EDEP Alumni Spotlights
PHADA is excited to introduce our EDEP Alumni Spotlights as a way to keep alumni connected and celebrate their accomplishments and impact on the industry. Share your story! Complete your alumni spotlight today and we’ll feature it in a future newsletter.
Steven W. Hoyt
Property Manager
Bessemer Housing Authority
2026 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
In my current role as Property Manager and Special Projects Coordinator, I collaborate with external agencies to support both our organization and our residents. Together, we work to empower residents by ensuring access to safe, affordable, and decent housing, along with essential wraparound services that help stabilize and enhance their quality of life. Our mission here is “Delivering Hope.”
What was your biggest takeaway from EDEP?
This was a highly valuable experience both personally and professionally. The classes effectively expanded my understanding of housing authority operations, and the instruction was clear, in depth, and empowering. I came into the rigorous program unsure of what to expect, but the challenge was rewarding, especially the camaraderie built with fellow professionals, classmates, and conference attendees. Indeed, it was an awesome undertaking to participate in.
Bob Doeblin
Chief Executive Officer
Geneva Housing Authority
2003 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
I am the Chief Executive Officer of Geneva Housing Authority and its Affiliate Corporations, providing housing opportunities to nearly 2000 households in a large rural area in Upstate New York. I am most proud of offering a vital service to our area, direct involvement and partnerships with community organizations and leading a group of long-term dedicated employees that are committed to our work and mission. Administering rental assistance and affordable housing programs presents daily challenges, difficult decisions and frustrations, but is equally rewarding when we understand the importance of the service that we are providing to those in need.
Jon Adkins
Deputy Director
Housing Authority of Covington
2023 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
I was honored to be promoted to Deputy Director in June of 2025. Stepping into this new role has been both energizing and deeply fulfilling. It has given me a greater platform to continue serving our residents with excellence while also supporting and empowering our staff. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, lead, and contribute to the mission of our agency, and I'm grateful for the trust placed in me as I grow in this position.
What was your biggest takeaway from EDEP?
The biggest takeaway from EDEP was the genuine relationships that were cultivated in each class. What stood out most wasn’t just the information we learned, but the connections we built—connections rooted in trust, shared experience, and mutual support. Each session created space for meaningful dialogue, honest reflection, and collaboration. By the end of the program, those relationships became a true source of encouragement and inspiration, reminding me that strong leadership is strengthened by strong community.
How has EDEP influenced your professional journey, or how you approach your work?
The EDEP program has influenced my professional journey in numerous meaningful ways. Through its comprehensive curriculum and practical tools, the program has strengthened my understanding of core PHA functions and sharpened my leadership skills. It has equipped me with the knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to effectively guide our organization and support the communities we serve. More than anything, EDEP has prepared me to lead with clarity, purpose, and a deeper appreciation for the responsibility we carry as housing professionals.
Dionne Wyatt
Chief Executive Officer
Macoupin County Housing Authority
2018 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
We just sold our 46-unit Supportive Living facility and we are doing a complete rehab of our public housing development in one of the towns that we serve. We have just finished construction of a 28-unit tax credit development that was built on an old public housing site that we demolished a few years ago.
What was your biggest takeaway from EDEP?
The classes were good, but I think the interaction and networking with other participants in the EDEP courses has been extremely helpful. Colleagues I met during class are still people I interact with and turn to for help and guidance all these years later.
How has EDEP influenced your professional journey, or how you approach your work?
EDEP has given me confidence and leadership skills to do the job. It has helped me look beyond daily operations and focus on long-term strategies. It has expanded my professional network and those connections have helped build a support system I use regularly for advice, friendship, and future opportunities.
Martell Armstrong
Chief Executive Officer
Housing Authority of Elgin
2023 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
The Housing Authority of Elgin (HAE) has recently completed a five-year strategic plan enumerating our organizational goals. One of the goals is the creation of more regional affordable housing.
More specifically, we have decided to self-develop rather than co-develop affordable housing. In the past, we partnered on eight LIHTC developments with a combined $149,174,392 in total development cost, creating 774 units of new construction affordable housing in addition to converting our entire Public Housing portfolio to RAD, totaling an additional $59,726 in total development costs.
HAE has secured a development team and subsequently has been successfully awarded a tax credit reservation from the Illinois Housing Development Authority as the sponsor and lead developer.
What was your biggest takeaway from EDEP?
My biggest takeaway from the EDEP experience is the relationships that I was able to forge throughout the learning process. The Public Housing profession is a small group of individuals and PHADA’s EDEP courses create an interactive space that fosters fellowship and encourages students to share common experiences while learning together--and from one another. I will always have a common bond with the individuals that I was able to share that journey with.
How has EDEP influenced your professional journey, or how you approach your work?
My professional orientation has centered around values-based leadership that is grounded in service to others and intentional self-reflection. The EDEP courses have allowed me to reflect on the culmination of my past professional experiences in a manner that aligns with my professional values, and to use those collective learning experiences to be a better leader.
Mary-Margaret Lemons
President
Fort Worth Housing Solutions
2020 EDEP Graduate
Tell us about your current role, and the work you’re doing at your organization.
I have the privilege of serving as President of Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS). We provide affordable housing to one of the fastest growing regions in the nation. FHWS has transformed from a traditional public housing authority with large concentrations of 1940's developments to a developer of mixed income multi-family apartments spread out across the city. Our portfolio now has over 10,000 units in 60 developments, providing choice for our clients.
FWHS is redeveloping neighborhoods through the Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant program in partnership with HUD and the City of Fort Worth. We are bringing resources to our residents to assist them in becoming self-sufficient through FSS, Homeownership, scholarships and job training.
What was your biggest takeaway from EDEP?
My favorite part of EDEP was the people I met and the relationships that were developed during the program. I now have contacts across the nation who are trusted partners to call with questions. The educational component was meaningful, but creating a network of housing experts was truly the most valuable part of the program.
Since graduating I have visited many of my fellow EDEP alumni’s housing authorities to learn from them and I have hosted other executive directors in Fort Worth. The exchange of information is so helpful and the sense of camaraderie that came from EDEP is irreplaceable.
How has EDEP influenced your professional journey, or how you approach your work?
ecause of EDEP, I joined PHADA committees and was asked to serve as a PHADA Trustee. By serving in leadership roles in the organization, I have a better understanding of our industry at a national level and can be a part of the changes we advocate for nationally and locally.