Cindy Thompson joined CHA as Chief Operating Officer in 2024, bringing over two decades of expertise in both commercial and affordable housing. She is a seasoned leader known for her ability to transform operations and improve organizational efficiency.
Prior to joining CHA, Thompson led a significant overhaul of the Housing Choice Voucher Program at the Alexandria Redevelopment Authority, elevating it to high-performing status within just two years. Her strategic leadership earned her industry-wide recognition for her ability to enhance both program outcomes and employee morale.
Most recently, as COO of the Athens Housing Authority, Thompson achieved remarkable results by reducing the authority’s vacancy rate from 10% to 3% in just 90 days, further cementing her reputation for operational excellence.
Thompson holds dual degrees—a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Management—from Potomac College in Washington, DC. Her blend of operational expertise and leadership acumen makes her a valuable asset to CHA's executive team.
Maria Zissimos joined the Chester Housing Authority in 1999 to serve as the agency's General Counsel while overseeing a massive reorganizational initiative; she is now the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary overseeing the housing authority's Legal Affairs, Human Resources, and Financial and Risk Management Departments
Before joining the Chester Housing Authority, Ms. Zissimos was Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, now known as LandAmerica. She also spent two years at CIGNA, where she wrote the first terrorist exclusion for its property and casualty insurance lines.
She holds a Juris Doctor from the Beasley School of Law and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court of Pennsylvania. Ms. Zissimos is a member of the American Bar Association, the ABA Forum of Affordable Housing and Community and Development Law, the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section, the Delaware County Bar Association, and the Housing Development Law Institute.
She holds multiple positions of responsibility, including Director of the Housing Development Law Institute, Chair of the Swarthmore Borough Authority, and member of various committees such as the Finance Committee, the Investment Sub-Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee of the HAI Group. Additionally, she has served as Vice President and Director of the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia and as a Rotarian. Ms. Zissimos was recognized for her achievements as an extraordinary Greek American woman by the Greek American Heritage Society, AXIA, in 2019.
Shanelle Johnson has been an integral part of the CHA team since 2003. With over 19 years of professional experience, she has honed her skills as a Human Resources Administrator and Legal Assistant. Her areas of expertise include legal administration, hiring, recruitment, benefits and compensation administration, and risk management.
Shanelle earned an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Wilmington University and a certificate in Human Resources Management.
Mary Militello joined CHA in 2003. She currently leads the Public Housing Department and Housing Choice Voucher Program, overseeing more than 2,500 households. Militello brings over 30 years of experience in housing advocacy to the CHA team. Her career began in 1984 with the Federal Interagency Task Force on Food and Shelter for the Homeless in Washington, DC.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from St. Francis University and completed graduate studies in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University.
David Evers joined CHA in 2023, bringing over 13 years of expertise in residential and commercial inspection services, where he successfully managed the Northeast region. His in-depth knowledge of Public Housing and HCVP HQS regulations has made him an invaluable asset to the team.
David holds an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Raritan Valley College and possesses numerous certifications, including TA-TCI, UPCS, RAD, and Lead-Based Paint Visual Assessment.
Rodney O'Neill joined CHA in 2001, elevating to his current rank of Police Chief in 2002. He brings nearly four decades of law enforcement experience, having begun his career in the U.S Navy and retired as a Detective with the Norristown Police Department. In addition to his law enforcement responsibilities, he also directs the CHA's Information Technologies department.
Chief O'Neill has attended numerous schools over the course of his law enforcement career and has received extensive executive management training at Penn State and Princeton Universities.
Roman Kubas has served as the CHA's Chief Financial Officer since 2011, overseeing all financial operations and the accounting and procurement departments. In addition, Kubas supports CHA's energy performance contracting, ensuring that the utility consumption baseline is fairly and accurately normalized. Prior to joining the team, he spent nearly 25 years as a consultant assisting housing agencies on an array of financial, fiscal, and management issues.
Kubas is a magna cum laude graduate from Spring Garden College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
Quineice Harris has been a key member of CHA since 2016 and now serves as the Director of Public Affairs. With over 20 years of executive-level support experience in the legal, education, and real estate sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise to the organization.
Quineice holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Strayer University, highlighting her commitment to academic excellence and professional development. In her current role, she is dedicated to enhancing public relations, fostering community engagement, and advancing CHA's mission.
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