2019-2020 Board of Directors Candidates
Darrell Jack, Apartment MarketData
Statement of Interest:
As President of Apartment MarketData, I have now been associated with the affordable housing industry for more than 20 years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work with TDHCA staff, developers, and other industry professionals to promote the objectives common to the industry. I previously severed two terms on the TAAHP Board, and know the knowledge and experience I bring are valuable in creating a program that meets the goals and objectives of TDHCA, while maintaining a workable environment for the developer community. I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the TAAHP Board once again.
Biography:
Darrell Jack has been the President of Apartment MarketData for the past 20 years. During this time, he has performed countless market studies, both for the affordable housing industry and market rate clients. He has worked closely with TDHCA to help develop “Best Practices” used to underwrite the demand for affordable housing projects. Most recently, he was influential in persuading TDHCA to raise the capture rate threshold from 10% to 15% for bond financed projects. Previously, Darrell worked 13 years in the property management industry for companies like Lincoln Property Co., Equity Residential, and many others. Darrell also served two previous terms on the TAAHP Board.
Jen Brewerton, Dominium, Inc. (incumbunt)
Statement of Interest:
Please consider a vote for Jen Brewerton! I would be honored to serve another term on the TAAHP Board of Directors. I am so proud of TAAHP as a whole, and how the organization has grown in the last 3 years. Since joining the Board initially three years ago, I have worked hard to serve our TAAHP membership, in particular, as the Chair of the Compliance and Post-award Rules committee. Compliance and post-award rules do not get the time and attention that the QAP does. As a former TDHCA staff member of nearly 10 years, I know the rule making process at TDHCA very well. I also know how imperative it is that we are paying close attention as an organization to the myriad of post-award and compliance rules, because of the impact they have on developments and tenants after awards are made. In the last 3 years as chair of the Compliance and Post-award Rules committee, we have re-organized the committee with new and excited members who are eager to make a difference. Our committee has worked tirelessly with TDHCA staff, in roundtables, and through public comment to protect the interests of our membership. As a result, we have seen very positive changes in the area of TDHCA Previous Participation review, Utility Allowances, and the EARAC process. If re-elected, I would continue to work as hard as ever on behalf of our membership, and of course work hard with the TAAHP Board to support all TAAHP initiatives.
Biography:
Jen Brewerton is the Vice President of Compliance for Dominium. At over 34,000 units, operating in 22 different states, Dominium is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative affordable housing development and management companies. Dominium added 7,000 units in 2018, mostly through resyndications, and is on track to do the same for 2019. Dominium’s goal moving forward is to implement Income Averaging on as many of our new properties as possible. Ms. Brewerton is responsible for determining and implementing all affordable program policy and procedures for Dominium. Prior to joining Dominium, Ms. Brewerton has held a variety of influential positions in her field, including almost 10 years with Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) overseeing the Housing Tax Credit, Bond, HOME and Housing Trust Fund programs. After leaving TDHCA, Mr. Brewerton held senior positions at CohnReznick, Capstone Management, and Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation, a Project Based Section 8 Contract Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ms. Brewerton received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and currently serves on the board of the Texas Association of Affordable Housing Providers and is Chair of the Compliance and Post-award Rules committee.
Joy Horak-Brown, New Hope Housing, Inc.
Statement of Interest:
I can bring my business and communication skills and my experience developing and managing supportive housing to the TAAHP Board of Directors. I will leverage, if elected, my past board service to drive real, positive impact for TAAHP’s future. My prior board responsibilities (2011-2017) include participation as board secretary and 2nd vice president. I actively contributed to the by-laws, scholarship and governmental affairs committees. I also testified before the State Legislature and the TDHCA BOD in support of TAAHP’s agenda. In 2016, I was honored to receive from TAAHP the Jean W. MacDonald Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes women who exemplify leadership and embody the philosophy of providing quality affordable housing to all Texans.
