Staff and Board
Construction
Wayne Snow
Crew Leader
Electrician
Dave Bauer
Travis Brown
Carpenter
Crew Member
Jason Megill
Programs
Laurie Southworth
Office Manager | 434-817-2447
lsouthworth@ahipva.org
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Laurie joined the AHIP team in February 2015 as Project & Administrative Assistant, but in July 2017 assumed her current role of Program Manager serving as a point of contact for clients, overseeing the client intake process, and being our staff contact for the Energy Retrofit Initiative and other such programs. A licensed teacher for more than 25 years, Laurie has worked with students in both public and private schools. From 2010 to 2014, Laurie and her husband, who also had an extensive education career, owned and operated a distance education company, designed as an outreach for Virginia students needing online classes and tutoring in a home-based setting. An experienced writing and editing professional, Laurie has provided freelance contract services for business and local authors for the past 15 years, and additionally served as a contributing writer for the Daily Progress. Laurie is a native Central Virginian with strong family ties to the area. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. She grew up in Fluvanna County and lives there today with her family. When she’s not working, Laurie enjoys gardening, singing, cooking, hanging out in antique shops, and exploring the beauty and back roads of Virginia.
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As Office Manager, Laurie maintains responsibility for several different aspects of AHIP’s day-to-day functions, both client-facing and internal. Often the first point of contact for anyone reaching out to our organization via phone, she plays a key role in helping clients get registered to receive our services. She also processes mail-in checks, maintains our supply of office materials, and schedules much-needed staff appreciation events to keep our team fully fueled for the task ahead!
Construction Supervisor | 434-817-2447 (x34)
gherring@ahipva.org
George Herring
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George brings more than 30 years of construction experience to his role as AHIP’s Construction Supervisor. He provides comprehensive project management and quality control expertise to meet the unique needs of each AHIP client. George joined AHIP in 1996 as a Crew Leader, responsible for scheduling various duties of the crew and subcontractors as well as managing inspections and ordering materials. In 2001, he assumed his current post and began to develop, track, and analyze cost estimates and cost records to ensure projects are delivered within budget. When not working for AHIP, George runs his own contracting business, skilled in all phases of residential construction from foundation and framing to interior/exterior trim, flooring, and roofing. Having grown up in Charlottesville and Greene County, George has deep roots in the local
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As department head for the construction team, George sets the schedule by which our repair experts operate, ensuring that service is prioritized to those with the most pressing need. His regular reports on project progress and completion are also integral in our ability to allocate resources to new clients in a timely manner. Most importantly, as one of the most common points of contact for clients behind our Success Advocate and Rehab Specialists, he is practiced at providing them with a clear review of the task and hand to assuage uncertainties.
Rehab Specialist | 434-817-2447 (x28)
lee@ahipva.org
Lee Miller
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Lee has served as AHIP’s Construction Rehabilitation Specialist since 1996. In this capacity, Lee presents programs, qualifies clients for funding, and designs rehabilitation projects. He also is responsible for estimating jobs (including new construction, additions, and rehabs) and preparing construction documents (including drawings, procurements, and inspections). Lee also serves as the supervisor of the Electrical and Plumbing Program and has supervised volunteer groups who frequently work with AHIP crews. In addition to his duties as Rehab Specialist, Lee also is an area REALTOR who received a REALTOR of the Year and Top Producer awards in 2005. Since 1979, Lee also has managed his own remodeling and home inspection business. Lee is licensed by the state of Virginia in building, electrical, plumbing, lead inspection, and risk assessment and is a state-certified Master Electrician and Master Plumber. He has performed thousands of home inspections for real estate and loan closings. Lee grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from New York Sales School and the International Correspondence School, earning a diploma in Building Codes and Home Inspections. In 2003, he graduated from Piedmont’s Real Estate Course and went on to pass state and national exams.
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After being onboarded by our Office Manager, a visit from one of our Rehab Specialists is the next step in getting our clients serviced. Once on site, Lee explores the house with the homeowner to get eyes on the repair issues in question. During this walkthrough, they are also keeping an eye out for any underlying causes that will also require our aid (for example, mold in someone’s bathroom stemming from a decades-old water pipe that hasn’t seen treatment since installation). After the walkthrough, they work with the client and our crew to establish a scope of work for the project at hand, which is then finalized with the client’s signature.
Rehab Specialist | 434-817-2447 (x35)
lwishart@ahipva.org
Len Wishart
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As Rehabilitation Specialist, Len is responsible for rehab project management from start to finish beginning with initial client home inspections, construction estimates, and determining the scope of work for city and county rehabs and emergency repairs. Len assists clients in navigating funding source options; arranging specialty inspections of their properties; and complying with city, county, state, and federal regulations for assistance in construction rehabilitation. In addition to completing HUD Section 8 inspections, evaluating city property maintenance inspections, flood plain certifications, and historical review application requirements, Len also is responsible for obtaining all relevant local government and health department construction permits and soliciting multiple bids from subcontractors for each job requiring their use. Len created and currently directs the AHIP Respiratory Protection Program and Lead Worker Medical Surveillance Plan. Before coming to AHIP in August of 2003, Len owned and operated a construction and rehab company that performed custom and historical renovations throughout the area as well as rehab work for the Fluvanna County Housing Foundation. Len has conferred bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia and holds a Contractor’s License, Lead Abatement Supervisor License, and Lead Project Designer License with the Virginia DPOR. He also has completed EarthCraft House Builder Training certification and coursework with the College of William and Mary Center for Executive Development in Construction Management and is an EPA certified RRP renovator.
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After being onboarded by our Office Manager, a visit from one of our Rehab Specialists is the next step in getting our clients serviced. Once on site, Len explores the house with the homeowner to get eyes on the repair issues in question. During this walkthrough, they are also keeping an eye out for any underlying causes that will also require our aid (for example, mold in someone’s bathroom stemming from a decades-old water pipe that hasn’t seen treatment since installation). After the walkthrough, they work with the client and our crew to establish a scope of work for the project at hand, which is then finalized with the client’s signature.
Client Success Advocate | 434-817-2447 (x29)
nikisha@ahipva.org
Nikisha Woody
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Nikisha joined AHIP in July 2023 after an extensive career in administrative coordination across a variety of organizations, including the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine and Cancer Center. As AHIP’s Client Success Advocate, she provides our clients with a dedicated point of contact throughout their repair project. Whether by visiting new admittees at their home to go over the onboarding process face-to-face, or by making herself available to address questions and concerns via phone and email, her commitment to keeping our neighbors in need informed every step of the way is informed by her own experiences as a former AHIP client. A Maryland native, Nikisha has always called Southern Albemarle her second home. She has been a permanent resident of Albemarle County for nearly 10 years. She is the proud mother of two boys and enjoys her free time traveling, cooking, walking nature trails, catching a live sports or music event, and goofing around with her boys, family, and friends.
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During a project as multifaceted as a home repair/rehab, it can be easy for clients to lose track of which AHIP team member they’re talking with. Even worse, they can wind up feeling unheard in a process that is designed to help them. That’s where Nikisha steps in. From onboarding to closeout, our Client Success Advocate serves as a dedicated point of contact for the homeowners we serve, providing them with an outlet for their questions and concerns. From there, our CSA either addresses the concerns themselves, or passes them on to the department best equipped to provide a sound answer before following up accordingly.
Administration
Cory Demchak
Executive Director | 434-817-2447 (x26)
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Cory joined AHIP in September of 2018 as the Director of Programs and became Executive Director in October of 2022. Before joining AHIP, Cory worked for the City of Charlottesville’s Office of Economic Development and prior to that he was a probation and parole officer for nearly a decade serving Charlottesville and central Virginia. A resident of Albemarle County, Cory has lived in the area since 2005 when he moved to Virginia from western Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Cory enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children. He also enjoys exploring the outdoors and is a volunteer fire fighter at two stations in Albemarle County, Stony Point and East Rivanna.
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Our Executive Director is the head of all proceedings at AHIP, answering directly to the Board of Directors in order to establish the policy by which AHIP operates. Cory also maintains regular communication with all departments in order to maintain informed decisions on best practices for our continued service in the community. Whether by meeting with chief donors to emphasize the value of their contributions, advocating our cause directly to city and county staff, or even speaking with clients to help them understand the AHIP process, the Executive Director’s position requires an ability to navigate all aspects of our work without compromising the ability to maintain sight of the path forward.
Craig Kaiser
Chief Financial Officer | 434-817-2447 (x30)
ckaiser@ahipva.org
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Craig was selected for the role of Finance Director beginning in July 2014 and now serves as Chief Financial Officer. He provides management control and administration of all fiscal and HR operations, as well as ensuring that the organization is well equipped with evolving technologies to help carry out its mission. Craig brings 15 years of experience in accounting and finance positions with contractor and service organizations to his job at AHIP. He earned a B.A. in Accounting from National College of Business and Technology in Roanoke. Craig grew up in Charlottesville, and now lives in Albemarle County. When not working, he enjoys gardening, creating dinosaur dioramas, and visiting the Carolina beaches.
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Repairs can’t happen without the finances to fund them. Our CFO manages the financial branch of our organization in order to ensure that we have dependable numbers on which to map our plans for upcoming fiscal periods. He also manages the auditing process, timesheet tracking for AHIP employees, and coordinating with the board to convey the organization’s financial standing during quarterly meetings.
Development
Kathryn Kieffer
Development Director | 434-817-2447 (x31)
kkieffer@ahipva.org
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Mrs. Kieffer fully understands the importance of AHIP’s critical repair services; she joined the team in October of 2023, and has since been committed to stewarding the organization’s gifts and ensuring that philanthropy provides an ongoing, meaningful impact to our neighbors in need. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia who lives in Charlottesville with her husband and pet chickens. In her free time, she is an enthusiastic golfer and an avid baker.
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As head of Development, Kathryn is one of the first points of contact for any AHIP donor, prospective or ongoing. She leverages her prior experience to construct impactful plans of action by which to engage our donor base, from appreciation events to one-on-one meetings with key supporters in order to better understand what drives people to give. Her leadership is key in ensuring AHIP’s continued work in the area.
Kyle Ramey
Development Manager | 434-817-2447 (x22)
kramey@ahipva.org
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Kyle joined AHIP in October of 2022 as the Development Manager. Working with the Director of Development, he is responsible for the donation intake process, private grant applications, digital marketing and communications, and general fundraising support. Kyle draws on a background from various fields of work, both private and nonprofit. Kyle has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in writing, rhetoric, and technical communication from James Madison University and enjoys spending time with friends playing board games.
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Kyle operates AHIP’s donor database in order to keep track of our supporters’ giving history and ensure they receive proper acknowledgement. He also carries out grant writing and social media management for the organization.
Board of Directors
Board Vice President
Writer, Editor, Activist
Kristin Szakos
Peabody School & RE/MAX
Waki Wynn
Charley Lewis
York Property
McGuireWoods
Steve Murphy
UVA Alumni Foundation
Margaret Anderson
Felice Boling-Key
Associate VP for Human Resources, PVCC
Kim Van Savage
Associate Broker at Nest Realty