BOARD of DIRECTORS
Our board of directors is comprised of outstanding community members who care deeply about creating affordable housing within the Greater Houston area. Their guidance and assistance help us define and implement the strategic goals of our organization.
We are grateful for these members who have donated their time, resources and their affiliations to further our mission.
Gary Chiles, PhD
CHAIRMAN
Shannon Hunter
Chris Hudson
Wendell E. Phillips III
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Linda Holder
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Holder has been actively involved in management and development of affordable housing for 35 years. She has dutifully served our mission since 1983 and oversees the management of our portfolio. Her experience ranges from HUD financing to the administration of HUD project based section 8, 202 PRAC, Section 811, and HOPWA. Linda is involved in major housing programs ranging from Federal, state and local levels along with preserving the company’s partnership with HUD and City housing departments. Linda’s work also extends to property budgeting, contract renewals and Onesite software system. She has served multiple terms as an AHMA East Texas Board member and was the sole manager at Heights House, a 150-unit senior housing community. Her endless dedication to residents and desire for decent, safe and dignified housing in her native city of Houston is an inspiration to staff and helps exemplify our company principles.
In 2013 she helped secure a $10MM CDBG grant for the flagship senior property, Heights Tower, and oversaw the entire rehabilitation of the 223-unit property, greatly improving the lives of its current residents.
Linda holds a Texas Real Estate license and is a National Affordable Housing Professional (NAHP). Linda enjoys spending time with her family, is an avid reader and regularly advocates for criminal justice reform.
Lisa O'Neal
CONTROLLER
Lisa has over 25 year of experience in business operations and financial management. She joined us as Controller in 2009. She is responsible for the accounting operations of the company, including cash management, the production of periodic financial reports and maintenance of the accounting records and budgeting. Lisa also creates budgets and comprehensive controls designed to mitigate risk, improve the accuracy of the company's reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles. She also manages the company’s human resource functions and safety program.
Lisa earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Marketing at Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters of Marketing at the University of Memphis. She has worked in a variety of industries, including marketing and design, healthcare and insurance. She is an active community volunteer, an avid reader and enjoys boating and kayaking.
Orain Penson
CORPORATE FACILITIES DIRECTOR
Orain plans, oversees, and manages maintenance and safety operations for all of our multi-unit residential properties. He works closely with the Regional Property Manager, property managers, and on-site maintenance staff to protect and preserve our property assets. His duties include monitoring all buildings for potential safety or general maintenance concerns, developing fiscally responsible maintenance budgets, recommending capital improvements, and coordinating and supervising major renovation and refurbishment projects. In addition to supervising daily maintenance activities, Orain provides on-going direction, guidance and training to maintenance personnel, including but not limited to job safety and preventative maintenance.
Lynnette Williams
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OFFICER
Lynnette Williams has over 10 year experience in marketing, non-profit and business administration. She has served as Office Manager for us since 2012. Ms. Williams primarily supports our controller and all of our accounting and cash management functions. She also manages office operations and procedures, payroll preparation, invoice review, filing systems, as well as office supply and equipment procurement. Her work helps improve day to day operations through correspondence and meeting coordination, assistance to office visitors and coordination with IT and other departments. Prior to joining us she worked at Child Care Counsel of Greater Houston as a Case Manager Liaison, where she worked collectively with low income and homeless individuals to provide them with housing assistance.
Lynnette currently holds a Bachelors in Marketing from Tennessee State University. In her leisure, she enjoys spending time with her family and is a passionate physical fitness competitor with a knack for baking sweet treats.