Staff

Dana Johnson

President and CEO

Dana Johnson joined Homes for America as President & CEO in mid-2020, bringing over 20 years’ experience in affordable housing and community development.  Dana came to Homes for America from Reinvestment Fund, where she served as Managing Director.  In this role, she was responsible for Reinvestment Fund’s lending and program development in Maryland and Washington, DC, where she led over $100 million in lending activity for affordable housing, commercial real estate, community facilities and energy efficiency projects, leveraging a range of capital sources including New Market Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, philanthropic investments, and other private and public funds.  Beginning in 2019, Dana also served as Reinvestment Fund’s Credit Officer.

Previously, Dana led the development division of Homes for America as Vice President, overseeing a team developing a range of affordable housing projects in the region including both new construction and preservation serving families, seniors and residents with special needs.  She also spent five years underwriting Low Income Housing Tax Credit investments with Enterprise Community Investment.  Dana earned her B.A. from Dartmouth College and her M.P.A. from the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs.  She currently serves on the boards of ReBuild Metro and the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund.

JolIy Burks

Chief Financial Officer

Jolly became the Chief Financial Officer of HFA in August 2015.  She has eight years experience in financial management in the nonprofit sector for East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI).  Jolly was Chief Financial Officer for 3 years and prior to that Comptroller.  Before joining EBDI she held progressively responsible positions over a 15 year tenure at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as Director of Accounting, Director of Finance and Administration, and ultimately Deputy CFO.  She was in public accounting for 7 year at KPMG, LLP.

Jolly passed the Certified Public Accountant examination on her first attempt in 1986. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting magna cum laude, from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1985 and is a member of the Beta Alpha Psi honorary accounting fraternity. 

Mary Smith

Controller

Mary joined Homes for America in November 2017 as the Controller.  She comes with significant real estate experience most recently with a for profit land developer in northern Virginia where she was the Accounting Manager for 12 years responsible for accounts payable, draw requests, cash reconciliations, and budget preparation and monitoring. Prior to that she worked as a sole proprietor performing accounting services to various businesses including not for profit clients. She also worked in public accounting for KPMG, LLP for 4 years as a tax manager working on all aspects of tax preparation and planning for a variety of clients.

Mary obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1981 and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Jenni Brown

Finance and HR Coordinator

Jenni has five years experience in the affordable housing field and twelve years experience with nonprofit organizations. She became HFA’s Office Manager in 2007. In addition to managing HFA’s offices and human resources activities she assists with the organization’s accounting. She has significant experience in nonprofit administration having served for four years with Girl Scouts of the USA and three years with the National Audubon Society. Jenni started her career as a Biological Science Aide at the U.S. National Arboretum. Immediately prior to joining HFA she was a Project Coordinator for the Gill Group, Inc. and coordinated kitchen installation projects. Jenni has a BS in Biology from Salisbury State University.

W. Andrew Hanson

Vice President, Development

Andrew has more than 25 years of hands-on experience in real estate sales and development with a myriad of financing sources, including the low-income housing and historic tax credits, CDBG, HOME funds and numerous state and local funding programs. He has worked in partnership with all manner of federal, state, and local agencies as well as public and private financing partners.

Andrew brings a wealth of experience in the development of affordable, mixed-income, and mixed-finance communities. Over his career, he has been personally responsible for the development of nearly 2,000 units and $500,000,000 in transformative projects in 22 unique in the Maryland region.

Prior to HFA, Andrew was Vice President of Development at Conifer Realty for 4 years and Osprey Property Company, LLC for 13 years.  At each, he was responsible for new business identification and all facets of project management including acquisition, project structuring, due diligence, budgeting, relationship management, and the supervision of design, construction, and management teams.

Andrew began his real estate career assisting buyers and sellers as a Sales Associate and Realtor® with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., working primarily with residential and commercial real estate sales and marketing.

