RCHA Staff

Karen Jacobson serves as Executive Director of the RCHA.  In addition to executive duties, she manages housing development projects and serves on the boards of two nonprofit housing groups. Karen has an MBA from Boston University and a WV Contractor License in General Building. Her past experience includes leadership roles in the fields of community economic development, lending and social services. Karen loves to cross-country ski, climb and hike in the high Alleghenies.

Mindi Broschart is the Financial Manager for RCHA. Mindi started as a bookkeeper at RCHA and now heads the Finance Department, which takes care of three sister agency's finances as well. She has a BS in Accounting from Fairmont State University. She enjoys her role as it involves her in many aspects of the affordable housing field and often brings her finance lens to add value to project work.

Dave Clark is Special Projects Manager at the RCHA.  In this role, he is responsible for managing several programs related to new housing development, housing rehabilitation, and community development. This includes staff oversight, budget management, fundraising and grant administration, and program development. Dave started working for RCHA in September, 2008. He has a background in community organizing, infrastructure development, and environmental restoration. He is a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners and holds a BA in English from Kenyon College.

Pat Dilly is the Accounting Clerk for the Finance Department of RCHA and the three sister companies (Woodlands Development Group, Homeownership Center, Inc. and Highland Community Builders).  She gets  her financial experience from managing her husband’s construction company’s business for several years, as a former financial officer at a  health care clinic, as the bookkeeper-secretary for a paving company, by assisting with cost planning & budget analysis at a utility company, and working as secretary-company clerk at the state police & FBI. Pat loves cooking and spending time with her family and ten grandchildren.

Jay Judy serves as Development Manager for RCHA.  Jay is a licensed contractor with over twenty-five years of construction experience, half of these with RCHA. Jay oversees two construction crews, one of which is operated through a YouthBuild program, in the production of 8-10 units of housing per year.  He is responsible for managing the production of scattered site housing in a three county area, maintaining a high standard for quality, and incorporating techniques and materials that make the units very energy efficient.

Linda Koch is the Procurement Coordinator and Property Manager for RCHA.  Linda brings her experience with small business office administration, bookkeeping and the RCHA rental assistance program to this job of managing the WDG & RCHA-owned apartments (43 units). Linda is HUD-certified in Housing Quality Standards.   She has also successfully completed the coursework and exam for NeighborWorks America’s Property Management certificate.  Linda is also the RCHA “techie”, or as she refers to herself, the Geek. Linda is a voracious reader, likes horror movies, and loves to do landscaping.

Gene Ochsendorf is YouthBuild's Program Manager. Prior to be hired as the director of  YouthBuild NC, Gene directed a statewide Veterans Upward Bound Program at Davis and Elkins College for over fifteen years. In that capacity he worked closely with area agencies such West Virginia Workforce, WV Division of Rehabilitative Services, and the Higher Education Policy Commission; also the governor’s office and the West Virginia legislature.  Gene received his BS in secondary education from the Ohio State University and his MA in American Studies from the SUNY at Buffalo.

Tina Bennett works as our Project Manager, helping manage the growing number of projects on Woodlands' collective plate. Tina has a diverse skill set that serves our programs well -- with a background in business administration, Tina has taught related courses at Pierpont College in Fairmont, provided management services for a wide array of area businesses, and co-owned and managed HandyMoms, a small contracting business in Elkins. Tina's always been very involved in community, school and church events, so chances are you've met her before in one those capacities.

Chris Hussion  is responsible for maintenance of rental units in Elkins, Mill Creek, Belington, and Davis, as well as homes and offices owned by RCHA and its partners.

Denise Wallace fullfills the role of Receptionist.  Denise came to us after spending time as a stay-at-home Mom and busy community and school volunteer, but prior to starting a family was in the insurance business in Elkins and in Petersburg. 

Katrina High works both with the Woodlands’ Housing Preservation Program and on  the crucial  ‘back-office work’ on Highland Community Builder's  construction projects.   Katrina came to us from Canaan Valley Institute, where she had worked for 4+ years, moving quickly from secretarial to project management work there. 

Laura Ward is the Program Manager for the Housing Choice Voucher program (also known as “Section 8”.)  She joined the staff in April of 2008 and hit the ground running, hiring staff, meeting clients, and learning all the rules and regulations that her department follows.  She loves working for a program that makes such a difference in the community, providing safe, sound housing for lower-income residents of 6 counties.  Prior to joining RCHA, she served as a Property Manager of a senior housing development, and also has years of accounting and bookkeeping experience in the building supply and real estate industries.  Laura holds a BS in Accounting from University of West Florida. Laura enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.

Section 8 Program Staff

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