TMHA Staff |
Board of Commissioners
Staff
Martin Howell
Martin Howell joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority in
1992 and now holds the position of Executive Director. He wears a number of hats
at TMHA including bookkeeping duties, and maintaining TMHA's accounting records.
Mr. Howell also provides in-house management and oversight for the TMHA internal
computer network, Section 8 tenant/owner housing database, and numerous software
programs. Before becoming the Executive Director he also served as the TMHA Fiscal
Administrator and prior to that as HQS
Inspector, in charge of TMHA's inspection program to determine if rental units
placed on the Section 8 program meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
standards.
TMHA also operates a side-by-side non-profit known as Tuscarawas Affordable Housing
Services which owns and operates a 40 unit apartment complex in Uhrichsville, Ohio
known as Clay Village Apartments. Mr. Howell serves as the President of Tuscarawas
Affordable Housing Services.
Prior to joining the housing authority, Mr. Howell served eight years in
the military in various positions with the U.S. Army. He is a graduate of Strasburg
High School and attended the University of Akron.
Sarah West
Sarah West joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority in June
2009 and has the position of Occupancy Specialist. Her primary responsibilities with
TMHA are to conduct annual recertification interviews with tenants to determine if
eligibility for housing assistance remains. She also processes interim income
changes and household composition changes as well as the presentation of TMHA
policies at new applicant briefings.
Sarah graduated from Dover High School and has a Bachelor of Arts in History and
Criminal Justice Studies from Kent State University. In addition to working at TMHA,
she is a tour guide at the J.E. Reeves Home and Museum
Elain Yenni
Elain Yenni joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority in
1997 and has the position of Occupancy/Portability Specialist. Her primary
responsibilities with TMHA include pulling names from the waiting list, processing
client applications, screening applicants for eligibility, assisting the Fraud
Investigator with leads regarding potential tenant fraud, presenting program rules,
policies, procedures & policies in new tenant briefings, reviewing Request for
Tenant Approval forms, preparing all leases, calculating interim changes of clients
income and family composition changes, processing requests to transfer Section 8
vouchers into or out of Tuscarawas County.
Additionally, Ms. Yenni coordinates the Shelter + Care Program and New Philadelphia
Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (separate programs administered by TMHA).
Prior to joining the housing authority Elain worked at Whitemyer Advertising as a
Production Coordinator. She has three daughters, Ashli, a nurse at Union Hospital,
Autumn, an Adjudication Coordinator at Ohio Board of Nursing, and Ashanté, a nurse
at Gabrail Cancer Center. She has a precious grandson Carter, who is her pride and
joy. She currently resides in New Philadelphia.
Terry Brugger
Terry Brugger joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority in
June, 2009. He is serving as the TMHA HQS Inspector,
in charge of TMHA's inspection program to determine if rental units
placed on the Section 8 program meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards
(HQS).
Prior to joining the housing authority, Mr. Brugger was
employed as an Operational Supervisor at Zimmer Orthopaedic Surgical
Products.
He is a graduate of Garaway High School, and holds an Associate's
Degree in Chemical Engineering From Columbus Technical Institute,
and a
Bachelor's Degree in Business from Otterbein College.
Tracie Smith
Tracie Smith joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority in
June of 2010 and has the position of Occupancy Specialist Assistant. Her primary
responsibilities with TMHA are processing applications for the waiting list, general
office duties, obtaining verification information, reviewing leases and contracts
with tenants and landlords, scheduling appointments and inspections, preparing
formal application and recertification packets and processing payments to TMHA.
For the previous thirteen years prior to joining TMHA, Tracie was employed by Marlow
Omnicare Pharmacy as a billing adjudicator. She and her husband reside in Dover.
They have four children and eight grandchildren.
Jody Jeffers
Jody Jeffers originally joined the TMHA staff in May 2009 as an Occupancy Specialist
at which time she conducted recertification interviews and completed interim changes
for families receiving Section 8 Housing Assistance. After a short absence from the
Housing Authority she returned as the FSS/Homeownership Coordinator. Her primary
duties are coordinating the FSS (Family Self-Sufficiency) Program which involves
closely working with Section 8 recipients and local service agencies to assist clients
achieve their self-sufficiency goals according to their individual case plan. She
conducts their recertification and processes any interim changes that may occur.
Creating a monthly newsletter, assisting with resume writing, preparing individuals
for employment interviews, and networking with other community agencies that can assist
individuals with their needs are all part of her duties. She introduces the program at
new tenant briefings and screens potential FSS participants.
In addition, Jody works with families to achieve their dream of becoming a homeowner thru
the Homeownership Program offered by TMHA. She presents homeownership training sessions to
qualified families. Jody is also a Board Member for Tuscarawas County Council for Church and
Community (T-4-C).