Andrew earned a B.A. from Salisbury University in French and Spanish, an M.B.A. from the Perdue School at Salisbury University, and has held a Maryland Real Estate License since 1999. He speaks French and Spanish fluently, is conversant in German, and has basic spoken Mandarin Chinese skills. Andrew also has an avid interest in Sustainable Development and Green Practices and is President and CEO of Tuckahoe Habitat for Humanity on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where he resides with his two sons and daughter.

Denise F. Fazio

Development Director

Denise joined HFA in March 2022 as Development Director and has over 30 years of real estate experience.  She began her career in the development and marketing of multi-family and single-family for-sale properties, from conceptualization and financing through construction and sales, and then subsequently project management for investment grade commercial projects.   Denise moved to the banking and finance area of real estate where she became involved in affordable housing through proprietary construction lending programs and other facilities nationally with low-income housing tax credit developers and syndicators.  She then focused on affordable housing through direct and syndicated investment in Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties as well as providing related construction, bridge and bond financing. 

Denise is a graduate of Radford University and received her MBA from Wake Forest University.

Deepthi Jain

Development Director

Deepthi Jain has 20 years of experience working in various aspects of the affordable housing and community development sector. Prior to joining HFA in March 2023, Deepthi was Principal of Jain and Associates Consulting, LLC (JAC), where she provided underwriting, development and advisory services to non-profit and government sector clients focused on affordable housing and community development.

Prior to establishing JAC, Deepthi worked as Senior Real Estate Finance Officer for Fairfax County Redevelopment Housing Authority/Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development where she underwrote County issued bond financing and subordinate gap funding loans. She also engaged in role as a project manager for County owned projects being recapitalized or developed using LIHTC. Deepthi also worked for the State of Maryland, Community Development Administration, Department of Housing and Community Development  as a Housing Development Officer underwriting a wide range of transactions involving LIHTC, range of bond financed transactions, state and federal debt.

Prior to her work with Maryland CDA, she worked at the US Department of Treasury, CDFI Fund as a Financial Analyst as a Presidential Management Fellow. She started her career working for community based organizations in Chicago working on a range of issues including, but not limited to, funding for drug courts and related programming, youth afterschool and empowerment programs, workforce development and training programs, and community organizing. 

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Lindsay Thompson

Director of Design and Construction

Lindsay joined HFA in March 2021 as Director of Design and Construction, having over 20 years of experience managing design and construction for institutional and commercial clients. Prior to joining HFA, Lindsay worked for Jones Lang LaSalle managing capital projects and building engineering maintenance for the Maryland property management group. Lindsay also worked with the civil engineering firm, Daft McCune Walker, managing land development work and with Sheppard Pratt Health System as capital projects manager and liaison to the Property and Building Committee. Lindsay has a BA in Architecture from Washington University and an MBA from Loyola University. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

Vicky Grim

Development and Construction Coordinator

Vicky has over 20 years of experience in housing finance and program management.  Prior to HFA, Vicky worked in state government at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in professional and managerial positions. Vicky was the Deputy Director of DHCD’s Single Family Housing Programs where she assisted with the oversight of the state’s homeownership programs, as well as the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.  Vicky’s career with DHCD also included managing the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Transitional Housing Grant Program. Vicky also served for several years as the Operations Manager for a national technical assistance and training provider that delivered services and training related to affordable housing and community development programs.  Vicky has an Associate of Arts Degree from Anne Arundel Community College.

Liam Mercer

Development Analyst

Liam joined HFA in April 2023 as Development Analyst. Prior to joining HFA, he spent over three years at RCLCO consulting developers, financing partners, public institutions, and other landowners. His work focused on economic, demographic, and market condition research to inform development feasibility for residential and commercial uses. Liam also has internship experience in LIHTC affordable housing development, multifamily property management, and corporate real estate. As a LEED Green Associate, he has a specific interest in the intersection of sustainability and the built environment. Liam earned BS degrees in Finance and Operations Management – Business Analytics from the University of Maryland – College Park.

