Advancing Housing Solutions 3rd Annual Regional Housing Summit Speakers
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Legislative Keynote – Special Remarks
Legislative Keynote Speaker: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
Senator Tim Kaine was elected to the Senate in 2012 and serves on the Armed Services; Budget; Foreign Relations; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees. Tim has made boosting job opportunities for everyone a top priority. As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Tim focuses on expanding access to job-training programs to ensure that students of all ages are prepared with the skills they need for the jobs of the modern economy. Tim has also led successful efforts in the Senate to reduce unemployment for military families and veterans.
As a senator from one of the states most closely connected to the military and the father of a Marine Reservist, Tim is focused on crafting smart defense strategy and reducing the risk of unnecessary war. He works to ensure that the military has the resources it needs to keep the country safe and that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits and care they have earned. He has also been the leading voice against presidents starting wars without a vote by Congress.
Tim believes that health care is a right, not something reserved just for those who can afford it, and has consistently pushed for reforms to expand access to quality care. This includes legislation to give Americans more options for affordable health insurance and to combat the opioid abuse epidemic.
Tim grew up working in his father’s ironworking shop in Kansas City. His parents taught him the value of hard work and showed him how small businesses and technical skills strengthen this country every day. After graduating from the University of Missouri, he started his public service career by running a technical school founded by Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He trained teenagers to become carpenters and welders, equipping them with skills to lift up themselves and their communities.
He was first elected to office in 1994, serving as a city councilmember and then Mayor of Richmond. He became Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2002 and was inaugurated as Virginia’s 70th Governor in 2006. He is married to Anne Holton, who served as Virginia Secretary of Education from 2014 until 2016 and as the Interim President of George Mason University from 2019 until 2020; she now teaches education policy at GMU. They both revel in the adventures of their three grown children and live in Richmond.
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Keynote – From Talk to Action: Building a Regional Housing Coalition
Keynote Speaker: Nichele Carver, Principal, NJC Strategic Planning and Consulting, LLC
Nichele Carver is the Principal of NJC Strategic Planning and Consulting, LLC, bringing more than 28 years of experience in the homeless services field. She began her career as an outreach worker in Richmond, Virginia, and went on to serve on the leadership team that achieved a 34% reduction in overall homelessness and made Virginia the first state to functionally end veteran homelessness. She later led the Commonwealth of Virginia’s homeless services system through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring access to safe shelter during an unprecedented crisis. Before launching her consulting firm, Nichele most recently served as Senior Regional Advisor on the National Initiatives Team at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, supporting New York, New Jersey, and the New England states. She previously co-chaired the Council of State Community Development Agencies’ national homeless committee and was a founding member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Racial Equity Network. In 2012, she was named one of Virginia’s housing field’s top “40 under 40.” Today, as Principal of NJC Strategic Planning and Consulting, LLC, Nichele partners with localities, states, and non-profit organizations nationwide to move from vision to action through strategy, equity, and leadership. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia State University and an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Lunch Plenary – Federal Housing Impact
Isabel McLain – Director of Policy and Advocacy – Virginia Housing Alliance
Isabel McLain is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA), a statewide nonprofit advocating to address homelessness and increase access to affordable housing. Isabel leads VHA’s state and federal advocacy and organizing efforts. Prior to VHA, Isabel worked as the Research and Policy Analyst for Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME). Isabel has lived in Richmond with her dog, Jasper, for over 4 years. Before coming to Virginia, Isabel worked with the Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) to advance equitable policies and practices in Maryland. In addition, Isabel spent several years as a case manager for people experiencing housing instability and homelessness. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore with a focus on community action and social policy.
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Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Pamela Yeung – Regional Housing Assembly Vice Chair – Stafford County Board of Supervisors
Dr. Pamela Yeung serves as Vice Chair of the Regional Housing Assembly and represents the Garrisonville District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, where she has served as both Vice Chair and Chair. As Chair, she sat on Stafford’s Workforce and Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Assembly, which was passed to become a standing body to advance housing goals in the county’s comprehensive plan. Professionally, Dr. Yeung is an IT consultant for Fortune 500 companies and a professor at regional community colleges, where she mentors future leaders. She champions smart growth and workforce housing, recognizing the vital connection between housing, land use, transportation, and economic competitiveness, and is deeply committed to strengthening opportunities for families, workers, and the community. Dr. Pamela Yeung continues to advocate for policies that expand access to sustainable, affordable housing for all.
