Commissioner of the Year Award
Purpose: To honor a current commissioner, or one who has served within the past 12 months, who has demonstrated excellence in advocating for and developing the financial, political, and community support necessary to ensure the continuation and expansion of housing or community development programs.
History: This award was established in 1987 to honor the efforts of commissioners in the industry. The first award was given to Ms. Elizabeth B. Wells whose own contributions included being a member of the Board of Commissioners of the King County (WA) Housing Authority and serving as NAHRO’s first Vice President of the Commissioners Committee. This award is provided to a commissioner who embodies the excellence of Ms. Wells contributions.
Qualifications: Each nominee, whether self-nominated or nominated by someone else, must be an individual or associate member of National NAHRO, have contributed in the areas of community leadership, advocacy, and public relations as well as to the activities of NAHRO and cannot be employed by the Housing Authority and serve as Commissioner simultaneously.
Deadline: 2025
The recipient will be honored during NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition.
Judging Guidelines
Recipients will be selected on the basis of their contributions in areas 1 through 4.
1. Community Leader: the candidate’s ability to persuade the community at-large that it must provide the support and assistance necessary for housing and community development programs to continue.[ 0-30 points]
2. Advocate: the candidate’s ability to articulate the importance and purpose of the authority’s efforts. [0-30 points]
3. Public Relations Officer: the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively to the press about the authority’s accomplishments, programs, policies, and future plans. [0-10 points]
4. NAHRO Service: the candidate’s service to NAHRO through participation at the Chapter, Regional, or National level. [0-30 points]
Nominees must receive an average score from the jury of at least 70 points to be considered for receipt of the award.
2024 Recipient
Adrian “AJ” Jones
Chair
Fresno Housing Authority
Fresno, CA
Previous Winners
2023
Fred Banuelos
Vice Chair
Housing Authority of the City of Allentown
Allentown, PA
2022
Dianna Payton
Chairperson
East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority
Baton Rouge, LA
2021
Thomas Jefferson
Commissioner
Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Fargo, ND
2020
Karina Mason Rorris
Chairperson
Housing Alliance and Community Partnerships
Pocatello, ID
2018
Edwina P. Carrington
Commissioner
Housing Authority of fhe City of Austin
Austin, TX
2017
Shola Olatoye
Chairman/CEO
New York City Housing Authority
New York, NY
2016
Gary A. Gramling
Chairman
San Diego Housing Commission
San Diego, CA
2015
Wilbert Jones
Commissioner
Housing Authority of the City of Merdiian
Meridian, MS
2014
Alan Styles
Former Commissioner
Housing Authority of the County of Monterey
Salinas, CA
2013
Johnny Johnson
Commissioner Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. IV
Columbus, MS
2011
Casey Wallace
Chairman
Harris County Housing Authority
Houston, TX
2010
Fred Wescott
Chairman
Winnebago County Housing Authority
Rockford, IL
2009
Sal Salas
Chairman
San Diego Housing Commission
San Diego, CA
2007
Doreen Cato
Commissioner
King County Housing Authority
Seattle, WA
2006
Richard Y. Nelson, Jr.
Chairman
Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County
Kensington, MD
2005
Carl S. Richie, Jr.
Commissioner
Housing Authority of the City of Austin
Austin, TX
2004
Rev. France A. Davis
Chairperson
Housing Authority of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
2003
Richard S. Lujan
Chairman
Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa
Martinez, CA
2002
Delmar Robinson
Chairman
Biloxi Housing Authority
Biloxi, MS
2001
Charles B. Redd
Chairperson
Ft. Wayne Housing Authority
Ft. Wayne, IN
2000
Sue H. McClenachan
Chairperson
Greenwich Housing Authority
Greenwich, CT
1999
Marjorie C. Murphy
Commissioner
Wayne County Housing Authority
Hawley, PA
1998
Ozie B. Gonzaque
Chairperson
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
1997
John L. Collins
Commissioner
Vancouver Housing Authority
Vancouver, WA
1996
Edna Dorothy Carty-Daniel
Commissioner/Vice Chairperson
Perth Amboy Housing Authority
Perth Amboy, NJ
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