COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - Habitat for Humanity International, the charity that builds homes for the poor in 100 countries, announced Thursday that it has tapped a pastor and former retail executive to be its new leader.

Jonathan Reckford, a former Best Buy and Circuit City executive who spent the last two years as a pastor of a Minnesota church, will have the task of moving the charity beyond a bitter rift that erupted over the dismissal of founder Millard Fuller.

Fuller was fired in January after more than a year of tension sparked by allegations that he sexually harassed a female colleague. Habitat's board concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the charge and the official reason for the dismissal was a pattern of divisive and disruptive comments.

Soon after his name was announced, Reckford sought to address the fallout from the flap, which included threats from some longtime supporters to cut off donations and concerns that Fuller's new homebuilding charity would undercut fundraising.

"I'm happy to say donations have been stronger than ever for Habitat for Humanity," said the 42-year-old Reckford. "My view is the (housing) problems are so large, we wouldn't view Fuller's organization as competition."

Fuller said his new charity - the Fuller Center for Housing - has raised $2 million in donations and pledges. And he believes Habitat should treat his group as an ally.

"They have been treating me like an enemy," he said. "I'm interested in action - action in the direction of cooperation rather than conflict and controversy."

Habitat chapters around the world command a combined annual budget of about $748 million and next week the charity will celebrate a landmark milestone - completion of 200,000 homes.

Reckford will make a $210,000 salary and plans to move soon to Americus, Ga., where Habitat is headquartered.