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Regional Housing Assembly Engagement Session
Tom Morley – President and Managing Director – Snowflake Consulting, LLC
Tom Morley is Founder, President, and Managing Director of Snowflake Consulting, a Certified B Corporation® consultancy working with organization’s to elevate people and communities. Over 25 years, he has provided strategy, cost-effectiveness, workforce, and marketing expertise to more than 150 non-profit, public, and private sector clients, collaborating with C-level executives and senior teams to co-create tailored solutions for sustainability, performance, and growth. His clients include Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Winchester, Roanoke, and Loudoun County, the Neighborhood Development Coalition in Denver, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and many others addressing pressing social and economic challenges.
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The Intersection of Business Attraction and Housing
Todd Gillingham – Vice President of Marketing and Operations – Fredericksburg Regional Alliance
Joining the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance in 2005, Todd held several positions within the organization before being named Vice President of Marketing and Operations. Todd works to develop and implement the organization’s marketing and regional business recruitment strategies and oversees the FRA’s economic development project management. His demographic and economic research experience has assisted hundreds of private sector businesses and has helped guide local governments in their strategic planning efforts. He is the immediate past-President of the Germanna Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors and has previously served on the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce NOW Board of Directors.
Sarah Brooks – Director of Business and Financial Services – Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Sarah Brooks serves as Director of Business & Financial Services at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where she leads strategies to strengthen Virginia’s knowledge-work economy and support business attraction across the Commonwealth. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Better Housing Coalition and frequently speaks on the intersection of housing, workforce affordability, and economic development.
Josh Summits – Director – Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism
With more than a decade working for local municipal government in community and economic development positions Josh is currently serving as the City of Fredericksburg’s Director, Economic Development and Tourism. Prior to arriving with the City he served most recently with Stafford County Department of Economic Development as their Business Development Manager and Acting Director roles. Additionally, Josh held economic development positions for the City of Johnstown (PA) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (PA) before moving to the Fredericksburg region in October 2019. Josh earned a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from West Virginia University, a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is recognized by the National Development Council as a designated Economic Development Finance Professional.
Sarah Oldaker – Economic Development Program Director – George Washington Regional Commission
Sarah Oldaker is the Economic Development Program Director at the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC), where she manages the GO Virginia Region 6 program which funds economic development grants for Planning District 16, the Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula. In addition to GO Virginia, Sarah has been coordinating the development of Planning District 16’s first ever Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Sarah has been with the GWRC since July of 2022 and currently sits on the Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board and the Foundation First/Ready Region North Central Childcare Task Force. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University and a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from the University of Virginia.
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Solving Affordable Housing Through Local Partnerships: Spotsylvania County
Mike Jones – Principal Owner – Tricord Companies
Mike Jones is the Principal owner of the Tricord Companies, the developer of over 50 communities in the Fredericksburg region. He began his real estate career in 1976 in Alaska but relocated to Virginia in 1981. He has served on numerous organizational boards and is an active member of Grace Church of Fredericksburg. Mike & his wife, Terri, have four married children and sixteen grandchildren.
Carl Bardy – Executive Director – Central Virginia Housing
Carl G. Bardy is the Executive Director of Central Virginia Housing, where he leads efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across the region. Since taking on the role in 2022, Carl has overseen significant growth—expanding CVH’s portfolio from 65 to 170 managed units—directly providing affordable homes to more families in the community. With over 35 years of leadership experience across nonprofit management, business development, and community engagement, he is dedicated to building partnerships that strengthen housing access. A Spotsylvania resident, Carl is a proud husband, father of five, and grandfather to seven.
Michelle Winters – CEO – Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust
Michelle Winters has been the CEO of the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust since June 2024 after serving on the nonprofit’s board for 3 years. She has been in the housing industry for three decades, most recently serving as a consultant for the Arlington Community Foundation, Acting Director of Loudoun County’s Department of Housing and Community Development, and Executive Director of the Alliance for Housing Solutions in Arlington. She previously worked on national housing policy and programs at the Urban Land Institute, NeighborWorks America, LISC and Fannie Mae. Michelle received her BA in Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech and her Master in City Planning from MIT.
Jayne Johnson – Executive Director – Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity
Jayne Johnson is the Executive Director of Greater Fredericksburg HFH ( GFHFH). In 2024, she began leading GFHFH. By bringing over two decades of leadership experience in housing at the local, state, and national levels, Jayne is guiding the affiliate in pursuing innovative partnerships to increase homeownership opportunities for families in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and King George counties. Johnson lives in Spotsylvania County, and is a proud wife, mother and grandmother. Currently, Johnson serves at Chairperson of the Virginia Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors
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Land Trusts, Land Banks, Strike Funds, and Housing Trust Funds: When to Use and Which?