Danielle England

Vice President, Portfolio Management

Danielle joined HFA in 2018 as Portfolio Manager. She previously worked for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as Senior Energy Management Officer. In this position, she oversaw a number of energy grant programs and assisted in developing program policies and procedures. Danielle also a strong background in loan underwriting and processing in her previous positions with the State housing agency, as well as a private banking firm. Danielle holds a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Maryland University College with a concentration in Finance and Human Resources and an Associate’s Degree from Anne Arundel Community College with a concentration in Business Management.  

Douglas Smith

Chief Asset Manager

Doug has been involved in the affordable housing field with construction, development, asset management and operations for over 30 years. Doug joined HFA in February 2002 as the organization’s Chief Asset Manager. Prior to joining HFA, Doug served in a variety of positions at Neighborhood Rental Services of Baltimore (NRS) for 22 years, including Development Planning Manager/Construction Manager. Prior to NRS, he was a Capital Project Management Consultant for Mutual Housing Association of Baltimore; Construction Superintendent for Beck Enterprises; and Estimator for Interstate Bridge Corporation. Doug has served as a consultant to DMIG, Enterprise Social Investment Corporation, Our Lady of Victory School and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. He is a founding Board Member of Light Street Housing Corporation and served on the board of NRS of Baltimore. Doug has a BA in Management from National Louis University of Illinois and an MBA, with a specialization in Finance and Real Estate, from the University of Baltimore. He has a Diploma in Architectural/Mechanical design from the Maryland Institute College of Art and Design and is an Accredited Business Accountant, Member of the Construction Specification Institute, and Member of the Building Officials and Code Administrators.

Francis Balandi

Portfolio Manager

Francis joined HFA in July 2015 as an Asset Management Coordinator.  He became interested in affordable housing and gained asset management experience as a part time Asset Management Associate during an internship with Victory Housing.  He has been a shift manager at Einstein Bros Bagels since 2007 and from 2008 to 2011 was a part time Math Tutor and Library Assistant at Montgomery College. 

Francis received a Bachelors in Finance from University of Maryland College Park in 2011 and a Masters in Finance from the same institution in May 2013.

Diane Clyde

Portfolio Manager

Diane has over 30 years of housing experience in both development finance and asset management, joining HFA in 2010. Prior to HFA, Diane spent 13 years in the Multifamily Housing Programs of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), serving as the Deputy Director of Underwriting and Origination; Program Manager responsible for lending and supervising a team of underwriters and construction administrators; and Senior Development Officer responsible for evaluating and processing loans for multifamily rental developments. She also worked for DHCD as an Asset Management Officer overseeing the State’s multifamily housing portfolio. Diane is a member of the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition Program Committee and serves as the Chair of the Qualified Allocation Plan Review Committee and is a member of the Housing Partnership Equity Trust technical advisory committee. Diane has an Associates of Art Degree from Anne Arundel Community College in Business and Public Administration. She has a Certification of Housing Development Finance by National Development Council, and has completed the University of Maryland Housing Finance Course.

Julie McCabe

Vice President of Service Enhanced Housing

Ms. McCabe started with Homes for America in January of 2004 directing the organization’s resident services. Ms. McCabe has over 20 years of housing and service experience. Her prior employment as a case manager for Human Resources Development Commission’s homeless shelter, Director of Housing for the Cumberland YMCA and as a Community Manager for LIHTC, SEC 8 and Rural Development communities has helped grow the Service Enhanced Housing division for Homes for America. Ms. McCabe holds a bachelors of social work degree from Frostburg State University. She served on the board of directors for New Beginnings Inc., is a member of Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future Resident Services Peer Group, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition Resident Services Committee, American Association of Service Coordinators National and DMV Chapters and member of the Anne Arundel Affordable Housing Coalition.

Ellie Willett

Manager of Community Enhancement & Relations

Ellie Willett joined HFA in January 2019 as a Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining she managed an HFA Community for many years. She brings 12 years of experience in the Affordable Housing Industry. Ellie holds Tax Credit Certification (TACCs) and Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) Certification from the National Center of Housing Management. She is also a Licensed Real Estate Agent through (MREC) and has 15 years’ experience as a Real Estate Agent and is a member of the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition.

