A M Community Development
Resume:
Na’Shon Z. Edwards, Sr., MCD
*******@*****.***
EDUCATION:
Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia
Graduate: Public Policy, Ph.D. Candidate January 2021 - Present Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, Texas
Graduate: M.S. in Community Development August 2017-May 2019 Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, Texas
Undergraduate: B.S. in Agricultural Economics July 2012-August 2017 QUALIFICATIONS:
o Strong Communication, Organizational, and Leadership Skills o 7 years of developing and analyzing reports using various data management software o 7 years of government liaison work experience
o 7 years of community development experience
o 5 years of coordinator/administrative experience o 4 years of budget development and management experience o 6 years of public speaking/presentations/reporting o 4 years of program development experience
o 4 years evaluating federal grant applications ($30M) o 2 year of teaching
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE:
Chief of Staff (Houston) March 2024 – Present
• Leads major agency strategic and operational initiatives that generate significant, positive operational changes and have positive organizational benefits, including software conversations, new programs or departments, or technology innovations.
• Conducts special studies of extremely controversial or sensitive problem areas, including changes in program operations and staffing necessary to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Prepares reports of findings. Conducts briefings with the President and CEO and Executive Leadership team, proving recommendations that often serve as the basis for new program initiatives.
• Supports the utilization and analysis of data to create opportunities and programs that support positive outcomes for residents and clients. Design and lead infrastructure implementation to sustain ongoing analysis and innovative program design.
• Studies agency data reporting and ensures that data reporting on organizational performance is timely and accurate, conducts internal reviews as necessary, and makes recommendations to ensure that sufficient business processes are in place to guarantee the accuracy of reported data.
• Keeps abreast of trends and changes affecting key program areas and advises on potential future challenges and options for effective operations.
• Attends meetings for the President and CEO and Executive Leadership as designated, and as appropriate, express views and positions on programs and/or policy issues consistent with those of the President and CEO.
• Interprets, applies and explains federal, state, and local laws and regulations, policies, procedures, and practices of the assigned position.
• Evaluate, recommend, and develop operations, procedures, policies, or methods improvements.
• Prepares and presents clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Conducts research projects, evaluates alternatives, makes sound recommendations, and prepares effective reports including staff and Board reports.
• Effectively represents Executive Leadership and the Agency in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Organizes and prioritizes various projects and multiple tasks effectively and on time; organizes own work, sets priorities for self and others, and meets critical timelines/ deadlines.
• Uses tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establishes, maintains, and fosters positive and effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
• Plans, designs, develops, organizes, oversees, evaluates, and administers highly complex housing programs and projects; directs all aspects of assigned programs, including legal and regulatory compliance; develops, receives, reviews, and processes program applications, contracts, environmental reviews, and agreements; participates on various committees and presents recommendations to the Agency Board.
• Assists the President, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team by providing advice and high-level technical analysis on public agency affordable real estate development, public and assisted housing management, administration, and strategy development.
• Assists the President and CEO by performing in-depth evaluations and research of policy issues and alternatives, conducts best practice surveys, cost-benefit analyses, inventories of related activities underway, assessments of relative need for competing proposals, and options for action.
• Provides policy interpretations that may have far-reaching implications and assists in cultivating and maintaining relationships with public policy groups, organizations, and other key partners.
• Plays a key role in the development of the strategic plan, team building, and process re-engineering efforts; identifies resource requirements and designs and recommends assigned project plans. Policy Advisor to the President & CEO of the Hou. Housing Authority (Houston, TX) March 2023 – Present
• Oversee management, revision and distribution of the Houston Housing Authority policy documents and forms including, but not limited to: the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy for Federal Public Housing; the Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan; 5-Year PHA Plan; and PHA Annual Plan.
• Direct the creation and production of regular and special plans and reports for the President & Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, HUD, Board of Commissioners and various other external and internal stakeholders; including but not limited to: annual accomplishments and quarterly reports on HHA’s progress compared with its annual goals.
• Direct the creation, evaluation, and implementation of, and reporting on, special initiatives such as income rent reform, the HHA’s IT Department’s efforts to automate monthly performance and analytics reports from HHA’s Public Housing Operations, Housing Choice Voucher and Real Estate Investment Departments both for compliance and accomplishing annual goals, outcomes for low-income households leasing in opportunity areas, multi-organizational partnerships and households’ self-sufficiency efforts.
• Create and/or oversee completion of various special projects as assigned by the Senior Vice President or her/his designee.
• In concert with the President & CEO, Sr. Vice-President, develop and maintain relationships with local and federal elected officials’ offices and HUD to effectively advocate for the Houston Housing Authority’s position on funding, legislative and regulatory issues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local and national organizations, trade groups, and other housing professionals to keep the Houston Housing Authority’s apprised of industry trends and to provide the Houston Housing Authority opportunities to participate in collaborative program, advocacy and legislative efforts.
• Represent the Houston Housing Authority at local and national conferences, meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Manage the Houston Housing Authority’s legislative communication and the production and distribution of regular and special publications for policy makers and other stakeholders.
