Session Descriptions & Speaker Bios
SAHMA Affordable Housing Conference: Georgia Session Descriptions:
Key: HUD: HUD Programs TC: Tax Credit G: General M: Maintenance
Basic HUD Occupancy (HUD)
Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of essential topics, including:
- Program Eligibility
- Project Eligibility
- Verification of Eligibility Factors
- Best Practices for Tenant Interviews.
- Fundamentals of Expenses and Deductions
- Pending HOTMA Changes
“Back to the Basics” Property Management Panel (HUD)
Panelists will discuss basic operational practices which clearly identify what it takes to successfully manage affordable housing properties years into the future. Topics will range from overall HUD program compliance, financial management and proactive property maintenance. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of what works best, essential tools of the trade, from the perspectives of HUD, the Contract Administrator, a National Trainer and the Management Agent.
Creating Healthy Exchanges with Our Residents (G)
This interactive session is designed to explore the challenges that often “get in the way” of effectively doing our jobs when working with residents. We will take a deep dive into common issues that arise in our day-to-day interactions, from communication barriers to emotional complexities, and discuss practical, creative solutions to address them. Through group discussions and real-world examples, participants will identify key concerns they face regularly and collaborate on strategies to improve these exchanges. The session will foster an open, supportive environment where participants can share experiences and gain new perspectives on resolving issues in a constructive and positive way.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the common obstacles that affect communication with residents.
- Learn creative, actionable strategies to improve interactions and build stronger relationships.
- Gain tools to manage stress and conflict in a constructive way.
- Enhance problem-solving skills through collaborative brainstorming.
Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned professional, this session will equip you with valuable insights and strategies for enhancing your work with residents.
DCA Hot Topics (TC)
Session Description Coming Soon!
Fair Housing for Maintenance (M)
Session Description Coming Soon!
Fair Housing Hot Topics (G)
Session Description Coming Soon!
Great Scott! How to Crush Your Next MOR (HUD)
This is an informational session focusing on NHC’s approach to implementing the HOTMA guidelines. Topics covered include HUD occupancy requirements, RAD guidelines, the latest HOTMA updates, and clarifications. Also covered are standard documents, e.g., the Tenant Selection Plan and EIV Policies requirement updates, with a discussion on how HOTMA affects your property and resident recertifications. Finally, a general walkthrough of HOTMA implementation timelines, MOR submission deadlines, and frequently asked questions will be reviewed.
Housing Communities Without a Service Coordinator: A Toolkit for Resident Engagement (G)
Managing a housing community comes with a diverse set of responsibilities, from ensuring safety and cleanliness to completing HUD paperwork and managing rent collection. For property managers, the absence of a Service Coordinator adds an extra layer of challenge, especially when residents rely on them for additional support like navigating utility issues, understanding healthcare letters, and organizing services. Despite best efforts, resident participation in community programs often remains inconsistent, leaving managers with the frustration of unmet expectations.
This practical and resource-filled session is designed to equip property managers and administrators with the tools they need to create engaging, sustainable resident programming even without a dedicated Service Coordinator. Attendees will learn how to design and implement two solid programs for the next 12 months, along with discovering 30 local community resources ready to support and enhance resident activities.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain access to a toolkit of resources and strategies for organizing successful resident programming without a Service Coordinator.
- Learn how to implement two impactful programs that will sustain resident engagement for the next 12 months.
- Discover 30 community resources that can be leveraged for program support and resident services.
- Learn practical tips for boosting resident participation and fostering a more vibrant, connected community.
Through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, participants will leave with actionable insights and concrete resources to create a happier, more engaged community.
How to Survive a Natural Disaster When and If Your Property has been Impacted (G) (M) (HUD)
Session Description Coming Soon!
Ignite Your Workplace: CPR for Lifeless Attitudes (G)
- Do you work with people who:
- Drag their feet into work?
- Growl and murmur?
- Punch the time clock with a blank stare?
- Aren't engaged with their work?
- Are retired on duty?
- Spread negativity?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above...
Then, you will love this entertaining and engaging keynote! Desi will teach your audience five strategies on how to rise above those workplace zombies.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn how to:
- Implement strategies to work with negative people
- Ensure your attitude doesn't catch this infectious condition
- Understand how to work with different types of people
- Energize and increase productivity on the job
- Empower a culture of more cohesive teams
- Perform "CPR" on the job on lifeless attitudes
LIHTC Back to Basics (TC)
Session Description Coming Soon!
NSPIRE (G)
Joseph Henry will explain in this session the difference in the protocol from REAC to NSPIRE. Did you know....all Affordable Housing programs use the same basic format for physical inspections? When Joe is finished, you will be able to score your own property and know how to prepare prior to your inspection. Health and safety matters and NSPIRE focuses primarily on this in the new standards. Are you ready to be NSPIRED?
Rehab and Renovations - Inventing a Timeline for Success! Panel (M)
The session will focus on the nuts and bolts of preparing for planned renovations, length of time, common pitfalls/delays to avoid, and essentially ensuring a smooth timeline to complete all renovations. Panelists will run through a recent renovation project from beginning to end, including the impact it will have on the residents.
