MEDIA RELEASE
3435 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111; Fax: 816-759-6828
Release No. 2001-06-08
June 11, 2001
 Commission Appoints New Executive Director



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Kansas City -- The Missouri Housing Development Commission has appointed Erica A. Dobreff as their new Executive Director, beginning July 1. Dobreff replaces retiring Executive Director Richard G. Grose who served in the position since February 1985. She will be only the third Executive Director in the Commission’s history. William R. Moore served in the position from 1970-1985.

Grose has served with the Commission since 1973, initially serving 12 years as the Deputy Director for Operations. As Executive Director he was responsible for oversight of all aspects of the staff’s operation of current programs and enforcement of the Commission’s policies.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Commission Board, which is composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the Lieutenant Governor and six appointed members.

“We are happy to greet Erica Dobreff as the new Executive Director and know she will uphold the high standard set by Richard Grose,” said Governor Bob Holden, during the May 18 Commission meeting.

“MHDC’s reputation as one of the finest state housing finance agencies in the country is directly related to Dick’s work as Executive Director. We are thankful for your outstanding service to the state of Missouri.”

Dobreff has been serving as the Deputy Director/Production since August 1997. In this capacity, she forges partnerships with lenders and for profit and non-profit developers to increase the availability of affordable housing in the state. Her diverse responsibilities include operation and administration of the multifamily and homeownership loan and grant programs, the federal HOME program for the State of Missouri, and the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. 

Ms. Dobreff’s experience includes 19 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Immediately prior to arriving in Kansas City, she completed a temporary assignment in Washington, DC, as the leader of HUD’s Multifamily Portfolio Reengineering Demonstration Team. Ms. Dobreff also served as the Director of the Office of Housing in the St. Louis HUD Office for two-and-a half years, taking the position in December 1994. Prior to that time she held positions with HUD in Chicago and Indianapolis, and began her housing career at local government agencies in Indiana.

A native of Ohio, she holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy and Literature from Purdue University and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University.

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