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Brendan Barry

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Creative Approaches for Financing Industry & Redevelopment
Wednesday October 25 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Coordinator, Research & Technical Assistance
Council of Development Finance Agencies

Brendan Barry is a Coordinator of Research & Technical Assistance at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). His areas of focus include tribal finance, tax increment finance, cannabis finance, and federal finance programs. Brendan manages the CDFA Community Facilities Technical Assistance Program for Tribal Communities; a program designed to assist tribal communities access financing for their community facilities infrastructure by utilizing the USDA's Community Facilities Program and other development finance tools. He's also contributed to the CDFA Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 3rd Edition, the Rural Development Finance Toolkit, the National Development Finance Summit, numerous policy papers, and various internal projects. In 2023, he gained certification as a Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) through the CDFA Training Institute.

Brendan received a Bachelor of Science in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.


Sue Hounsel

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Financing for Underserved Communities
Wednesday July 26 10:30 - 12:00 PM

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Creative Approaches for Financing Industry & Redevelopment
Wednesday October 25 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Economic Development District Manager
City of Dallas

Sue Hounsel is a Manager in the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development (OED) and has been employed with the City of Dallas since 2002. During this time her catalyst project achievements include the transformation of the Design District into an eclectic urban neighborhood, development of the Lake Highlands Town Center, mixed-income housing developments in the Bishop Arts area, TOD developments including Lancaster Urban Village, and the creation of the 4315 Innovation Center for workforce development.

She has over twenty-seven years of experience in urban planning and economic development. Before moving to Dallas, she previously worked with the City of Houston and the City of Austin in planning and economic development. Ms. Hounsel is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Michigan State University and a Master of City Planning from Georgia Tech, including a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate.


Jennifer Kirkley

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Financing for Underserved Communities
Wednesday July 26 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Manager
CohnReznick LLP

Jennifer Kirkley is a manager with CohnReznick and a member of the firm’s NMTC Practice Group. She has been working in the industry for seventeen years and currently supervises the team that provides a comprehensive list of advisory services to CDE and CDFI clients nationwide. In addition, she has created a New Markets Tax Credit Compliance Handbook and implemented compliance best practices for her department. She is often called on as the “go-to” person for New Markets and CDFI Fund-related questions.

Jennifer often researches changes to information requests and Q&A documents released by the CDFI Fund. She disseminates this information to the rest of the compliance team as well as the Firm and makes changes to policies and procedures as appropriate. Jennifer is a speaker on the CDFI Fund Compliance Panel at the annual New Markets Tax Credit Summit.

Prior to joining CohnReznick, Jennifer worked for a CDE with a national footprint and substantial NMTC allocation, as well as its affiliated consulting firm. In this capacity, she was responsible for all of the firm’s NMTC compliance and the preparation of CDFI Certifications, CDE Certifications, and NMTC Allocation Applications for their numerous clients.


Anneliese McClurg

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Texas Access to Capital Update
Wednesday March 22 10:30 - 12:00 PM

In Transition

Anneliese McClurg is a Coordinator of Research & Technical Assistance at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Anneliese is responsible for working on the Kellogg Foundation-funded food systems finance initiative and USDA Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training grant. This includes research for strategic plans, online resource centers, and webinars, writing for best practices documents, and providing support for technical assistance projects across the country. She also produces the CDFA Tax Credit and Rural Development Finance Update newsletter and is currently working on creating a Food Finance Best Practice Guidebook. Anneliese received a Bachelor of Science in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.


Lee McCormick

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Texas Access to Capital Update
Wednesday March 22 10:30 - 12:00 PM

President / Program Administrator
Community Development Associates, LLC

Lee is a registered Municipal Advisor with over 25 years of experience in domestic and international finance. Lee founded Lone Star PACE to serve as a Program Administrator to the Cities and Counties within the State of Texas that elect to implement a Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) financing program. He works with public and private entities to help them realize their energy and water conservation targets via the PACE financing program in their regions.

Prior to founding Lone Star PACE, Lee created Community Development Associates and Sierra Management Group to assist public, private, and nonprofit entities in navigating the requirements for various State and Federal tax-advantaged financing programs. He also served as Assistant Treasurer for USA Waste Services and Waste Management Inc. post-merger in 1998.

