Date: April 28, 2004

Executive Director named to national Housing Impact Advisory Council
 

Erica A. Dobreff, Executive Director of the Missouri Housing Development Commission based in Kansas City, Missouri, was one of 26 new members selected for Fannie Mae’s Housing Impact Advisory Council.

Franklin D. Raines, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE), the nation's largest source of financing for home mortgages, announced the new members Monday.

“It is an honor to be selected for the Council. Missouri Housing Development Commission has prided itself on being on the cutting edge of affordable housing concept and practices,” said Dobreff. “We know we can bring some valuable Missouri and Midwestern insight into the Council’s affordable housing discussions.”

The Housing Impact Advisory Council, established in 1993, is a unique forum that brings together a broad range of community and industry leaders to help Fannie Mae increase the availability of affordable mortgage financing to underserved communities. Council members meet three times a year with Fannie Mae's senior management to discuss housing finance for low- and moderate-income home buyers and renters. The council has 55 members, including civic leaders; executives at nonprofit organizations; state housing agency and financial institution executives; developers; and legal, housing and real estate professionals. Council members serve staggered two-year terms, with about half rotating off the Council each year.

"We are pleased to have this effective group of leaders dedicated to affordable housing on our Housing Impact Advisory Council," said Raines. "Fannie Mae relies on the council's guidance to help us continue to advance mortgage innovations and expand affordable housing. The council's guidance will be crucial to achieving our expanded American Dream Commitment to bring homeownership to millions of first-time home buyers, raise the minority homeownership rate, make homeownership a success for millions of families at risk of losing their homes, and expand the supply of affordable housing where it is needed most."

The 2004 Housing Impact Advisory Council will be co-chaired by Loretta Armenta, president and CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, and Lloyd W. Brown II, senior vice president and division executive for community development division, Bank of New York, who is serving his first term.

Other new members appointed to serve on the Council through November 2005 include:
 

Returning members of the advisory council include: Nancy O. Andrews; Loretta Armenta; Peter Carey; Felix De Herrera; Lautaro "Lot" Diaz; Monica Drapeaux; Gary Gordon; H. David Hayes; Jay Helfrich; Herbert H. Hilliard; Abdur-Rahim Islam; Judith Kennedy; Jean Langendorf; Joseph Mariano; John G. "Jack" Markowski; Dr. Ronald Mason; John McCarthy; Donovan Mouton; Stephen O'Connor; Benson Porter; John Saint; Michael Sciarrino; Hattie Scott; Shanna Smith; James W. Stretz; Barbara J. Thompson; Peggy Olson Trenk; J. McDonald "Don" Williams; and Rick Williams.

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