Board of Directors
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Van Johnson, a former sergeant in the Springfield Police Department, is currently a practicing attorney with Raipher, P.C. in Springfield. His practice focuses on business transactions and commercial and residential real estate. Van brings to the board both legal expertise and an intimate knowledge of the Springfield community.
Loleta Collins, Vice President
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Loleta is the Manager of Resident Services, Resident Assistance Office at Springfield Housing Authority and brings to our Board 20 years of experience and progressive success in various aspects of non-profit and government funded programs.
She has worked to engage the community and business professionals on the advantages of homeownership
Loleta is the Manager of Resident Services, Resident Assistance Office at Springfield Housing Authority and brings to our Board 20 years of experience and progressive success in various aspects of non-profit and government funded programs.
She has worked to engage the community and business professionals on the advantages of homeownership amongst low-income populations and has managed various projects designed to help families eliminate barriers to becoming economically self-sufficient.
Malissa Naylor, Treasurer
Atty. V. Van Johnson III, President
Malissa Naylor, Treasurer
A lifelong resident of Springfield. Malissa is Vice President, Banking Center and Business Development Officer for Webster Bank, previously working as Branch Supervisor and Branch Manager-Officer at TDBank and PeoplesBank, respectively.
In her 15 years in banking, Malissa has learned to assess risks, review business plans, study market t
A lifelong resident of Springfield. Malissa is Vice President, Banking Center and Business Development Officer for Webster Bank, previously working as Branch Supervisor and Branch Manager-Officer at TDBank and PeoplesBank, respectively.
In her 15 years in banking, Malissa has learned to assess risks, review business plans, study market trends, and analyze financial statements. Her current duties also include training and coaching for new and current employees.
As a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Webster Bank, she supports diversity in all realms of leadership within the organization. She is eager to continue to advocate, educate and work for the benefit of emerging leaders, seeking to contribute meaningfully to the community and the upcoming generation of leaders.
Malissa received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Western New England University—College of Business. She is also a Licensed Real Estate Professional. Her community service has included membership on various boards, including the Board of Directors of the Springfield Young Professionals Association, Greater Springfield YMCA, and the East Longmeadow Lions Club, as well as service to Holy Redeemer Cathedral and Vision Intervention Technology Academic Learning Center (VITAL). Malissa has a strong desire to give back meaningfully to the community she is from.
Dr. Andrew Balder
Dr. Andrew Balder
Dr. Andrew Balder
Dr. Balder is an internist working in community health with a strong interest in homelessness, community development and services to the poor. Board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, he is former medical director
for the Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center and senior medical director for the Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan in Springfield.
Tom McColgan
Dr. Andrew Balder
Dr. Andrew Balder
Tom is a vice president for commercial real estate at TD Bank, where his work is almost exclusively focused on low-income housing and new market tax credits.
Formerly the director of housing and economic development for the City of Springfield, Tom has more than 35 years of real estate development and lending experience. In addition to the
Tom is a vice president for commercial real estate at TD Bank, where his work is almost exclusively focused on low-income housing and new market tax credits.
Formerly the director of housing and economic development for the City of Springfield, Tom has more than 35 years of real estate development and lending experience. In addition to the Home City Development board, he currently serves on the Way Finders (formerly HAPHousing) board of directors and is chairman of the board for Hampden Affordable Housing, Inc. / Liberty Crossing. Over the past three years, he has worked with Home City Development senior management and board leadership as a sounding board for real estate development. He is interested in continued service on a development committee.
Chris Sugrue
Dr. Andrew Balder
Chris Sugrue
Chris brings 18 years of commercial lending experience as well as commercial real estate transactions to the board. He is currently the vice president of commercial lending at bankESB, previously at TD bank.
Chris began his career as a boarding officer with the United States Coast Guard. He has volunteered with numerous local community g
Chris brings 18 years of commercial lending experience as well as commercial real estate transactions to the board. He is currently the vice president of commercial lending at bankESB, previously at TD bank.
Chris began his career as a boarding officer with the United States Coast Guard. He has volunteered with numerous local community groups including Big Brother Big Sister, American Cancer Society, and the Holyoke boys & Girls Club and was the past treasurer of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.
Chris received his Bachelor of Science from Skidmore College with a concentration in accounting and finance. He has had numerous leadership and other military training focusing on group morale.