Jody was born and raised in the area and moved in 1985 to Belmont County. She worked as a Case
Manager for the Belmont County Job and Family Services where she was employed for over 11 years.
She married her husband, David, and moved to Augusta Georgia. Having the opportunity to move home,
she and David decided to move to the area to raise their children (Derek, Chloe, and Benjamin).
Jody is a New Philadelphia High School graduate, has a Business Management degree from Belmont Technical
College, and has attended Ohio University Eastern and Kent State Tuscarawas.
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Board of Commissioners
Jill Lengler
Jill Lengler, Chairperson of the TMHA Board of Commissioners was first appointed to the
Board by the Mayor of New Philadelphia in the 1980's. Miss Lengler is a Tuscarawas County
Native, Kent State University graduate with degree in Architecture; 21 years with W. E.
Quicksall and Associates, Consulting Engineers, working with local communities for funding
for infrastructure; 6 years Assistant Director at the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association
(OMEGA) a 10 county Appalachian Development District. Currently starting 4th year as Director
of Tuscarawas County Regional Planning Commission and is Floodplain Coordinator for Tuscarawas
County.
Current Affiliations: Dover Shade Tree Commission, Dover Historical Society, Chairman of
Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing Authority, President of Crossroads Resource Conservation &
Development, a 12 county nonprofit. Jill is married, has 2 children and resides in Dover.
Dave Smith
Dave Smith has been a member of the TMHA Board of
Commissioners since he was appointed by the Tuscarawas
County Commissioners. Mr. Smith, a licensed Realtor, has
a lengthy history of working in the housing industry.
He was one of the founders of Claymont Jaycee Housing
in Uhrichsville, Ohio and currently serves as Property
Manager for Jaycee Housing where he manages 236 units
of project based assisted housing. Mr. Smith was also
one of the founders of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan Housing
Authority and served as an Administrator in those formative
years. A lifetime resident of the Uhrichsville area, he
along with his wife Sue are the parents of four children.
Twin daughters named Heidy & Holly, Dustin and Kimberly
and twin granddaughters Malory and Maley Ann and a grandson
named Kylar. In his spare time he enjoys golf, basketball,
walking, traveling and spending time with his family.
Carol Penix
Carol Penix has been a long serving member of the
Tuscarawas MHA Board of Commissioners. She had initially
been appointed by the Tuscarawas County Commissioners,
but after a brief absence from the Board, was reappointed
in 2000 by the Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court. Ms.
Penix is currently Project Director for Harcatus Housing
where she is responsible for housing and weatherization
services in the three county area of Harrison, Carroll
and Tuscarawas Counties. In her position she is responsible
for home repair, utility programs, home counseling services,
new home construction and the universal service fund.
She is a graduate of the University of Akron with a Bachelors
Degree in Social Work / Sociology. Carol is a member of
Grace Lutheran Church, National Association of Social
Workers and is a Board Member of the Corporation of Ohio
Appalachian Development. She resides in Dover and is an
avid Ohio State and Dover football fan.
Winnie Walker
Winnie Walker joined the TMHA Board of Commissioners in 2008, appointed by New
Philadelphia Mayor Mike Taylor to replace the late George Houston. Ms. Walker is retired
from Union Hospital where she was employed as a PBX Operator for 33 years. She has been
very active in our community including the following affiliations. She is currently an
at-large member of New Philadelphia City Council, board member for Tuscarawas County
March of Dimes, Ohio Polio Network board member for 5 years, President of The Helps
Foundation, has been appointed to both the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
Committee and the Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities. Additionally,
Winnie co-founded S.E.A. / Independent Living Center and served on the board of director’s
for several years and was appointed to the Tuscarawas County Local Emergency Planning
Committee by the Tuscarawas County Commissioners. She resides in New Philadelphia with
her husband Albert.
Angel Herbert
Angel Herbert is the resident member of the TMHA Board. She was appointed by Probate
Judge Linda Kate in January, 2011. Angel has been a long time employee
of the Balloonatique in New Philadelphia where she assists in making
people smile. She is currently attending Stark State and studying in the
program of Occupational Therapy Assistant. After graduation, Angel wishes
to work with special needs children (she currently volunteers and assists
children with Downs Syndrome). Angel resides in New Philadlephia and is
very blessed to have three wonderful children. Having been a long time
resident of Tuscarawas County, Angel has served the communities in many
ways. She has been a Room Mother, PTO Treasurer, Council Person Elect for
Port Washington, Treasurer of Christian Board of Education (St. Paul's
United Church of Christ), and as a volunteer for the Union Hospital
Christmas Party.
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