Karen Romaine Thomas, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Karen Romaine Thomas serves as Chief Executive Officer of National Housing Compliance (NHC), a 501(c)(4) that provides professional training and compliance services to the affordable housing industry throughout the nation as well as serves as the performance-based contract administrator (PBCA) for the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development in the states of Georgia and Illinois. (Read More)

Jeffery K. Wirrick, CPM, MPA, SHCM, AHM

Chief Operating Officer

Leveraging a three decades-long career in the affordable housing industry and deep expertise in corporate operations, Jeffery K. Wirrick, CPM®, serves as Chief Operating Officer of National Housing Compliance (NHC). In this role, which he assumed in 2004,  Mr. Wirrick oversees the Asset Management Division that encompasses management and occupancy reviews, rent adjustments, contract renewals, physical inspections, resident concern resolution as well as corporate program compliance and business development. (Read More)

Jignesh Patel, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Jignesh S. Patel joined National Housing Compliance (NHC) in 2022 as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Patel is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of NHC’s information technology, finance and accounting operations and the strategic governance of NHC’s multi-million-dollar operating budget.  A key part of his role is overseeing the disbursement of approximately $850 million in Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to Section 8 Project-Based properties located throughout Georgia and Illinois. (Read More)

Jennifer Freeman

Director of Talent Management

Jennifer joined National Housing Compliance in 2022 and plays an integral role in the organization’s talent management and strategic planning. She is pivotal in developing and executing NHC’s succession plan and is spearheading the leadership-training program for high-potential individuals. (Read More)

Kimberly B. Ray

Director of Asset Management

In her current role as Director of Asset Management, she oversees contract renewals, owner opt-outs, and rent adjustments for 949 properties in National Housing Compliance’s Georgia and Illinois portfolios. Kim consistently ensures that all performance requirements are timely met for every property.  (Read More)

Don Slade

Director of IT

Don Slade’s nearly 40-year career in computer networking and communications systems began in the US Marine Corps.  As IT Director at NHC since 2008, Don has maintained and optimized the company’s IT infrastructure and applications, ensuring compliance with HUD regulations, privacy laws, and industry standards, such as ISO® 9000 and SOC2®.  (Read More)

Laurie Williams

Director of Finance and Accounting

Laurie joined National Housing Compliance in 2009 as an Accounting Manager. Laurie effectively managed the resources of the organization and was quickly promoted to Director of Finance and Accounting. Under her leadership, she manages the processing of more than $850 million in HAP payments for over 900 properties in Georgia and Illinois. (Read More)

Kimberly J. Bell – Senior Asset Manager

Kimberly J. Bell has more than 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. In her current role as a Senior Asset Manager, she oversees the properties in National Housing Compliance’s Georgia portfolio, handling contract renewals, rent adjustments, utility adjustments, rent comparability studies, and contributes to the development of new team members. Kimberly is valued for her compliance expertise, asset management skills, and deep knowledge of Section 8 program regulations. She has played a pivotal role on strategic projects, such as NHC’s initiative to go paperless. (Read More)

Carol Easley, COSAs – Senior Voucher Manager (IL)

Carol Easley joined National Housing Compliance in 2006. She oversees voucher processing operations for Illinois properties. She is also in charge of quality assurance as a process owner for ISO® 9000 compliance. In this capacity, she establishes policies and procedures and executes the monthly ISO reporting for the voucher department, which serves the 900+ properties in the NHC portfolio. (Read More)

Brandy Ivery, COSA – Senior Compliance Manager

As a Senior Compliance Manager at National Housing Compliance, Brandy leads a team of compliance specialists, overseeing their work to ensure properties in the Illinois portfolio fully comply with HAP contracts and HUD program regulations. Brandy is a strong, insightful leader who effectively monitors and acts on key performing indicators relating to portfolio outcomes, assurance reviews, and executes process improvements and training enhancements. She advocates for residents, addressing health and safety issues proactively and comprehensively. (Read More)

John Nocheherly – Senior Compliance Manager

As Senior Compliance Manager and corporate trainer, John Nocheherly is responsible for the end-to-end execution of NHC’s Management and Occupancy Review (MOR) program for Section 8 project-based properties. John also leads various cross-functional strategic initiatives and business development efforts to support clients and drive the NHC’s growth and operational excellence. During his tenure at NHC, he initiated the Tax Credit Low Income Housing and the HOME training programs. He also regularly consults with clients to provide the guidance they need to comply with HUD regulations after audits. (Read More)

Kelli Sterling – Senior QA Compliance Manager

Kelli Sterling has held progressively responsible roles in the affordable housing industry since 2005, when she joined NHC as an Administrative Support Specialist.  On her journey, she gained significant leadership experience in quality assurance and compliance, and a reputation that has afforded her opportunities to speak at industry events such as the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA). (Read More)

Janet Stokes, COSA – Senior Voucher Manager (GA)

In her current role as Senior Voucher Portfolio Manager, Janet oversees the auditing, approval and transmission of tenant certifications and voucher payment requests to HUD’s Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System (TRACS) for the 295 properties in National Housing Compliance’s Georgia portfolio. She strategically optimizes the organization’s processes, procedures, and documentation. Additionally, Janet designs training programs and creates documentation that supports the organization’s best practices and informs properties of regulatory developments. Janet also provides formal training to NHC client organizations, Georgia Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA), and Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA), advising them on technical issues relating to TRACS file errors, as well as other issues pertaining to voucher processing and special claims. (Read More)