• Keep HHA aware of HUD and other applicable agencies’ Notices for Funding Availability (NOFAs) and other possible grant opportunities. Help HHA’s applicable Departments by assisting in the evaluation and application of such opportunities where appropriate.
• Assist HHA Departments in the evaluation of voucher payment standards and flat rents.
• Assist HHA Departments in the review, submission and appeal of Public Housing Assessment System
(PHAS) and Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) scores.
• Work collaboratively with the City of Houston to develop and adopt an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing (or Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH)) which identifies barriers. Director of Constituent Services & Housing Research Assistant (Houston, TX) May 2020 – March 2023
• Serves as liaison between the District F constituents and city departments.
• Represents Council Member at meetings and briefings and informs Council Member of significant issues.
• Serves as the research assistant for the City Council Committee on Housing & Community Affairs.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints concerning policies and procedures.
• Strategically establish and maintain partnerships with local and state level legislative offices.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to promote the agenda of the City of Houston and Council Office.
• Research housing trends and policies as it relates to the City of Houston and Harris County.
• Assists with the interpretation of administrative policies and the transmittal of information to the public regarding operations and procedures.
Blue Leadership Collaborative Political Fellow (Austin, TX) January 2020 -March 2020
• Worked collaboratively with cohort to develop a comprehensive campaign plan for Texas House District 105, where our capstone plan was voted as the top plan across the cohort.
• Developed strategic plans for fundraising and political strategy for potential candidates in the Texas legislator.
• Received mentorship from high level campaign operatives across the country. Front Line Leadership Academy Political Fellow (Washington, D.C.) January 2019 – April 2019
• Traveled across the country to receive trainings from both political operatives and local and state legislators.
• Established cross country legislative networks via projects and various learning spaces.
• Crafted campaign speeches for potential candidates.
• Crafted campaign writing materials for potential candidates.
• Received training and certification in Organizational and Leadership Development. PVAMU Community and Economic Development Unit Grad. Asst. ( Houston, TX) August 2018 – May 2019
• Secured financial assistance for the fiscal year to promote programming and assessments within the Harris County extension community and economic development unit.
• Developed the conceptual framework for the Community and Economic Development Unit Inaugural Housing fair for first potential homeowners.
• Aid and support CED staff at Headquarters and County related to disaster management assistant to the community and other CED related goals
• Report on ending results and/or completion of job duties related to CED objectives.
• Developed charts and diagrams to assist in problem analysis and evaluation.
• Utilized critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to submit recommendations regarding current and community and economic development programing, evaluations, and planning.
• Get familiar with fact sheets to assist applicants with disaster related information to assist lower income communities in the greater Houston Area.
• Strategize with the Waller County Community Center to support projects involving community-based organizations by providing surveys to individuals that will provide data to enhance Community & Economic Development outcomes.
• Partnered with elected officials for a Waller County Community and Economic Development Unit
• Project lead for the inaugural State of Prairie View Address.
• Project leader for comprehensive community analysis for the city of Prairie View, Texas. PVAMU Community and Economic Development Unit Intern (Houston, TX) June 2018 – August 2018
• Assist the Cooperative Extension Program in the program implementation of the Community and Economic Development Unit helping small businesses in conjunction with enhancing the overall operations of the Cooperative Extension Program and CED by helping to fulfill NIFA goals and objectives.
• Assisted with small business workshops in accomplishing goals and objectives related to projects in business and community development in limited resourced communities.
• Initiated the Business In Development (BID) Academy cohort model concept for the Harris County Community and Economic Development Unit.
• Developed marketing strategy for Harris County CED unit to optimize program participation and evaluation • Prepared professional presentations for community development outreach.
