Click here to view a list of the 2024 Board of Directors and Committee Members.
Scott Bertrand
Chair: Enfield Housing Authority
Serving since 2016 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Town of Enfield since 2001
- National Association of Corporate Directors - Certified Director
- Formerly, Director of Housing Management of the Housing Authority of the City of Meriden from 1995 to 2001
- Bachelor of Science from Eastern Connecticut State University and Master of Business Administration from Western New England College
- Has been employed at North Thompsonville Fire Department since 1992 and currently holds the rank of Captain
- Previously, member of the Thompsonville Fire Department from 1981-1992 serving as a firefighter and later as a Commissioner
- Past President of CONN-NAHRO and board member since 2002
- Member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), NERC-NAHRO and the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA)
- Public Housing Manager Designation and Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodation Specialist Designation
Jeffery Patterson
Vice Chair: Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
Serving since 2018 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Chief Executive Officer of Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority since 2012
- CEO of one of the 10 largest housing authorities in the country, a $230 million budget, and nearly 55,000 residents and participants of CMHA's low-income housing and housing choice voucher program
- A leader in providing safe, affordable housing, while striving to use innovative, sustainable practices, and also bridging the digital divide for low-income residents of Cuyahoga County
- Previously worked with the city of Cleveland, Ohio for 13 years, starting as an intern in labor relations, working up to the Director of Personnel and Human Resources
- Bachelor of Arts from Mount Union College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College
- President of the Board of Directors for the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) and member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
- CEO Patterson serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for Large Public Housing Authorities, President; The Housing Authority Insurance Group, Vice President; Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Chairman; Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Chairman, Downtown Cleveland Inc., Treasurer; St. Luke’s Foundation; United Way of Greater Cleveland; Greater Cleveland Foodbank; Cleveland Transformation Alliance, Unify Labs Inc.; University Circle Inc.; Campus District; and the Cleveland Public Library Foundation.
Fernando Aniban
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Serving since 2020 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Serving on various HAI Group committees since 2007
- Currently, Chief Financial Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM), supervising Finance, Procurement, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Strategic Business Initiative Departments. Has been with HACM for 10 years, actively involved in real estate portfolio redevelopment (RAD & Mixed Finance), and leading HACM's organizational strategies and transformation
- Oversees the organizational and business set up of the newly created HACM's Real Estate Development Instrumentality
- Member of the Pension Board of Trustees for Milwaukee County Employment Retirement System
- Selected CFO of the year in 2014 by the Milwaukee Business Journal
- Managing Partner of an independent accounting and consulting firm for seven years
- More than 20 years of experience in private industries, ranging from manufacturing, supply chain, construction, and banking
- Has served as an independent board member of various small business start-ups and non-profit entities
- Member of Financial Executive International
Richard Browne
HAI Group Outside Director
Serving since 2021 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Former audit partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1995 through 2019
- Served as the lead client service partner for audits of public and private companies of all sizes in the property/casualty, life, and accident and health insurance industries
- Provided due diligence services relating to mergers and acquisitions and technical expertise in GAAP and Statutory Accounting Principles and Financial Reporting and Internal Control Frameworks
- Bachelor's degree in accounting from Manhattan College
- Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Designations of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, Chartered Life Underwriter, and a Fellow, Life Management Institute
James DiPaolo
The Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver
Serving since 2003 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Currently, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Denver Housing Authority and has worked for the organization since 1981
- Member of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Colorado Safety Association, and National Fire Protection Association
- Serves on the Board of Directors for the Denver Community Credit Union
- Serves as a Director and Vice Chair on numerous Denver Housing Authority affiliate and instrumentality boards
- Has provided financial consultant services/technical assistance with the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority, South Metro Housing Options (Littleton), Housing Authority of the City of Spartanburg, and Boulder County Housing Authority
- Performed risk management and other consulting work with the Chicago (1995-1997) and New Orleans (1998) Housing Authorities
- Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Colorado State University
Douglas Dzema
Housing Authority of the City of Perth Amboy
Serving since 1994 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Perth Amboy since 1989
- Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Borough of Keansburg, the Housing Authority of the Borough of Highlands, and Sayreville Housing Authority since 2008
- Member of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) since 1989
- Certified Public Housing Authority Executive Director since 1998
- Certified Public Housing Manager since 1989
- Bachelor’s degree in Business from Rutgers State University
Ed Hinojosa
Opportunity Home, San Antonio
Serving since 2014 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Currently Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Housing Authority
- Chief Financial Officer of the San Antonio Housing Authority from 2003-2021
- Member of the Board of Directors of Credit Human, a financial service company
- Various positions with Cargill International from 1992 to 2003
- Member of the Financial Executives International and the Institute of Management Accountants
- Managerial and financial experience in multiple industries including multi-family housing, insurance, technology, financial services, food processing, agribusiness and government contracting
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Texas-Pan American and has completed graduate coursework in business and finance
Duane Hopkins
Oakland Housing Authority
Serving since 2020 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Serving on various HAI Group committees since 2014
- Chief Officer of Program & Finance Administration of the Oakland Housing Authority since 2021
