The activities reported on this dynamic web site reflect our mission: to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for assisted families at or below 80 percent of median income. Our tools are HACEP's existing housing stock, private rentals under the Housing Choice Voucher Program that meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards, and income-producing real estate ventures.  Additionally, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve self-sufficiency including realizing the American dream of homeownership. HACEP also provides a variety of other programs such as education, recreation, anti-drug programs, job training, small business development, community organization and others that are designed to help residents of public housing achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence.

Our ambitious construction and modernization program ensures that all our properties meet or exceed the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing quality standards. Many of our developments represent some of the best housing stock in El Paso. The Housing Authority developed the Revitalization Plan Statement for Hope VI Urban Revitalization Demonstration program for the Kennedy Brothers Memorial Apartments (KBMA), and the Alamito transformation that is occuring in "Segundo Barrio." The Affordable Housing Disposition Program (AHDP) assures that a portion of the vast portfolio of RTC properties is made available to lower income renters and homeowners.

 

Satish Bhaskar - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Bhaskar comes to HACEP with more than 30 years experience in the finance field.� He graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Missouri, Block School of Business; and a Master of Accounting (MA) from the University of Kerala, India.

Mr. Bhaskar's professional qualifications and experience include working for the Housing Authority of the City of New Haven CT as Chief Financial Officer. Housing Authority of Kansas City, MO where he started in 2003 as Director of Finance ascending to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Vice-President, Administration/CFO BGC of the Greater Kansas City, Kansas City MO a Kansas City affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, SVP/Chief Finance & Compliance Officer for Full Employment Council Inc., a Kansas City based employment & training agency funded by the US Dept. of Labor, where he started in 1987 holding several positions such as: Senior Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, and VP and Chief Financial Officer. Supervisor of Client Services for Sellers & Co CPA a Regional Certified Public Accountant Firm. Mr. Bhaskar also worked as Chief Accountant for B D Steel Casting LTD, Bombay India.

Mr. Bhaskar is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the India Association of Kansas City.

Michael Spurlock - Legal Counsel / Corporate Attorney

Mr. Spurlock comes to HACEP with a broad range of legal experience in our community. Prior to joining HACEP he served as Regional Managing Attorney for Advocacy, Inc., and as General Counsel for El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board. He has also practiced law with an El Paso law firm, as a sole practitioner, and served as an assistant city attorney.

Mr. Spurlock received his juris doctor degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. He is member of the State Bar of Texas and is licensed in U.S. District Court.  He also studied Spanish at Instituto Cuaunahuac Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Mr. Spurlock currently serves on the El Paso County Child Welfare Board. He has served on the boards of directors of the Southwest Chapter of the Autism Society of America and the El Paso Child Guidance Center.

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Yolanda Dion - Director of Budgets and Forecast

Ms. Dion has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Texas in El Paso, graduating with a Major in Accounting.  Ms. Dion has worked for HACEP for 20 years. Ms. Dion's first position within HACEP was as a Grants Accountant and worked her way up to the Directorship position.  During her tenure with HACEP, Ms. Dion has received numerous HUD certifications and continues to receive extensive training through HACEP on all areas of Management and Finance.  She has also obtained her Public Housing Manager Certification. Prior to joining HACEP, Ms. Dion worked for the County of El Paso Auditor's Office as a Payroll Accountant and has worked for the private sector as Account Payable/Accounts Receivable Accountant.

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Roman B. Velasquez - Director of Public Housing Programs

\Mr. Velasquez has been employed with the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, Texas for the past 11 years.  Since his employment, he has held several positions to include Housing Manager and Area Housing Supervisor. With a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Mr. Velasquez is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Prior to his employment with HACEP, Mr. Velasquez worked as a Property Manager in the state of Hawaii for eight years and holds several professional designations and certifications in the field of residential property management, both in the public and private sectors, to include; Certified Public Housing Manager, Accredited Residential Manager, Certified Manager of Community Associations, Association Management Specialist and Certified Apartment Manager.

