2007 CHAMpions

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Erica Champer is the Associate Director of Quality and Compliance for Heartland Housing, Inc. in Chicago, IL. Heartland Housing is the award-winning housing partner of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, a service-based human rights organization that provides housing, health care, human services and human rights protections to more than 72,000 impoverished people annually. Ms. Champer oversees the compliance, quality control, facilities management, and long-term financial health of more than 600 units of affordable and supportive housing for low-income Chicagoans. She is involved in strategic planning and assists in the development and implementation of the organization’s response to financial, environmental, and political risk.

Ms. Champer has more than seven years of affordable housing development experience. Prior to joining Heartland Alliance, she was an Asset Management Associate for Aeon (formerly Central Community Housing Trust) in Minneapolis, MN. Ms. Champer graduated Summa Cum Laude from Augsburg College with a Bachelors degree in Urban Studies, Political Science and Sociology and currently resides in Chicago.

Vanessa Cooper is Director of Operations for Charities Housing, San Jose, CA. Vanessa is responsible for the operations of Charities Housing as well the asset and property management of Charities Housing rental portfolio, and other special projects. Vanessa has worked on economic development and social justice issues for low-income families for the past 10 years. Educated in Europe, Vanessa spent five years working for the UK's central bank and financial regulators. In the US, Vanessa developed and managed programs to enable low income households to become first time homeowners, small business owners and college graduates. Vanessa earned her BA from Bath University, her MBA from Durham University and has a Masters Degree from San Jose State University. In 2007, Vanessa was awarded a Fannie Mae Fellowship to attend the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Tony DiBlasi is Chief of Asset Management for Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing. Mr.DiBlasi joined Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) in March of 2003 and currently serves as the Chief of Asset Management. In this capacity, Tony is responsible for the strategic direction of OCCH's asset management department and is heavily involved with data and trend analysis, partner capacity-building initiatives and investor relations. Prior to joining OCCH, Tony worked eight years in the affordable housing industry where he assumed many roles for National Church Residences - a nationwide provider of affordable housing and supportive services. Tony is a Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), a Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM), is a certified Non-profit Housing Management Specialist (NHMS) and is also Fair Housing Compliance (FHC) certified. Tony holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science/International Relations from Ohio University.

Patricia Kerr is Program Director for Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica (NHSJ), a not- forprofit that promotes responsible homeownership and financial education. She not only works closely with the NHSJ staff to improve the quality of services provided to their clients, but also works hard to build stronger community partnerships with local residents and community institutions. Patricia had previously served as Accounting Management Consultant, responsible for the budget, facilitated audits and strategic reports to help improve overall effectiveness. Since 1981, Patricia has worked with government and the private sector as a financial advisor where she was responsible for overseeing financial budgets in excess of $20 million dollars.

Patricia holds a bachelors degree in business administration from The Bernard M. Baruch College. She is licensed and registered through the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and holds several state insurance licenses in her capacity as Financial Advisor. Over the past few years, she has received awards from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and faith based organizations, and recognition in local and national publications. She also serves as advisor to various non-profit organizations.

Robert Noland is a developer and project manager with Housing Opportunities and Concepts, the forprofit unit of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, Maryland. Rob has nearly ten years experience in affordable housing development, finance and construction management. He also has experience in property management, housing asset management and community organizing. From concept to ribbon-cutting, Rob has managed projects from special needs housing of 4 units to 100% affordable housing of 94 units with retail. His experience is primarily with non-profit organizations in the District of Columbia, especially Marshall Heights Community Development Organization. He also gained valuable experience with Arlington County, Virginia’s Housing Division as an underwriter and project manager.

Rob holds certifications in housing development finance and construction management. He received his undergraduate education at California State University, Long Beach and earned an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Steve “Sterk” W. Sterquell II, Senior Vice President Housing Development, develops new affordable and student housing projects for American Housing Foundation (AHF). As VP of Asset Management, he managed both large and small portfolios of communities, ensuring they were achieving goals that AHF had set forth both financially and through compliance. As Compliance Specialist, his duties included ensuring AHF communities were in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations as well as working on security issues at various properties, enabling him to work on a special project with the Waco Police Department.

Steve holds a B.S.B.A in Small Business Management, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and numerous certifications such as Nonprofit Housing Management Specialist, CHAM, Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), National Apartment Association; Certified Credit Compliance Professional (C³P), Spectrum Seminars, Inc; Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), National Center for Housing Management, and memberships in organizations such as Association of Certified Fraud Examines, Instate of Real Estate Management, National Apartment Association and International CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) Association.

James Thomas, Director of Housing Management, is responsible for the management of the New Directions’ housing portfolio of 1,042 units located across the metro area. He coordinates activities with The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, Kentucky Housing Corporation and Indiana Housing Finance Agency for the purposes of management reviews, inspections and rent increases. He is responsible for staff development, budget development, federal compliance, and all aspects of property management including maintenance. James has 24 years experience in property management. He currently holds the following certifications: Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Accredited Resident Manger (ARM), Certified Professional Occupancy (CPO), Certified Manager of Maintenance (CMM), and Licensed Real Estate Agent.

Interested in becoming a CHAMpion?
Complete the following six courses, along with a special asset management project report applying your skills, evaluated and approved by CHAM board specialists. All courses are available through Neighborworks® Training Institute.

Nuts and Bolts of Asset Manager for Asset Managers (3 days)
Nonprofit Housing Management Specialist (5 days)
Affordable Housing Development (2 days)
Financial Tools for Asset Managers (3 days)
How to Maintain Compliance in Housing Tax Credit Projects (1 day)
Advanced Housing Asset Management (5 days)

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