Find Homeowner Assistance Fund Programs by State: Read More

2020 Awards Program Judges

The judges evaluate each entry for its level of replicability, measurable benefit to HFA customers, effective use of resources, and achievement of strategic objectives, among other criteria. The judges are affordable housing industry leaders and subject matter experts selected for their relevant expertise, experience, and impartiality.

Communications

Patricia Amend, Director of Research, Information, and Marketing Strategies | North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
Lisa Beran, Interim Executive Director | Kentucky Housing Corporation
Barry Brooks, Confidential Assistant to Executive Director | Louisiana Housing Corporation
Jim Lapides, Vice President, Strategic Communications | National Multifamily Housing Council
Andy Masters, Strategic Partnership Manager, Knowledge, Impact and Strategy | Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
Denise Miller, Assistant Vice President, Digital Strategy and Marketing | National Association of Home Builders
Carla Pisarro, Senior Vice President and Group Director | Group Gordon
Bridget Pooley, Chief Operating Officer | Mission Partners, Benefit LLC

Homeownership

Lisa DeBrock, Director, Homeownership | Washington State Housing Finance Commission
Julia Gordon, Executive Vice President | National Community Stabilization Trust
Kasey Kier, Assistant Commissioner, Single-Family | Minnesota Housing
Alanna McCargo, Co-Director, Housing Finance Policy Center | Urban Institute
John O’Callaghan, President & CEO | Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc.
Jacqueline O’Garrow, Senior Vice President, Director of National Relationships and Initiatives – Community Affairs | Bank of America
Marietta Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer | NeighborWorks America

Legislative Advocacy

Chris Coes, Vice President, Land Use and Development | LOCUS
Kristin Faust, Executive Director | Illinois Housing Development Authority
Gerard Holder, Legislative Director | Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Ernie Jolly, Associate Vice President | Mortgage Bankers Association
Joey Lindstrom, Director for Field Organizing | National Low Income Housing Coalition
Antoine Thompson, National Executive Director | National Association of Real Estate Brokers

Management Innovation

Lisa Beran, Interim Executive Director | Kentucky Housing Corporation
Vi Bergquist, Chief Information Officer | Minnesota Housing
Alok Bhargava, Chief Operating Officer, Head of Product and Co-founder | Cambridge Blockchain
Emily Swenson Brock, Director | Government Finance Officers Association
Kristina Cook, Executive Director | National Affordable Housing Management Association
Becky Corbett, President & CEO | BSCorbett Consulting, LLC
Che Flowers, Energy Data Architect | CodeGreen Solutions
David Grubman, Senior Manager – Data Analytics Group | Novogradac & Company LLP
Rachel Johnson, Chief Information Officer | The NRP Group, LLC
Julienne Joseph, Assistant Director, Government Housing Programs | Mortgage Bankers Association
Paul Kealey, Chief Operating Officer | National Low Income Housing Coalition
Chris Killian, Managing Director, Securitization and Corporate Credit | SIFMA
Kate McCarry, Director of Human Resources | German Marshall Fund
Amanda Mitchell, Vice President of Operations | National Housing Conference
Ralph Perrey, Executive Director | Tennessee Housing Development Agency
Catherine Reeves, Development Coordinator | National Low Income Housing Coalition
Melissa Scanlan, Portfolio Director | ECS
Sara Spofford, Operations Director | National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders
Carolyn Thompson, President | Training Systems, Inc.
Chuck Wellard, Chief Operating Officer | National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials

Rental Housing

Lisa Beran, Interim Executive Director | Kentucky Housing Corporation
Julie Cody, Director, Affordable Rental Housing | Oregon Housing and Community Services
James Comer, Deputy Executive Director | Rhode Island Housing
Allen Feliz, Industry Principal, Public and Affordable Housing | MRI Software/TCAM
Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner | Novogradac & Company LLP
Buzz Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer | National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders
Todd Sears, Chief Financial Officer | Herman & Kittle Properties, Inc.
Kathryn Turner, Tax Credit Program Manager | New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority
Deborah VanAmerongen, Strategic Policy Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy, Affordable Housing | Nixon Peabody LLP

Special Achievement

Katie Brennan, Chief of Staff | New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency
Deborah De Santis, President and Chief Executive Officer | CSH
Gerard Holder, Legislative Director | Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Julienne Joseph, Assistant Director, Government Housing Programs | Mortgage Bankers Association
Alanna McCargo, Co-Director, Housing Finance Policy Center | Urban Institute
Antoine Thompson, National Executive Director | National Association of Real Estate Brokers
Deborah VanAmerongen, Strategic Policy Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy, Affordable Housing | Nixon Peabody LLP

Special Needs

Dara Baldwin, Director of National Policy | Center for Disability Rights, Inc.
Deborah De Santis, President and Chief Executive Officer | CSH
Priya Jayachandran, President | National Housing Trust
Michelle Norris, Executive Vice President–Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs | National Church Residences
Andrea Ponsor, President and Chief Executive Officer | Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
Jacob Sipe, Executive Director | Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority