Management Team
ACHA’s Management Team consists of directors and managers representing the Housing Authority’s various activities, including properties, programs and services, and administration. They are responsible for overseeing and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Housing Authority in a manner consistent with its mission and vision.
Donald May – Executive Director
Donald May was appointed Executive Director of the Adams County Housing Authority (ACHA) in 1992 and has been with the organization since 1986. Mr. May’s role as the Executive Director is to set the direction and oversee the operations of the organization. Under Mr. May’s leadership, the organization has experienced steady growth and expansion of Programs and Services. The annual budget for the organization has grown from under $3 million to over $19 million today. Over the past 15 years, Mr. May has aggressively pursued the development of new affordable housing units in Adams County utilizing both public and private partnerships resulting in increased portfolio growth. ACHA has grown from owning 132 housing units in 1992 to owning over 1066 today with an additional 756 units of which ACHA is in partnership. Although the Affordable Housing industry has been faced with budgetary cuts, rising costs and increased need for housing assistance, Mr. May has stayed committed to ACHA’s primary goal of providing high quality affordable housing to residents of Adams County and providing the residents with programs that enable them to become economically self-sufficient.
Mr. May holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Certificate in Administration of Non-Profit Organizations. Mr. May serves on the Community Revitalization and Development Committee of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and is the current President of the local Colorado NAHRO. Mr. May also serves as a member of the Adams County Workforce Investment Board, CO-Chairs the Adams County Housing and Economic Development Task Force; and was previously appointed to the Colorado Interagency Council on Homelessness by the Governor’s office.
Linda Thomas – Deputy Director
L. Linda Thomas serves as Deputy Director for ACHA. Her primary focus is on business and operational efficiencies along with real estate development activities. Prior to joining ACHA, Ms. Thomas was Vice President of FHA Originations with Deutsche Bank Berkshire Mortgage (DBBM) in Irvine, CA and Manager of Multifamily Loan Production with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). Ms. Thomas has 18 years of experience in all aspects of multifamily housing, including; finance, development, construction and asset management. Ms. Thomas has focused the majority of her career in the affordable housing finance area where tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits have been the primary sources of finance in the capital structure of transactions. Ms. Thomas holds a degree in Computer Information.
Michael Belieu – Controller
Michael Belieu serves as the Controller of ACHA. Mr. Belieu has over 17 years of accounting, real estate and development experience. He brings financial oversight, budget, and project management knowledge to ACHA. In addition to his financial roles, he manages the IT duties for the Housing Authority. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and graduate degree from Regis University. Mr. Belieu enjoys boating and water skiing.
Lori Strange – Director of Planning and Development
Lori Strange is the Director of Planning & Resource Development. She has worked with government programs since 1986, and joined the ACHA team in 1993. During her tenure Ms. Strange has fulfilled the duties of a Housing Counselor, Section 8/Public Housing Specialist, Housing Counseling Supervisor, Program Development Manager/Grant Writer and her present planning and development responsibilities. Her favorite accomplishments include Certification in Data Processing and Computer Science and passing the State and Federal Real Estate Exam. Ms. Strange is a Colorado Native, enjoys playing the piano, and is an avid Court TV fan.
Val Martinez - Director of Property Operations
Val Martinez is the Director of Property Operations in which he oversees all operations of homes and apartment communities from the physical condition to the financial details. Mr. Martinez brings with him a wealth of property operation knowledge from his 15 plus years in property management. During his time in the private sector he focused on new developments, property acquisitions, property rehab (re-positioning) and lease up. Mr. Martinez also volunteers several hours a year as an instructor for the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. During his spare time he likes to ride his motorcycle, play golf and spend time with his teenage son.
Bonnie Brodie, MCJ – Director of Resident Programs
Bonnie Brodie serves as the Director of Resident Programs for the Adams County Housing Authority. Ms. Brodie brings over 15 years of public service and social work to the agency. She was on the original research planning team for welfare reform, currently known as TANF, at the University Of Colorado Graduate School Of Public Affairs where she also earned her master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Brodie enjoys horseback riding, swimming and her three Chihuahua’s.
Brenda Mascarenas - Director of Housing Programs
Brenda Mascarenas serves as the Director of Housing Programs. Ms. Mascarenas joined the Adams County Housing Authority in 1991. She is responsible for the administration, management and oversight of the Subsidized Housing Programs - Section 8, Low Income Public Housing, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, and the HOPWA program. Through her many years of experience, knowledge and expertise, she has since become a member of the agency’s management team. Ms. Mascarenas is a Colorado native and a longtime resident of Adams County. She loves the Denver Broncos and spending time with her husband & two children.
Jan Brandt - Property Development Coordinator
Jan Brandt joined the ACHA administrative management team in January of 2007. Born and raised in Flagler, a small eastern Colorado town, she is a graduate from Colorado State University with a Bachelors degree in Merchandising. Ms. Brandt has a background in retail management and for the 16 years prior to her employment with ACHA, she was the Executive Director/Manager of the Flagler Housing Authority (FHA). In conjunction with her position with the FHA, Ms. Brandt was also Executive Director/Manager for Healthy Living Systems, Inc. (HLSI) for three years. HLSI is a county-wide non-profit organization that developed affordable housing on multi-sites in Kit Carson County. She worked with town councils, county commissioners, granting foundations, private contributors, and state and federal agencies to raise funds to accomplish this mission. Preceding her employment with HLSI, she served on the Board of Directors of that organization for 10 years. Ms. Brandt has two grown children and resides in Thornton with her youngest son. She enjoys piano, singing, musicals, horseback riding, and sports, especially those in which her children participate.
Laura J. Lucero – Programs Management Analyst
Laura Lucero has been an employee of the Adams County Housing Authority for the past 11 years. She has worked in the housing industry for a total of 22 years. She came to ACHA after working at the Mental Health Corporation of Denver, Development Pathways and Spanish Peaks Mental Health Center. Ms. Lucero graduated with a Bachelors of Social Work from Colorado State University. Ms. Lucero has been employed at Adams County Housing Authority as a Section 8 Housing Specialist, Section 8 Housing Supervisor and currently the Program Management Analyst. Her responsibilities include dispensing of information to the Program Managers to ensure program rules, regulations, and compliance issues are being adhered to. She reviews all requests for reasonable accommodation and coordinates the necessary actions. Ms. Lucero is responsible for conducting informal hearings/reviews for the subsidized housing programs. She completes electronic submissions to HUD for the various programs at ACHA. Ms. Lucero enjoys watching most sports programs; her favorites are the Colorado Rockies, the Denver Broncos and watching Tiger Woods play golf.
