Michael J. Scheurer Voted President, Maryann Dillon Vice President
MD DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner, Winell Belfonte and Paul Weech Named New Directors

Washington, D.C. – The Housing Association of Nonprofit Development (HAND), the only multi-state regional membership association dedicated to supporting the community development industry in the Washington, D.C. area, today announced that Michael J. Scheurer of the Virginia Housing Development Authority has been elected president for the 2013 -2015 term. Scheurer, who succeeded Nina Janopaul, is a veteran in real estate finance and community development, and will work to lead the organization in the next phase of its development.

“The Board of Directors and I are committed to expanding HAND’s well-regarded training platform to provide our entire membership with educational forums designed to enhance job performance and to keep abreast of trends and tactics impacting affordable housing and community development issues,” said Scheurer. “With our regional membership, we will confront the challenges facing our industry and make known the noteworthy successes of the Washington, D.C. area affordable housing community.”

Scheurer is currently the community housing officer for the Virginia Housing Development Authority and leads affordable housing outreach in northern Virginia. He previously held positions at the Fannie Mae Washington Metropolitan Community Business Center, the National Association of Home Builders and the Department of Housing and Community Development in Fairfax County, VA.

Additionally, HAND elected Maryann Dillon, executive director of Housing Initiative Partnership, as its vice president and three new directors to the board: Secretary Raymond Skinner, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Winell Belfonte, principal and co-chair, Nonprofit Practice, CohnReznick Group (Bethesda); and Paul Weech, executive vice president, Policy and External Affairs, Housing Partnership Network.

With expertise rooted in a variety of functions within community development, the new leaders are well versed in the persistent and growing need of affordable housing in the metropolitan area. Each has extensive experience in development and financing of affordable housing, and all are committed to helping increase affordable housing stock in the region.

Secretary Skinner has headed Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development since 2007, and previously from 1999-2003. He is a veteran in housing policy and manages the state’s housing finance programs, among other community development outreaches.

Dillon, Belfonte and Weech each have extensive backgrounds in nonprofit real estate management and financing.  Dillon has more than 20 years of affordable housing experience with a special focus on multi-family, rental, for-sale and affordable housing. Based in suburban Montgomery County, Belfonte is responsible for planning and performing all aspects of nonprofit, affordable housing real estate and commercial audits for CohnReznick. Weech is a 25-year veteran in federal housing policy and financial services and has held positions at Fannie Mae, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development for the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

“Collectively, this new slate of electeds has more than 100 years of experience and has helped to finance and create thousands of affordable homes,” said Heather Raspberry, executive director, HAND. “By combining their energy and expertise with the collaboration and innovation that HAND is known for, we can strategically further our mission to support community development in the Washington, D.C. region.”