- Served as Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Executive Director of Housing Catalyst from 2010-2021
- Serves on the board of governors for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and has held national leadership positions in the areas of professional development, strategic planning, and budget & administration for the organization
- Member of the board of directors of the NAHRO Mountain Plains Region and the NAHRO Colorado Chapter
- Member of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC)
- Planning Commissioner, and current Vice Chair, for the Town of Parker, Colorado
- Bachelor of Science with a major in Finance from Fort Hays State University
- Graduate of the Program on Negotiations for Senior Executives at Harvard Law School
- Graduate of the Program of the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard Kennedy School
- Certified Management Executive (NAHRO)
Kevin Loso
Rutland Housing Authority
Serving since 2020 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Serving on various HAI Group committees since 2002
- Executive Director of the Rutland Housing Authority since 2000 and Housing Initiatives, Inc. since 2004
- Previous employment experience includes Associate Director for Development and Community Programs for the VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region, Founding Director of the Rutland Health Foundation, Area Director for the American Cancer Society, and Community Development Secondary School Teacher for the U.S. Peace Corps – Thailand
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Heritage Family Credit Union
- Member of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) , and the Vermont Association of Public Housing Directors
- NAHRO Senior Professional Housing Manager certification and graduate of the PHADA/Rutgers State University Executive Director Education Program
- Faculty, Project Board Development, United Way of Rutland County
- Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International, 2013
- Board Service: Rutland County Court Diversion, James T. Bowse Community Health Trust, Rutland Free Library, Association of Vermont Credit Unions, Rutland Mental Health Services and Heritage Family Cares 4 You Foundation
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Saint Michael's College and extensive graduate coursework in administration
Edwin Lowndes
Housing Authority of Kansas City
Serving since 2003 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri since 2001
- General Counsel for the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri from 1995-2001
- Previously served as a Deputy County Attorney for Douglas County, Nebraska working primarily on civil matters, concentrating on regulatory and governmental issues as well as counsel to the Board of Commissioners
- Worked for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Companies as a renewal underwriter and subsequently as a budget analyst
- Member of Missouri Bar Association (inactive), Nebraska Bar Association (inactive) and American Bar Association
- Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law
- Bachelor of Business Administration with major in Finance from Creighton University
- Member of the Board of Directors for the Affordable Housing Accreditation Board (currently Board Chair)
- Member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
- Member of the Kansas City Workforce Investment Board
- Member of Advisory Committee for the Metropolitan Community Service Program of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission
Ed Malaspina
HAI Group CEO Director
Serving since 2017 as an HAI Group Board Member- President and chief executive officer of HAI Group since 2017
- Has been employed at HAI Group since 1991; held positions of increasing responsibility, including senior risk control supervisor, senior underwriter, chief operating officer, and chief marketing officer
- National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Governance Fellow—the highest level of credentialing for corporate directors and corporate governance professionals
- Reinsurance Association of America Reinsurance Education Scholar
- Certified Public Housing Manager (C-PHM), licensed insurance producer, Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), excess and surplus lines broker, licensed claims adjuster, and real estate broker
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hartford and master's degree in business administration from Albertus Magnus College
Vince Pearson
Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
Serving since 2016 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Risk Manager of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency since 2003
- Previously employed at Citizens/Frontier Communications as the Environmental Health and Safety Director of the Western Region
- Previously employed at the California Association of Park and Recreation Insurance (CAPRI) as the Risk Manager
- Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA)
Jane Smith
Gainesville Housing Authority
Serving since 2020 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Chief Financial Officer at Gainesville Housing Authority from 2023-present
- Serving on various HAI Group committees since 2014
- Director of Finance of the Athens Housing Authority from 2002-2023
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, University of Georgia
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Georgia
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Member, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
- Served on the board of Athens Area Child Abuse Prevention Council, Learning Ally, Georgia Options, and Athens Area Community Foundation
Mary Smith
HAI Group Outside Director
Serving since 2021 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- President of the American Bar Association
- Former CEO-equivalent of a $6 billion national healthcare organization and C-suite executive with 25+ years of business experience
- Member of the National Policy and Innovation Council for WellCare (NYSE: WCG)
- Until 2017, was the Chief Executive of the Indian Health Service, serving over 2.2 million people with a budget of over $6 billion that included 26 hospitals and over 50 clinics
- Served in a senior role at Tyco International (U.S.) Inc. (NYSE: TYC)
- Served as special counsel & estate trust officer at the Office of Special Deputy Receiver in Chicago, IL
- Bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Loyola University Chicago
- Juris Doctor from University of Chicago Law School
- Board leadership fellow from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
Russell Young
HAI Group Outside Director
Serving since 2007 as an HAI Group Board Member Qualifications/Expertise/Experience:- Attorney with Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC since 2001
- Represents and advises single parent and group captive insurance companies in planning, formation, operation, and dissolution. He is particularly familiar with state registration and regulation of risk retention groups and capital, ownership, and fronting structures for group captives generally, including reciprocal, mutual, stock, and nonprofit organizations.
- Provides corporate and regulatory counsel for financial service companies, business corporations, and nonprofits outside the captive area
- Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School
- Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College
- Named Chambers USA Leading Individual in Corporate/Commercial Law
