Martha Abrams-Bell is the Chief Operating Officer of The Abrams Management Company, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts, where she has worked since 1981.  Her long tenure in property management has been focused on affordable housing with experience in a variety of programs including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and Section 8.  In addition to managing affiliated developments, her portfolio experience has includes non-profit and for-profit owners, family, elderly, government-owned and church-owned rental property as well as condos and limited-equity coops.

Martha obtained her COS in 1991 and CMM in 1992 and also holds the SBBS and ERS designations; additional ones include Certified Property Manager (CPM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management and Certified Credit Compliance Professional (C3P) through Spectrum Enterprises.  She has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University with concentrations in Human Resources and Management Information Systems and is a licensed real estate broker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mark S. Alper is Vice President of Compliance for the National Center for Housing Management (NCHM). Mark joined NCHM in 1990 after establishing a career in the civil rights and housing management fields. He is the former Assistant Section 504 Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and worked briefly at HUD before working for two private management companies in the Boston area.

Mark and his expertise in compliance and fair housing issues are widely sought as for training, speaking and consulting engagements. In addition to being responsible for our COS program, Mark conducts 504 Self-Evaluation inspections, policies and procedures reviews, and file audits, and also manages NCHM's technical assistance eHotline service. Nearly 10,000 clients are supported each year, through this free consulting service.

Mark has served as lead developer for numerous NCHM training and consulting initiatives over the years. Most recently, Mark designed NCHM's Upfront Income Verification Plus (UIV-P) program, and is the lead developer for our new "Spotlight On...." mini-webinar series. His monthly "Compliance Corner" column is one of the most widely read features of NCHM's website, and this column has been augmented by NCHM's Compliance Close Up Blog, where Mark contributes musings and information about compliance-related topics.

Mark graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1984 with a B.A. in Political Science. One of NCHM's most versatile trainers, Mark teaches several NCHM programs. A native of Chicago, he currently lives in Florida with his wife and children.

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Deborah is the Vice President and Director of Property Management for Moderate Income Management Company, Inc., an Accredited Management Organization located in Princeton, New Jersey. Ms. Gennello has become widely recognized for turning troubled properties around and restoring tax credits lost to compliance issues. She holds numerous housing certifications including the prestigious Registered Housing Manager (RHM) designation from the National Center of Housing Management and the Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. She is a member of NCHM's National Certification Review Board and has been teaching a variety of courses for NCHM for the past seventeen years (COS, TCS & MORS). Ms. Gennello has received many awards including Landlord of the Year by the Mercer County Alliance to End Homelessness, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Apartment Association. She is listed in the 1998 Who's Who in Real Estate. She and her husband Dominic, reside in Princeton, NJ with their four children.

Curt Hayes serves as Vice President for Lenzy Hayes Inc. and Hayes Realty Inc. In this capacity, he has owned, leased, and sold property for over 25 years. Curt Hayes has experience with all aspects of assisted housing with a background of state, local housing and zoning laws. Curt is a graduate of Indiana University and has a teaching degree in Speech, Business, and telecommunications. Curt holds a Real Estate Broker license from the States of Florida and Indiana. Currently active on the county government planning, regional zoning board and Secretary of a local utility board.  Curt is a real estate marketing consultant and asset evaluator for Chicago Title, Wells Fargo, Citi financial, Regions, Fifth Third, Chase, and Trans-Union Settlements.  Curt is a former Senior Trainer of various HUD programs representing NCHM for over 10 years.  Curt was training for the past 2 years a 3 day Managing HUD Compliance certification course provided by Compliance Solutions an affiliate of Zeffert @ Associates. 

Jo Ikelheimer is a Research & Development Consultant for the National Center for Housing Management. In this capacity, she has been the principal architect and trainer of the Tax Credit Specialist and eTax Credit Specialist courses. Prior to joining the Center in July 1998, Jo was with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency where she worked in Tax Credit, HOME, and Housing Trust Fund compliance and development. She also has experience in Section 8 and Public Housing from several years of PHA employment.

Jo holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master's degree in Public Administration. She resides with her husband, daughter, and two cats in Asheville, NC.

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Pam serves as a trainer for NCHM's Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) program. In addition to training for NCHM, she is currently the Operations Coordinator for Elderly Housing Management in Connecticut. Pam came to the housing industry after leaving a seven-year career as a credentialed chemical dependency counselor in New York. She has a Bachelors degree in Family Studies from the University of Connecticut, with a minor in Music Education, and has attained an RHM though NCHM. Pam, her husband, and a small menagerie reside in Torrington, CT.

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Shane serves as a trainer for NCHM’s Certified Manager of Maintenance (CMM) program.  In addition to training for NCHM, he is currently the Manager of Affordable Housing for The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society where he oversees operational compliance support and training for over 30 affordable housing communities.  Shane came to the housing industry after leaving a five-year career as a middle school and high school teacher.  He has a Bachelors degree in Education from Northern State University with concentrations in social science and business education and has attained an RHM through NCHM.  He resides in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife, Amy and two children, Jaykob and Haylee.

