CDFA is governed by a 32-member Board of Directors. Policy is developed by the Board of Directors based on committee recommendations and concerns of the membership. Click on the (More) links to learn even more about CDFA’s distinguished leaders.

Staff

CDFA is managed by a professional staff headquartered in Columbus, OH. The staff and various advisors carry out the day-to-day administration of the Council. To contact a member of the staff or an advisor, use the following information.

Council of Development Finance Agencies
100 E. Broad Street, Suite 1200
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614-705-1300

	Toby Rittner President & CEO 614-705-1300 | Toby Rittner is the President & CEO of Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing hundreds of... public, private and non-profit development entities. Members are state, county and municipal development finance agencies and authorities that provide or otherwise support economic development financing programs. Mr. Rittner runs the day-to-day operations of the Council including the organization’s various educational, advocacy, research, resources and networking initiatives. Rittner is one of the most vocal and recognized leaders of the development finance industry nationwide and has advised state and federal government leaders, including President Obama’s Administration Transition Team, on economic development finance policy. Through his leadership and guidance, CDFA was successful in preserving private activity bonds and other critical development finance tools during the 2017 tax reform deliberations. Rittner focuses on sustainable finance with an emphasis on infrastructure, clean energy food systems, small business and innovations in the development finance industry to drive sustainable outcomes. He has written extensively about impact ready initiatives that leverage and engage capital in ways that drive local sustainability in both the environment and economy. Rittner is a frequent speaker at local, state and national conferences and events focused on economic development finance. He has been featured in The Bond Buyer, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR and other national media publications concerning the advancement of development finance tools. He is the author of CDFA's highly acclaimed Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance and co-author of CDFA's Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency. Rittner is an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University teaching planning and finance for sustainable economic development. He is also a Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) and has completed the prestigious Oxford University Sustainable Finance Foundation Course. Prior to joining CDFA, Mr. Rittner was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Mr. Rittner has also worked for the Franklin County, Ohio Board of Commissioners and the City of Gahanna, Ohio. Mr. Rittner previously served on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board and is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Community Fund I. Mr. Rittner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master's of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. Mr. Rittner was awarded the Ohio State University College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2016. (More)
	Katie Kramer Vice President 614-705-1318 | Katie Kramer is a Vice President at the Council of Development Finance Agencies and has been with CDFA since 2005. She is an accomplished non-profit executive with expertise in fundraising, grant writing, operations, and building organizational capacity. In her role at CDFA, she leads Government & External Affairs,... provides technical assistance to communities, and builds strategic partnerships with foundations, federal agencies, and other industry non-profits to grow the professional acumen of CDFA members and the development finance industry at-large. Ms. Kramer interacts with thousands of development finance practitioners each year, guiding them through their professional development and understanding of the diversity of development finance programs. She has developed numerous courses in the CDFA Training Institute, edited several CDFA publications, and designed marketing and communications collateral for the association. Her writing has been featured in publications and reports on development finance, including those commissioned by The Kresge Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, World Bank, U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. She regularly speaks about development finance at national and local conferences and is a guest lecturer at The Ohio State University. Previously, Ms. Kramer served as CDFA’s Director of Education & Programs and Development Director. Before joining CDFA, Ms. Kramer worked in the Assessment Division at Ballard & Tighe, Publishers as Project Coordinator where she managed projects involved with the development of standardized language tests. Prior to Ballard & Tighe, Ms. Kramer was employed by Scripps College as Assistant Director of the Annual Fund where she organized fundraising campaigns for alumnae, parents, and students. She studied art history at Scripps College and holds a BA in English with honors from Cleveland State University. Ms. Kramer is a board member for the Ohio Statewide Development Corporation and serves on the advisory board for St. Agatha School. (More)
