Mrs. Kendy's career at BHA started in 1966 as a clerk in the former South Terrace project. Since then she has handled a wide range of responsibilities, from starting the purchasing department to property management in the authority's two newest developments. As the executive director's primary assistant, she played a major role in guiding the administration, operations and planning of the authority. The board of commissioners appointed her as Frank Loretti's successor at the May 2003 meeting. Clara Kendy becomes BHA's fourth executive director since its inception and the first female to hold the position.
Jay D. Schuster, Assistant Maintenance Superintendent
Jay's career with BHA began in 2001 as a housing inspector. Along with Tom Herstich, Jay coordinates the daily activities which maintain the building, grounds and infrastructure of the housing authority 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tom Yencho , Information Systems Manager
Tom oversees a department which maintains the Authority's computer hardware and software systems, develops new or improved software programs as needed and trains BHA employees in the use of these programs. Tom has been employed by the Authority since 1979.
Mirella R. Snow, Resident Initiatives Coordinator
Mirella and staff coordinate the Community Service program, Resident Initiatives and the Family Self-Sufficiency programs. FSS helps residents by enhancing skills, by providing training and education and more. Mirella, who started in September of 2002 looks forward to working with BHA residents and enjoys making a difference in their lives.
Curt Kichline, Planning & Construction Manager
Curt heads the department that is responsible for overseeing all construction projects at BHA. Responsibilities range from the preparation of drawings and specifications to the review of bids, selection of qualified bidders and final contract approval. Curt's staff manages all aspects of Comp Grant/ Capital Fund and submits all reports to HUD. Curt, who lives in Easton, has been employed by BHA since 1992.
Millie Matos, Project Manager of Central High-rise Operations
Millie, who has been employed by BHA since 1973, manages the Authority's 400 high-rise apartments. Duties include rent collection, management of delinquent accounts, and re-examination. This department also processes all high-rise applications, and provides screening and home visits for all applicants.
Robert Robinson, Activities Supervision
Robbie organizes and supervises various programs for resident youth such as basketball, softball, dance and aerobics. He also plans and provides transportation to events. With help from the staff, Robbie has created an annual end of the Summer event known as "Field Day". Now that the First Tee learning Center is up and running, Robbie has responsibilities in this program as well. He also coordinates seasonal activities like the fall foliage tour of the Poconos, and the Christmas-related trips in and around Bethlehem.
Mark C. Iampietro, Deputy Executive Director
Mark joined the authority's maintenance department in 1974 where he reached the level of assistant maintenance director. He was transferred to Central Office in 1998, assuming the duties of administrative officer where he shared the high level administrative management of the authority with the executive director and the deputy. Presently, he oversees the management function of the Authority.
Arthur (Bud) Gerlach, Fraud Investigator
Bud joined BHA after a distinguished career in law enforcement. He retired from the Bethlehem Police Department, having reached the rank of lieutenant . Looking for a new challenge, Bud uses his more than twenty years of experience in tracking down perpetrators of fraud.
Meet the staff. . .
The Bethlehem Housing Authority staff consists of dozens of professionals, dedicated to providing quality affordable housing for Bethlehem's low-income citizens. Here are just a few of our staff members.
Helen Jarinko, Executive Secretary
Helen began her career at BHA in 1963. During that time, she has worked directly under three different executive directors as well as dozens of BHA commissioners. She has capably handled a variety of filing, secretarial and administrative functions over the years.
Ali Khalfan, Controller/Finance Manager
Ali directs the fiscal and accounting policies of the Authority. His department issues guidelines to modify and set in place the internal controls that safeguard BHA's funds and assets. Ali has been with the Authority since 1996.
Zulma Rodriguez, Property Manager
Zulma manages the Family Development Office and more than 1,000 units of public housing. She supervises a staff of seven whoseduties include rent collection, management of delinquent accounts, and re-examination. Zulma's career with BHA started in 1986 as a clerk in the Lynfield development.
Tom Herstich, Assistant Maintenance Superintendent
Tom's career with BHA began in 2001. Following a long career with the City of Bethlehem, much of which was spent as Chief Housing Inspector, Tom joined BHA's maintenance department in his current role. Tom oversees the vacancy rehab program, insuring that the more than 200 units which are vacated annually are returned to the rent rolls quickly and efficiently. Tom also supervises the staff responsible for cutting grass, removing snow and other "curb appeal" tasks.
Maintenance, Construction, Planning
Executive Office
Management
Bob Caprioli, Assistant Manager, Tenant Selection Office
Bob began his BHA career in 1996. His primary duties currently include review of credit reports, assisting with HQS inspections, tracking PHAS information, tracking and reporting vacancy statistics, income targeting, FBI reports, medical verifications and more.
Pat helps to oversee this program, which provides rental assistance to families in the area. The department maintains an applicant waiting list, ensures income targeting and overall program compliance. For the past several years, under Pat's leadership, the program as graded out at 100%in HUD's Section Eight Assessment Management Program.
Eugene J. Gonzalez Deputy Executive Director Maintenance & Planning
Gene joined BHA in 1976 as an assistant manager at the old Parkridge community. He moved to maintenance management soon after and in 1983, assumed title as Director of Maintenance. He held this position for more than twenty years before assuming his present title and duties. Gene oversees the maintenance and planning and construction departments of the housing authority and a staff of approximately twenty five persons.