Robert Long instructs NCHM’s Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) and Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) courses. He is also the President of The Compliance Department, LLC, a company that specializes in training and consulting in the area of affordable housing program compliance. Robert is a life-long resident of Kansas City, MO and began working in the affordable housing industry in 1990. He takes pride in working in an industry that helps to make available the basic need of affordable housing to those that it might not otherwise be available to.  Robert has worked for small and large property management companies as a Roving Compliance Consultant and as Director of Compliance. He has developed compliance departments, compliance procedures and training programs for both on-site staff and mid-upper level management.  Robert has overseen compliance aspects of large portfolios from both the property management and investor/syndicator perspectives.  He has monitored compliance for properties in over 30 different States and has experience with many affordable housing programs including LIHTC, HOME, Bonds, Section 8 and other State specific financing programs. Robert thinks Affordable Housing Program Compliance is exciting and if you should find yourself in one of his classes you will surely find it to be both interesting and informative.

Valli joined NCHM in 2006 and instructs the Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) program. Valli is the Director of Affordable Housing for The Canaan Group, a non-profit developer and property management company based in Los Angeles, California. She is also, President and CEO of Making A Difference Consultant Inc., which specializes in affordable housing development, compliance monitoring, property management services, strategic planning, organizational development and training in both the public and private sectors. She is highly knowledgeable with various programs such as: Section 8, HOME, LIHTC, Tax Exempt Multifamily Bonds and CDBG. Valli has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Long Beach State University and holds several industry certifications: COS, HCCP, NCP, AHM, and CPM-Candidate.

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Gwen Smith joined NCHM as a COS Trainer in March of 2009.  In her full time employment, Smith is a Vice President and Regional Asset Manager with Cohen-Esrey Communities, LLC.
Smith joined Cohen-Esrey in 2003 as a District Manager in the firm’s St. Louis Division. During her first year with the company, she earned the District Manager of the Year Award for her achievements in stabilizing difficult assets as well as the successful lease up of several new acquisitions. She was promoted to Senior District Manager in February 2008 and was named to her current position in March of 2009. In her role, Smith assists in strategic planning and implementation, and focuses on training and developing the District Management team to improve overall performance within the company’s portfolio of assets.
Smith has extensive experience in managing and marketing properties of all types, from conventional to affordable, and at all levels of performance and market position.
A Certified Property Manager, and a Certified Occupancy Specialist, Smith is also active in her local IREM Chapter. 

Carrie joined the staff of NCHM in 2006 and instructs the Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) program. Prior to joining NCHM, Carrie held the position of Compliance Agent and Housing Supervisor in a privately owned, multi-million dollar property management company located on the Southern Oregon Coast. Carrie singlehandedly oversaw 20 HUD, Rural Development, and Conventional properties. Carrie resides in Reedsport, OR.

Elizabeth joined NCHM in 2006 and instructs the Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) program. She began her career in 1989 as a leasing agent. Her experience includes working as a Regional Training Director, Software Trainer, Auditor, Senior Accounting Supervisor, Compliance Director and Regional Manager. She is President and Principal of Horizon Housing Management, a property management company. Elizabeth also serves as Director and Vice President of National Development Foundation, a non for profit company dedicated to providing affordable housing. Her diverse background and experience in property management complements her ability as an instructor. Elizabeth holds several industry certifications and designations: TCS, HCCP, C3P, NAHP-e, SHCM, CPO, FHS, COM and MORS. She resides with her husband Pedro and niece Carmen in Oviedo, Florida.

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James joined NCHM in 1991. Prior to working at NCHM, James was an administrator for BankersTrust/Uris Brothers Foundation providing technical assistance and organizational Development to 34 nonprofit housing corporations. James is a certified counselor and brings with him a wealth of organizational development, social services and educational skills.

James instructs NCHM's Certified Manager of Maintenance (CMM), Certified Manager of Housing (CMH) and Realistic Approaches to Drug and Alcohol Reduction (RADAR)

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Lisa Williams serves as a trainer for the NCHM Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS).  Lisa is also the President/Director of Compliance for Affordable Housing Compliance Specialists of Blue Springs, Missouri.  She has experience in development, management and compliance of most any affordable housing i.e.: Section 42 (LIHTC), Section 236, Section 202, RD 515, Bonds, AHP, FHLB and HOME financed properties.  Lisa holds her brokers license and has received multiple industry designations over her past 23 years in the affordable housing business.

Peg joined the staff of NCHM in 2002 and instructs the Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) program. Prior to joining the instructional staff at NCHM, Peg managed all levels of housing management to include; Rural Development, 202/8 for the elderly, 811 PRAC, Tax Credit, 236 and RAP properties. Peg resides in Corning, NY.

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Joe joined NCHM team in 2007 as an instructor and curriculum developer. He teaches the Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) program. Joe has over 20 years of experience in designing, developing and administering developmental needs assessments, as well as, research, design and development of interactive learning programs based on adult learning principles. Joe is an experienced Human Resources professional and holds the Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) designation.

Joe is a graduate for Florida A&M University where he received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Masters of Arts degrees in Adult Education, and Education Administration and Supervision. He also awarded a Masters of Arts degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University. Joe and his wife Brenda have two sons and reside in Jacksonville, FL.

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