Original founding board members of TMHA were Mr. Robert
B. White, Jr., Mr. Lewis H Brown, Mr. Glessner Lechner,
Mr. Paul Simpson, and Mr. Luther Cato.
Many forward thinking and dedicated citizens have served
on the TMHA Board of Commissioners over the years. Founding
member Luther Cato had a strong vision for the role of
TMHA in Tuscarawas County, and served on the board until
his death in 1997.
See the Board of Commissioners section
for current board appointees.
TMHA is a contract administrator for U.S. Housing &
Urban Development (HUD). The authority’s biggest
program is the HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
TMHA also administrates the Family Self Sufficiency program
for Section 8 families who wish to enhance their income
through employment, and want to establish an escrow savings
account. Beginning in 2002, TMHA will manage the Clay
Village Apartments in Uhrichsville, a multi- family 40-unit
apartment complex serving low-income families through
the Rural Development (formerly FmHA) 515 subsidy program.
TMHA Staff |
Board of Commissioners
Staff
Claudia Duerr
Claudia Duerr is the Executive Director of TMHA. She joined
the staff in 1993, and has held the positions of Family
Self Sufficiency Coordinator, and Deputy Director. She
was appointed to the director spot in 1998. Her responsibilities
include oversight of program operations and financial
management. She is responsible for overall program administration,
including budgeting and fiscal close-out procedures, the
annual state audit process, and interpretation and implementation
of HUD regulations. In conjunction with the Assistant
Administrator and the Board of Commissioners, she plans
future operations and initiatives of the housing authority.
Claudia is an area native, and graduated from Garaway
High School. She has completed a Bachelor of Science in
Education degree from Ohio State University, and a Certificate
Degree in Interior Design from Akron University. In her
work career, she has taught secondary English in Pennsylvania
and Ohio, and has worked for the Ohio State University
Extension Service in Stark Co. as a Family and Consumer
Sciences Program Assistant. Prior to joining the TMHA
staff, she administrated the Tuscarawas Co. Recycling
and Litter Prevention Program. She resides near Bolivar
with her husband, Dale. They have three grown sons, Aaron,
Zachary, and Seth. The addition of a new daughter-in-law,
Amy, in 2000, rounds out the family. Professional organizations
include the Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity
of Tuscarawas Valley, the Ohio State University Alumni
Assn., the Tuscarawas Co. OSU Extension Advisory Committee.
She was a 15-year 4-H club advisor, and currently holds
the office of secretary for the Ohio Housing Authorities
Conference.
Marty Chumney
Marty Chumney joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority in 1995 and holds the position of Assistant
Administrator. His primary responsibilities with TMHA
include assisting TMHA’s Executive Director in administering
the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. His duties
include implementing TMHA programs and initiatives in
conjunction with HUD guidelines, oversight of TMHA’s
Rent Reasonableness and Tenant Integrity programs, presenting
TMHA policies at new applicant briefings, creating monthly
landlord and FSS newsletters, and consulting regularly
with TMHA’s Board of Commissioners and Resident Advisory
Board.
Additionally, Mr. Chumney coordinates TMHA’s Self-Sufficiency
Program where he works closely with Section 8 clients
and local service agencies to help clients achieve established
self-sufficiency objectives. He is a graduate of Dover
High School and Ohio State University with a degree in
Political Science. Marty has over 13 years experience
as a high school basketball official and is a member of
the Eastern District Basketball Officials Association.
He resides in New Philadelphia with his wife Shawna and
children Laurel, Derek & Brock.
Lisa Morris
Lisa Morris joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority in 1996 and has the position of Occupancy
Specialist. Her primary responsibilities with TMHA are
annually re-certifying tenant files to re-determine program
eligibility, presentation of TMHA policies at new applicant
briefings, handling landlord requests for rent adjustments
and general office duties. Prior to joining the housing
authority Ms. Morris worked as a Customer Service Representative
for Snyder Manufacturing. She is a graduate of Newcomerstown
High School and attended Kent State University. Lisa is
married to a wonderful husband, Jimm and they have two
young sons, Maguire and Brody.
