Board of Directors

  Nicki Biggs Nicki Biggs is the Acting Executive Director of the Havre de Grace Housing Authority (HDGHA).  In this capacity, she works to fulfill the agency's mission to provide and develop safe, quality affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency, empowerment and neighborhood revitalization.  She holds the NAHRO-CME and PHM certifications.  With 13 years of public housing experience, Nicki participates on a variety of boards in her local community proudly advocating for the population she serves. 
  Venus Bradford In my current position, I work to promote and assist families to become self-sufficient and Homeowners.

I have over 40 years in the affordable housing industry which includes working with various programs to assist low to moderate income families at the DC Housing Authority, Chester Housing Authority and Rockville Housing Enterprises.

My professional development includes certified in Public Housing Management, Housing Choice Voucher Management, Managing Compliance in Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties and

Low-Income Tax Credit Mixed Finance, Comprehensive Housing Counselor, and Certified Housing Quality Standard (HQS) Inspector.

Over the years I have built relationships with other professionals in the housing industry that would be useful to increase MAHRA’s membership and to support the mission of the Board of Directors.

Eric Brown

Eric C. Brown is currently the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for Prince George’s County, Maryland.  DHCD is comprised of three governmental agencies:  the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Housing Authority (HA) and the Redevelopment Authority (RA).  The Department of Housing and Community Development is primarily responsible for the administration, monitoring and evaluation of the Federal entitlement programs.  The Housing Authority manages the Federal rental assistance program and public housing.  The Redevelopment Authority handles acquisition and development of properties in Prince George’s County. 

Mr. Brown has over 30 years of experience working with various governmental entities. He has over 25 years of senior level administrative and supervisory experience in the affordable multi-family housing arena and has served as Executive Director of the Meridian (Mississippi) Housing Authority and the Annapolis (Maryland) Housing Authority.  He has served as Deputy Executive Director of housing agencies in New Orleans, Philadelphia and Baltimore. In his positions as Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Brown has supervised staffs up to 1,600 and managed budgets up to $250 million.

Lisa Coleman My interest in serving on the MAHRA Board is so I can work with like-minded industry professionals to deal with issues that impact housing opportunities.

With over 27 years of experience in the housing industry, I have administered an extensive portfolio of housing programs such as the HCV Program, Mainstream, HOPWA, RAP, FUP, Bridge Subsidy, VASH, NED, Housing for Homeless Persons with Disabilities, PBV, FSS and HCV Homeownership. Additionally, I have been a NAHRO faculty member for 21 years educating housing professionals and providing peer support and technical assistance.

I believe with my experience and commitment to the efforts of creating and preserving sustainable housing, I am able to serve as a competent advocate to the MAHRA membership. If provided the opportunity of serving on the MAHRA Board, I would be readily available to the MAHRA membership in focusing on the changes in our industry, as well as assisting in communicating and discussing new regulations that affect the day-to-day operations of the housing industry. I would use my experience to assist in developing and providing quality education to enhance the skills and knowledge of housing professionals. I would be vested in sharing the responsibility of the MAHRA Board in promoting the mission of the organization.

  Adria Crutchfield

Adria Crutchfield is an affordable housing and community development leader with public service experience that spans federal, state, and local government legislative and executive branches. Since February 2019, she has served as the Executive Director of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, dedicated to helping families escape poverty through access to high-quality housing in areas with strong schools, low crime, and ample job opportunities.

Immediately prior to joining BRHP, Adria served as Chief of Staff at the New York City Department of Buildings where she advised the Commissioner on the administration and execution of agency priorities including organizational restructuring, improving the safety of construction sites, and the Mayor's goals to develop affordable housing; support small businesses; and build a more sustainable, and equitable city.

Previously, Adria worked as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President for Capital Projects at the New York City Housing Authority, the largest public housing authority in the country. In this capacity, she supported the day-to-day operations and management of 400 employees responsible for planning, designing, and delivering a $2 billion, five-year construction program.

She has held roles in external affairs, issue advocacy, and coalition building focused on improving the quality of life of vulnerable populations and creating vibrant cities. Adria serves on the board of directors of the Maryland Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (MAHRA) and as board chair of housing mobility nonprofit, Mobility Works. Previously, she served on the Biden-Harris Transition HUD Agency Review Team and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's Housing Committee Transition Team.  

