Photo of Paul Bernard

AHC Board Names Paul Bernard New Chief Executive Officer

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Photo of Paul Bernard

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Arlington, VA — AHC Inc.’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Paul Bernard has been unanimously selected as the organization’s new President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will join AHC in his new role on April 4.

Mr. Bernard brings nearly 30 years of experience in urban planning and real estate development, public finance and investing, community development and affordable housing. He has worked in both the public sector as well as the private sector and has extensive external leadership skills working with communities and government officials.  Throughout his career, Mr. Bernard has demonstrated a commitment to addressing economic and social issues, including housing as the foundation for economic success. He has made diversity, equity, and inclusion a cornerstone of his leadership.

Most recently, Mr. Bernard was executive vice president of advisory and educational services at the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a nonprofit research and education organization focused on issues affecting urban communities, including housing. In that role, he managed four international and global-oriented programs and provided development services to municipalities, corporations, students, and real estate professionals. He also led a program that provided dozens of clients with solutions in affordable housing, sustainability/disaster recovery, economic development, mixed-use master planning, urban regeneration, parks and open space and other land-use issues.

Prior to ULI, Mr. Bernard was vice president at Enterprise Community Partners, a Washington, D.C nonprofit improving the lives of low-income residents through housing preservation, community development and by bridging the racial equity gap. While there, he grew a $45M national public sector advisory platform. The consulting practice included 288 diverse clients, including 48 municipalities, 187 public housing authorities, and 53 foundations/nonprofits and private organizations.

Mr. Bernard also worked for Walker & Dunlop, the largest provider of capital to the multifamily industry in the US, as senior vice president of principal investments and prior to that for MMA Realty Capital as a public pension fund advisor. He also was the planning director for the City of Detroit from 1988 to 2002, overseeing $8 billion in new construction projects. And early in his career, Mr. Bernard worked for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, identifying sites for acquisition and development. He currently sits on the Board of Lotus, which houses and includes wrap-around services for formerly homeless residents.

“I am honored to join the AHC team and have long admired the organization’s mission of providing quality affordable housing and outstanding resident services. I am excited about the opportunity to work with local leaders, advocates, and partners to provide much-needed homes and services throughout the Virginia, Maryland, and DC region,” said Bernard.

“Paul has a history of tackling a variety of housing challenges and a track record of leading real change,” says David Barsky, AHC Board Chair. “With his perspective in economics, finance and urban planning — coupled with his passion for affordable housing and its potential to transform lives– we’re thrilled to have him lead AHC forward in its next chapter.”

Mr. Bernard will replace Susan Cunningham who served as Interim CEO since July 2021 and will support AHC as a senior adviser.

Mr. Bernard holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in International Finance from Georgetown University’s Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service. He also holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Urban Economics & Public Finance from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In addition, he has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategy & Finance from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

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About AHC Inc.

Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,800 apartments in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, and adults and seniors each year through onsite education and social service programs and activities. Visit the AHC website for more information.

 Contact

Jennifer  Smith
AHC Inc. Communications Director
703-486‑0626 x1118
jennifer.smith@ahcinc.org

2021 in Review – By the Numbers

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(Arlington, VA – January 5, 2022) 2021 was a challenging and jam-packed year. Many of us – particularly our residents – continued to feel the impacts of the pandemic acutely. AHC also navigated organizational changes as we move to third-party property management and search for our next President & CEO.

Through it all, AHC has continued to work hard to effectively engage with residents and create and preserve more affordable places for people to call home. Here’s a snapshot of what our partners, supporters, and volunteers helped us accomplish in 2021.

  • 1 award (& 342 solar panels). The Apex won Viridiant’s Building Sustainability Award for the Multifamily New Construction Project of the Year.
  • 5 years of College & Career Readiness. Watch the short video celebrating five years of the program and several students who are now out of college.
  • 6 new Board members. AHC elected six new Board members who bring together diverse voices and lived experiences.
  • 16 acres. The acquisition of Landings l and ll preserved 292 affordable apartments on 16 acres in Fairfax County.
  • 27 homeownership opportunities.  A new Montgomery County project will create nearly 200 affordable homes, including 27 homeownership opportunities.
  • 77 new affordable apartments. The redevelopment of Arlington View Terrace will provide 77 new affordable homes with free WiFi and sustainable design elements.
  • 189 renovated homes. Renovations at Greenspring Overlook, the first property we acquired in Baltimore 20 years ago, are almost complete.
  • 350 volunteers. AHC is deeply grateful to the 350 volunteers who worked regularly with our students and helped connect residents to services in 2021.
  • 644 vaccinations. Community partnerships helped vaccinate hundreds of AHC residents in Baltimore, Montgomery County, Arlington, and Alexandria.
  • 1,500 backpacks. Thanks to generous community donors,1,500 AHC students in Virginia and Maryland started school fully prepared.
  • $10 million in rental assistance. Resident Services have helped residents access nearly $10 million in much-needed rental assistance.
  • $170 million DC development. Now underway, Waterfront Station II is an exciting 450-unit, mixed-income, mixed-use new development in Southwest DC.

Photo: Clockwise from top left – Generous donors helped AHC provide 1,500 fully stuffed backpacks to students; Waterfront Station is an exciting 450-unit mixed-income, mixed-use development in Washington, DC; AHC and community partners helped vaccinate hundreds of our residents in the comfort of their homes in Virginia and Maryland; the Apex includes the largest solar array on a multifamily building in Northern Virginia.