I am proactive and diligent in my approach to public relations, government relations, and donor communications. I place a strong emphasis on communication strategies that deliver measurable results and believe I can add value to the TAAHP team effort to counteract NIMBY.
As the CEO of a truly transformational organization, I lead a team that is doing unique and innovative work. Sound and innovative business practices stand as a core element in New Hope Housing’s recognized success. Similar practices are important and must be continually reinforced at TAAHP.
It is my personal and professional goal as a prospective TAAHP board member to advocate on behalf of the individuals and families the industry serves and to expand awareness of the need for housing affordability. I am increasingly aware that housing instability impacts people’s ability to access health care; receive an education; and avoid the criminal justice system.
I believe in striving for excellence in any organization I am affiliated with. New Hope is recognized by industry leaders as having established the single room occupancy (SRO) model in the State of Texas.
Biography:
As New Hope Housing’s founding president and chief executive officer, Joy is responsible for real estate development, property management, social service programming, fundraising, marketing, public relations and administration. New Hope is a 26-year nonprofit developer of life-stabilizing, affordable, permanent Housing + Services.
With Joy’s leadership, New Hope Housing has grown from an organization that operated 40 units of apartment housing to one with ~1,200 units at eight properties around Houston. New Hope currently has more than $65MM in real estate under development at two properties. The organization recently opened its first affordable housing property for homeless and at-risk families and its first mixed-use development located on a light rail line.
Joy received TAAHP’s Jean W. MacDonald Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. This award recognizes women who exemplify leadership and embody the philosophy of providing quality affordable housing to all Texans. She served 2011-2017 on the TAAHP Board of Directors, including participation as board secretary and 2nd vice president. Joy actively contributed to the bylaws, scholarship and governmental affairs committees. She also testified before the State Legislature and the TDHCAs BOD on behalf of TAAHP’s agenda.
Since inception, New Hope Housing has assisted almost 9,000 people, and has raised ~$160MM in layered, debt-free financing for capital expansions, organization operating funds and resident services. Guided by Joy’s experience and management, New Hope has received numerous prestigious local, national and international awards honoring the organization’s innovative and transformative approach to community change.
Lisa Stephens, Saigebrook Development, LLC
Statement of Interest:
I am often asked how I ended up in affordable housing. My answer is always, by accident. In 1999 I was hired for a job for which I didn’t apply and handed a QAP with instructions to go compete for tax credits. It was literally sink or swim. Since then I have submitted too many applications to keep track of and have been fortunate enough to win some of them. Our industry is one that faces constant change, constant threats and much misunderstanding. I have come to appreciate that while we cannot alter everyone’s opinion of what we do, it is important that we continue to educate, inform and advocate for our industry. It is important both for those of us that earn a living in this industry, but it is more important for those we serve, primarily our residents. The future of affordable housing rests as always in our government, be it local, state or national. We must be willing to adjust as the rules we live by are adjusted. TAAHP is an excellent platform and voice to advocate for those changes that better our industry and to fight against those that would prefer we not exist. I believe we all have an obligation to do our part and I would be honored to be a member of the TAAHP board, working to ensure longevity of the Housing Tax Credit program in the State of Texas.
Biography:
As an affordable housing developer, Ms. Stephens has 20 years of experience in developing, financing and operating affordable housing. She has been awarded allocations of 9% Housing Tax Credits for almost 2,000 units in Texas and has financed and closed more than 5,400 multi-family units in the southeastern United States. Ms. Stephens is the Owner and President of Saigebrook Development, LLC, a Women’s Business Enterprise as well as a Texas HUB certified real estate development firm. Ms. Stephens received her BA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Florida and is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED Green Associate. She currently serves on the National Green Building Standards’ (NGBS) Green Advisory Council as one of two national multi-family representatives and was most recently recognized as a three-time repeat NGBS Partner of Excellence.
Meghan Garza-Oswald, CHR Partners, Inc.