Rev. Dr. Karen L. Walker
Rev. Dr. Karen L. Walker
Rev. Dr. Karen L. Walker
Born and raised in Springfield, Karen worked as a volunteer and as a professional, to improve the quality of life for the City’s residents. She currently serves as the Vice President of Development for Ascentria Care Alliance. She is also Adjunct Professor of Comparative Religion and Ethics at Quinsigamond Community College in Worceste
Born and raised in Springfield, Karen worked as a volunteer and as a professional, to improve the quality of life for the City’s residents. She currently serves as the Vice President of Development for Ascentria Care Alliance. She is also Adjunct Professor of Comparative Religion and Ethics at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Formerly the Vice President of Program Operations at Martin Luther King Family Services in Springfield, Karen provided high quality services to approximately 500 children, families and adults in Springfield.
Her substantial community service included membership on several non-profit boards in Springfield, including United Way, Springfield College President’s Community Advisory Board, Sisters of Providence Health Systems, Partners for a Healthier Community, Mason Square Weed and Seed Community Coalition, among others.
Karen is a tireless advocate for those who have been marginalized or neglected. Her passion and commitment, combined with thoughtful and practical problem-solving skills, make her an excellent addition to the Home City Board.
David Maynard
Rev. Dr. Karen L. Walker
Rev. Dr. Karen L. Walker
Since 2017, David has served as Assistant Vice President-Workout Officer Upper Business Banking at Santanders Bank, N.A., managing accounts that have adverse risk ratings, stabilizing over 50 million dollars in outstanding loan balances.
Prior to that, David worked in Credit at both Santander and TDBank, analyzing a diverse portfolio of
Since 2017, David has served as Assistant Vice President-Workout Officer Upper Business Banking at Santanders Bank, N.A., managing accounts that have adverse risk ratings, stabilizing over 50 million dollars in outstanding loan balances.
Prior to that, David worked in Credit at both Santander and TDBank, analyzing a diverse portfolio of loans and acquiring significant experience in financial restructuring, Asset Based Lending, Commercial Lending, Non-profit Lending and Hypothecation loans. He received his Bachelor of Science at Bentley University in 2003.
David currently serves as Board Chairman of the Association of Black Business & Professionals, Board Member of the Library Foundation and Library Commissioner for the City of Springfield. A lifelong resident of Springfield, David is committed to bringing his expertise in real estate finance to serve the community with quality, affordable housing.
Beverly Bates
Bertrand Daniel
Bertrand Daniel
Bev Bates has been in housing and community development for more than 40 years. She recently retired as Executive Vice President at The Community Builders, one of the largest non-profit, urban developers of affordable and mixed-income housing in the country, after 35 years there. Most recently, Bev managed a team of 65 professionals were
Bev Bates has been in housing and community development for more than 40 years. She recently retired as Executive Vice President at The Community Builders, one of the largest non-profit, urban developers of affordable and mixed-income housing in the country, after 35 years there. Most recently, Bev managed a team of 65 professionals were responsible for designing, financing, and constructing housing communities in fifteen states and the District of Columbia.
Before joining TCB, Ms. Bates worked at Brightwood Development Corporation in the North End neighborhoods of Springfield, MA. She also worked as an investment officer for the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation and as a program manager for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Communities and Development.
Bev was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and is a graduate of Springfield College with a degree in community leadership and development.
Ms. Bates has been active on numerous community and nonprofit boards throughout her life. In March of 2020, Bev was inducted into the AHF Affordable Housing Hall of Fame which was created in 2006 to “pay tribute to the pioneers who have advanced the cause of affordable housing and made lasting contributions to the industry”.
Bertrand Daniel
Bertrand Daniel
Bertrand Daniel
Bertrand Daniel is an advocate for the homeless. He believes in empowering people who are seeking stability. He is excited to bring clarity, based on his experience and what he has seen around him over the years, around what people need to access a strong support system. He believes that the greatest tool that we have today is the interne
Bertrand Daniel is an advocate for the homeless. He believes in empowering people who are seeking stability. He is excited to bring clarity, based on his experience and what he has seen around him over the years, around what people need to access a strong support system. He believes that the greatest tool that we have today is the internet and all it takes is effort and ambition in order to learn, grow, and achieve stability. Daniel is from Eastern Mass and has lived in Springfield for 12 years. He is currently a resident at Elias Brookings Apartments, and before that was a resident of Chestnut Crossing.