Cathy Wallick

Regional Manager of Resident Service Programs

Cathy joined HFA in 2004. Cathy is an experienced social worker with 30 years in the field. She was a Mental Health Intensive Case Manager for seven years with York County Mental Health, a social worker for Paxton Ministries, Harrisburg for four years, and director of Christian education in the Lancaster area for three years. She has six years of experience with various organizations as activity director with youth programs and worked in Haiti development for four years. Cathy serves on the Board of Directors and volunteers with several local non-profit organizations, including Shippensburg Produce and Outreach and Shippensburg Hearts for Haiti. Cathy has a BA from Lancaster Bible College and an MA from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Currently she is working on a Certification in Elder Service Coordination from California University of Pennsylvania.

Kyle Beliczky

Regional Manager of Resident Service Programs

Kyle joined HFA in July 2021 as Regional Manager of Resident Service Programs and has over 13 years of case management and program development experience working with opportunity youth. Kyle has experience crafting career-centered individualized service plans for underprivileged youth in Baltimore and surrounding areas. He was instrumental in the implementation of several grants to assist homeless high school youth in Baltimore County, and was an active member of the Baltimore County Homeless Roundtable, Housing Committee, and Racial Disparity Committees. Most recently, Kyle managed Baltimore County’s first ever homeless youth housing program providing housing and case management services to youth ages 18-24 years old. In support of his grant work Kyle established a solid core of community partnerships dedicated to the ongoing success of the program’s participants. Kyle is a graduate of The College of Wooster and received Honors on his thesis on the philosophy of inspiring social change.

LaAsia Gardner

Resident Service Coordinator

LaAsia started from humble beginnings feeding the homeless in Washington, DC. Her passion for helping others became a reality when she was hired to assist individuals with mental health and substance abuse disabilities. LaAsia’s award-winning specialty is creating relationships with community resources and organizations in the medical field. Her experience working at Mercy Medical Center and Medstar Union Memorial Hospital has given her a great platform of skills to administer Homes for America’s health in housing grant to improve the health and wellness of senior residents.

Kenyatta Bush

Marketing and Administrative Coordinator

Kenyatta has a fourteen year career as a meeting and event planner working in the public and private sector and with nonprofit and for profit companies.  She joined HFA in September 2014 in the newly created position of Marketing and Administrative Coordinator.  She is responsible for a wide variety of administrative and marketing functions related to the efficient operation and daily business of the organization, promoting the organization, and organizing meetings and functions.  Prior to joining HFA she worked at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, International Masonry Institute, International Oncology Network, Home Builders Association of Maryland and Maritime Institute. 

Kenyatta is a graduate of The Catholic University of America with a BA in English.  She has the designation of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) from the Convention Industry Council.

Nicholas Beard

Systems Analyst

Nick has worked in the housing development and finance industry for 15 years. Before joining Homes for America in 2005, Nick worked in the residential mortgage industry as an underwriting assistant and a Funding Team Leader at Principal Residential Mortgage where he managed a staff responsible for the compliance of funding packages and developed and implemented training guide programs for employees and customers. Nick is a 1997 graduate of Salisbury State University with a BA in Psychology.

Former Staff

Josette Bailey

Glen Black

David Blalock

Kristine Campbell

Chris Cherry

Jennifer Crawford Cook

Sharon David

Amah Dokyi

Polly Duke

Mike Font

Kimberly Fry

Frank Fudala

Shannon Hadaway

Bert Hahn

Ashley Hillary

Paula Howard

Susan Sebenicher

Carolyn Johnson

Dana Johnson

Luann Kerrigan

Patricia Kinlein

Diane Markel

Stephanie Markowski

Molene Martin

Holly Meyer

Kimberly Miller

Stephen J. Moore

Brien O’Toole

Gloria Pearson

Wendy Putnam

Gwen Rase

Nancy Rase

Yvette Ross-Kane

Melissa Scott

Patricia Sharbaugh

Pamela Smith-Purgason

Andrea Stohler

Catherine Stokes

Suzanne Young