	Darnell Moses Vice President 614-705-1310 | As Vice President of Development Finance with CDFA, Mr. Moses works within all facets of CDFA. His expertise enhances the work in Research and Technical Assistance, including working on CDFA Publications; Government Affairs including participating in the Federal Financing Webinar; and Programming with a focus on Course... Advising all areas; but specifically Tax Credit financing. Mr. Moses will play a role in Operations, Budgeting and Professional Development. Additionally, Mr. Moses will work in certain areas with the Board of Directors of CDFA. Prior to CDFA, Mr. Moses was the Administrator of Contracts and Compliance for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. In this role, he oversaw the administration of over 350 contracts that expensed in excess of $900 Million. He was also responsible for fiscal and corporate compliance of these contracts. Mr. Moses spent 15 years with the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, of which 10 years were spent as the Manager of The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, Allegheny County Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Development Authority, Higher Education Building Authority, Residential Finance Authority and The Authority for Improvements in Municipalities. He managed the day-to-day responsibilities of each of these Authorities while simultaneously overseeing various projects. Projects consisted of the issuance of over $5 billion dollars in Tax-Exempt/Tax Increment Financing; Management of a $50 million dollar loan fund; the creation of a $6 million dollar grant fund; and the creation of a Municipal Consolidation Fund. Mr. Moses has spoken on the efficiencies of administering multiple Authorities while working with government entities. He provided consulting to development agencies, and more recently, he has spoken frequently on the importance of Non-Profit Management/Governance. Mr. Moses has a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law. (More)
	Amanda Crawford Director, Development 614-705-1304 | As the Director of Development, Amanda Crawford oversees CDFA sponsorship, partnership, and membership efforts. Amanda comes to CDFA from Special Olympics Ohio, where she held the position as Director of Development and led a direct report team of three members. As a member of the management team, she was involved in... strategic planning, marketing & branding, and assisted with identifying, setting, and executing organizational goals and objectives. Amanda led the design, implementation, and direction of comprehensive development and stewardship plans including individual, corporate, and community service clubs, as well as fundraising and program event sponsorships. Collectively, Amanda is a development professional with over a decade of successful experience in resource development, donor stewardship as well as volunteer recruitment and retention. Amanda specializes in the standardization of processes and procedures for data management. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace, Amanda regularly develops internal wellness campaigns to assist employees with effective strategies for work-life balance, as well as health and wellness. Amanda currently resides in Mount Sterling and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Kent State University. In Amanda’s free time, she enjoys hiking and outdoors, but can also be found working on a vast array of home renovation projects. (More)
	Pearl-Jean Mabe Director, Research & Technical Assistance 614-705-1315 | As the Director of Research & Technical Assistance at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Pearl-Jean Mabe is responsible for managing and directing CDFA’s research projects, technical assistance requests, resource collection, information sharing, newsletter publications, headlines review, and educational... efforts. Prior to joining CDFA, Ms. Mabe was the Downtown Program Coordinator with Heritage Ohio where she assisted in the coordination of the Ohio Main Street Program, a grassroots, nationally recognized, historic preservation and downtown revitalization program. During her time there she engaged with a broad range of communities throughout Ohio, helped launch the Young Ohio Preservationists, hosted a monthly webinar series, assisted with statewide workshops and conferences, and was responsible for marketing and communications efforts including modernizing Heritage Ohio’s website and designing and publishing Revitalize Ohio Magazine. Ms. Mabe served two terms as an AmeriCorps member through the Ohio History Connection’s Ohio History Corps. and continues to serve on the board for The Young Ohio Preservationists, promoting preservation as a positive agent for change, and educating, inspiring and motivating Ohioans to preserve their built heritage. Ms. Mabe holds a Bachelor of Science in City & Regional Planning with a focus on sustainable systems and practices from The Ohio State University. (More)
	Hannah Mcconnell Director, Programming 614-705-1305 | As the Director of Programming, Hannah McConnell oversees the day-to-day activities and execution of CDFA programming including: the CDFA National Development Finance Summit, state events, tailored seminars and webinars, as well as the CDFA Training Institute, Summer School, and the DFCP program. Prior to joining CDFA,... Ms. McConnell was a Continuing Medical Education Coordinator with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. With OSUWMC, she oversaw event logistics, marketing efforts, education certification standards, and speaker coordination for state and nationwide events that provided continuing education credit to practicing physicians across the country. Ms. McConnell holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University. (More)
