Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County has hired Fred Sheppard as its resource development manager, and Cynthia Poppe as its new publicist.

Sheppard arrives in Bellingham from Houston, Texas. He has more than 17 years’ experience working in nonprofit education, and also has a background in fundraising.

Sheppard previously served as director of education at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas.

Poppe has more than 20 years’ experience in freelance writing, travel writing and photography.

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County, a Ferndale-based nonprofit, builds homes for families in need. Since its founding in 1988, the organization has built 35 homes for 151 residents in Whatcom County.

Habitat is preparing to open a new retail store at 1825 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham, in the former location of Mayberry Sporting Goods. It currently operates a similar store at 1385 Admiral Place in Ferndale.

Proceeds from its retail sales help the organization cover overhead costs.