Elain Yenni
Elain Yenni joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority in 1997 and has the position of Occupancy
Specialist. Her primary responsibilities with TMHA include
pulling names from the waiting list, processing client
applications, screening applicants for eligibility, conducting
criminal background checks, presenting TMHA policies at
new applicant briefings, preparing new tenant leases,
processing interim changes of client incomes and family
composition, and reviewing Request for Lease Approval
forms. Prior to joining the housing authority Ms. Yenni
worked at Whitemyer Advertising as a Production Coordinator.
She is a graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School. She
has three daughters, Ashli who is a Nursing student at
Kent State University, Autumn who attends Akron University
and Ashante’ who is a student at Dover High School.
Martin Howell
Martin Howell joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority in 1992 and has the position of HQS
Inspector & Data / Fiscal Manager. He wears a number
of hats at TMHA including management of TMHA’s unit
inspection program to determine if rental units placed
on the Section 8 program meet HUD’s Housing Quality
Standards (HQS) standards. Martin also handles bookkeeping
duties, and maintains TMHA’s accounting records.
Martin provides in-house management and oversight for
the TMHA internal computer network, Section 8 tenant/owner
housing database, and numerous software programs. 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.
Mindy Ricker
Mindy Ricker joined the staff of the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority in 2000 and has the position of Occupancy
Specialist Assistant. Her primary responsibilities with
TMHA are processing applications for the waiting list,
general office duties, reviewing leases and contracts
with landlords and tenants, scheduling appointments and
inspections, preparing formal application and recertification
packets and processing payments to TMHA. Prior to joining
the housing authority, Ms. Ricker worked as an Administrative
Assistant and in Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable.
She is a graduate of Dover High School and attended the
University of Akron where she was a Feature Twirler for
two years with the Zips Marching Band. Mindy has a son
named Chase and is involved with AMA District 12 Motocross
and Harescramble races doing registration and scorekeeping.
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Board of Commissioners
Jill Lengler - Chairman of the TMHA Board of Commissioners
was first appointed to the Board by the Mayor of New Philadelphia
in the 1980's. Ms. Lengler is the Assistant Director for
OMEGA, (A 10 County Local Development District) in Cambridge,
Ohio where she is responsible for the Appalachian Regional
Commission and Economic Development Administration Grants.
She is a graduate of Kent State University with a degree
in Architecture. In addition to her service with the TMHA
Board, Jill serves on the Boards of the Tuscarawas County
Regional Planning Commission, Main Street New Philadelphia
and the Dover Shade Tree Commission. She lives in Dover
with her husband and two children.
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 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.
George Houston - Vice Chairman of the TMHA Board of
Commissioners was appointed to the Board by the Mayor
of New Philadelphia in 1996. Mr. Houston is retired from
the former Joy Manufacturing Co. where he worked as an
Inspector. A New Philadelphia resident, he has served
as a member of New Philadelphia City Council since 1985
where he represents Ward I. His duties with Council include
being Chairman of the Annexing & Zoning Committee
and serving as a member of the Finance & Public Works
Committees. George is also active in the New Phila Planning
Commission, is Vice President of the Minority Employment
Readiness Committee, T-4-C Board Member, MR/DD Board Member
and the Community Corrections Committee. Additionally,
he is active with the First Baptist Church of Dover as
the Chairman of Trustees, New Philadelphia Airport Commission
and member of the Tuscarawas County Democratic Party Central
Committee.
Becky Zimmerman joined the Tuscarawas Metropolitan
Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 2006 when she
was appointed by the Tuscarawas County Juvenile / Probate
Court.
Becky is currently employed by Horizons Inc. where she
holds the position of Manager Professional for the Twin
City Family Home. The home provides professional
residential and medical care for qualifying disabled
individuals. In her position, Becky oversees a staff of 8
employees.
In her spare time she is actively involved with the Red
Cross as a First Aide and CPR Instructor. She has also
been a Girl Scout Leader. Becky has two daughters,
Courtney and Mackenzie and they all have been lifetime
residents of the Twin City area.
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