	Genna Auteri Manager, Education 614-705-1303 | As the Manager of Education, Genna is responsible for the CDFA Training Institute; planning the online WebCourses and in-person trainings. Genna also plans and executes CDFA's Summer School and oversees the Development Finance Certified Professional Program or DFCP - a comprehensive certification program exclusively... offered by CDFA. Prior to working at CDFA, Genna sharpened her data analysis and visualization skills by working for a nonprofit focused on community based research and data. Genna is most proud of her work on a comprehensive report about sex trafficking in Central Ohio and facilitating focus groups with low income women about their childcare needs. Genna is a graduate of Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and a Master’s degree in Sociology with a focus on intersectionality and gender violence. Genna also works as an adjunct instructor at Columbus State Community College where she teaches Introduction to Sociology. (More)
	Adam Gumm Manager, Marketing & Communications 614-705-1307 | Adam Gumm is the Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and has been with CDFA since July 2018. Mr. Gumm is responsible for executing CDFA marketing efforts through our print, web and social media channels. Adam assists in day-to-day content creation as well as... maximizing our marketing messages and brand awareness during CDFA events. Mr. Gumm has an entrepreneurial background working with various small businesses and non-profits on their digital media and marketing efforts. Adam's skill set also includes web development, photography and video editing which will help expand CDFA's network and brand awareness. Mr. Gumm holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Computer Information Technology from the Purdue University. (More)
	Noelle Sheets Manager, Membership 614-705-1300 | Noelle Sheets is the Membership Manager for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In this role, Ms. Sheets manages the development of recruitment and retention strategies to meet the demands of CDFA's growing membership. Noelle's main objective is to do whatever it takes to ensure CDFA member organizations... receive the highest level of customer service. Ms. Sheets joins CDFA with a broad range of experience within nonprofit associations including SSTI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Central Ohio and the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland. She is skilled at connecting with people in an authentic and impactful manner that leads to effective collaboration and shared success. Ms. Sheets holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Capital University. (More)
	Meghan Wentz Manager, Operations 614-705-1301 | Meghan Wentz is the Operations Manager at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Mrs. Wentz is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CDFA Staff and Office. Her responsibilities extend from Human Resources, IT, and Accounting to Payroll and New Employee Orientation. She also works with the staff to... ensure proper procedures and standard practices are kept in place to ensure an efficient workplace environment. As a liaison between CDFA Staff and vendors, Meghan allows for more time to be spent on CDFA tasks and goals.  Meghan has previously spent time building her professional skill set at several positions that range from professional sales to retirement investment administration, before joining CDFA in 2019.  Meghan graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and French Languages. (More)
	Stephanie Brewer Program Coordinator 614-705-1302 | Stephanie Brewer is the Coordinator of Programming at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Stephanie is responsible to build and execute events, coordinate logistics, secure speakers, facilitate marketing and provide pre- and post- event management. These events that are being coordinated are CDFA's Training... Institutes, which involves: online Webinars and in person conferences. Stephanie coordinates these events by developing agendas, outlines, and curriculums. She assists with the conference and training related planning and logistics of the event. This involves coordinating speaker details and information, and addressing the attendee experiences and on-site and remote logistics. In order to get attendees, Ms. Brewer advertises CDFA's Training Institutes by informing participants what they can learn through newsletters, emails, and other digital content. Prior to joining CDFA, Stephanie was a Sales Representative for Nabisco. With Nabisco, Stephanie worked with grocery stores to get optimal locations for Nabisco's products. She used data and marketing materials for the extra space and prime locations. She coordinated executing extra display activity and marketing trends. Stephanie Brewer holds a MBA with NorthCentral University and a Bachelors in Science focusing on Marketing/Sales at Bowling Green State University. (More)
