Sean Thomas has been named the next executive director of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).
Thomas, who has been with the agency since 1993 and currently serves as chief of staff, will take over in April for Doug Garver, who is retiring after 13 years with OHFA.
The OHFA board selected Thomas for the agency’s top post at its February meeting. However, his appointment is still contingent on a required background check and the negotiation of a contract.
Thomas began his career at OHFA in the Office of Planning, Preservation and Development, where he helped administer more than $4 billion in federal low-income housing tax credits and $700 million in loans and grants. He also led the implementation of $240 million in funds provided through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. In 2013, Thomas was named chief of staff and has been responsible for assisting the executive director in overseeing all the agency’s programs and operations.
He received a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from the University of Rochester and certification from the National Development Council in Multifamily Housing Development Finance. In 2010, the Ohio Housing Council awarded Thomas the Affordable Housing Industry Champion award. He is a member of Affordable Housing Finance’s Editorial Advisory Board.