About AHC Inc.

Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,500 apartment units in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, and adults and seniors each year through onsite education and social service programs and activities. For more information, visit https://www.ahcinc.org/

 

Building Strong Community and Diversity

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(Arlington, VA – December 21, 2021) The past two years of public health and financial disruption underscore how vital community ties are to each of us. As we move forward into 2022, AHC is focusing on building strong community and diversity in three critical areas: Within AHC apartment communities, across our own organization, and throughout our relationships with local government and community partners.

  1. Residents are AHC’s #1 Priority. Building on our award-winning Resident Services program and active engagement with residents and tenant advocates, we are elevating resident voices across every aspect of our work, from onsite repairs and development plans to board discussions. Initial steps include adding two current AHC residents to our Board, adding a dedicated staff member to coordinate our resident voice and community engagement efforts, and launching a joint CEO-Board organizational-wide community engagement initiative.
  2. Skills and diverse viewpoints support AHC staff, vendors, and board. We are also expanding our customer service training diversity and inclusion efforts to include new trainings on intercultural communication strategies and trauma-informed practices. Our new class of AHC board members brings together diverse voices and lived experiences, including AHC residents, housing professionals, community members, and youth advocates from Montgomery County, Alexandria, and Fairfax.
  3. AHC continues to innovate and collaborate with community and government partners. We are redoubling our commitment to building strong and diverse communities by expanding and deepening our partnerships with the many community organizations and local governments that make our work possible. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to develop innovative and cutting-edge strategies to create and preserve affordable housing where it is most needed throughout the region.

Affordable, stable housing is the foundation for healthy families, individuals, and communities – and increasingly critical in today’s daunting economic climate. At AHC, we are hopeful that, by prioritizing thoughtful engagement and deeper partnerships with the residents and communities we serve, we can make a real difference.

Photo: AHC Inc. Board, clockwise: Wanda L. Pierce, Mildred Mack, Tom Klanderman, Katharine Dixon, Andargachew Legesse Wolde, Jessica Majano-Arriaza, David Barsky, C.C. Jenkins,  and Susan Cunningham. Not pictured: Ginger Brown, Justin C. Oliver, Tedi Osias, and Terron Sims, II. 

AHC Inc. Welcomes New Community Engagement Assistant Director

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(Arlington, VA – December 14, 2021) Affordable housing developer AHC Inc. is pleased to welcome Roxana Hernandez as its new Community Engagement Assistant Director. With over six years of experience in developing and coordinating programs in the mental health, community impact, and housing stability fields, Hernandez will coordinate community engagement across AHC, ensuring resident and community perspectives will inform strategic decision-making throughout the entire organization — from communications to real estate development and property management.

In this newly created role, Hernandez will serve as a liaison to residents, resident advocates, and other community members. She will also work alongside third-party property managers, asset management, and resident services to develop and implement strategies to help ensure AHC’s facilities and on-site staff are meeting residents’ needs.

A resident of Arlington County herself, Hernandez is very familiar with the Greater Washington, D.C. metro area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, and is also a graduate of the Ignite Young Professionals Program with the Leadership Center for Excellence. Additionally, Hernandez has received special training in community engagement, financial capabilities, domestic violence trauma, mental health aid, and COVID-safety. All of these skills will greatly help AHC with its commitment to elevating resident voices and building strong and diverse communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roxana as AHC’s new Community Engagement Assistant Director,” said Jennifer Endo, Vice President of Community Relations. “As AHC continues to prioritize community engagement throughout our strategic decision-making process and foster trust with our residents and the communities we serve, Roxana’s experience and innate ability to connect will be a tremendous asset.”

Hernandez added: “I am so excited to join the AHC family. I look forward to connecting with residents and being able to make a direct positive impact in their lives.”

About AHC Inc.
Founded in 1975, AHC Inc. is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing that provides quality homes and education programs for low-and moderate-income families. Based in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,800 apartment units in 50+ properties in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches 3,000 children, teens, adults, and seniors each year.

AHC Inc. Launches Search for President and CEO

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(December 8, 2021 – Arlington, VA) AHC Inc., a regional non-profit affordable housing developer based in Arlington, VA, officially launched its search for a new President and CEO. The organization is seeking visionary leadership for the staff and community as the organization continues to grow and enhance its holistic approach to providing services and high-quality affordable housing to thousands of residents.

“The AHC Board is looking for a passionate and strong leader who can build on AHC’s track record of success and continue the work toward building a more inclusive and collaborative workplace,” said David Barsky, AHC Board Chair.

Founded in 1975 and known initially as the Arlington Housing Corporation, AHC has evolved into a full-service owner and operator of low- and mixed-income housing communities in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, and the Baltimore area. Through a comprehensive approach that addresses the holistic needs of residents, AHC provides high-quality, service-enhanced living environments that help build stable and productive lives for residents and their communities.

AHC’s program areas include real estate development, resident services, construction management, and asset management.

Learn more about the President & CEO position here.

For further information and to recommend candidates, please contact Peggy Sand at Peggy.Sand@marcumllp.com or Sam Sadiv at Samantha.Sadiv@marcumllp.com.