• SKILLS/CERTIFICATION: Categorizing records; Critical thinking skills;; Maintaining accurate records; Preparing written communications; Mentoring; Presentations; Research; Generating Detailed Reports; Public Speaking; Liaison; Publisher; MRI; Editing, Flexible, Work Order preparation, Responsive, Multitask, Work Collaboratively, Budgeting, Outreach, Moderation, Community Development, Community Analysis, Reporting, Community Curriculum, Solicitation, Business Development, Data Management, Federal Grant Evaluation, Community Planning, Community Assessment, Reporting RESEARCH/ PRESENTATIONS:
American Education Research Association (Chicago, Illinois) 2015 Research: Images of Ideal Mentors:
Perspectives of African American Male Students in the Men Achieving Leadership Excellence (M.A.L.E) Program
Risk Management Conference (Ft. Worth, Texas) 2016 Research: Developing New and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Using a Model Farm Concept
Prairie View A&M University Research Symposium (Prairie View, Texas) 2017 Research: The Effects of the Ideal Mentor on Minority Males Students In Tertiary Institutions of Higher Learning
Houston Urban Food Conference (Houston, Texas) 2018 Topic: Developing a Business Plan 101
Master Gardener Symposium (Houston, Texas) 2018
Topic: Economic Benefits of Gardening
Community Development Education Symposium (Detroit, MI) 2019 Research: Needs Based Community Development:
Establishing a Curriculum for Under-served Communities Prairie View A&M University Research Symposium (Prairie View, TX) 2019 Research: Needs Based Community Development:
Establishing a Curriculum for Under-served Communities 12th Health Disparities Conference (New Orleans, LA) 2019 Research: Innovative Perspective in Agriculture Development: the Role of Land-Grant HBCU’s In Limited Resourced Communities Community Development Society International Conference (Columbia, Missouri) 2019 Research: Innovative Perspective in Agriculture Development: the Role of Land-Grant HBCU’s In Limited Resourced Communities Community Development Society International Conference (Fargo, North Dakota) 2021 Research: Needs Based Community Development:
Establishing a Curriculum for Underserved Communities Notre Dame Human Development Conference (South Bend, Indiana) 2022 Research: Community Development Policy and Social Policy: A Comparative of Urban and Rural Policy Conceptualization, Development, and Implementation in Southern Cities World Educational Research Association 2022
Research: Needs Based Community Development:
Establishing a Curriculum for Underserved Communities PUBLICATIONS:
Houston Forward Time – September 2, 2019
o Understanding Community Development: Part 1
o Grassroot Approaches for Community Development & Improvement: Part 2 – October 13, 2019 o The Family, Community, and Dinner Table -December 25, 2019 Texas Historical Journal – Winter 2020
o Innovative Perspectives in Agricultural Development: The Role of Slavery & Land Grant HBCUs in Texas Black Communities TEACHING/GRADAUTE ASSISTANT EXPERIENCE
o Professor Housing & Development Programs Kansas State University (2022 – present) o In this course, students reviewed and evaluated historical and current housing issues, production, and financial systems. This includes consideration of racial, ethnic, income, and gender issues as they relate to the role of housing developments and programs in community development. o Professor Community Development University of Texas at San Antonio (2022– present) o Provided a general understanding of economic development and real estate finance. o Students learned about a developer’s pro forma income and expense statement, calculating debt service and the return on investment, discounted cash flow analysis, underwriting practices, deal structuring, and financing project gaps.
o Students learned about programs such as CDBG, new market tax credits, the low-income housing tax credit program, and historic rehabilitation tax credits are introduced. o Students learned about real world case studies are explored throughout the course to understand how federal, state, and local government funding sources can be used with private sector resources to finance community-based projects.
o Graduate Assistant – Prairie View A&M University 2020 – 2021 o Developed syllabus for CODE 5013 Introduction to Community Development o Evaluated candidates’ weekly assignments and reflections. o Served as a. external advisor for student end of the semester community development project
o Negotiated an intergovernmental agreement between Waller County and the Prairie View A&M University Community Development Graduate Program o Prairie View A&M University – Political Science Program 2021 o POSC 2354 State and Local Politics – (Guest Lecturer) o Local Initiatives Support Corporation
o Community Consensus Building (Guest Lecturer) 2021 o Community Relationship Building (Guest Lecturer) 2022 o Strategic Advisory Board 2022
o Prairie View A&M University – Community Development Graduate Program 2022 o CODE 5351 Grant Development – Prospecting Funding Opportunities (Guest Lecturer) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
o American Planning Association
o Irrigation Association – Houston
o Community Development Society
• Student Chapter Steering Committee 2021-2022
• Vice Chair of Operations 2023 – Present
o National Association of Black School Educators
o Emerging 100 – Houston Texas
ACADEMIC RECONIGTION:
o PVAMU Deans List (2014-2018)
o PVAMU Presidents List (2015-2018)
o Search Committee for Dean & Director of Land Grant Systems (2016) o Developer of the Prairie View A&M University Freshman Experience Course (2017) o University Academic Council (2017)
o W.R. Banks Fellow (2018-2019)
o American Campus Communities Student Employee of the Year (Nominee) (2015) o American Campus Communities PVAMU Resident Life Student Employee of the Year (2015) o PVAMU-Official University Ring Committee Chairman (2016) o Citizen of the Year (Theta Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.) (2018) o 2018 Front Line Leadership Academy Fellow (2018) o Inaugural Unknown 8 Award (PVAMU Ring) (2018)
o Businesses in Development (BID) Academy Cohort (2018) o Beto O’Rourke Campus Ambassador (2018)
o Beto O’Rourke Campus Fellowship (2018)
o Most Outstanding Community Development Student (2018-2019) o LISC Training 4 Trainers Community Program (2019) o Superior Service of The Year (9
th
District of Omega Psi Phi) (2020)
o Superior Service of The Year (Theta Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi) (2020) o LISC Training 4 Trainer Curriculum Advisory Board (2022) o City of Houston BRAVO Public Service Award (2022) o 9
th
District Graduate Scholar (2022)
o Houston Area Coalition of Chapters Membership Selection Process Outstanding Service Award (2022) o The King Foundation Social Justice Fellow (2022) 7
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