Keynote Speaker
Dr. Farrah Gray has recently been featured by AOL Black Voices as making Black History 2008. He was also named as one of the most influential Black men in America by the National Urban League's Urban Influence Magazine. Ebony Magazine recognized him as an entrepreneurial icon, business mogul and best-selling author. More
State Housing Plenary
The Honorable Richard Cordray was elected Ohio Attorney General in November 2008. He previously served as Ohio Treasurer of State, Franklin County Treasurer, State Representative, and as Ohio's first Solicitor General. More
Federal Policy Plenary
Sheila Crowley is the president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, where she heads a membership organization that is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. More
Ohio Economic Forecast
The Honorable Kevin L. Boyce was sworn in as Ohio Treasurer of State in January 2009. Prior to his appointment, Boyce served eight years as a member of the Columbus City Council, was elected as President Pro Tempore, and served as Chairman of the Public Finance Committee. More
Engaging the First-Time Homebuyer
Explore best practices of reaching out effectively to first-time homebuyers. Discover how lenders, counselors and real estate agents work with borrowers to realize their dream of homeownership. The panel discussion will emphasize the value of homebuyer education and the options available.
Moderator:
Loretta L. King, Columbus Housing Partnership
Loretta King is the Assistant Director of Housing Counseling with Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP). She is responsible for the administration and implementation of all Loan Programs; Down Payment and Mortgage Assistance. She supervises Columbus Housing Partnership's mortgage default counseling program and foreclosure prevention workshops. In addition, she collaborates with the Director of Housing Counseling on various departmental programs. Ms. King has over 15 years of mortgage lending experience. She worked as a Community Development Specialist with Huntington Mortgage Group where she originated mortgages for first-time homebuyers, and also worked with government and community organizations on the need for affordable homes and lending products within central Ohio. She is also a member of the Columbus Board of Realtor's affordable housing committee, the Columbus Mortgage Banker's Association and the Columbus Realtist Association. Ms. King is a former Board member for New Directions Career Center, The Columbus Realtist Association and Housing Network Services. She served as Chairperson for the City of Columbus' Housing and Education Advisory Committee (HEAC) and the Columbus Mortgage Banker's affordable housing committee. She has also been a volunteer with the Columbus Mortgage Banker's Association Program, "Money Matters", for Columbus Public Schools. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin University with a major in Business Administration (cum laude), Ms. King has taken certified training pertaining to Housing Counseling.
Speakers:
Beth Deutscher, HomeOwnership Center of Greater Dayton
Beth Deutscher is the Executive Director of the HomeOwnership Center of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower Dayton area residents to achieve and sustain homeownership and financial success. She has over 20 years of experience with nonprofit work in the areas of homeownership services, financial education, credit counseling, and management of housing programs. Under her leadership, the HomeOwnership Center has helped thousands of individuals and families achieve their housing and financial goals and established a wide range of partnerships with lenders, housing organizations, and government agencies. Ms. Deutscher serves on a number of local, state and national housing boards and committees, including Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Dayton Fund for Home Rehabilitation, NeighborWorks Ohio Collaborative and NeighborWorks America's Homeownership Center Advisory Committee. The HomeOwnership Center is a program of St. Mary Development Corporation, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, and a member of the NeighborWorks network.
Bernadette (Bernie) McNeeley, American Midwest Mortgage Corporation
Bernie McNeeley has worked in the mortgage industry for 17 years. She started her mortgage career as a Closing Coordinator with a title company. In 1997, she joined American Midwest Mortgage in the post closing department. There she developed and implemented procedures for final document distribution and follow-up, as well as procedures for file shipping to investors and also began working with Ohio Housing Finance Agency programs. She later became Administrator of the OHFA programs for American Midwest and continues in that role today. Ms. McNeeley is also responsible for managing American Midwest's participation in Rural Housing programs. She has advanced to a position of strong leadership with American Midwest and is committed to the organization and the department she manages. Prior to her mortgage business experience, Ms. McNeeley was a Department Manager for 17 years with a retail company managing 20 sales associates.
Gretchen McVey, Coldwell Banker King Thompson
Gretchen McVey is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. She has a passion for placing people in their dream home. She works with Coldwell Banker King Thompson as a Relocation and Residential Specialist. She currently is the Columbus Board of Realtor's Chairperson, Young Professionals Network. In addition, she serves as Vice Chairperson, Young Professionals Network with the Ohio Association of Realtors. Gretchen is very active in community issues such as the Hilliard Civic Association, Habitat for Humanity and as a volunteer with Special Olympics. She has received various awards from her peers in the real estate community. She resides in Hilliard, where she is remodeling a 1950's ranch home.
