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.
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.
Tim Thrasher, CEO, Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (AL)
For CEO Tim Thrasher and the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, housing is more than a structure—it’s the starting point for stability, dignity, and lasting change.
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.
Sherry Trent, CEO & Kip Parks, Director of Lending Operations, Eastern Eight CDC (TN)
Eastern Eight Community Development is expanding access to safe, affordable housing across Upper East Tennessee and into Bristol, Virginia—creating pathways to stability for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families.
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.
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.
Angie Allen, President, Highlands Housing Corporation (KY)
Highlands Housing Corporation in rural KY, is proving that homeownership is possible—and transformational—for families who have long felt left behind.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carol Clarke, CEO, Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham, Inc. (AL)
Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham is at the forefront of building economic stability through equitable housing solutions in Alabama.
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.
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.
Kevin Jones, Executive Director, Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (WV)
At the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR), Executive Director Kevin Jones leads with a vision rooted in transformation—of both people and neighborhoods.
Krystal Gibbons, Executive Director, Tennessee Community Assistance Corporation (TN)
Tennessee Community Assistance Corporation (TCAC) is helping families across Tennessee achieve homeownership and long-term stability.
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.