Karen Romaine Thomas

MBA, Chief Executive Officer

Karen Romaine Thomas serves as the CEO of National Housing Compliance (NHC), a 501(c)(4) organization that provides professional training and compliance services to the affordable housing industry. NHC is also the performance-based contract administrator (PBCA) for the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in Georgia and Illinois.

With a career in finance spanning more than three decades in both the public and private sectors, Ms. Romaine Thomas has extensive experience in devising and executing strategic business initiatives that drive growth and operational performance. Since joining NHC in 2008, she has built an impressive record of results, leading administrative and operational functions while driving integrated business process improvements and automation initiatives that enhanced PBCA activities.

In her current role as CEO, Ms. Romaine Thomas sets the strategic direction and coordinates the activities of a talented executive leadership team responsible for the oversight and compliance of approximately 900 federally assisted multi-family properties in Georgia and Illinois.

Prior to becoming CEO, Ms. Romaine Thomas served as NHC’s CFO. In this role, she was instrumental in establishing and maintaining financial and operational controls that ensured the efficient administration and contractual compliance of affordable housing programs for HUD. She overhauled the organization’s processes and technology to streamline workflows and increase accuracy and efficiency. She also regularly reported to the Board of Directors on organizational performance.

Ms. Romaine Thomas joined NHC in 2008 after a 12-year tenure with The Schwan Food Company, one of the largest manufacturers of frozen foods in the U.S. She held a series of senior and executive leadership roles, culminating in her position as Senior Vice President – Finance. During her time at Schwan, she completed a European assignment leading the financial operations in England, Germany, and France.

Throughout her career, Ms. Romaine Thomas has been an active member of several industry organizations, including SAHMA, NAHMA, and NAHRO. Additionally, she sits on the boards of the Local Housing Administrators Coalition (LHAC) and the National Leased Housing Association (NLHA). Her unwavering commitment to government relations on Capitol Hill, where she tirelessly advocates for the interests of the affordable housing industry, underscores her profound impact on the sector.

Ms. Romaine Thomas graduated summa cum laude from Mercer University with a Master of Business Administration in International Marketing and Finance. She also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Washburn University.

Inspired by her years as a caretaker for her mother, Ms. Romaine Thomas is a senior care advocate and serves on the Board of Labor of Love Adult Care, a senior care organization headquartered in North Georgia.

You may reach Karen by e-mail at nhcceo@nhcinc.org.