Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Nate Lantieri (he/him) of Burlington has joined VHFA in the role of Research Coordinator.
Employment
Jamee Robinson joins VHFA as Director of Human Resources and Administration
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Jamee Robinson (she/her) of Jericho has joined VHFA in the role of Director of Human Resources and Administration.
Robinson has 17 years working for Fluor at the IBM/GlobalFoundries plant in a series of progressively more advanced roles, most recently as the Site Manager. In this role she oversaw all aspects of managing 30 employees, including managing their invoice & payroll processing, all their human resources functions, account reconciliation, and audits.
Alyssa Peteani joins VHFA as Community Development Underwriter
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Alyssa Peteani (she/her) of Burlington has joined VHFA in the role of Community Development Underwriter.
Peteani has over eight years of experience working for Champlain Housing Trust (CHT). As a Senior Loan Officer at CHT, her work involved underwriting and closing loans for the Manufactured Housing Down Payment Program. She has also worked in the role of Shared Equity Coordinator at CHT.
“Alyssa’s extensive experience partnering with lenders, funders, attorneys and other organizations involved in supporting housing will be a great asset to our Development team,” remarked Collins.
Peteani has served as a board member for Vermont Mortgage Bankers Board of Governors since 2020.
Magali Stowell Alèman joins VHFA as Vermont Housing Fellow
University of Vermont (UVM) graduate student Magali Stowell Alèman (she/her) has been named the Spring 2023 Vermont Housing Fellow. The Vermont Housing Fellowship program is intended to provide the Fellow with valuable experience aiding her professional development. Stowell Alèman will receive a financial stipend to conduct housing research and help update information on VHFA’s Housing Data website (www.housingdata.org).
New program launches to increase homeownership opportunities for Vermonters
MIDDLEBURY, VT - With many Vermonters feeling stuck because of the increasing costs of homes and the dire lack of availability, officials announced a new program to build more moderately priced homes across the state. The Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Program will provide subsidies and incentives for home builders to construct or rehabilitate modest homes affordable to Vermont homebuyers at 120% of the area median household income or lower.
VHFA is Hiring!
The Research and Communications Coordinator will collect data and conduct analysis of VHFA programs, general housing market, statewide housing needs, and community development research for use by VHFA staff, management, Board, and for external stakeholders. This position will also ensure content is accessible through VHFA's core information platforms for internal and external use. This role includes developing and updating Agency-wide data, promoting the Agency’s programs and policies, creating informational tools for Vermont communities and policy makers, conducting research, writing reports, press releases, and social media posts as needed.
VHFA’s Steve Gronlund retires, Robert Bishop named new Director of Human Resources
Steve Gronlund, a long-time Shelburne resident, has worked at the VHFA for close to 8 years. During his time with the VHFA, Gronlund worked to help guide the agency through the pandemic as well as new initiatives such as the establishment of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. Additionally, Gronlund managed VHFA’s excellent compensation and benefits package, ensuring that all staff and their families were taken care of.
VHFA's Executive Director Maura Collins stated "I am very excited for Steve; however, he will be greatly missed here at the VHFA. His positive attitude and dedication to our staff have helped make our organization a great place to work. All of us at the VHFA wish him the very best in his well deserved retirement".
Olivia LaVecchia joins VHFA as Vermont Housing Fellow
University of California-Berkeley graduate student Olivia LaVecchia (she/her) has been named the Fall 2022 Vermont Housing Fellow. The Vermont Housing Fellowship program is intended to provide the Fellow with valuable experience aiding her professional development. LaVecchia will receive a financial stipend to conduct housing research and help update information on VHFA’s Housing Data website (www.housingdata.org).
LaVecchia is pursuing a Master's Degree in City Planning at the University of California-Berkeley. She previously interned at a California-based affordable housing developer. LaVecchia previously lived in Burlington and worked as communications and special projects coordinator in the Burlington Mayor's Office.
Mia Watson promoted to Special Programs Manager
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has promoted Mia Watson (she/her) of Essex Junction to the new role of Special Programs Manager.
Watson has been at VHFA since 2017 as the Agency’s Research and Communications Coordinator. In this role, she developed and updated visualizations on the Vermont Housing Data website, authored many agency publications including VHFA blog articles, press releases, social media and annual reports and operated the Vermont Housing Fellow program, an internship program for graduate students. She has a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Vermont.
Megan Roush selected as VHFA Director of Development
Executive Director Maura Collins has announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has selected Megan Roush (she/her) of Northfield in the new role of Director of Development.
Roush has been at VHFA since 2019 working as a Community Development Underwriter. In this role, she has served as the chair of the Manufactured Housing Subcommittee of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition. Prior to coming to VHFA, Roush worked as a Housing Loan Specialist at USDA Rural Development. Roush has a bachelor's degree from Saint Michael's College and is currently completing her M.S. in Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont. She also serves as a volunteer emergency medical technician with Colchester Rescue.