Board of Directors

Meet Better Housing Coalition’s Board of Directors

John P. McCann, Chairman
McCann Realty Partners

John is a partner in McCann Realty Partners, LLC, formed in 2004.  MRP teams with institutional capital sources to acquire, develop and manage garden apartment communities in the Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Atlanta and DC/Baltimore markets. John retired as Chairman/CEO of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. in 2001, where he oversaw company growth from 3 million dollars in real estate investment in Virginia and three employees to more than 4 billion dollars of apartments nationally and 2,600 employees. John is an alumni of University of Notre Dame and New York University (NYU), where he earned an M.B.A. He is a member of the National Multi-Housing Council, the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and has been on the Board of St. Joseph’s Villa. John was a member of the Board of Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA) for 8 years and served as its Chairman from 2006 to 2008.

Lissy Bryan, Immediate Past Chairman
Community Volunteer

Lissy is an active community volunteer in affordable housing and child welfare. Before coming to Richmond in 1993, Lissy earned a B.A. from Columbia University and served as Vice President/Marketing for the National Audubon Society, as well as Director of Licensing and Product Development for The Smithsonian Institution. Her leadership is also evident as a member of Virginia Local Initiative Support Coalition (LISC-VA) and as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children.  She also volunteers with Bolling Haxall House Foundation, Belle Bryan Day Nursery, The Community Foundation, George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation and the Metro Richmond Sportsbackers. Previous service included the Boards of Directors of Downtown Presents, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, and The Children’s Museum of Richmond. She was awarded the Outstanding Woman of the Year in Human Services by the YWCA.

Laura Lee Garrett, Vice Chairman
Hirschler Fleischer

Laura Lee is a partner in the law firm Hirschler Fleischer, practicing in the areas of commercial real estate and finance.  She focuses on real estate investment, mixed-use and shopping center development and medical campus development.  Laura Lee represents developers, tenants and lenders in a wide variety of complex transactions including historic tax credits, green building and LEED® projects.  She earned her under-graduate degree at University of Virginia (UVA), and her law degree at the College of William and Mary Law School, where she has taught Real Estate Transactions as an adjunct professor.  She volunteers as the Chair of the Richmond District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).  She is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

Daniel R. Mortensen, Secretary
Capital One Services, LLC

Dan is Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate and Human Resources Operations at Capital One. He is responsible for the physical workplace, including workplace strategy, real estate portfolio strategy, construction, facilities management and associate services.  He manages the operational components of human resources, including payroll and associate relations.  Dan has more than 25 years of experience in credit card operations management beginning at Citibank in 1981, followed by Household Credit Services, Inc. and GE Capital Retailer Financial Services before joining Capital One in 1997.  Dan was a management consultant in Public Accounting for over seven years. He earned his M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota.  Dan currently serves as a Board Director for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Council on Economic Education.  He has been Director and Chairman of the Board of Family Lifeline.

Neil Amin, Treasurer
Shamin Hotels

Neil oversees the operations of 33 hotel properties as Chief Executive Officer of Shamin Hotels in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.  Additionally, he is President of Shamin Assisted Living, which operates facilities in Central Virginia.  Neil serves on the Boards of the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and First Freedom Center.  He is a member of the Gerson Lehman Group’s Real Estate Experts Council.  Previously, Neil worked at Goldman Sachs and Company where he advised technology companies on public and private market transactions.  Neil graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School’s B.S./M.B.A. sub-matriculation program.

Ronald Bertolini
Genworth Financial

Ron is Managing Director, Vice President Liquidity and Capital Planning for Genworth Financial where he manages and determines appropriate asset allocation of short-term investments and liquidity and capital markets activity.  Previously, he developed the Capital Markets risk group at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (Charlotte Branch).  Before coming to Richmond, Ron spent 26 years in New York running banks or trading rooms including Goldman Sachs, with extensive experience in the Municipal market and public housing finance.  He has a B.S. degree in Economics with a minor in Finance from Wagner College.

Freda Green Bolling
Community Volunteer

Freda is currently a Program Healthcare Compliance Specialist with the Division of W.I.C and Community Nutrition Services, Virginia Department of Health.  She handles contract compliance, vendor reimbursement, and retailer training.  Freda is a Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) Certified Trainer and volunteers as a facilitator for the First-time Home Buyer Training Program at the Richmond Public Library–East End Branch.  Also, she is a Certified Housing Counselor and a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors. Currently, she serves as the Correspondence Secretary for the New Visions Civic League of East End, responding to solicitations for support of zoning and/or special use permits.  Freda is the owner Going Home Soon, LLC and partners with local realtors to provide housing counseling services to first-time homebuyers.  She is proud to be a BHC first-time homebuyer after purchasing one of our homes in Church Hill.

Philip A. Brooks
CW Capital, LLC

Philip is Senior Vice President for CW Capital, LLC. He arranges financing for the senior housing and healthcare industry, having produced transactions totaling over 4 billion dollars over the past 10 years.  Philip has over 25 years experience in the real estate finance industry including managing several financing programs under Fannie Mae’s multifamily product line and implementing its senior housing finance program.  He was a mortgage banker with the B.F. Saul Company, a government affairs representative for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, and a former staff assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives.  Philip is a member of the Boards of Directors of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry and American Seniors Housing Association.  He has a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of  Tennessee and a professional certification from a 3-year  program in the School of Mortgage Banking sponsored by Mortgage Bankers Association of America.

Anthony Clary
Central Virginia Healthcare Association

Anthony Clary is a mental health specialist at the Central Virginia Healthcare Association where he teaches clients a full myriad of personal and household skills and coordinates clients receiving related  services for outreach, community resources and therapy.  Since 2003, Anthony has worked in the Richmond area as a counselor at Today’s Youth Services, Family Restoration Services, Youth Empowerment Services, House of Prayer Church, and Boys and Girls Club of Falling Creek.  He is skilled as a public speaker and is an intermediate motivational speaker.  Anthony received his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia.  Anthony is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Professional Counseling at South University.  Anthony is a recent BHC first-time homebuyer and resides in a home built by BHC in the Blackwell community.

Mark M. Gordon
Bon Secours

Mark M. Gordon has been the CEO of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, VA, since 2008, having joined Bon Secours in 2004.  He is responsible for the leadership and daily operations of the 130-bed, acute-care hospital.  Mark earned his Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and his Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  He served in key leadership positions in Kentucky, Mission Health System in Asheville, NC, Duke Health System, and Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC.

Amy L. Howard, Ph.D.
University of Richmond

Amy is the Executive Director of the Bonner Center of Civic Engagement at University of Richmond.  Before directing the Center, Amy acquired considerable teaching experience while completing her M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies at the College of William and Mary.  Amy’s areas of expertise are Urban and U.S. History.  In her role at University of Richmond, she connects campus and community members to address social issues in Richmond and beyond.  Students in her Urban America course examine urban history and policies, both nationally and locally, as they learn about affordable housing, transportation, poverty, and gentrification.  Amy currently serves on the Planning Commission for the City of Richmond.

Laura Dillard Lafayette
Richmond Association of REALTORS

Laura is Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® and the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Services—two organizations that serve the over-5,000 REALTORS® in the Central Virginia area.  In addition, she serves as the Executive Director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring that an adequate and diverse supply of affordable housing is a public policy priority in the Richmond metropolitan area.  Within the broader community, currently Laura serves as Chair of the Board of Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Vice Chair of the Board  of Housing Virginia and as a member of the Steering Committee for the rewrite of the Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan.  Laura received her B.A. in Religion from the College of William and Mary; pursued post-graduate work at both Yale Divinity School and University of Virginia.  She resides in Henrico County, VA with her husband and three children.

R. Wheatley McDowell
Richmond Capital Management

Wheat is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Richmond Capital Management.  He has been on the investment team at Richmond Capital since April of 2001.  Prior to that date, he worked 15 years for Sell-side institutions (Lehman Brothers and First Union Securities) as a Corporate Bond Trader.  Wheat serves on the Foundation Board and the Investment Committee of St. Christopher’s School in Richmond.  Previously, he volunteered on the Board of CFA Virginia, a member society of the CFA Institute.  In addition to his CFA Charter, he holds a B.A. and a M.B.A. from the University of Virginia (UVA).  Wheat was raised in Richmond and is the son of Better Housing Coalition’s Co-founder Carter McDowell.

Penny Johnson McPherson
Wells Fargo

Penny is Vice President and  Senior Community Development Officer for Wells Fargo.  She manages their markets in Richmond, Hampton Roads and Fredericksburg to meet the needs of the community and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) goals.  Penny has helped the bank earn an outstanding CRA rating over the last 16 years.  She provides counsel to ensure strong community development performance, focusing on service to the community in financial literacy education, investments to nonprofits, and CRA lending.  She is a member of LMR’s Class of 2010 and has her B.S. in Business from High Point University and a Competent Toastmaster Certification from Toastmasters International.  Penny serves on the City of Richmond’s Small Business Advisory Board and the Virginia Community Capital Council of Advocates, and is a member of the Local Initiative Support Coalition (LISC) Advisory Committee.

W. Douglas Moran
If You Will Lead

Doug is the founder of If You Will Lead, LLC. Doug provides leadership development, executive coaching,  and infrastructure consulting to help leaders and their organizations excel and grow.  He is the author of If You Will Lead: Enduring Wisdom for 21st Century Leaders. Doug has more than 25 years of leadership experience in a variety of industries.  His prior experience was most recently at Capital One.  Also, he has served a former Governor of Virginia as the Deputy  Secretary of Health and Human Resources, COO of the Department of Social Services, and was the Commonwealth’s Telecommunications Director.  He began his career at Verizon and holds a B.S. from Madison University.  Doug has served on numerous boards and commissions, and is currently serving on the Board of the Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program Advisory Commission.

Walter J. O’Brien, Jr.
Community Volunteer

Wally retired and moved from New York to Richmond. He is a Director on the Boards of the Richmond Symphony and the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond and has close ties with the University of Richmond.  He had a distinguished career in the communications industry, primarily at J. Walter Thompson (JWT), as a strategic thinker and builder of successful brands.  Wally’s career at JWT lead him to be a member of their worldwide Board of Directors, working with over 40 corporations and the U.S. Marine Corps. He was President of JWT when it was the world’s largest advertising agency.  Later, he was the CEO/Founder of the branding agency of O’Reilly, O’Brien, Clow, Inc. and President of Hill Holiday Advertising, leading them to win Clios for Best Advertising in their product categories. He worked on issues surrounding the Internet and the New Economy and contributed to President Clinton’s Framework for Global Electronic Commerce. He graduated from Marquette University, followed by studies at Graduate Schools of Business at both Harvard and Stanford.

Michael J. Schewel
McGuireWoods, LLP

Mike joined McGuire Woods in 1979. His practice focuses primarily on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and the development and financing of energy projects.  He has also been involved in economic development work in Virginia and across the U.S.  In the energy area, he has represented owners, investors and lenders as well as electric and gas utilities, and non-utility energy companies.  In January 2002, Mike was appointed Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade by Governor Warner.  In that capacity until January 2006, he was responsible for 16 state agencies including the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) and the Department of Housing and Community Development.  He previously served for eight years as a Board member and Vice Chairman of VHDA and for seven years as a Board member of Interfaith Housing Corporation.  He is a member of the Energy Bar Association, ACORE and the Virginia State Bar.  Mike graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University in 1975, and University of Virginia (UVA) School of Law in 1979.  Mike was born in Lynchburg, VA.

Rev. Dr. Sylvester Thomas Smith
Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Sylvester is a native of Florida.  He received his Mathematics degree from Bethune-Cookman College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Union University’s (VUU) School of Theology, earning his Master of Divinity degree.  He earned his Ph.D. in Christian Social Ethics from University of Virginia (UVA). He has been the pastoral leader for Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland, Calvary Baptist Church in Prince Edward, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Richmond, and presently Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Richmond.  He serves as an Assistant Professor at VUU.  Sylvester is a member of East End Ministers’ Fellowship and Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities (RISC).

Joseph M. Teefey
Teefey-Collins Consultants

Joe has been President of Teefey-Collins Consultants, Inc. since 2001, serving as a healthcare consultant and lobbyist.  He received his degrees at University of Richmond and the College of William and Mary.  Joe began his career as a college professor and coach, moving quickly into directing operations for medical facilities—Convalescent Care, Inc., Brandermill Retirement and Medical Center,  the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, and Medical College of Virginia. He retired from being the President/CEO of the Virginia Chartered Health Plan.  Joe has received numerous awards including a Citation for Volunteerism presented by President Reagan and a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution and Leadership presented by Governor Allen.  His professional affiliations in healthcare and community activities are equally numerous, and include the American Red Cross and the Faison School.

Michael Whitlow
CRT/tanaka

Michael D. Whitlow, APR, executive vice president of CRT/tanaka, LLC, Marketing and Public Relations, is an experience leader of strategic communications and sales operations. He’s led communications around mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, public policy issues, union negotiations, international environmental policy and a variety of shareholder matters for public companies. He has also been a top sales executive for national and international programs. His Corporate Practice consulting at CRT/tanaka includes branding and identity, corporate reputation, crisis preparedness and response, change initiatives and marketing communications. Prior to joining CRT/tanaka, he served as the vice president, external affairs and investor relations for Albemarle Corporation and as vice president of Americas sales and global accounts on Albemarle’s Global Leadership Team. Previously, he held communications positions at Ethyl Corporation. He was an adjunct faculty member at University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and served as president of the Old Dominion Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Michael earned his B.S. in Mass Communications at VCU and is an accredited member of PRSA. 

T.K. Somanath
BHC President/CEO

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Better Housing Coalition, T.K. has become an advocate and a recognized voice for neighborhood revitalization and community development in the local, state and national arenas.  Under T.K.’s leadership BHC has developed award-winning, healthier and more sustainable communities, which provide services to thousands of residents, for more than 20 years.  Before joining BHC, T.K. served as the Director of Development at Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) for 15 years.  T.K. has received numerous awards, including the Richmond History Makers award for Promoting Stronger Communities, the first Stettenius Community Foundation Leadership award, and LISC’s Leadership Award. T.K. is a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Housing Commission.  He serves on the Boards of Directors for Homeward and Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), and is an alumnus of the LMR class of 1986.  T.K. has been a member of the Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.  He was awarded an honorary membership from the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects (AIA).  In 2008, T.K. completed the NeighborWorks® Achieving Excellence in Community Development program at Harvard University.  He has his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Mysore in Mysore, India.