or distressed properties in the City of Hartford, Connecticut, to steward their rehabilitation and return to productive community assets. Hartford Land Bank, Inc. is a non-profit corporation.
Staff
Marcus Ordoñez, Executive Director
Marcus Ordoñez is the Executive Director of the Hartford Land Bank. He served as Interim Executive Director from December 2023 to June 2024.
A resident of Hartford, he is co-chair of the Frog Hollow NRZ (Neighborhood Revitalization Zone) and serves on the board of The Betty Knox Foundation.
Early in his career, he worked as an eLearning Developer at IBM. Marcus has since transitioned to real estate and community development. He worked with a grant program at the Hartford Public Library teaching digital literacy and consulted during the land bank’s first property acquisition in 2021. He was also a member of HLB’s inaugural Developer Cohort Program in 2021.
Marcus earned his B.A. in Information Science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Tyler Havens, Director of Operations
Formerly the Hartford Land Bank’s Community & Program Intern and later hired as Construction & Programs Manager, Tyler now serves as HLB’s Director of Operations.
Tyler grew up in Hartford County and earned a B.S. in Business Management from Providence College. Concurrent with his internship at HLB, he pursued and received an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He also served as a Graduate Assistant for UConn’s Innovation House and worked as a consultant for Keney Park prior to joining HLB. Tyler remains engaged with the university as a member of the UConn School of Public Policy Alumni Council and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Goodwin University.
Prior to joining HLB, Tyler participated in various AmeriCorps programs, completing two years of service across the United States before relocating to New Orleans, Louisiana.
In his role with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, Tyler performed home renovations for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners. He saw firsthand how property rehabilitation and homeownership can strengthen communities and aims to continue those efforts in Hartford.
As Volunteer Manager at New Orleans City Park, Tyler coordinated community volunteers on a variety of park improvement projects designed to create more welcoming and accessible public spaces. Tyler believes strongly in community engagement, public participation, and equitable access to green space.
In addition to his work with HLB, Tyler serves on the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) Brownfield Steering Committee, is a Corporator of iQuilt, and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Hartford’s Quest program.
With experience spanning homebuilding, conservation, public policy, and community development, Tyler is committed to helping build a more just and vibrant future for Hartford and its residents.
Tyler Havens, Director of Operations
Formerly the Hartford Land Bank’s Community & Program Intern and later hired as Construction & Programs Manager, Tyler now serves as HLB’s Director of Operations.
Tyler grew up in Hartford County and earned a B.S. in Business Management from Providence College. Concurrent with his internship at HLB, he pursued and received an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He also served as a Graduate Assistant for UConn’s Innovation House and worked as a consultant for Keney Park prior to joining HLB. Tyler remains engaged with the university as a member of the UConn School of Public Policy Alumni Council and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Goodwin University.
Prior to joining HLB, Tyler participated in various AmeriCorps programs, completing two years of service across the United States before relocating to New Orleans, Louisiana.
In his role with Rebuilding Together New Orleans, Tyler performed home renovations for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners. He saw firsthand how property rehabilitation and homeownership can strengthen communities and aims to continue those efforts in Hartford.
As Volunteer Manager at New Orleans City Park, Tyler coordinated community volunteers on a variety of park improvement projects designed to create more welcoming and accessible public spaces. Tyler believes strongly in community engagement, public participation, and equitable access to green space.
In addition to his work with HLB, Tyler serves on the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) Brownfield Steering Committee, is a Corporator of iQuilt, and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Hartford’s Quest program.
With experience spanning homebuilding, conservation, public policy, and community development, Tyler is committed to helping build a more just and vibrant future for Hartford and its residents.