Board of Directors
- Helena L. Jubany, AIA, Chair
Corporate Director & Managing Principal, Jubany – NAC | Architecture
Helena Jubany is Managing Principal of Jubany-NAC/Architecture, a national full-service architectural firm. Ms. Jubany previously owned her own full-service firm before merging with a national entity. She specializes in institutional and public sector projects, which has given her a unique perspective on working with the public sector and all its opportunities and constraints.
- Sean L. Leonard, Vice Chair
President, S.L. Leonard & Associates, Inc.
Mr. Leonard is the Principal of S.L. Leonard and Associates, a real estate construction management firm. Among Mr. Leonard’s high profile projects are the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The California Endowment headquarters in Los Angeles. Mr. Leonard has an extensive background in construction management and related disciplines. He teaches at UCLA extension and provides valuable input to ACOF staff regarding project development.
- James Preis, Treasurer
Executive Director, Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.
Mr. Preis has been the Executive Director of Mental Health Advocacy Services, a non-profit advocacy agency for persons with mental illness, for 25 years. In this capacity, he has developed a national reputation as one of the country’s leading authorities on law and mental disability. Mr. Preis is a founding Board member of ACOF and actively participates on policy matters pertaining to financial operations and organizational development.
- Maria Cabildo, Secretary
President, East LA Community Corporation
Ms. Cabildo is the President of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC), a community-based nonprofit serving East and Northeast Los Angeles. Formerly Deputy Director of ACOF, Ms. Cabildo now heads an organization that focuses on affordable housing development, homeownership programs, financial literacy, and community organizing.
- Detrich B. Allen, Member
Manager, Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Ms. Allen is a Manager in the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Transportation, working on issues of sustainability. She has over 20 years of experience in the environmental field, including matters related to air and water quality, brownfields, energy efficiency, and greening program. Her expertise in this area and in all levels of government are strong assets to the ACOF Board.
- Suzanne Bayliss, Member
Director of Development, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate
Ms. Bayliss is the Director of Development at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. Prior to her position at USC, she worked in the residential real estate industry and on a number of political campaigns. Ms. Bayliss brings project management, political, marketing and fundraising experience to ACOF’s Board. Ms. Bayliss was a member of the board for three years before stepping off the board for one year. She returned to ACOF’s Board in July 2011.
- Marc Binenfeld, Member
Consultant, Property Manager
Mr. Binenfeld is a consultant in the property management field. He has been involved in all aspects of residential, retail and commercial management, including lease negotiation and marketing, for over 20 years. As ACOF’s portfolio grows, staff is drawing on Mr. Binenfeld’s expertise in asset management-related issues.
- Brenda Coleman, Member
Tenant and Community Volunteer
Ms. Coleman is a tenant at Brandon Apartments. She has been stabilized in permanent housing for over three years. Ms. Coleman is a community volunteer. Ms. Coleman began her extensive volunteer work at her daughter’s school, resulting in her subsequent nomination to ACOF’s Board.
- Thomas Connelly, Member
Chief Financial Officer, Niner, Inc.
Mr. Connelly is part owner and Chief Financial Officer of Niner, Inc., a company that designs, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art mountain bikes on a global basis. Prior to his involvement with Niner, Mr. Connelly worked in various capacities as a home builder in California, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee. He comes to ACOF with experience in development as well as residential and corporate finance. Mr. Connelly joined ACOF’s Board in December 2010.
- Allen Freeman, Member
Manager, Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, LLP
Allen Freeman is a Manager in the Transaction Real Estate group at Ernst & Young, LLP. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Freeman was Managing Director at JSM Capital, LLC, a multifamily real estate development firm based in Los Angeles. Mr. Freeman’s direct experience in corporate strategy, finance and acquisitions, and entitlements rounds out the Board’s development skillset.
- Elizabeth Garcia, Member
President/CEO, Construction Coordination Services, LLC.
Ms. Garcia is an experienced administrator with a strong background in health care, finance and human resources. She also worked in various capacities within the County of Los Angeles. Her background in healthcare will help ACOF strengthen its focus on supportive services.
- Michael S. Linsk, Member
Managing Director, FTI Consulting
Mr. Linsk is the Managing Director for the real estate consulting practice of FTI Consulting. Mr. Linsk has over 30 years of experience in the fields of real estate finance, consulting, mortgage banking and development, including participation in audits of large portfolios of tax credit properties for investor/syndicators.
- Mitchell B. Menzer, Member
Partner, Real Estate Department, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP
Mitchell B. Menzer is a Partner with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP and a member of the firm’s Global Real Estate Group. Mr. Menzer represents investors and developers in all aspects of real estate transactions, with substantial expertise in land use regulation and obtaining entitlements for real estate development projects.
- Jeff Ong-Siong, CPA, Member
Partner, RBZ LLP
Jeff Ong-Siong is a partner in the public accounting and strategic business consulting firm RBZ, LLP. A certified public accountant, he has more than 15 years of accounting and tax experience. Mr. Ong-Siong’s keen interest in affordable housing and his professional background make him an important resource for policy matters related to ACOF’s financial operations.
- Carmel B. Sella, Member
Community Development Manager, Wells Fargo
Carmel Sella is a Community Development Manager at Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to joining the bank, she worked for 10 years in various capacities in city government, including Deputy Mayor and General Counsel to former Los Angeles City Mayor James Hahn. Ms. Sella was also in private practice as an employment litigator. These experiences, combined with her affordable housing policy expertise, will inform the Board in the governance of ACOF.
- Elizabeth Vaughn, Member.
Community Volunteer
Ms. Vaughn is a community volunteer. Ms. Vaughn has a legal background and has worked as an administrator in a number of different capacities, including in the education field. She has served on the board of other nonprofit organizations and brings a combination of experiences to ACOF’s board. Ms. Vaughn joined the Board in July 2011.