Supportive Housing/ Enriched Property Services (TC)
Session Description Coming Soon!
Thrive and Survive in an AI World (G)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the business landscape as we know it and it's time you embrace it. You can no longer turn a blind eye to AI. If you can Google, you can use any Generative AI tool to help you save time and increase your productivity in the areas of document creation, marking, image creation and more. As clients' expectations and needs change, businesses will need to adapt and harness AI. The impact of technology isn’t disappearing, and business professionals should embrace the changes coming their way instead of trying to fight them. If you want to keep up with the best practices and stay relevant in our emerging AI world you need to get an understanding of AI to help your business stay ahead of the curve.
Speaker Bios:
Alan Howard
Co-Owner, S.W. Contracting & Consulting
Burton Kelso
Chief Technology Expert, Integral
Burton Kelso is a TEDx Keynote Speaker and Expert on Cybersecurity, AI, Social Media Marketing as well as an On-Air Tech Expert. His idea is to open people up to a whole new world of ideas and experiences with the gadgets they use at home and at work. He loves technology, he’s read all of the manuals and he serious about making technology safe, fun and easy to use for everyone!
Desi Payne
Desi loves to motivate employees by helping them adjust their attitudes to create a positive work environment. Desi has over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, patient advocate, customer service and leadership trainer, and award-winning entertainer. She is also an international speaker with the John Maxwell Team. She is known as “The Attitude Adjuster” and helps employees reduce negativity and stress in the workplace. She is the author of Do You Work with the Living Dead?
Dylan Simmons
DCA
Felicia Marable
Executive Director, The Towers, Jewish HomeLife
Gwen Volk
President, Gwen Volk INFOCUS, Inc.
Since 1983, Gwen Volk has assisted developers, owners, agents, and on-site staff in navigating the complexities and challenges of the many programs that provide housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families. She has served as vice president, president and chief executive officer of a Midwest affordable housing development and management company, chief compliance officer for a Dallas-based firm, and provided training and consulting services from coast to coast through Gwen Volk INFOCUS, Inc. She has extensive knowledge and experience in Section 42 low income housing tax credit, tax-exempt bond, HOME, Section 8, 236, 202 PAC, 202/811 PRAC and Rural Development programs.
Gwen has volunteered countless hours with local and regional Affordable Housing Management Associations (AHMAs) , the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). She has twice served on NAHMA’s board of directors, and chaired its Certification Review Board, Education and Training, and Fair Housing committees. She has been a member of the Specialist in Housing Credit Management Technical Advisory Committee, responsible for development and quality control of the SHCM certification exam; served on the board of the NAHMA Education Foundation and is a director on the AHMA East Texas Scholarship Foundation board. Since 2009 Gwen has served on IREM's Affordable Housing Advisory Council /fka Federal Housing Advisory board. Gwen holds a BA in English, an MS in Business and is a CPM, NAHP-e, SHCM, HCCP, CPO, FHC and RAM. She is a NAHMA-certified trainer for the Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO), Fair Housing Compliance (FHC) and Blended Compliance Designation (BCD) courses and a frequent presenter of CEU webinars for SHCM designees. A lifetime learner and teacher, Gwen’s classroom and virtual trainings are interactive, informative and in demand.
Ilona Nagy
HOME-ARP Manager, DCA
Jeff Wirrick
National Housing Compliance
Jennifer Owens
Vice President of Residents Services, Columbia Residential
Jillian Toole
DCA
Jim Grauley
CEO, Columbia Residential
John Stovall
Sr. Lead, Policy & Special Project, DCA
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Joseph Henry
Owner/Trainer, Professional Compliance Solutions, LLC
Beginning his career in 1986, Joe started in maintenance and worked his way to Director of one of the largest Property Management companies in the Nation. As changes occurred and companies sold, Joe developed a "desire to inspire" by sharing over 35 years of experience, both good and bad with Owners, Developers, Companies, and Organizations. Whether it is LIHTC, HUD, RD, or HOME, Joe will bring the best in Affordable Housing training. Along with his degree in Psychology, Joe brings a real life perspective to why we do...what we do! There is a difference in training and Professional Compliance Solutions believes you have to live it, to really love it. As with all of Joe's courses, he ensures that you will not soon forget the PCS DIFFERENCE in training.
Joshua Richards
Vice President, 550 Construction, LLC
Julie Fawcett
WinnResidential
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Leslie Tucker
Principal Partner, Law Firm of Williams Edelstein Tucker, P.C.
Leslie is the principal partner of the Law Firm of Williams Edelstein Tucker, P.C., which specializes in fair housing issues for housing providers nationwide. She has provided defense and consultation for her housing clients for the last ten years. Leslie conducts live training on fair housing, federal program, and landlord-tenant issues, and speaks at industry conferences regularly. She is the Assistant Vice President at the Fair Housing Institute, where she develops training content. Leslie also specializes in physical accessibility in multifamily housing, including local building codes as well as ADA and FHA requirements.
Princess Cato
Sr. Compliance Manager, DCA
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Queen Bailey
Founder & Chief Transformation Officer, The Center for Affordable Housing & Resident Services, Inc.
M. Queen Bailey is a dynamic and well-respected Transformational Speaker, Aging Services Specialist, and Wellness Advocate with a deep commitment to "Servant Leadership”. Since 2012, Queen has served as the Chief Wellness Officer, Principal Quality Assurance Coach, and Senior Grants Administrator at The Center for Affordable Housing & Resident Services, Inc. – a consulting firm dedicated to transforming the culture of aging services and the housing industry "one HEART at a time." Queen’s passion for transformative education has led her to develop and deliver engaging workshops on leadership, aging-specific dynamics, housing-related customer service, staff motivation, and team development. Her teachings are known for being both thought-provoking and energizing, leaving participants ready to embrace new challenges and expand their professional horizons.
Richelle Patton
President, Collaborative Housing Solutions
Richelle has been in the affordable housing development field for over 30 years and has been involved in the development or preservation of over 25,000 units of affordable rental housing. She serves as an owner/developer as well as provides development consulting to owners and housing authorities, with a specialty in LIHTCs, Section 8 rental assistance, and HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Prior to founding Collaborative Housing Solutions, she founded and led two other successful Georgia-based affordable development organizations. Her expertise includes multi-layered financing and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to develop mixed-income housing. She serves as subject matter expert in efforts with state and federal agencies to create new and creative financing programs and policies for affordable housing development. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and previously chaired the RAD Committee of the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. She co-founded and for 11 years, co-chaired the Women’s Affordable Housing Network in Atlanta to support women in the industry, which has since expanded to over 30 chapters across the country. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the National WAHN. She has earned several recognitions in the real estate industry including a Women in Real Estate Award from the national commercial real estate online platform Connect Media; was named one of “ChangeMakers” from the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the Atlanta chapter of the Urban Land Institute for her extraordinary contribution to the built environment; was named as one of the top 12 Young Leaders in Affordable Housing in the nation by Affordable Housing Finance magazine; received the Founders Award from WAHN; and received a POW! Award from the online publication Womenetics for serving as a model of a purposeful businesswoman. She is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2010. She earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles and Master of City Planning from Georgia Tech. She completed an Executive Education program within the Social Enterprise Initiative at the Harvard Business School.
Scott A. Walker
President/CEO, Three Keys
Shaila Grady
Compliance Specialist, National Housing Compliance
Shaila Grady’s current role is a Compliance Specialist at National Housing Compliance. The mission of National Housing Compliance is to provide high quality services to the affordable housing industry that benefit residents and communities by striving to improve & ensure decent, safe and affordable housing.
Shaila’s goal is to provide quality service that builds a positive rapport with owner/agents and tenants alike. She is responsible for executing core administrative functions pertaining to Management Occupancy Reviews (MORS) for NHC’s Georgia portfolio, ensuring compliance with the HAP contract and HUD program regulations. Additionally, she oversees desk reviews, physical assessments during MORs, follow-up to REAC and NSPIRE EH&S findings, conducts a file audit and exit interview. Shaila also served as a Compliance Manager for NHC’s Illinois portfolio for nearly three years.
Shaila is a Certified Occupancy Specialist and routinely speaks at industry conferences, such as the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) annual meeting, Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA) and Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA).
Before her tenure at NHC, Shaila held progressively responsible roles since 2008 in the affordable housing industry, culminating in a Property Management position at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism, with a minor in African-American Studies, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Stacy Day
Chief Operating Officer, Karen A. Graham Consulting, LLC
A highly experienced professional in the multi-family property management industry, Stacy Day has 25 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. Stacy has held Vice President roles in both Compliance and On-Site Operations, so she understands the challenges to keep the bottom line in check while staying in compliance. Stacy focuses on and has the knowledge for what is needed to keep things organized and easy to understand for the on-site staff.
Tarika Dorner
DCA
Tom Hoenstine
VP of Operations, ManSerMar, Inc.
Tom Hoenstine, Vice President of Operations/New Business Development of Mansermar and Mid-America Apartment Management Company has more than 26 years of experience in the housing industry and was formerly the Vice President of Real Estate Oversight and Services at the Atlanta Housing Authority. Prior to entering real estate management, Mr. Hoenstine served 12 years as an engineer officer in the United States Army.
Through his work, he has become uniquely qualified in the management industry. Mr. Hoenstine managed the private/public partnership for property management of elderly, disabled and mixed-income communities and has significant experience with the oversight of property management, maintenance, capital improvements and resident services of public and project-based Section 8 housing. He has hands-on experience with the planning and coordinating the rehabilitation and resident relocation of 14 properties through LIHTC Rehabs and with and without the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. Additionally, Mr. Hoenstine also served the real estate industry as a program and project manager with Draper and Associates where he managed numerous business and capital improvement projects. Mr. Hoenstine is a proven leader with considerable project management expertise, skills in staff organization, training and supervision, budget planning and management, capital improvement planning and procurement, and resident relations. Mr. Hoenstine is a licensed professional engineer, and a certified project management professional. He has a master’s degree in Construction Management from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy.