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Lorena Rivera - Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program

Mrs. Rivera is a graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso with a B.B.A. Degree in Finance and a Minor degree in Management. She also has an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Rose State College in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mrs. Rivera has extensive knowledge in the Housing Choice Voucher Program and has been with the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso for more than 10 years where she has held several positions including Housing Choice Voucher Supervisor for the Admissions Department, Accountant for the Internal Audits Department, Quality Assurance Accountant for the HCV Department, Accountant for the Budgets Department and Accountant Technician for the Payroll Department.

Her professional certifications include: HCV Eligibility Specialist Certification by Nan McKay, HCV Rent Calculation Specialist Certification by Nan McKay, Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist Certification by Nan McKay, Leadership Certificate Skills Program for Housing Authorities by The Human Resource Consortium, LLC, and Management Competencies Certification Program for Housing Authorities by The Human Resource Consortium, LLC.

Mrs. Rivera is a Native El Pasoan and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

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Karen McCluskey  - Director of Contract Compliance and Procurement Administration

Mrs. McCluskey has a Bachelors Degree in Science in Business Management.  She is graduate student at UTEP working on an MPA/MBA degree and comes to HACEP with more than 12 years' experience in Procurement and Contracts in the El Paso Community. Mrs. McCluskey is a Certified Texas Purchasing Manager (CTPM), has a Certification Degree in General Insurance and Bonds, and 6 years in the City Attorney's Office as Legal Assistant. Mrs. McCluskey has been an El Paso resident for 30 years.

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Juan A. Olvera  - Director of Capital Funds (CFP) Programs

Mr. Olvera has a Masters in Engineering Management/Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, a B.S. in Chemical & Industrial Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico, and comes to HACEP with more than 25 years of experience as a results-oriented executive manager in the private sector.

Mr. Olvera has served as President for subsidiaries and companies of two of the largest cement and construction materials companies in the world. He has also served as Director of International-Offset Programs for one of the largest aerospace companies, and developed international business opportunities for foreign customers.

Mr. Olvera served as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Rock Products Association, 1995 - 1999. In the Public Sector, Mr. Olvera served as Procurement and Contracts Manager for the West Texas Workforce Board. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.

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Gary Knudsen  - Director of Information Technology

Mr. Knudsen has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Redlands, an Associate of Science in Data Processing from the Control Data Institute, and an Associate of Arts Degree from Cypress College.

Mr. Knudsen's professional experience includes: Manager of Operations and Delivery, Business IT Manager for Engineered Materials Group, Engelhard CLAL, and Appearance and Performance Technologies, Manager of Data Processing, Production Operations Manger, EQ Site Coordinator, Supervisor of Information Systems, Plant IS Coordinator, Mottle Production Supervisor, and MOS-Administration.

Mr. Knudsen was recognized for outstanding performance and professionalism through the receipt of Engelhard's 1996 Exceptional Quality Award.

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Woody Bare - Chief of Security

Chief Bare is retired from the El Paso Police Department where he worked for more than 28 years. His experience with the EPPD includes working as a Sergeant for more than 18 years including patrol, investigations, tactical operations, gang suppression, community services, training and crime prevention.

Chief Bare is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virg. He has attended courses at El Paso Community College, the University of Virginia, and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. Chief Bare was instrumental in implementing the Crime Stoppers gas run program which later became the "Pay Before You Pump" city ordinance. He also helped to expand the School Resource Officer Program between the EPPD and the Ysleta Independent School District and participated in the planning committee for the FBINAA National Conference 2000 held in El Paso.

Chief Bare is a native El Pasoan, enjoys local history and the outdoors and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

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Patrick Ortega, SPHR   - Director of Human Resources

Mr. Ortega obtained his Bacelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, obtained his Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certificate from the HR Certification Institute and is in the process of pursuing his Master's in Professional Studies - Human Resources and Employee Relations from Penn State University.

Mr. Ortega’s professional experience includes working as the Regional Center Manager for Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande in El Paso, Director of the HR Business Partner-Smartshore SBU with ADP, Senior Human Resources Manager of the Western Region for the Dish Network, Employee Relations Manager with Coca Cola Enterprises in El Paso, Director of Employee Relations with Pinnacle Logistics/Safeway Supermarkets in Pleasanton, Calif., and as Administrative Officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles.   He received the Upper Rio Grande “Elite Award” multiple times for having demonstrated service that is above and beyond to both internal and external customers within the region.

Mr. Ortega is fluent in both English and Spanish.