	Malcolm Guy Coordinator, Government & External Affairs 614-705-1306 | As a Coordinator of Government & External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Malcolm Guy is primarily responsible for the organization’s government affairs and legislative activities. Mr. Guy manages relationships with federal agencies and coordinates advocacy efforts with CDFA’s legislative... partners. His areas of focus chiefly include bond financing, federal financing programs, opportunity zones, and tracking economic development legislation. In addition to his aforementioned principal duties, Mr. Guy manages several webinar series’ for CDFA and organizes several major projects. These have included the redesign of CDFA’s Resource Centers, Federal Financing Clearinghouse, the Online Resource Database, the production of a Rural Infrastructure Financing Guidebook, and various other internal projects. Mr. Guy has also been charged with updating CDFA's Bond Guide as well as managing the CDFA Federal Financing Clearinghouse. Prior to joining CDFA, Mr. Guy was an Intern in the United States Senate. Mr. Guy also worked with a non-profit climate action group and various other political entities involved in grassroots campaign organizing. Mr. Guy is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is the proud holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, with Minors in City & Regional Planning, as well as in International Relations. (More)
	James Metz Coordinator, Research and Technical Assistance 614-705-1316 | James Metz is a Coordinator on the Research and Technical Assistance team at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). James’ area of focus includes Tax Increment Finance, Special Assessments, Brownfields, and Water Finance. This includes producing newsletters and webinars, providing technical assistance to CDFA... members, and assisting on research projects. Currently, James manages the brownfields program that provides technical assistance and resources on brownfields redevelopment financing to communities through-out the country. Before joining CDFA, James earned his degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and served in the U.S. Army with the 1-501st Airborne Unit. (More)
	Allison Rowland Coordinator, Research & Technical Assistance 614-705-1308 | As a Coordinator on the Research and Technical Assistance team, Allison manages CDFA’s food systems finance work and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded initiative to “define the food system asset class” to advance opportunities and leverage existing financing streams to scale local and regional food systems by increasing... access to healthy foods and creating new living wage jobs in communities across the country. Throughout this work, Allison has collaborated with hundreds of stakeholders and co-authored five publications in the Food Finance White Paper Series. Allison also is working alongside five pilot projects across the country, leads the Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, and is initiating technical assistance to communities to position their resources and financial products to support equitable, local food systems. Allison also researches financing for the energy sector and economic development tools for Native American communities, as well as produces several monthly newsletters and manages various webinars. Allison is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in City and Regional Planning.. (More)
	Ariel Miller Associate, Research & Technical Assistance 614-705-1319 | Ariel Miller is an Associate in the Research & Technical Assistance division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). She is working on the W.K. Kellogg funded research project “Defining the Food System Asset Class,” through which CDFA is researching the potential for DFA's to become more engaged in... developing localized food systems via traditional finance approaches such as bonds, tax increment finance, tax credits, and revolving loan funds. Over the last decade, Ms. Miller has dedicated her career to building a more equitable and resilient food system that is economically, ecologically, and socially viable. She is pursuing a Master’s in City and Regional Planning at Ohio State University, where she also received a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology. Before returning to school, she spent 5 years at Mid-Ohio Foodbank working primarily with their Strategic & Organizational Development team. Ms. Miller currently serves as the Chair of the Franklin County Local Food Council, which partners with the City of Columbus and Franklin County Economic Development and Planning to implement the City/County Local Food Action Plan. (More)

Advisors

	James Carras CDFA Housing Finance Course Advisor Principal Carras Community Investment, Inc. James Carras is a member of the faculty at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and... Graduate School of Design as well as Tufts University’s Department of Urban Policy and Planning. He has been consulting with mission-driven organizations and government agencies as well as financial institutions and developers for the past 30 years. James and his consulting firm, Carras Community Investment, Inc., has facilitated the creation and capitalizationof over fifty community development corporations (CDCs), development financial institutions (CDFIs) and public private partnership initiatives. He is the author of numerous affordable housing and equity studies and revitalization plans and has served as the Founding Executive Director of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, the Founding President of the Broward Housing Partnership and the South Florida Community Land Trust. Prior to establishing his consulting business, he served as a Community Development Advisor to the Mayor of Boston and was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Urban Reinvestment Advisory Group where he was awarded the John Hay Whitney Fellowship. Mr. Carras is recognized as a national development finance expert with a particular focus on New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, the Community Development Financial Institution Fund and the Community Reinvestment Act. Mr. Carras was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Sociology from Suffolk University in Boston, completed graduate work at Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and received a Master’s Degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in Public Administration. He is certified by the National Development Council (NDC) as an Economic Development Finance Professional and completed NDC”s Rental Housing Finance course. He is also certified as a Leadership Facilitator by the Lincoln Land Institute. Mr. Carras has published various articles and publications including ones focusing on New Markets Tax Credits for the American Planners Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Community Reinvestment Act for the American Planners Association, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, National League of Cities and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Affordable Housing Loan Consortia for the National Association for Affordable Housing Lenders. He served as Chair for the Broward Housing Council and the Broward County Minority Economic Development Board and also as Vice Chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Economic Development Advisory Board. He served as Vice Chairman of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board of Directors, and is currently a Coordinator the South Florida Harvard Kennedy School Network Coordinating Committee, and Vice Chair for the Broward Schools Committee for Harvard College. Mr. Carras has also served on the Board of Directors for St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, the Broward Alliance for Neighborhood Development, Haymarket Bank and advisory boards for the United Way of Broward County, Neighborhood Lending Partners and Paradise Bank. For eight years, he served as the Chairman for the Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival as well as the President of the Himmarshee Village Association.  (More)
	Brian Cooper CDFA Bond Finance Course Advisor Director Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP A twelve year veteran to the Public Finance and Economic Development arena Brian specializes in general... obligation and revenue based project and public finance. Mr. Cooper financial matters that range from credit strategy, debt issuance and management, financial operations, capital planning and support, management review and budgeting and forecasting. Brian serves the Ohio public finance market and has worked with issuers large and small including the City of Akron, Development Finance Authority of Summit County, City of Wadsworth, the City of Grandview Heights and City of Tallmadge and the City of Cuyahoga Falls. Brian has also worked with regional authorities such as the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) and State level issuers including the State Treasurer and the Ohio Public Facilities Commission. Mr. Cooper has completed over 120 distinct project financings representing over $2.75 billion in financed projects. Mr. Cooper graduated from the Ohio State University in 2001 and is registered as a municipal advisor with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Mr. Cooper serves as a board member to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority and a trustee to the Worthington Education Foundation. Cooper joined Umbaugh in 2015 when his practice, ACI Advisors, LLC, merged with Umbaugh. He is based in Umbaugh’s Columbus, Ohio, office and lives in Worthington, Ohio with his wife Patty and their three boys, Alex, Calvin and Ivan. (More)
	Brian Farnen Secretary & CDFA PACE Finance Course Advisor General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer Connecticut Green Bank As General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for the Connecticut Green Bank, Brian directs all legal,... legislative and regulatory affairs for the nation’s first green bank established in July 2011, a global leader in renewable and energy efficiency financing and winner of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government Ash Award for innovation in 2017. Brian’s counsel is helping the Green Bank realize its mission of leveraging public and private funds to scale-up renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency projects. In fact, the Green Bank has mobilized over $1 billion of total clean energy investment since 2012. Directly prior to the Green Bank, Brian was a Senior Attorney with United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft business unit, providing legal counsel for strategic international campaigns, as well as all of Sikorsky’s global environmental, energy, health and safety legal matters. Brian also has worked as an attorney for MassMutual Financial Group and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge. Brian was awarded by the Connecticut Law Tribune as the “Best In-House Counsel” of the Year in 2018 and previously named a “New Leader in the Law” in 2013. He is passionate about the renewable energy space, teaches ethics and finance as an adjunct professor, is a board member of the Council of Development Finance Agencies and the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Business Association, and is a former member of the CT Judicial Review Counsel. Brian obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Masters of Business Administration (Finance) and Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut. (More)
