What makes our team members special?
Solving an issue as big as homelessness and affordable housing takes very dedicated and talented individuals - Meet our inspiring team below!
Departments
Executive
The Executive Department is the office of the Executive Director. His direct reports are the departments noted below. The Executive Director is responsible not only for the daily operations and performance in accordance with HUD guidelines, he also is responsible for community relations and interface with local and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Main Contact: Paul Diggs
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Online Contact: Contact Form
Finance
This Department, headed by the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for all financial activities, including managing all HUD funds in accordance with regulations; landlord, client, and tenant payments and receipts; and managing other funding sources, such as County funds. The department is also responsible for Procurement activities.
Main Contact: Paul Boris
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Online Contact: Contact Form
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Formerly known as “Section 8 Program”, this department is responsible for the efficient management, including processing applicants; recertifications; and inspections.
Main Contact: Brenda Gomez
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Online Contact: Contact Form
Public Housing Program
Known as “Asset Management”, this department is responsible for the efficient management of the public housing program, including processing applicants; recertifications; and timely maintenance of all sites, in accordance with HUD rules and regulations.
Main Contact: Bashairra Henry
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Online Contact: Contact Form
Human Resources
This Department is responsible for employee and management relations, as well as recruitment, hiring, evaluation processing, payroll, etc.
Main Contact: Debra Johnson
Alt. Contact: Regina Schetroma
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Online Contact: Contact Form
Phone Number: 610-436-9200
Our Staff
Executive Staff
The Housing Authority of the County of Chester currently has 27 employees. They are involved in the management of the Housing Choice Voucher Program; the Public Housing Program, including staff at the sites; and the Executive/Administrative staff, including Finance and Human Relations.
Debra Johnson
Executive Vice President
Debra Johnson is the Executive Vice President. She joined the Authority in May 2010, bringing 22 years of management experience. Prior to her arrival, there was no separate HR function and she has successfully created a department that responds to management and employee needs.
Brenda Gomez
Vice President of HCVP
Brenda Gomez is the Director of HCVP, having joined the Authority as a housing specialist. She oversees the staff of 5 Housing Specialist.
Paul Boris
Finance Manager
Paul Boris is the Finance Manager, who oversees the organization’s general accounting functions and reporting. Paul is also charged with monitoring and enforcing internal control policies and procedures
Regina Schetroma
Human Resources
Bashairra Henry
Vice President of Property Operations
Bashairra Henry manages the daily operations of the current Public Housing Department. Handing the properties of our Church Street Towers, King Terrace, Oxford Terrace, as well as our Maple/Spruce and Locust Court Facilities.
Housing Choice Voucher
Cierra Young – Project Based Manager
Janelle Chuplis – Blended Housing Specialist
Majeedah Waheed – Project Based Specialist
Felichia Molina – HCV Program Manager
Edwina Johnson – Housing Specialist
Brigette Vargas – Intake Specialist
Owen Duncan – FSS Coordinator
Kelli Greenamoyer – VASH Coordinator
Bianca Salgado – Service Coordinator
Noemi Villalva – HOP Leasing Coordinator
Public Housing
Lakisha Hawkes – Assistant Asset Manager
Mary Kay Owen – ROSS Coordinator
Finance
Brenda Bolt – Staff Accountant
Imonie Clements – Accounting Coordinator
Our Board of Commissioners
The Housing Authority of the County of Chester is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. Each Board member is appointed by the County of Chester’s Commissioners. Commissioners receive no compensation, however they are entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred for being a Board member. Officers of the Board are elected each year at the first meeting of the calendar year.
Pat Bokovitz
Pat Bokovitz is the Director of Chester County’s Department of Community Development. He brings extensive knowledge about the issues facing low and middle income residents of the County and of the programs available to assist them, such as housing, employment, transportation, job training, and education.
Carol Ann Thomas
Carol Ann Thomas is the resident member of the Board. She has resided at the Authority’s “Church St. Towers” development for many years. She also is the president of the Resident Council.
Theodore Claypoole
Theodore F. Claypoole, a partner of Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, primarily represents businesses, tax-exempt entities, lending institutions, and commercial and residential real estate developers and landlords. Mr. Claypoole is active in his community, presently serving as a member of the Historic Commission for West Brandywine Township and previously serving as Chairman of the Planning Commission for Sadsbury Township and as a member on the Township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Committee, Act 209 Study Committee, Zoning Ordinance Committee, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association LLC Standard Forms Task Force.
Louis J. Beccaria, Ph.D.
Louis J. Beccaria, Ph.D. is a graduate of LaSalle College with a B.A. degree in social science education. He also holds a M.Ed. in social science education and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy – all from the University of Delaware. Professionally, Dr. Beccaria has a comprehensive professional background that includes successful experience in criminal, juvenile justice, and human service administration, as well as program development, fundraising, and philanthropy. Dr. Beccaria has over 48 years of professional experience spanning senior positions in criminal justice, health and human services, and higher education fund development; 30 years of over his more than four-decade professional life has been in the philanthropy arena. Currently, he is recently retired from 21 years as the President & CEO of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation – a health conversion philanthropy. Dr. Beccaria’s previous philanthropy experience was as the President & CEO of the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust and as a Program Manager with the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Donnell R. Sheppard
Donnell R. Sheppard, with a comprehensive background in finance and project management, embodies a commitment to effective community development on the Housing Authority of the County of Chester board. His expertise in overseeing substantial budgets and leading high-impact projects in the pharmaceutical industry, coupled with significant contributions to Philadelphia’s urban development, underscore his strategic planning and operational excellence. A devoted advocate for community engagement, Donnell’s involvement in educational and workforce development initiatives, along with his passion for mentoring, highlight his dedication to fostering inclusive and thriving communities.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Housing Authority of Chester County is to provide, manage and develop quality affordable housing for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. This will be achieved through maximizing our resources while always ensuring the financial integrity of the agency. Furthermore, it is our intent to accomplish this through forging the strong partnerships necessary to create innovative solutions to the housing needs of the communities we serve.