Adria is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she studied architecture and American University where she earned her master's in public policy. She is a proud alum of Coro Leadership New York and a member of The Leadership Baltimore class of 2022, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening Baltimore by developing and connecting the region’s civic leaders. 

  Paul Diggs MAHRA’s mission is to lead, support, and advocate on behalf of others, and for over 18 years, I have championed the same belief as it relates to my personal and business life.  I have helped to educate, collaborate by bringing diverse groups together, and advocated for the under-privileged to ensure equality was at the forefront.  By improving the societal differences, I have been successful in small segments of communities improve.

I offer the Board and MAHRA membership the ability to lead, collaborate, and the willingness to deal with complex and sensitive issues.  

I am interested in serving the Board because it’s the right thing to do. Amid the COVID Pandemic, I have realized that giving back to others is the key to building sustainable homes, neighborhoods, and long-lasting relationships.  I am eager to learn from the past and current Board members, and I am my experience and knowledge will enlighten others.

  Beryle Downs Beryle serves as legislative coordinator for Maryland State Delegate Shaneka Henson.  She is responsible for coordinating, planning and managing all legislative activities in support of the Delegate’s vision.  She leads the office’s community affairs and oversees constituent services. 

Prior to being appointed to the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County in 2015, she has a long career in the legislative arena as a registered lobbyist and supervisor of information with the Department of Legislative Reference, one of the two staffing agencies to the Maryland General Assembly. 

A community stakeholder,  she serves as senior advisor to the Greater Parole Community Association and is a recent graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel - Neighborhood Leadership Academy.  She also serves as Site Coordinator for the STAIR (Start the Adventure In Reading) program at the historic Stanton Community Center.  The literacy program is designed to help striving second graders improve basic reading skills.  A advocate for the youth, education and seniors she donates countless hours to programs in  Anne Arundel County.  She credits her grandmother with planting the seed of service.  

A proud Mom of four sons and two beautiful granddaughters, she feels they are her most important accomplishment and the foundation for all she does.

     
  Gina Gibson My name is Gina Gibson and I am the Director of Property Management for the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County.  I started working in housing in the private leasing industry 20 years ago with no sense of fulfillment before finding a job opportunity in affordable housing; where I knew I could make a difference.

During my 12-year employment with the Housing Commission I worked on building a strong foundation, as an on-site Property Manager, for several years prior to obtaining my current position. My background with the agency has given me greater insight to the intricacies of managing both our assets and the residents we serve and; has enabled me to be a more effective liaison between staff, residents, contractors and other agencies.  As the Director of Property Management, I am responsible for overseeing 22 employees and the overall management and maintenance of eight communities containing: 472 Public Housing units, 39 Partnership Program condominiums, and 591 tax credit units. I have a TCS (Tax Credit Specialist) Certification, and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) Certification. I have further enhanced my career development by successfully completing many NAHRO courses and have received my CME (Certified Management Executive) Certification, CMPO (Certified Manager of Property Operations) Certification, CMM (Certified Manager of Maintenance) Certification, CPBV (Certified Specialist RAD Project-Based Vouchers), CSI-HQS (Certified Specialist of Inspection-Housing Quality Standards), and CSI-UPCS (Certified Specialist of Inspection- Uniform Physical Conditions Standards).  

     
Gregory Hare

Gregory Hare leads the State of Maryland’s Department of Rental Services Programs. He is a longtime resident of Baltimore and has worked to advance affordable housing in the region for over a decade. Gregory received a degree in Management Science, and is a certified Tax Credit Specialist, Financial Specialist, and holds a certification in Housing Choice Voucher Executive Management. Gregory has an unmatched passion to make every neighborhood desirable through responsible development. He believes that public-private partnerships are essential to economic development and effectively work to improve the quality of life for low-to moderate-income families.

  Chelsea Hayman Chelsea Hayman serves as the Director of Housing Policy and Programs for the Maryland Department of Disabilities and has over 7 years of experience working in human services administration, with a background in housing for individuals with disabilities and older adults. She spent several years of her career working specifically with individuals with mental illnesses, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, homeless youth in Baltimore City and County, and older adults in Baltimore City. Her primary areas of expertise include housing rehabilitation and reasonable modification programs, weatherization and lead abatement programs for single family properties, affordable rental housing for special populations, permanent supportive housing, and voucher programs. Prior to her current role, she served as the Outreach and Communications Manager for the Maryland ABLE program and worked at Civic Works, where she started the Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) program, which earned the HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.  She received her BA from UMBC and her MS from the London School of Economics.  

