Project Manager Development

DEMETRIA JOHN

* *******  New Albany, OH  *****

********.******@*****.***  228-***-****

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An accomplished individual with expertise in housing and community development, and has extensive experience utilizing state, private and federally funded programs with extensive knowledge in building effective partnerships and relationships with public and private organizations through effective communication, strategic planning, facilitating and leadership.

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CORE COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving & Analytical • Organizational Development • Oral & Written Skills

• Federal Program Regulation Interpretation • Project Management • Leadership

• Monitoring & Compliance • Training & Facilitation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Hagerty Consulting, Inc. – Washington, DC April 2009 – June 2010

Director of Housing and Community Development

• Created and implemented strategies for the purpose of developing strategies for developing a successful Housing and Community Development practice by identifying and pursuing relevant Federal, State and local opportunities.

• Reviewed Request for Proposals, lead proposal development teams and worked with human resources to recruit qualified individuals for the various projects.

• Provide consulting administrative services to public sector clients within the firm’s service lines of Financial Management and Analysis, Grant and Loan Management, Policy Analysis, Contract Review, Program and Project Management and Strategic and Performance Management services.

• Assisted one client with setting up a new disaster recovery monitoring division that by developing policies and procedures, facilitating training and technical assistance to new and existing staff and subrecipients on HUD related programs (Community Development Block Grant, HOME, Uniform Relocation, Section 202, etc.).

• Worked with clients to develop and establish project expectations, performance measures and work plans. Executed work accordingly and gave presentations on utilizing various funding sources to leverage their project funding i.e., New Market Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Section 108, Brownfield and various other resources.

• Tracked project performance to determine whether project is on track for successful completion. When appropriate, make recommendations when changes are needed in order to complete the project successfully.

Part-time Freelance Consulting Services to; Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation, Lane Construction, Picayune Holdings, LLC – Dec 2007 – Present

• Provide proposal writing, grant and loan application preparation and provide project management services to ensure the client is complying with federal and state regulatory requirements.

• Identify funding sources and structure real estate development deals utilizing public and private funding and responsible for submitting application or proposals to appropriate agencies.

• Serve as liaison between the for-profit/non-profit developer and local and state officials and agencies.

• Serve as project manager for development of affordable housing and mixed use developments from the initial phase to the close-out of the project.

South MS Housing & Development Corporation - Affiliate of MS Regional Housing Authority No. VIII. – Gulfport, MS Nov 2007 – Mar 2009

Vice President of Affordable Housing Development

• Responsible for daily operations, hiring and supervision of the Affordable Housing Development Department.

• Identified and researched federal, state and private sources of funding for new development opportunities i.e., Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, New Market Tax Credits, Rural Development, HUD Section 202, etc.

• Developed policies and procedures for, and monitored the Katrina Supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $36 Million used for redevelopment of public housing and affordable housing destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

• Developed affordable housing plans (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) that included partnerships with public and private sector utilizing mixed finance and housing choice vouchers.

• Interviewed program managers to determine goals and objectives, scope, feasibility and funding needs for new development projects within the agencies 14 county jurisdiction and made recommendations to the housing board and other senior leadership.

• Conducted meetings with city and county officials, and public hearings pertaining to affordable housing developments.

• Responsible for selecting multi-family sites and overseeing acquisition of land, structured financing for proposed developments and served as liaison and contract officer during predevelopment and construction phases.

• Worked with construction manager to monitor construction contracts and wages fro compliance.

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Local Initiative Support Corporation - Gulf Region Jan 2007 to Nov 2007

Consultant (Program Officer)

• Provided technical assistance to housing authorities and non profit organizations throughout Mississippi and Louisiana by creating and implementing overall strategies for development activities.

• Structured financial deals for predevelopment activities of Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

• Assisted with negotiations of a new modular housing plant funded with New Market Tax Credits.

• Conducted workshops throughout the State of Mississippi on the various programs offered by Local Initiative Support Corporation and worked with staff and communication consultants to promote strategic alliances throughout the Gulf Coast Region.

Housing Authority of City of Bay St. Louis – Bay St. Louis, MS Oct 2004 – February 2007

Executive Director

• Responsible for all aspects of the Housing Authority’s operations management, property management, administration and capital fund program for 101 units. Redeveloped policies and procedures and various community service programs for residents.

• Under my leadership the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) scores increased by 50 percent, as well as responsible for overseeing successful IPA audit and REAC preparations.

• Under my leadership, established effective communication and positive relationships with city officials, stakeholders, commissioners, lenders, other nonprofit organizations, as well as community residents.

• After Hurricane Katrina, led the efforts in forming a community development corporation, a subsidiary of the housing authority. Created various partnerships with local, state and national organizations to assist the housing authority in rebuilding public housing and affordable housing using Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Replacement Housing Factor Funds, Housing Choice Vouchers and CDBG funds.

• Facilitated the merger of the Bay St. Louis and Waveland Housing Authorities after Hurricane Katrina.

• Initiated a large relocation effort through disaster recovery plan in the relocation of public housing residents.

• Appointed to the Housing Committee under the Governor’s Commission on Recovery and Renewal for Hancock County and lead efforts to create a Housing Resource Center to provide a one stop location for individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina by providing affordable housing resources, construction support, expediting permitting, and community design resources.

Bowling & Crumbly, Inc. (BNC) -- Ocean Springs, MS Sept 2000 –2005

Vice President and Senior Planner

• Served as Vice President and Senior Planner for a planning and grant administration firm providing consulting services to various cities and towns throughout the state of Mississippi since 1999.

• Responsible for preparing proposals and applications for funding for small cities and towns and administered HOME, CDBG, ESG, Section 108, Economic Development projects, as well as other public and privately funded housing and community development programs.

• Provided planning services to small cities and towns in grant administration, program and labor standards compliance, comprehensive and strategic planning, Census/Demographic analyzing, public relations/communications, environmental assessments and reviews, housing studies, fair housing compliance and zoning ordinance regulation.

• Provided daily interaction and public decision making influence with local elected officials and the public, and served as liaison between the elected officials and the citizens of the communities during public hearings, board meetings and neighborhood meetings.

• Conducted on-site monitoring visits and inspections to project sites and contractors to ensure federal and state program guidelines and regulations were met and provided technical assistance to subrecipients.

• Successfully completed over 15 HOME/CDBG Projects.

SOUTHERN MS PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (SMPDD) -- Gulfport, MS

July 2000 –2001

Assistant Planner (Contract)

• Provided planning assistance to cities and towns in South Mississippi.

• Assisted with the preparation of federal state and local grant applications, planning documents and proposals through CDBG, Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Rural Development.

NEEL-SCHAFFER, INC. -- Hattiesburg, MS Dec 1998- Dec 2000

Assistant Planner

• Assisted with federal and state funded HOME and Community Development Block Programs (CDBG) that required extensive analytical research, environmental review preparation, housing, traffic, and comprehensive studies.

• Prepared grant applications and provided financial management and program administration of grant programs.

• Reviewed and monitored contractual agreements with sub-grantees, invoices and labor records. Prepared payment requests to the State using the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS).

• Served as liaison between the elected officials and groups on a daily basis providing assistance with project (s) during the application preparation phase to the closeout.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community and Regional Planning  University of Southern Mississippi. August 2002

Executive Education • John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. May 2006

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 Community Development Block Program (CDBG)

 Long Term Disaster Recovery Training

 Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

 Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting Training

 Public Housing Certified Manager Training

 Housing Choice Voucher Training

 Certified Housing Inspector Training

 Homebuyer Education Counseling

 NAHRO Asset Management Training

 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Training

 New Market Tax Credit Training

 NAHRO Contract and Procurement Training

 Strategic Planning for Non Profit Organizations

CERTIFICATIONS

• Housing Development Finance Professional – National Development Council

• Certified Public Housing Manager

• Certified Housing Rehabilitation Inspector

• The New South Economic Development Certification

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