EXPERT SPOTLIGHTS
Stories of Local Leadership
Explore what our local leaders are thinking and doing and learn how they use community knowledge to craft unique housing solutions.
Tom Manning-Beavin, President & CEO of Frontier Kentucky (KY)
Frontier Housing President & CEO Tom Manning-Beavin is leading the DreamBuild initiative to address the severe housing shortage intensified by the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods.
Jake Powell and Kim Strahm, Community Housing Partners (VA)
Community Housing Partners (CHP) is pioneering innovative housing solutions that go beyond traditional models, focusing on stability, mobility, and long-term community impact.
Chris Mullett, President and CEO, Garrett County Community Action Committee (MD)
Garrett County Community Action (GCCA) is dedicated to ensuring that safe, stable housing is accessible to all, recognizing that affordability benefits entire communities—not only those in need.
Kate Somers, Executive Director, HomeOwnership Center, Inc. (WV)
HomeOwnership Center, Inc. (HOC) is helping West Virginians build financial stability and plant long-term roots through homeownership.
Lindy Turner, Executive Director, Clinch-Powell RC&D (TN)
Clinch-Powell RC&D, under the leadership of Executive Director Lindy Turner, is addressing the housing crisis in Tennessee’s Appalachian counties by offering a comprehensive range of services, including homebuyer counseling, rental assistance, and affordable housing development.
Mary Ellen Judah, CEO & Executive Director, Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. (AL)
“Until you’re safely and affordably housed, you can’t begin to work on whatever challenge or opportunity you have for yourself,” says Mary Ellen Judah, CEO & Executive Director of Neighborhood Concepts, Inc (NCI), who creates lasting economic and housing opportunities for underserved communities in Alabama.
Scott McReynolds, Executive Director, Housing Development Alliance (KY)
Housing Development Alliance (HDA), led by Executive Director Scott McReynolds, has been addressing housing challenges in Eastern Kentucky for over 30 years. Serving Perry, Breathitt, Knott, and Leslie counties, HDA confronts issues like substandard housing with “bad water, suspect heat systems, and rotting floors,” McReynolds describes.
Seth Long, Executive Director, HOMES, Inc. (KY)
HOMES, Inc. strengthens Eastern Kentucky communities by addressing housing challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.,” says Seth Long, Executive Director.
Bryan Phipps, President & CEO, People Incorporated (VA)
People Incorporated serves 17 counties across the state of Virginia, helping to create opportunities for people to improve their lives through housing, lending and other direct services.
Jackie Mayo, President & CEO, HomeSource East Tennessee (TN)
HomeSource east tennessee is working to create more sustainable housing across 13 counties in Eastern Tennessee and helping people with modest incomes to stay and thrive in the region.
Dave Clark, Executive Director, Woodlands Development & Lending (WV)
Woodlands Development & Lending is working to build healthy, viable communities in North Central West Virginia through affordable housing, downtown redevelopment, community lending and much more.
Cassie Hudson, Executive Director, Partnership Housing, Inc. (KY)
Partnership Housing, Inc. is a nonprofit housing development organization working to change lives in Eastern Kentucky’s Owsley County by creating more safe, affordable homes and rental units.