Thank You to Two Others
PHADA President John T. Mahon.
This edition’s timing syncs up well to recognize two industry leaders who have departed (or will soon depart) from their national leadership posts. I also wanted to recognize their successors, who have now assumed key leadership roles.
Sean Gilbert recently began his term as President of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Sean is the Executive Director of Tennessee Valley Housing Services. Prior to that position, he was the Senior Vice President of Housing for Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation. He also served as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Pikeville, KY for 18 years.
New NAHRO President Sean Gilbert (left) with former NAHRO President George Guy.
Sean assumes the NAHRO presidency following the tenure of George Guy, the CEO and Executive Director of the Fort Wayne, Indiana Housing Authority. George, a former public housing resident, has also served as the president of the Indiana Chapter of NAHRO, as the regional president of the North Central Regional Council of NAHRO (NCRC) and is a former PHADA Trustee.
Other PHADA leaders and I have worked with Sean and George over the last few years and collaborated on key issues including HUD appropriations, local flexibility for HAs and other policy and regulatory matters. On behalf of PHADA’s membership, I want to express our appreciation to George for a job well done, while congratulating Sean on his recent election. I look forward to continue working with Sean on matters important to our industry.
Meanwhile, the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) recently announced the appointment of La Shelle Dozier as Chief Executive Officer. Dozier will be succeeding Executive Director Sunia Zaterman, who is stepping down after more than three decades at CLPHA.
Incoming CLPHA Executive Director La Shelle Dozier, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), and retiring Executive Director Sunia Zaterman.
Dozier has more than 30 years of experience in the public and affordable housing industry. Prior to joining CLPHA, she served as executive director of the Sacramento, California Housing and Redevelopment Agency for 18 years. She also served as the vice president of CLPHA’s Board of Directors and as co-chair of the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability, a broad-based coalition of stakeholders, of which PHADA is a member.
PHADA has worked closely with CLPHA throughout Sunia Zaterman’s tenure. PHADA Executive Director Tim Kaiser said that Zaterman deserves a lot of credit for helping to develop and institute the original HOPE VI and Rental Assistance Demonstration programs. Kaiser noted that, while working with Zaterman, the industry groups collaborated to secure an expansion of the Moving to Work program and were successful twice in combating proposals to block grant housing programs to the states.
PHADA wishes to welcome La Shelle Dozier following her appointment and extend its appreciation to Sunia Zaterman for her commitment over a distinguished career and wish her well in her retirement.
As I mentioned in a recent column, PHADA will undergo a major change of its own with Deputy Director Crystal Wojciechowski taking over when Tim Kaiser retires early next spring. Despite all these personnel changes, I am confident that the three industry groups along with the Moving to Work Collaborative will continue their strong collaboration on the key issues and challenges facing us.
2026 Scholarship Applications Available
Every year PHADA awards three scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors currently residing in a member agency. These include the Stephen J. Bollinger Memorial Scholarship; Civil Rights and Social Justice Scholarship; and the Nan McKay Pathway to Achievement Scholarship so generously provided by that renowned consulting firm.
Applications were recently mailed to all members and they are due back to PHADA by January 23, 2026. You can access the materials on our website. You have a lot of talented and dedicated students in your agencies, please make residents at your agency aware of these great educational opportunities.