	Ellen Harpel CDFA Incentives Course Advisor Founder Smart Incentives Ellen Harpel is the founder of Smart Incentives and president of Business Development Advisors LLC (BDA), an... economic development and market intelligence consulting firm. She has helped many communities evaluate the competitiveness of their incentives offerings. Using the Smart Incentives 4 x 4 framework, she continues to work with communities to implement policies that enable them to achieve their development goals while making smart fiscal and economic decisions. Recent projects include competitive analyses of state and city incentive policies and assessments of incentive management and evaluation programs. Dr. Harpel speaks and writes frequently on incentive policies and programs. Dr. Harpel is a Senior Research Fellow with the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness and an affiliate with the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. She is a member of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Virginia Economic Developers Association, and the European Association for Research on Services (RESER). Dr. Harpel earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, and a doctoral degree in regional economics from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. (More)
	Seth Kirshenberg CDFA P3 Course Advisor Partner Kutak Rock LLP Mr. Kirshenberg is a Partner in the Washington, DC office and is the firm’s co-chair of the national energy... group and P3 infrastructure groups.  He advises clients in the acquisition, selling, leasing and development of domestic and international energy projects.  He has worked on the financing and structuring of over $15 billion in government privatized transactions. He regularly structures, negotiates, documents and closes large, complex transactions for lenders, developers, contractors, utilities, federal agencies, state entities, municipalities and reviews such transactions for rating agencies. Mr. Kirshenberg’s unique practice requires him to work on all phases of projects including design and construction, financing, operation, work-outs, legislative authority development, federal agency policy, procurement and budgetary scoring, and everything in between.   In the energy arena, Mr. Kirshenberg has closed transactions involving energy efficiency, smart-grid, battery storage, smart-house demonstration, photo-voltaic (PV), low-flow turbine generation, wind, co-generation facilities, bio-fuel facilities, energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs), utility energy savings contracts (UESCs), PACE, and other energy projects. He is working on small modular reactor projects, tri-generation projects and first of a kind energy production and storage projects.  (More)
	Eric Silva CDFA Legislative Representative Principal North South Government Strategies Eric Silva serves as CDFA's Legislative Representative in Washington, DC. Eric has been an instrumental part... of CDFA's legislative workings. Eric Silva is a founding partner at NSGS. He began his career in Washington as a Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center and the Corporation For Enterprise Development before serving as an aide to Senator James Jeffords (I-VT) and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Prior to founding NSGS, Eric practiced law for more than eight years in the Government and Regulatory Affairs group of Winston & Strawn LLP, a major international law firm. Mr. Silva has significant experience in a number of policy areas, including tax, agriculture, financial services, health care, energy and the environment, and trade. Mr. Silva has successfully advocated for client interests on some of the most significant legislation of the past decade, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, the Affordable Care Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the 2008 and 2012 Farm Bills. While practicing law, Mr. Silva served as legal counsel to clients on matters related to the Federal Election Campaign Act, the Lobbying Disclosure Act and congressional and executive branch ethics rules. He also served as in-house counsel to a major law firm Political Action Committee. Mr. Silva received a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. While at Boston College, he was a member of the University President’s Council on Student Formation and the recipient of the Congressman John Joseph Moakley Award for International Service. In law school, he competed on the Notre Dame International Moot Court Team and represented clients pro bono on a variety of matters through the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic. Eric proudly serves as a Board Director for the Congressional Hunger Center, Boston College Alumni Association, and the Belfast Beltway Boxing Project. (More)
