CHFA's Alexander Announces Retirement

Milroy Alexander, the longtime executive director of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), has announced his retirement, effective in November.

He first joined the agency in 1988 to lead the finance division and then assumed the top position in 2001. Under his leadership, CHFA has more than doubled its asset base.

Knowing of Alexander's intent for some time, the CHFA board of directors has been preparing for the impending retirement and has implemented a transition plan. A search committee has started working on the process.

Rural Housing Administrator Named

Tammye H. Trevino has been appointed administrator for housing and community facilities programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency.

Since 1999, she served as CEO of FUTURO Communities, Inc., an Uvalde, Texas, nonprofit that provides housing, business, community development, and technical assistance. Trevino was also the economic development director for LaSalle County in Texas.

Arizona Announces New Housing Director

Michael Trailor has become director of the Arizona Department of Housing. He replaces Don Cardon, who held the post since March and is moving over to lead the state's Commerce Department.

Trailor has spent the past four years as principal and urban development specialist with Vanguard Cityhome of Scottsdale, where he established an urban development corporation and purchased and entitled multiple residential and retail development projects.

Senate Confirms HUD Officials

Sandra Henriquez and Mercedes Marquez will step into key positions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after being confi rmed by the Senate.

Henriquez is assistant secretary for public and Indian housing. Recently the CEO of the Boston Housing Authority, she will oversee the nation's public housing and rental assistance programs that assist about 3.2 million families. Henriquez will also be responsible for HUD's Native American and Native Hawaiian programs, which serve 562 tribes.

Marquez is assistant secretary for community planning and development, an office that administers nearly $8 billion in programs aimed at stimulating community development and affordable housing. She was recently general manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department.

This marks Marquez's second time at HUD. During the Clinton administration, she was senior counsel to Secretary Andrew Cuomo and deputy general counsel for civil rights and fair housing at HUD.

California Advocacy Group Names Director

The California Housing Consortium (CHC) has appointed Ray Pearl as its executive director.

Founded in 1997 and an affiliate of the National Housing Conference, CHC is the state's “big tent” housing advocacy organization, representing the development, building, financial, and public sectors involved in affordable housing.

Pearl has worked in the government affairs and land-use planning departments of two Southern California development firms. He has also served as the executive director of the Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter of the BuildingIndustry Association of Southern California.

Virchow Krause Changes to Baker Tilly

Virchow Krause & Co., an accounting and consulting firm that has been active in the affordable housing industry, has changed its name to Baker Tilly as part of an agreement to become the exclusive U.S.-branded firm in the Baker Tilly International network.

The firm said it is not being acquired, and there will be no change in leadership. It has been an independent member of the Baker Tilly International network since 1999 and will maintain that status.

Accounting Firms Merge

Smith, Lange & Phillips, LLP, and Daoro Zydel & Holland, LLP, are joining forces to become one of the largest regional accounting practices in the San Francisco area.

The new firm, DZH Phillips, LLP, will have 10 partners, 70-plus team members, and $12 million in annual revenues. DZH Phillips will focus on core industry segments, including nonprofits, finance, and real estate.