People on the Move 7.31.25

NeighborWorks America Announces Executive Move

Lee Anne Adams has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of NeighborWorks America.

She joined the organization in 2008 and previously served as senior vice president of the National Initiatives division, where she had principal responsibility for programs supporting affordable housing development and asset management, homeownership, lending and wealth building, and community initiatives.

During her tenure at NeighborWorks, Adams has served in several other roles, including interim vice president of operations and senior director of Project Reinvest. She also spent six years with the training division.

Adams follows Susan M. Ifill, who is retiring after serving in the role since 2020.

NeighborWorks has a network of nearly 250 nonprofit organizations that build affordable housing, provide financial counseling, and collaborate with stakeholders on health, economic development, employment, and education.

HVPG Announces Promotions

Hudson Valley Property Group (HVPG) has promoted two senior team members—James Lee to head of design and construction and Drew McKessey to controller of development accounting.

Lee joined HVPG in 2020 and has since overseen the renovation of approximately 30 complexes across 10 states, totaling over $232 million in construction costs. In his new role, he will lead the execution of all renovation and construction management functions across HVPG’s holdings.

He previously served in leadership roles at AvalonBay Communities, HELP USA, and Mulholland Group, and, earlier in his career, he helped manage over $600 million in affordable housing investments at New York State Homes and Community Renewal. 

McKessey has been a key member of HVPG’s finance team since 2021. In his previous role as assistant controller, he oversaw cash management, project cost reporting, and general accounting functions across HVPG’s portfolio. In his new role, McKessey will lead all development and stabilized property accounting functions, with a particular focus on the intricacies of the LIHTC program.

Earlier in his career, he held positions at DDG Partners, GFI Capital Resources Group, and a legacy affordable housing property management firm. 

Florida Developer Names VP of Affordable Housing

Alexander Goshen, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based real estate development and investment firm, has named Verlyn Foley to serve as vice president of affordable housing for its AG Urban division.

Foley will lead the strategic development and execution of affordable housing initiatives across Florida and other markets. Her responsibilities include overseeing projects from site acquisition through stabilization and compliance as well as structuring complex financing deals, including transactions utilizing low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs), public-private partnerships, and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.

Before joining Alexander Goshen, Foley founded VOB Development, an Atlanta-based real estate firm.

In another move, the company named Kayon Henderson as chief operating officer.

She brings more than 17 years of leadership experience in organizational development and operations, with a strong background in nonprofit development and municipal government. In her new role, she will oversee the firm’s day-to-day operations and help drive strategic growth.

Henderson spent 12 years with the city of Tampa, most recently serving as director of housing and community development.

Alexander Goshen has developed nearly $400 million in commercial and residential real estate projects and has active projects in South Florida, Fort Myers, and St. Petersburg.

Merchants Expands Originations Team

Serah Lee has been appointed senior vice president of originations at Merchants Capital.

Lee brings more than 12 years of experience from Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, where she originated, structured, and closed agency debt financing via Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and HUD. As a member of the affordable housing team, she worked in tandem with Grandbridge’s affiliated tax credit equity group and provided leadership in forward agency financing.

Based in Merchants’ New York office, Lee joins the sales team of Andrew Weil and Justin Ginsberg, both executive vice presidents of originations, and senior vice president of originations Pete Nichol. The new team aims to bolster the firm’s national multifamily and affordable housing debt and equity footprint.

Nixon Peabody Boosts Affordable Housing Team

Nixon Peabody has strengthened the regulatory capabilities of its affordable housing and real estate practice with the arrival of Joshua Gold, who joins the law firm as counsel from HUD.

He spent 12 years at HUD, most recently as managing attorney of the agency’s Southwest regional office since 2021. He brings deep experience in complex market-rate and affordable real estate transactions, including construction and permanent financing, deal structuring, public housing repositioning, asset management, distressed projects, and the disposition of multifamily and health care properties.

Gold has provided legal services on more than 100 Rental Assistance Demonstration conversions nationwide.

In addition, Nixon Peabody recently hired associate Isaac Markow, who joined the firm from HUD; Caroline Caulfield, who works with affordable housing developers in New Jersey and New York; and Nicholas Leon, who assists developers and housing authorities in creating and preserving affordable housing nationwide.

Cinnaire Names COO

Katey Forth has been elevated to chief operating officer at Cinnaire. She will oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations, including leadership of the operations and information technology teams. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in her 17-year career with Cinnaire. 

Forth joined Cinnaire in 2007 and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including executive vice president of public funding, president of Cinnaire Lending, and controller.

Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Cinnaire is a Community Development Financial Institution and a LIHTC syndicator.