Public Housing Veteran Joins Fairstead
Keith Kinard has joined Fairstead as senior director, public housing.
He leads the firm’s public housing practice, with a focus on structuring innovative partnerships between public housing authorities and private-sector stakeholders through Rental Assistance Demonstration conversions and other project-based voucher/Housing Assistance Payment opportunities.
Kinard brings nearly 30 years of public housing leadership to the position, with expertise in property redevelopment, resident-centered community planning, and long-term stewardship of affordable housing.
He has led public housing initiatives across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for WinnDevelopment. Kinard has served as executive director or CEO for housing authorities in Pittsburgh as well as Morristown, Summit, and Newark, New Jersey.
Fairstead is a national affordable housing owner and developer as well as a general contractor and property manager.
McDowell Housing Partners Announces Chief Investment Officer
Brian Villa has been appointed chief investment officer at McDowell Housing Partners (MHP), a leading affordable housing developer and investment company. He is responsible for leading both the finance and legal departments and will collaborate with MHP’s principals and department leaders to advance the firm’s vision and operational strategies.
Villa brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate investment to the firm, which has more than 3,100 units across Florida and Texas.
He previously served as chief investment officer of a Midwest-based affordable housing developer, where he was responsible for overseeing the closing of transactions, managing the real estate portfolio, and interacting with financing partners. Before that, Villa served as general counsel for a low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) syndicator.
Industry Veteran Lorraine Coram Announces Retirement
After a nearly 40-year career in multifamily and affordable housing, Lorraine Coram, managing director and head of asset management at RBC Community Investments, has announced her retirement, effective May 31.
Coram joined RBC in 2004 as a stabilized asset manager in the firm’s Chicago office and has continued to achieve at a high level with increasing responsibilities. In 2007, she became the manager of the stabilized asset management team. In 2011, Coram was elevated to head of asset management, leading a team of 45 professionals in the oversight of construction, compliance, and operational performance of the portfolio. She and her team have worked to improve processes and outcomes while maintaining collaborative relationships with investors and developers.
Under Coram’s leadership, RBC Community Investments’ assets under management have grown to more than 1,100 properties and approximately 104,000 units representing $13.9 billion in invested LIHTC equity. Over the years, she has been a valuable mentor to her team and a respected senior leader across Community Investments, serving on the operating and investment committees.
Regions Names Managing Director of Real Estate Capital Markets Group
Regions Bank has announced Rob Russell as managing director of its Real Estate Capital Markets Group. He will focus on national origination of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Department of Housing and Urban Development, bridge, mezzanine, and preferred equity solutions for clients.
Russell has spent more than two decades in real estate financing, specifically commercial real estate lending, and he has completed more than $30 billion in total transactions. He has held several senior roles, most recently with Greystone, a company he joined in 2013 as senior managing director, serving on the management committee, overseeing an origination team, and helping to launch the firm’s CMBS platform. He also served as president of special servicing from 2020 to 2025.
Prior to Greystone, Russell was a founding member and the chief production officer of Pillar Multifamily. He’s held senior positions with Credit Suisse, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, and Nomura Asset Management.
Walters Appoints Architectural Designer for Affordable Housing Communities
Fred Brach has joined Walters Architecture to lead the design of its affordable housing communities.
As an architectural designer, Brach brings more than two decades of experience in the design of affordable housing developments as well as a long-standing relationship with Walters. To date, he has contributed to the design and completion of nearly 20 communities for the firm. Brach leads design efforts on two Walters projects underway in Cranbury and Hamilton, New Jersey.
Walters builds income-restricted and market-rate housing, premium custom homes, retail centers, and office buildings. Active throughout New Jersey, the company has three divisions—Walters Homes, Walters Architecture, and Walters Apartments.