President and CEO Carmen Romero Announces New Leadership
Team to Advance APAH’s Mission
Arlington, VA, July 27, 2021—APAH’s new President and CEO Carmen Romero has assembled an expert leadership team that is well-positioned to guide the organization into the future. Many of APAH’s senior staff members have grown their skills and experience at APAH, while others bring relevant experience and perspectives from previous roles. Together, they are equipped with the knowledge and vision to lead APAH through this time of transition and continued growth.
On July 1, Kelly Eichhorn was appointed Chief Operating Officer. Kelly joined APAH in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer. During the past eight years, Kelly’s financial and operational leadership has had a significant and concrete impact on the delivery of APAH’s mission. Her steady hand, professional skills, and leadership are critical to the growth, financial stability, and efficient asset management of APAH and its multifamily rental properties. As COO, Kelly will continue to lead APAH’s finance, asset management, and operational activities, with greater responsibility for risk management.
Also on July 1, Kim Painter was named Director of Talent and Collaboration. Kim started at APAH in 2006 as a summer intern, became a full-time Asset Manager in 2007, and was appointed Chief of Staff in 2013. In that role, Kim recruited and supported the entire staff. In her new role, she will continue to oversee human resources and office operations, while also supporting collaboration throughout the organization around key initiatives, including supportive housing; board governance; strategic planning; and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion projects.
Marquan Jackson, Director of Resident Services, joined APAH in April 2021. Marquan most recently directed the Family Empowerment Program for the Ypsilanti Housing Commission, in partnership with Eastern Michigan University. He brings more than eight years of experience in resident-centered and data-driven program design and creative partnerships, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit to his leadership of APAH’s resident services department.
Earlier this year, Michael Chiappa was named Vice President of Real Estate. Starting as a Real Estate Associate at APAH in 2013, Mike has played a key role in the creation of APAH’s innovative, complex, and mission-focused developments as well as in APAH’s growth beyond Arlington. In addition to his talents in financial modeling and structuring, Mike is respected for his pragmatic problem solving, project management, and leadership abilities. He will use skills and more as he leads APAH’s real estate development team.
APAH Director of Finance Kyle McCandless came to the organization in 2015 as an Accounting Manager. Kyle manages all of APAH’s corporate accounting and is a key partner to the real estate team as they structure APAH’s projects.
Director of Community Relations Cheryl Ramp joined the APAH team in 2015 and dove right into securing APAH’s Community Progress Makers grant from Citi Foundation. Since that time, Cheryl and her team have successfully pursued new funding sources, communication strategies, and policy work to match the growing needs of APAH and its residents.
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APAH’s mission is to develop, preserve, and own quality, affordable places to live; to promote stability and opportunity for our residents; and to advocate with the people and communities we serve. Founded in 1989, APAH now helps more than 2,000 households live in stable, secure, and affordable rental homes. APAH has 500 affordable apartments under construction and an additional 1,000 in its development pipeline. APAH’s Columbia Hills Apartments received the 2019 ULI Washington Trends Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. Both Columbia Hills and Gilliam Place were recognized as Virginia’s Best Affordable Housing project by Virginia Housing. In 2020, APAH was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers by Affordable Housing Finance magazine and in 2021, named Developer of the Year by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers.
