Jennifer Lopez
Executive Director
Jennifer was hired in 2006 to be the Executive Director of the La Plata County Regional Housing Alliance (RHA) in Durango, Colorado. Jennifer has been working in the field of community development for eleven years. She attended the University of New Mexico to study Community and Regional Planning and received her MCRP in 2000. Jennifer worked from 2000-2005 in Santa Fe, NM with one of the country’s most successful affordable housing programs, Jennifer was exposed to both policy and delivery systems that, to date, have created over 1400 affordable homes. In 2002 she became employed with the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust as a project manager. In this position she provided homebuyer training and counseling, policy analysis, grant writing services and assisted with public relations activities. Jennifer started her own consulting firm in 2004; clients included the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust, Albuquerque Civic Trust, Bernalillo County Housing, Los Amigos Weatherization, the Regional Development Corporation and Appleseed of New Mexico. As Executive Director of the RHA, Jennifer has created a five point action plan, launched four new programs, increased staff capacity from 2-5, successfully negotiated over 20 million dollars in affordable housing agreements, launched the first down payment program in the four corners, leveraged 1.4 million dollars in new funds, and anticipates creating 80-100 new housing opportunities a year as a result of the agency’s work. This fall Jennifer will be participating in the Achieving Excellence Program, an 18 month leadership program for housing professionals sponsored by Fannie Mae, Neighborworks America and Harvard University.
Julie Levy
Programs Manager
Julie Levy was hired as the Programs Manager for the Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County, to oversee the creation of a $10 million investment fund, spearhead the development of a comprehensive homebuyer services program, and advance local policy that will foster housing opportunities. The Regional Housing Alliance (RHA) is a model for cutting edge affordable housing programs in rapidly appreciating markets. Created in 2004 as a multi-jurisdictional housing authority, the RHA plans to create 100 home opportunities per year through innovative partnerships and entrepreneurial housing programs.
Previously Ms. Levy worked for the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado as the Community Development Coordinator, managed several successful political campaigns, and worked for the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center. She has also been involved with community development in Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central America and East Asia.
Ms. Levy is native to Colorado and has lived in Durango since 2001, where she is active in economic development activities, energy projects and sustaining a diverse community. Ms. Levy received her Bachelors Degree from Fort Lewis College in Political Science and Environmental Sciences and will receive her Masters of Arts in Public Policy from University of Colorado. Ms. Levy enjoys the mountains surrounding her community, performing in a circus-theater group, and learning to play the violin.
Ophelia Wilkins
Land Development Manager + Rose Architectural Fellow
Ophelia was selected for the Rose Architectural Fellowship and joined the RHA in December 2007. The Rose Fellowship is offered through Enterprise Community Partners and fully funds a three-year partnership between a young architect and an affordable housing development agency. Other current Rose Fellows are located in New Orleans, LA; The Bronx, NY; Woodburn, OR; San Francisco, CA; Santa Fe, NM and Portland, OR. The RHA and the Rose Fellowship share a commitment to improving the quantity and quality of affordable housing in diverse communities. Ophelia brings to the RHA extensive training and experience in architectural design and green building. She received her Masters of Architecture Degree from MIT in February 2007, and has contributed to projects ranging from public transportation infrastructure design, to strawbale homes for american indian families, to residential re-models implementing experimental green design technologies. One thing this Boston native did not learn at MIT was the location of Durango on a map.
In her first eight months on staff, Ophelia has implemented Green Communities criteria and received grant funding for eight units of Habitat for Humanity housing currently under construction at Fox Farm Village. She has also designed 8-24 Fair Share units at Three Springs slated for construction in autumn 2008, and spearheaded a community-wide home energy education initiative with six non-profit partners. She anticipates contributing to the design of roughly 50 units in the coming year.
During a period of transition and growth, the design imperative throughout La Plata County is for new development to inspire as much pride in its residents as our community already has.
Tracy Akers
Staff Assistant
Tracy Akers is the RHA Staff Assistant. Mrs. Akers, her husband and three daughters have lived in Durango, specifically the Sunnyside area since 1987. Mrs. Akers worked as a teacher for 10 years and moved into the property management field for another 10 before joining the Regional Housing Alliance in April 2006.
Luan Dody
Housing Counselor/Loan Processor
Luan has an extensive career in the mortgage banking business, spanning 23 years. She currently provides housing counseling and loan underwriting/processing for clients. Luan started her career as a loan processor and worked her way up to a senior loan underwriter with a national company. She has also originated loans and represented two different national builders.