Lee received his BA in Finance, with honors, from Sam Houston State University and his MBA, with honors, from the University of Houston. Lee is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, and has served as an Advisor on the Department of Energy C-PACE Working Group.


Colin Nickells

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Creative Approaches for Financing Industry & Redevelopment
Wednesday October 25 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Associate
Advantage Capital

Colin Nickells is an associate on Advantage Capital’s expansion team where he focuses on affordable housing, economic development, public policy, and public finance initiatives at the state and local levels.

Colin most recently served as the 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program manager at the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), where he oversaw the allocation of more than $1.6 billion in tax credits. He previously served as TDHCA’s senior policy analyst, and in various roles at the Texas General Land Office managing special projects related to Community Development Block Grant programs for disaster recovery and mitigation. In 2022, Colin was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the City of Austin Environmental Commission.

Colin received his Master of Arts degree with concentrations international economics and political economy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from the University of North Texas.


David Orr

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Texas Access to Capital Update
Wednesday March 22 10:30 - 12:00 PM

City Manager
City of Texarkana

David is the City Manager for the City of Texarkana, Texas with more than 13 years of municipal government experience. He holds a PhD from Stellenbosch University in Leadership and Administration along with a Bachelor and Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Previously, David was the city’s Planning & Community Development Director and his office was responsible for the city's planning and zoning process, building, code and inspections, economic development efforts, administering over $14 million in federal, state and local grants, two Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones and downtown revitalization efforts. David serves on Cadence Bank’s National Community Development Entity Advisory Board, Presented at Council of Development Finance Agencies in New Orleans, CDFA National HUD 108 Webinar on the Hotel Grim, Texas American Planning Association Conference and several National EPA Brownfields Conferences. David is the chair of the Texarkana Arts & Historic District that was named a 2016 Texas Cultural District by the Texas Commission for the Arts. He is passionate about serving to better our local Texarkana community, all things farmers' market related and an adjunct professor at Texas A&M-Texarkana.
 


Rosa Rios Valdez

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Texas Access to Capital Update
Wednesday March 22 10:30 - 12:00 PM

CEO
BCL of Texas

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Rosa came to Texas when her father was hired as a Bracero to work the farm fields of Uvalde. She attended the University in the 1970s when minority enrollment was less than 4,000 students, and received her degree in three years, graduating Cum Laude. Rosa has worked for over 30 years in economic development. She began her career at AMEDC (Austin Minority Economic Development Corporation), where she helped to form the Minority Contractors’ Association, which is still in operation today to bring minority contractors together and help them advocate for their needs.Rosa also worked for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and served 10 years with the Lower Colorado River Authority community and economic development team. During this time, she worked with the City of Austin to create a $67 million plan to redevelop East 6th, 7th, and 11th Streets. During her career in economic development, Rosa has helped to build local economies and bring in jobs by working with businesses across the state in diverse sectors.

Rosa has expanded the scope and size of BCL of Texas from offering only one business loan product in central Texas to a statewide CDFI (Community Development Finance Institution) whose diverse product mix now includes business, consumer, mortgage, and community facility loans. BCL of Texas was recently self-certified as the most loan-product-diverse, statewide minority-led CDFI in Texas. Under Rosa’s leadership, BCL of Texas has launched innovative programs to address economic inequalities, including the Community Loan Centers of Dallas and Austin payday alternative programs; the Texas Small and Diverse Loan Fund for growing minority businesses, and NeighborhoodLIFT down payment assistance. BCL has added over $600 million to the local tax base and helped over 2,000 businesses with expansion support.

Rosa has grown the BCL of Texas assets 51-fold to over $30.5 Million. She currently serves as president of BCL’s wholly owned affiliates, Texas Community Builders, and health-focused social enterprise corporation Salud de Paloma.


Amanda Sanchez

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Financing for Underserved Communities
Wednesday July 26 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Director of Education and West Coast Region
Raza Development Fund, Inc.