 

   

 

 

Michelle Johnson

Since 2019 Michelle Johnson has served as the Executive Director for the Housing Authority of the City of College Park , she also serves as the Director for the College Park Affordable Housing Coalition. Michelle previously served as the Rental Assistance Division Manager for the Housing Authority of Prince George's County where she was responsible for the administration of a program with 5800 vouchers and Public Housing Intake. Michelle has extensive experience in Property Management and Housing Choice Voucher administration. She has work as extensive knowledge of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits as well as the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership and Project Based programs. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University Nashville. She holds Housing Choice Voucher Program Executive Management certification, Accredited Residential Manager Certification and Certified Professional of Occupancy Designation.

 

David Kump David Kump has worked in the Affordable Housing Industry for 20 years focusing on USDA Rural Development, HUD, and LIHTC property regulation and management. Mr. Kump is a NAHRO Certified Manager of Property Operations (CMPO) and Certified Management Executive (CME).
  Sharon Land Sharon Land joined the Housing Authority of Prince George’s County (HAPGC) March, 2013 and presently serves as the Deputy Director.  Sharon is responsible for managing and directing the Housing Authority’s Financial and Administrative Services, Housing Operations, the Capital Fund and Housing Choice Voucher divisions. She oversees a consolidated budget of approximately $80 million in federal funds. Her vision is to provide guidance to HAPGC’s continuing efforts to enhance its economic growth and to maintain a solid financial position.

Ms. Land began her career in public housing in 1986 at the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, holding progressively responsible positions including that of Director of Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining the HAPGC team, she held various financial positions at the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis, where her last appointment was Deputy Director of Finance. Sharon is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) and a member of the Association of Government Accountants. She received her MBA degree from the University of Phoenix (Columbia Campus), and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Baltimore.

Nanette Livadas

Nannette Livadas is the Deputy Director of the Howard County Housing Commission (HCHC), the Housing Authority for Howard County, Maryland. HCHC owns and operates 2,000 mixed-income residential units throughout Howard County, has an active development pipeline, and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program for the County. HCHC is responsible for the development of five sites in downtown Columbia that combine public uses and mixed income housing. Other developments include both new construction and substantial rehabilitation of mixed income housing.

Prior to joining HCHC, Ms. Livadas was the Executive Director of the Mercer County Housing Authority (MCHA). The MCHA is a county-wide authority that owns over 900 units of affordable housing and manages 350 Housing Choice Vouchers. During her 7-year tenure at the MCHA, she successfully converted 610 units of public housing located in 13 sites to the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. This put the agency on a strong financial footing while addressing a severe backlog of capital needs. During her tenure, she also added an additional 42 affordable housing units using Neighborhood Stabilization funds, conventional loans and state tax credits.

In addition to creating new housing units, Ms. Livadas focused much of the MCHA’s attention on expanding the portfolio of managed properties. She developed an award-winning resident services program and cultivated a reputation for being the premier affordable housing management agent in the County. MCHA became the fee manager for three privately-owned developments creating a reliable, private funding stream for the PHA.

Ms. Livadas started her career working for a private developer of LIHTC-funded properties. She transitioned to public housing work at the Allegheny County Housing Authority, where she worked in increasingly responsible positions including directing the for-profit portfolio owned by the Authority’s affiliated entity. She also spent three years at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Pittsburgh Field Office. While working at HUD, she served as the subject matter expert for the Housing Choice Voucher Program; on the Quality Assurance Team that reviewed the performance of other field offices; as a disaster relief coordinator during hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas; and as the Sustainability Officer for the Pittsburgh region. In the three years at HUD, she won an Ideas in Action award, completed leadership training and conducted the annual risk assessment for PHAs located within that jurisdiction.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies from Embry-Riddle University and a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She is a graduate of Leadership Howard County.

  Deborah Odum Deborah J. Odum was born in Washington D.C. and attended schools in the District of Columbia.  She is the mother of one daughter, Tracy (now deceased), and grandmother to four grandsons.  Deborah has worked several jobs throughout her career holding various positions at State of Maryland agencies, Bowie State College, Maryland Auto Insurance Fund and Community Development Housing.  She gained her skills in administration services as both student and employee. 

After her departure from the State, she began working for the City of Annapolis as an Administrator in the Recreation and Parks department; but yearned to do more in her community. In 1988 she was introduced to Mrs. Yevola Peters who was an outreach specialist, and became involved with her first Resident Council, at Woodside Gardens in Annapolis. Deborah was elected President of this community and was well known to the residents, working alongside them to set a high standard of caring for the neighborhood.