	Tony Smith CDFA TIF & Tax Credit Course Advisor Executive Vice President SB Friedman Development Advisors Tony Q. Smith is an Executive Vice President with S. B. Friedman & Company, a development advisory firm based... in Chicago's Loop. He has extensive experience in financial analysis, public-private deal structuring for complex projects, tax credit finance, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). In the past seven years, he has participated in structuring, underwriting, and negotiation of approximately $1.2 billion of public-private financing for about $2.9 billion of projects. He has led all of SB Friedman's New Markets Tax Credit-related assignments, including the preparation of successful NMTC allocation applications securing about $485 million of allocation, and structuring/closing of over $700 million in NMTC transactions. During his tenure with SB Friedman, Tony has provided technical support, financial analysis, and strategic guidance to public, private and non-profit organizations seeking to facilitate high-quality urban redevelopment and challenging, catalytic projects. His clients have included, among others, large municipalities such as the Cities and redevelopment agencies of Chicago, Dallas, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh. Tony holds both a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master's from the University of Pennsylvania. (More)
	Stephen Strnisha CDFA EB-5 Course Advisor Chief Executive Officer Cleveland International Fund As CEO since March, 2012, Mr. Strnisha has been responsible for formulating and executing the Cleveland... International Fund’s (CiF) strategic vision of maximizing the EB-5 opportunity for major development projects in Ohio's major metropolitan areas  and beyond. So far this has included raising $225 million from overseas investors for among others the Flats East Bank (Phases 1 and 2), the University Hospital System expansion, Uptown in University Circle, the new Westin Hotel adjacent to the Cleveland Convention Center, and the expansion of the Crocker Park development in connection with construction of a new corporate headquarters for American Greetings Headquarters.  CiF’s footprint currently includes the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Columbus, and Cincinnati.  CiF can also assist with EB-5 financings in   Kentucky, Western Pennsylvania, and Tennessee,. Mr. Strnisha is a former senior bond analyst with Moody’s Investor Service, investment banker specializing in structured finance, and Director of Finance and Mayor’s Chief Development Officer for the City of Cleveland. In that position he played a major role in developing and implementing the financing of several high profile projects including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. Following his public sector service he served as Cleveland Tomorrow’s Deputy Director and Chief Development & Finance Officer of its successor, the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Between 2005 and 2012 Mr. Strnisha provided financial consulting services to developers and companies seeking both public and private sources of capital for major real estate projects. Among others his clients included Developers Diversified Realty, American Greetings Corporation, AmTrust Financial Services, and the developers of the Flats East Bank as they secured $275 million in public and private sources for the initial phase of their mixed-use waterfront project in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Strnisha provided these services first as President of Strnisha Development Advisors (“SDA”) and then as a Director of SDA’s successor, Project Management Consultants.  Serving as a consultant to CiF since 2009, Mr. Strnisha joined the company in 2012, becoming CEO and a principal owner. During his tenure with CiF he has implemented new corporate governance and accountability measures and involved the company in industry efforts to promote “Best Practices” for EB-5 practitioners. He has also served for the past two years on the Governing Board of Invest in the USA, ("IIUSA"), the trade association of the EB-5 industry, as its Secretary Treasurer. Mr. Strnisha received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Master’s degree from Syracuse University. (More)

More Press Releases

CDFA Legal & Financial Disclaimer
CDFA is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, financial or other advisory services, nor does CDFA intend that the material included herein be relied upon to the exclusion of outside counsel or a municipal advisor. This publication, report or presentation is intended to provide accurate and authoritative general information and does not constitute advising on any municipal security or municipal financial product. CDFA is not a registered municipal advisor and does not provide advice, guidance or recommendations on the issuance of municipal securities or municipal financial products. Those seeking to conduct complex financial transactions using the best practices mentioned in this publication, report or presentation are encouraged to seek the advice of a skilled legal, financial and/or registered municipal advisor. Questions concerning this publication, report or presentation should be directed to info@cdfa.net.

CDFA Non-Discrimination Policy
The Council of Development Finance Agencies does not discriminate in any manner contrary to law or justice on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its programs or activities, including employment, membership, participation and sponsorship.

CDFA Cancellation Policy
Written cancellations received by email or mail on or before 10 business days prior to the start of the events you are registered for will receive a refund less a $75 administrative charge. No cancellations will be received or refunds issued after this date, however, a substitute may attend at no additional charge. No refunds are given for no-shows; however, the registrant may request that course materials be sent. CDFA is not responsible for cancellations that were sent but never received. Please call to confirm receipt of any such requests. A cancellation confirmation email will be sent within 10 days. Please contact CDFA if you do not receive a confirmation.