Amanda Sanchez, Senior Director of Education & West Region, joined RDF in 2011. In 2017, under her leadership, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, RDF opened its Pacific Northwest regional office, becoming one of the first CDFIs to provide charter school facility financing in Washington State.
In her current capacity, she oversees all lending related activities focused on education, affordable housing, social services, healthcare, and small business initiatives for the West Coast region. She is also responsible for leading the fund’s educational community outreach and impact investment efforts.
Prior to opening RDF’s Pacific Northwest regional office, Ms. Sanchez was an Investment Associate on the fund’s Education Finance Team, where she supported high potential, early-stage charter schools and proven charter management organizations working in underserved communities, nationwide.
Previously, Ms. Sanchez sat on the Arizona Charter School Association’s Walton Family Foundation Startup Grant Review Committee and worked closely with New Schools for Phoenix Fellowship Program.  She holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Yakima Valley Community College; and a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Business and Nonprofit Administration from Arizona State University.
Ms. Sanchez is an advocate for permanent, supportive education policy, quality school choice and increasing economic mobility for the children and families.  Originally from Washington State, Amanda is a first generation American, who is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Accomplishments
National Charter School Lenders’ Coalition Member
Mentor – Friendly House College & Career Readiness Program
Mastering Design Thinking Executive Program – MIT Sloan School of Management (2021)
Board Member – Build Excel Sustain (BES), an organization that provides school leadership development, supporting leaders to build schools, to ensure their schools excel, and to sustain their results over time.


Glenn Silva

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Texas Access to Capital Update
Wednesday March 22 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Chief Operating Officer/Program Administrator
Lone Star PACE

Mr. Silva is the COO of Lone Star PACE in charge of day-to-day operations. Lone Star PACE serves as a Program Administrator for city and county Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) programs in Texas. PACE provides financing for commercial, industrial and multi-family projects that support economic development and conservation in Texas communities. PACE is designed to overcome the barrier of significant upfront costs for energy efficiency projects by offering attractive financing to commercial property owners in Texas.


Art Wells

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Creative Approaches for Financing Industry & Redevelopment
Wednesday October 25 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Branch Chief
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Art is the Underwriting Branch Team 3 Chief with the Southwest Multifamily Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His responsibilities include FHA multifamily mortgage insurance processing together with an accomplished production team of 8 underwriting members. Art started his career in 1980 with the U.S. Department of the Army. Art has worked for HUD since 2002, initially as a Field Environmental Officer and then in various capacities within Multifamily Housing in both New Orleans and Fort Worth. He is a graduate of Temple University’s College of Engineering in Philadelphia while also a varsity member of the swimming team. He makes his home in Argyle, TX, with his family.


Fawn Zimmerman

CDFA-TEDC Webinar: Financing for Underserved Communities
Wednesday July 26 10:30 - 12:00 PM

Director, Research & Technical Assistance
Council of Development Finance Agencies

Fawn Zimmerman is a Director of Research & Technical Assistance at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) working to create, develop, and execute programming which will help underserved communities gain more access to capital. She is responsible for working on the CDFA Equitable Capital Loan Guarantee Program designed to bring more capital to minority small businesses and the CDFA–NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program focused on curating an extensive database of agricultural resources, providing hands-on technical assistance, and developing culturally significant programming to encourage increased investment in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Fawn studied at Ohio University as a post graduate and holds a BA with honors in Communication from The Ohio State University. She also has extensive experience working within the real estate industry in sales, investing, marketing, and operations; and, she has provided leadership in a variety of settings including classrooms, training sessions, production sets, and writing projects. She has long united her career goals with her philanthropic ones, and looks forward to applying her creative, academic, and work experiences together to promote positive changes within the development finance landscape.



CDFA National Sponsors

  • BNY Mellon
  • Bricker Graydon LLP
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  • Business Oregon
  • CohnReznick
  • Frost Brown Todd LLP
  • Grow America | Formerly NDC
  • Hawes Hill and Associates LLP
  • Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP
  • Ice Miller LLP
  • KeyBanc Capital Markets
  • Kutak Rock LLP
  • McGuireWoods
  • MuniCap, Inc.
  • NW Financial Group, LLC
  • PGAV Planners, LLC
  • Raza Development Fund
  • SB Friedman Development Advisors
  • Stifel Nicolaus
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo Securities
  • Z. The Bond Buyer
Become a Sponsor