ABOVE PHOTO: The new PHA managers appointed are: (from left) PHA Deputy Executive Director – Capital Projects and Development Michael Johns, Deputy Executive Director – Administration/Chief Administrative Officer Heather McCreary and Assistant Executive Director – Leased Housing Celeste Fields.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has chosen three highly experienced managers to fill positions critical to the agency’s success.
PHA’s Interim Executive Director Kelvin Jeremiah and Commissioner Estelle Richman announced the appointments, saying that the new appointees will bring years of experience in public housing operations, policy, and management to the agency.
“I am pleased that PHA has recruited such top-flight people,” Commissioner Richman said. “Each of these individuals has had a brilliant career thus far and their skills will enhance the work PHA does in providing quality affordable housing in Philadelphia.”
“As we embark on our ambitious plan to add 6,000 new affordable units in the City, address service and quality of life concerns, and pursue a thoughtful development strategy, these new leaders will prove to be a great asset in achieving our goals,” Jeremiah said. “These new executives will work with the extremely talented people of the agency, with HUD, and other agencies to improve the delivery of services to PHA families.”
Michael Johns has been named Deputy Executive Director – Capital Projects and Development overseeing construction and design for the agency. Mr. Johns, a licensed architect and Philadelphia native, most recently served as the Acting Deputy Executive Director for Operations, supervising all property management activity for the authority, as well as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8). Prior to that, he was General Manager of Community Development and Design for more than a decade, a role in which he was responsible for the master planning and design of over $1 billion in new and renovated housing.
Johns is a graduate of Temple University and is a LEED-accredited professional. He served as a commissioner on the old city Zoning Code Commission, where he helped rewrite and modernize the code. He was recently appointed by Mayor Nutter to the City’s first Civic Design Review Committee, which will advise the City Planning Commission as it reviews development proposals. His annual salary will be $153,000.
Heather McCreary is rejoining PHA from the private sector as Deputy Executive Director – Administration/Chief Administrative Officer. She has over 20 years of experience in a number of industries, including pharmaceutical, real estate, financial services, aerospace, and energy and utilities. Ms. McCreary has also worked in all facets of procurement, supply chain, sourcing and contract management processes.
She has worked in that capacity at Boeing, Exelon (owners of PECO), Amerisource Bergen, and GMAC Financial. Between 2002 and 2004, McCreary worked at PHA as Assistant Executive Director of Supply Chain Management. She is a graduate of Millersville and Eastern universities. She will earn a salary of $150,000 per year.
Celeste Fields has been named Assistant Executive Director – Leased Housing and will supervise the Housing Choice Voucher program. Fields has worked at PHA since 2000, most recently as the Director of Finance. She has assisted in reengineering the business processes and procedures of the agency to improve its efficiency and identify cost savings. Fields is a graduate of Drexel University. Her annual salary will be $130,000.
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