The City of Covington has announced the members of an advisory group that will provide advice and expertise to a committee on housing development, which the city commission formed at the suggestion of Mayor Ron Washington last month.
Voting members of the committee were selected at the end of May. The people announced last week will not have voting power on the committee. Instead, they will offer direction on what the committee should prioritize and how to formulate a strategy for tackling the city’s housing needs.
“This critical task force is comprised of individuals who bring the necessary vision and professional acumen to build a strategy that will grow our housing stock to meet the needs of Covington’s working families,” said Washington in a city press release.
The members consist largely of representatives from various development companies and housing nonprofits in the region. The members and their affiliations are listed below:
- Fritz Kuhlmann, Architectural Design Director of The HAUS Co.
- Tara Noem, Executive Director of Northern Kentucky Area Development District
- Jean Schroer, President of Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of Northern Kentucky
- Anthony Bradford, Principal of A.M. Titan
- David Spaulding, President of Acendion Capital and Development
- Shannon Ratterman, Executive Director at The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington
- Tony Kreutzjans, Founder of Orleans Development
- David Hastings, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky
- Kareem Simpson, Covington Independent Schools Board Member and Covington Representative on the Kenton County Planning Commission
- Tom Covert, Owner of Covert Design+Build
- Shad Sletto, Director of Real Estate Services of Merus
- Joe Hansbauer, President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
- Wonda Winkler, President & CEO of Brighton Center
- Lisa Dressman, President of Daisy Properties & Dressman Realty
- Jordan Huizenga, Owner of Build In Properties
The task force and committee plan to host community round table discussions later this year.
“While the Taskforce will provide key recommendations, we believe that the voices of our residents are essential to ensuring a successful outcome,” said Washington in the same release. “We’re encouraged that several community members have already expressed interest in participating, and we welcome others to join them.”
Community members who wish to participate in the process are encouraged to contact Sebastian Torres, the city’s Director of External Affairs, at Sebastian.Torres@covingtonky.gov or (859) 292-2318 to add their names to the list of participants.