David Ellis – County Manager – Wake County, NC
The Wake County Board of Commissioners named David Ellis County Manager on Feb. 12, 2018. Ellis had served as interim county manager following the retirement of Jim Hartmann on Oct. 27, 2017. Ellis started his tenure with Wake County in February 2015 when he accepted a deputy county manager position. In that role, he oversaw several departments, including Human Services, Community Services and Environmental Services. Prior to coming to Wake County, Ellis served as assistant city manager in Charlottesville, Va., for three years. He also held positions in Fairfax County, Va., including assistant to the county executive, assistant director of Human Services, and manager of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Department of Code Compliance. Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. He also holds the distinction of credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association. In addition, Ellis successfully completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program in 2017.
John Harbin – Executive Director – Chesapeake Land Bank Authority
John Harbin is the Executive Director of the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority where he leads the Authority’s initiatives to preserve and transform vacant, underutilized, deteriorated, and tax-delinquent properties in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. John has over 10 years of planning and development experience in both the public and private sectors and has supported a variety of environmental, land use, infrastructure, and economic development projects. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. John is an active member of the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Donna Stallings – Stewardship and Community Engagement Manager – Maggie Walker Community Land Trust
Donna Stallings serves as the Stewardship and Community Engagement Manager at Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, where she assists first-time homebuyers in achieving access to affordable and sustainable housing. With an extensive career in the housing industry, Ms. Stallings has held leadership and program management roles including Housing Program Manager, Housing Stability Manager, Grant Programs Officer, Director of Grants Management, and Compliance Officer. She is a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor and holds multiple professional certifications from NeighborWorks America, including Certified Homeownership Program Manager, Housing Counselor, and Foreclosure Intervention Counselor. In addition, Ms. Stallings contributed to the development of Virginia Housing’s Mortgage Readiness Training curriculum and helped facilitate training for Housing Counselors across the statewide network.
Luis Oyola – Executive Director – Piedmont Community Land Trust
Luis Oyola is a long-time resident of Charlottesville, originally from Puerto Rico, who has advocated for housing needs in our region along a multitude of fronts, and in the ways housing intersects with the needs of marginalized communities in our region. He studied Environmental Science and Latin American Studies at the University of Virginia from 2008-12. His work has included organizing for immigrant rights, supporting public housing residents, directing the community organizer team at the Legal Aid Justice Center and, most recently, being the executive director of the Piedmont Community Land Trust.
Megan Samples – Housing & Community Health Program Coordinator – George Washington Regional Commission
Megan Samples started working with the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) and the Fredericksburg Regional CoC in September 2023 as the Program Coordinator. Prior to moving to a staff position, Megan sat on the CoC Board from July 2021 and was serving as Vice-Chair when she left to accept the staff position. Megan serves as a staff member on the GWRC housing team and staffs the Regional Housing Assembly, the Fredericksburg Regional Continuum of Care, and other regional community health efforts. Megan holds a B.A. in International Studies with a concentration on Social Justice Studies and Anthropology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Megan is also involved in a number of community volunteer efforts.
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Solving Affordable Housing Through Local Partnerships: King George County
Mary Parnell – Executive Director – Exodus Family Institute
Mary Parnell is Ex. Dir of Exodus Family Institute Inc. She is also the owner of Accounting Business Consulting (ABC) Solutions LLC. In addition to work at EFI, Mary has over 40 years of experience in accounting and business development. Her professional work experience includes management and controller positions at public and private institutions. Other professional experience includes public accounting, banking, and insurance. Besides EFI, Mary has served on numerous boards, which include Lions Club, RFPA, and UMW Women’s Colloquium. She earned an MBA from Samford University, and a BS in accounting from University of Ala-Bham. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Fredericksburg and a member of AICPA and ABWA
Jeh Hicks – Chair Regional Housing Assembly – Director of Community Relations Jarrell Properties Inc.
Chip Boyles – Executive Director – George Washington Regional Commission
Chip Boyles is Executive Director of the George Washington Regional Commission in Fredericksburg , Virginia. He oversees a regional government agency with a staff of nearly twenty that provides planning and local government assistance in the areas of transportation planning, grant management, environmental and water quality services, affordable housing and homeless management and community development. The GWRC also administers the multi-regional GO Virginia economic development initiative. Chip came to the GWRC after serving as Interim City Manager for the City of Charlottesville and with 7 years as the Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission in Charlottesville. Before moving to Virginia in 2014, Chip served five years working in the Mayor’s Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana managing the urban development for a City-Parish of approximately 400,000 people. Prior to moving to Baton Rouge, he worked as City Manager and Assistant Manager in 3 cities from Maryland to South Carolina and served as the founding director of the International Town & Gown Association. Major project successes over his career include the housing and business redevelopment in Baton Rouge immediately after hurricanes Katrina and Gustav ravished the gulf coast. Born in Savannah, Georgia and growing up on the southern coast of South Carolina, Chip attended the University of South Carolina and Clemson University in the areas of Political Science and Public Administration. His major experience includes working within college town communities having spent over twenty years living and working in college towns.