After relocating to Harbor House/Eastport Terrace, another Annapolis community, Deborah was again elected President as well as President of the Resident Advisory Board for the Annapolis Housing Authority, a title she held 2008-2010.

In 2010, she relocated to Annapolis Gardens and was once again elected President of that community for three consecutive elections. Ms. Odum attended Leadership Anne Arundel and was a member of the graduating class of 2019.  She is still actively involved in her community and other communities, as well as continuing to serve on the Resident Advisory Board committee for the Annapolis Housing Authority.

Marsha J. Parham-Green 

Marsha Parham is a member of the Executive Board of MAHRA’s Board of Directors. Marsha has served as the Executive Director of the Baltimore County Office of Housing since June 2012. Her previous housing experience was with the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County, serving as their Director of Finance for 4 years. She has more than 15 years of experience working with not-for-profit organizations in a financial or operations capacity. Marsha served on the Executive Board of the Maryland Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (MAHRA) as the Treasurer from 2009 to 2014, and President from 2014 to 2017.

Marsha currently serves as the President of the Middle Atlantic Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MARC NAHRO), and as Vice President of Professional Development for NAHRO. She is also the current Executive Director for the Human Relations Commission for Baltimore County and Co-Chair of the Regional Affordable Housing Preservation Task Force.

Marsha holds the following NAHRO certifications: Certified Management Executive (CME), Public Housing Management (PHM), HQS and HCV Management. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in  Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Non Profit Management and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from The Notre Dame University of Maryland.

  Samelia Parker Samelia Parker has been doing volunteer work with senior citizens for quite some time. She started at Calvert County Nursing Home, volunteering to lead game night with the patients once a week. Five years into that experience, she was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for her contributions.

She was the President of the Morris H. Blum Resident Council and received another certificate of appreciation from the Executive Director at that time, Beverly Wilbourn. She also received a citation from Mayor Buckley and the City Council of Annapolis.

Samelia has attended training classes with: MAHRA, Phada, Nar-saah and NAHRO, and received a Proficiency Test Certificate from NAHRO Fair Housing training.

She is currently the Resident Council President at the Obery Court/ College Creek Community where she resides; and serves as the Resident Advisory Board President as well.

Samelia likes traveling and learning new things, loves watching movies and listening to music, and enjoys her jobs.  She is very family oriented and is grateful for her husband who has fully supported her involvement in every role and activity.

  David Skinner Colleagues frequently compliment me on my ability to connect with audiences, develop informational materials and facilitate presentations for outreach and trainings making complex ideas become clear and achievable.  I am committed to being a lifelong learner who looks forward to learning from each of my experiences.  My experiences with state and local government, housing stakeholders and HUD position me to digest and offer insight on strategic issues important to MAHRA and its members.  

Other strategic skills that I would offer the Board and MAHRA membership include extensive experience in community outreach, youth development, project management, conflict resolution, negotiation, investigation, research, marketing, business management and customer service excellence.

MAHRA’s mission, objectives and purpose present a very worthwhile opportunity to for me to add value to the work of the Board of Directors.  I am eager to increase my knowledge base to contribute towards work related projects in a more substantive manner, and to better assist community stakeholders navigate the complex decisions and communications involved in the creation and preservation of sustainable and inclusive communities.  I also seek intimate understanding of best practices and innovations in Community Revitalization & Development that have been successful in different parts of our nation so that I might contribute towards advancements in the current model in Baltimore County and throughout our region. 

Stacy Spann Stacy Spann is the Executive Director of Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission.  Previously, he was the Executive Director of Howard County Housing, an agency that includes the housing commission and the county’s community development programs.  Currently, he teaches masters level courses at the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and is a member of NAHRO’s Professional Development Faculty.  In October 2010, Affordable Housing Finance Magazine presented Mr. Spann with the “Young Leader” award. 
  Jacqueline Wells As a community leader, I have years of experience, advocating for housing for all.

I have personally served as Resident Advisory Board President to bring change to help low income housing.

I am an active housing resident of the community of Bloomsbury Square, President of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and believe in affordable housing and its redevelopment. 

I offer to the BOARD my commitment and ability to advocate for MAHRA to increase and promote membership.  

I am interested in serving on the Board to continue to advocate for Maryland Affordable Housing AND Redevelopment.