Statement of Interest:
VOTE for the FUTURE SUCCESS of TAAHP! As a native Texan and a child raised in affordable housing in San Antonio, I knew from a young age exactly how I wanted to leave my mark on the world. For the last ten years I have dedicated my energy to not only promoting the development of affordable housing, but to the creation of smart and responsible policy to fund this development. I’m passionate about looking to the future of this industry. Affordable Housing production IS the answer to solving homelessness in our nation and we can’t do that without TAAHP – putting faces, names and purchasing power behind this effort. It is my sincerest desire to be of service and leadership to this organization in whatever way I can to put as many units on the ground for Texas families.
Biography:
Meghan Garza-Oswald currently serves as the President and CEO of CHR Partners, Inc. a national nonprofit organization developing affordable housing and providing critical support services. Over the last 5 years, Ms. Garza-Oswald has increased the organizations portfolio by more than 48% and documented services to more than 13,000 individuals throughout the State of Texas. Before this, Ms. Garza-Oswald was instrumental in the creation of the Homeless and Housing Services Program in the State of Texas; the first homeless grant program to be funded with general revenue in the amount of $20M dollars. In 2010, Mrs. Garza-Oswald completed time with the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation; responsible for engaging and promoting public-private partnerships on a national level in an effort to serve our nation’s growing needs.
Nathan Kelley, Blazer, Inc.
Statement of Interest:
I have been an active TAAHP member for nearly seven years and have served on its government affairs and QAP committees. As an ex-officio member of the Board this year, I was excited to be part of setting out the long-term objectives of the organization and want to participate as an outright board member to make sure TAAHP meets its strategic goals. I have volunteered a significant amount of time toward achieving TAAHP’s legislative goals and want to build on the relationships. We’ve made significant progress this session, but I’m excited to help strengthen our voice as an industry. I appreciate your consideration of my nomination.
Biography:
As Vice President of Blazer, Nathan is responsible for the development efforts of the company, capital markets, portfolio asset management, investor reporting and risk management. Since joining Blazer in 2012, Nathan has led the development of conventional multi-family, independent senior living and affordable housing. Nathan’s Capital Markets responsibilities include the structuring and origination of debt and equity capital for new developments and the recapitalization of existing developments. Nathan’s experience includes transactions involving private and institutional equity, as well as bank, agency, HUD and CMBS debt. He has also facilitated the disposition of numerous developments. Nathan has also been instrumental in improving the operating performance of Blazer’s more than 3,900-unit portfolio. Nathan received his Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University and his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management of Information Systems from Texas A&M University.
Stephanie Naquin, Novogradac & Company, LLP
Statement of Interest:
Stephanie has over 16 years of experience in multi-family and tax credit housing, while specializing in property compliance. Before her time with Novogradac & Company LLP, Stephanie worked at the TDHCA for over 10 years, and ending her time there as the Director of Compliance. Stephanie’s Texas experience within TDHCA gives her a strong perspective on the rules and requirements governing the LIHTC industry in our state. This experience means that she has worked with or knows a very large percentage of the TAAHP membership. In addition, she works with other state agencies and is a frequent speaker at NCSHA. She would bring a national perspective on LIHTCs to the Board. For these reasons, i am pleased to nominate Stephanie for a position on the Board of Directors. I believe she would represent the organization and industry well, and would be a great addition to the Board.
Biography:
Stephanie Naquin is a multifamily compliance manager in Novogradac’s Austin, Texas, office. Ms. Naquin was previously the director of multifamily compliance with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), where her team oversaw all aspects of compliance monitoring, physical inspection and compliance administration. Ms. Naquin began her career as a leasing agent in August of 2002 with an owner-managed affordable housing organization where she had the opportunity to hold various positions in the private sector before joining TDHCA in 2007 as a compliance monitor. Her experience in both the private and regulatory sectors of the industry allows her to synthesize complicated federal and state regulations and present that information in a concise and easily digestible manner. Ms. Naquin is also a renowned public speaker and a nationally recognized expert in utility allowance regulations. Her certifications include the National Center for Housing Management Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), the National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), and the Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC).