The Office of Multifamily Housing is pleased to announce a few promotions, new hires and open positions. First, Karen Banyai has been serving as the Development Operations Manager while also leading the Asset Management Division. Karen Banyai will officially transition to leading the Asset Management Division as the Manager, Asset Management Division, effective July 5, 2021. Karen’s extensive experience and indispensable knowledge of OHFA-financed projects will be incredibly valuable as the Asset Management Division continues to grow, develop policies and procedures and respond to an ever-growing portfolio.
Samantha Makoski will be taking over as the Planning and Policy Manager, filling the role previously held by Diane Alecusan. Sam has been with the State of Ohio since December of 2011, serving as a Housing Grant Analyst 2 at the Ohio Development Services Agency working on their homeless and supportive housing programs. She has been with OHFA since December of 2014, serving as a Housing Grant Analyst 2, reviewing and underwriting 9% LIHTC projects. Her public administration and political science background, lengthy LIHTC experience, and experience working on programs serving vulnerable populations will be a tremendous asset when developing the Qualified Allocation Plan and other program guidelines. She will officially begin her new role on July 5, 2021.
Taylor Koch will return to OHFA as the new Housing Tax Credit Manager after a stint in the private sector and with the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Agency. He previously served as the Senior Asset Manager at OHFA in the Office of Program Compliance; as a Project Leader at National Church Residences originating LIHTC transactions in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania; and most recently as a Senior Underwriter at NYSHCR underwriting 4% LIHTC projects with Multifamily Bonds and other state and federal subsidies. The Housing Tax Credit Manager position replaces the Development Operations Manager position held by Karen Banyai (new title), but Karen will of course continue to work closely with Taylor and the underwriting and architectural team for the foreseeable future. He will officially begin his role on July 6, 2021.
The Office of Multifamily Housing also has 5 new, open positions available as well, all of which are rarely available, so the time to get in is now! There are three Housing Examiner Trainee positions available in our Compliance Division (one in Cuyahoga County, one in Franklin County and one in Hamilton County) and two Housing Grant Analyst 2 positions in our Development Division. Please apply today or circulate to your professional networks if you know a friend or colleague looking for a new opportunity in the affordable housing industry. The position postings are below: