NorCal Speaker Bios

  • Noah Schwartz joined the John Stewart Company in 2013 and served as the Chief Operating Officer for ten years before taking on the additional role as President of Property Management in 2023.  In January 2024, Mr. Schwartz was promoted to President and CEO.

    Mr. Schwartz brought more than 15 years of leadership experience in the non-profit and quasi-government sector when he joined the company and has a strong record leading organizations serving low-income communities.  He served as the Executive Director of the Monticello Area Community Action Agency and, later, as the Executive Director of the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, both in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Between those roles and his arrival at JSCo, he served as the President/CEO of Community Services of Arizona, a large tax credit housing and social service provider based out of Chandler, Arizona.

     When Mr. Schwartz isn't busy at work, he loves to spend his time with his family (including his 2-year-old granddaughter!), going to concerts with his brother, running on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, rooting for his teams (UConn basketball, Manchester United (even during dark days!), and the Celtics), and trying to be an engaged citizen.  Last, he loves to support his wife of 35 years in her work advocating for folks to live a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.

     Mr. Schwartz received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (1989) and a Master of Arts in History (1991) from the University of Connecticut.

  • Jack Gardner has been actively involved in the financing, development and management of affordable housing since 1985.  He served as President & CEO of the John Stewart Company from 2002 through 2023, at which point he transitioned to Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors (as our founder John Stewart did before him). Under Mr. Gardner’s 20+ years of leadership, JSCo grew to become one of largest managers of affordable housing in the United States, with over 30,000 units under management, and one of the top developers of affordable housing in California, with over 1,000 units of affordable housing under construction or in predevelopment across the state.

    Mr. Gardner’s professional background includes the public, non-profit and private sectors.  He is experienced in both the new construction and rehabilitation of residential properties and his historic renovation projects have received the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award, the Hollywood Legacy Award, the Los Angeles Conservancy Award and the California Preservation Foundation’s Affordable Housing Award. He is founding President of the Affordable Housing PAC, California’s first affordable housing political action committee, and is a member of the SPUR Housing Policy Board, the Local Advisory Committee for Bay Area LISC, and Lambda Alpha (an international land economics society). He is an Emeritus Director of the California Housing Consortium (where he served as Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson) and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (2013-18), the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (2005-2012) and the Editorial Advisory Board of Affordable Housing Finance magazine (2004 – 2011). Mr. Gardner was recognized as a “Male Champion of Change” by the Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals in 2018, inducted into the California Housing Consortium’s Housing Hall of Fame in 2019, and received AHMA-NCH’s “Pioneer Award” in 2025.

    Mr. Gardner holds a BA in Political Economics from the University of California at Berkeley (go Bears!) and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. In his spare time, he loves to travel, read, hike, walk shelter dogs and climb tall mountains.

  • Margaret Miller joined the John Stewart company in 2004 as a Project Manager. She supervises the firm's Development, Asset Management and Construction & Maintenance Services divisions and oversees the full range of corporate activities related to developing and owning affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing, including identifying and acquiring properties, business development, project design, obtaining entitlements and environmental approvals, financial structuring, loan packaging, construction oversight and regulatory compliance. Ms. Miller also co-founded JSCo's Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives.

    Ms. Miller’s experience includes a wide variety of tasks relating to planning, community development and real estate. While earning her Master's Degree in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, Ms. Miller worked at Avalon Bay Communities, a national real estate developer, where she worked on development proposals and conducted market research informing amenity and design decisions at the firm. Prior to moving to New York City, Ms. Miller formed and managed a real estate Investment partnership that purchased multiple residential rental properties in Idaho.

    Ms. Miller has also worked in early-stage company managing relationships and projects with Fortune 500 companies and university partners, a socially responsible venture capital fund in Boston, and was appointed by the Mayor of Portland, Oregon to serve on the Northwest Area Plan Committee to devise a strategic 20-year plan for the growth of Portland's Northwest Plan Area. Ms. Miller holds a Bachelor's Degree in American History (with a Minor in Economics) from Bowdoin College, a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from Columbia University in New York, and was a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence. Additionally, she currently serves on the Board of the California Housing Consortium.

  • Dan Levine has been a registered Architect in the State of California since 1979 and a licensed General Contractor since 2004, with over 50 years of experience in renovation, repair and building construction throughout California. As an independent architect prior to joining The John Stewart Company in 1997, Mr. Levine specialized in building rehabilitation and renovation, with a heavy emphasis in multi-family residential and multi-story commercial buildings.  As Principal of Daniel Levine Architecture, Associate and Vice-President of Thomas Sehulster Architect Inc., and now as President of the Construction and Maintenance Services Group at JSCo, Dan has directed and managed over 300 successful new construction, alteration, renovation, retrofit and repair projects affecting over 10,000 apartment units and $600 million in construction costs.

    Dan has also served as the Chairperson for the Annual JSCo Conference since 2010, is a former member of JSCo’s softball team (the Jackals), and was the proud winner of the JSCo Shark Tank Competition at the 2022 JSCo Conference.  

    Mr. Levine received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1971 and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1974.  Dan also has served on the Board of One Treasure Island (formerly the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative) from 2010 to 2025. 

Track Session 1 Bios

  • Justin has been with Gallagher since 2008, specializing in property and casualty insurance for real estate owners, developers, property managers, home builders, general contractors, and other professionals in the real estate and construction industries. His clients include both for-profit and nonprofit organizations that own, develop, build, manage, and invest in real estate.

    A third-generation insurance professional, Justin has extensive experience with real estate development and construction project insurance, including complex claims and large-scale multifamily projects. He works closely with clients, lenders, investors, and other stakeholders to develop thoughtful and competitive insurance solutions.

    Justin is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been recognized as a Power Broker® by Risk & Insurance Magazine. He also received Gallagher’s John P. Gallagher Producer of the Year Award in 2023 and 2025.

Insurance 101: What Property Staff Need to Know

  • Taylor supervises JSCo's IT and Systems department, which manages JSCo's software systems such as Nexus, MRI, Dayforce, and Yardi. He also supervises JSCo's relationship with its new IT support provider Parachute.

     Taylor graduated in 2002 from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Mathematics, and a minor in Writing. If you're surprised that this background somehow led to a career in software, systems and data, so is he. 

  • Mark Lukehart is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Parachute Technology.  He leads the organization’s service delivery teams and finance operations, ensuring Parachute consistently delivers exceptional customer service to their clients.  Mark has a diverse background in operations, finance, and marketing with a passion for solving complex cross functional problems. 

Parachute and JSCo - An Introduction

Performance Management

  • Lana Choi joined JSCo in 2016 and is the AVP of Human Resources & Payroll. Originally from Iowa, Lana moved to California to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at UC Berkeley. Committed to personal growth and setting a strong example for her children, she later earned an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from Liberty University, all while balancing full-time work and her roles as a dedicated mother and wife.

     With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, Lana began her career as a Clerk and steadily advanced up the ranks. Her extensive HR background spans a wide range of industries, including food service, healthcare, high-tech, non-profit, retail, and now, property management.

  • Annie is an HR Manager at JSCo and has been a valued team member for nearly 9 years. She is responsible for full-cycle benefits administration and leads the company’s recruitment strategy, among other key HR functions. With over 20 years of human resources experience across multiple industries, Annie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

    Annie holds a degree in Business Administration and a Human Resources Management Certificate from San Francisco State University. Outside of work, Annie enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her local Austin community, and lastly lifting heavy and lots of Pilates.

Meet the Keynote Speaker

  • Daniel "Nane" Alejandrez is a nationally recognized organizer, prison abolitionist, restorative justice practitioner, and founder of Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos. For nearly five decades, he has helped shape community-based alternatives to violence, incarceration, and systemic injustice by centering healing, culture, and human dignity. He founded Barrios Unidos while a student at UC Santa Cruz, transforming it from a grassroots peace movement into one of California's most respected organizations serving youth, families, incarcerated people, and communities most impacted by poverty and violence.

    Drawing from his own lived experience as a Vietnam veteran, survivor of addiction, and formerly justice-impacted community member, Nane has become one of California's most trusted voices on violence prevention, prison transformation, and restorative justice. His work challenges the systems that produce incarceration while creating pathways for healing, leadership, and successful reentry. Through Barrios Unidos, he has spent decades teaching inside California prisons and juvenile facilities, mentoring thousands of incarcerated people through Transcommunal Peacemaking, cultural education, and restorative justice practices that reconnect people to identity, accountability, and community.

    Nane's leadership extends far beyond California. He has worked alongside civil rights leaders including Harry Belafonte, Dolores Huerta, Father Greg Boyle, Danny Glover, and countless grassroots organizers dedicated to advancing human rights and ending cycles of violence. His ability to build trust across communities—from incarcerated people and gang intervention workers to policymakers, educators, and movement leaders—has made him a respected bridge-builder in the national movement for justice.

    Under his leadership, Barrios Unidos has become a nationally recognized model for community-led public safety, combining violence interruption, reentry support, youth leadership development, behavioral health services, workforce development, environmental justice, cultural arts, and economic development. The organization continues to demonstrate that lasting public safety is created through investment in people rather than punishment alone.

    Nane has received numerous honors recognizing his lifelong commitment to justice, including the Chief Justice Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award from the Northern California chapter of the ACLU, one of the nation's highest recognitions for civil rights leadership. He is also the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Sankofa Lifetime Achievement Award, and a California Wellness Foundation Fellowship. Barrios Unidos has additionally received the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award from the Institute for Policy Studies.

    Today, Nane continues to mentor the next generation of organizers, formerly incarcerated leaders, and youth advocates while helping shape conversations around abolition, restorative justice, violence prevention, and community self-determination. His life's work demonstrates that healing communities and transforming systems are inseparable—and that those closest to injustice are best positioned to lead lasting change.

    Highlights

    ● Founder & Executive Director, Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos

    ● Founder of the National Coalition of Barrios Unidos

    ● Nationally recognized leader in prison abolition, restorative justice, and violence prevention

    ● Nearly five decades teaching and mentoring inside California prisons and juvenile institutions

    ● Developer of the Transcommunal Peacemaking model for healing, accountability, and community transformation

    ● Trusted advisor to policymakers, universities, community organizations, and justice reform leaders

    ● Recipient of the Chief Justice Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award (ACLU of Northern California)

    ● Recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award (Fellowship of Reconciliation)

    ● Recipient of the Sankofa Lifetime Achievement Award

    ● California Wellness Foundation Fellow

    ● Led Barrios Unidos to receive the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award

    ● Mentor to generations of formerly incarcerated leaders, youth organizers, and community advocates

Observe, Document, Report: Incident Documentation Essentials

  • Ms. Pagkalinawan joined The John Stewart Company in 2013 and currently serves as a Regional Director. She brings more than 16 years of experience in manufactured and affordable housing, with expertise in HUD compliance and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Since 2019, PSH has been a primary area of focus in her professional work.

    In her current role, Ms. Pagkalinawan oversees three Regional Managers and serves as the primary liaison between JSCO and its largest South Bay client, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, for which the company manages more than 35 properties. She leads PSH training and professional development efforts throughout the South Bay Region and contributes to statewide training initiatives.

    Ms. Pagkalinawan was selected to participate in Santa Clara County’s property management training series in 2025/2026 and, in 2022, co-presented with PATH Services and Eden Housing at the AHMA Annual Conference on Trauma-Informed Eviction Prevention and Effective Management and Services Partnerships. She also serves on Santa Clara County committees focused on advancing PSH standards, best practices, and development.

    Ms. Pagkalinawan holds a degree in Small Business Management and has earned multiple industry certifications, including TSC, COS, EIV, and MOR.

Be Reasonable! Understanding, Porcessing and Providing Reasonable Accommodations

  • Ms. Wood has served as Executive Vice President of the John Stewart Company since 2025, overseeing all property management operations for the company.  She has more than thirty years of progressive experience in affordable housing and multifamily property management.  She has extensive experience with all types of local, state and federal programs including LIHTC, Project-Based Section 8, Public Housing, HOME, Bond, HOPE VI, RAD, tenant-based subsidy programs and more.  

    Ms. Wood began her career as a Community Manager in 1994 with Goodale & Barbieri in Spokane, Washington.  She quickly advanced to corporate roles as an Occupancy Specialist and Regional Manager.  She moved to Puget Sound in 2001 as a Portfolio Manager for Allied Residential where she managed both affordable and conventional properties for a variety of clients including for-profit developers, non-profits and public housing authorities.  In 2005, Ms. Wood joined Cambridge Management, Inc. in Tacoma, Washington where she served as Director and oversaw their property management operations while they expanded to more than 14,000 units in seven states including California.  Ms. Wood began her tenure with The John Stewart Company in 2018 as Assistant Vice President for their San Francisco Bay Area region and assumed responsibility as Vice President for the region.

    Ms. Wood has served on many industry working groups and boards including the Board of Directors of NAHMA, where she also served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Tax Credit Committee; the Affordable Housing Association of Northern California and Hawaii (AHMA-NCH), and AHMA of Washington where she served three terms as President.  Through her involvement with chapters of NAHMA, she has participated in many delegations to Washington, D.C. to ask our legislators for help with housing policy and support of housing programs. Ms. Wood has also worked for the benefit of the management industry through volunteerism such as chairing an advisory board for a technical college apartment maintenance program and being a speaker/panelist on property management careers, fair housing issues, and advocacy.

    Ms. Wood holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Gonzaga University and a California Real Estate Salesperson’s License.

  • Evelyn serves as Vice President of JSCo’s San Francisco Bay Region where she supports a portfolio of more than 12,000 units. With more than thirty-five years of experience in property management and affordable housing, she is familiar with local, state, and federal affordable housing programs. These include LIHTC, Project-Based Section 8, HOME, Bond, HOPE VI, RAD, CDBG, tenant-based subsidy programs, and various Housing and Community Development (HCD) State Programs.

    Ms. Catalan began her career in property management in 1988 at Housing Development Neighborhood Preservation Corporation (HDNPC), a non-profit housing development corporation in San Francisco where she became responsible for their portfolio of residential and commercial units.

    She joined JSCo in 1998 as a Property Supervisor where she held a portfolio of 965 units. In 2007, Evelyn joined MidPen Housing, where she held tactical positions in the Property Management division for twelve years. During these twelve years, she served as the Director of Property Operations and Director of Compliance where she supported their entire portfolio of 7,600 units (at the time). In 2019, Ms. Catalan became the Head of Property Management at Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation for three and a half years and was responsible for the oversight of their affordable and supportive housing portfolio totaling over 5,500 units. Ms. Catalan returned to the John Stewart Company as Assistant Vice President in 2023 and rose to Vice President in 2025.

    Ms. Catalan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in International Management from Golden Gate University and a California Real Estate Sales License. She served as a board member and then President of the Association of Housing Management Agents for Northern California and Hawaii (AHMA-NCH) for multiple terms.

Track Session 2 Bios

ABC, Easy as LIHTC

  • Laura is the Compliance Director for the Sacramento Region, holding certifications as a National Compliance Professional, Certified Occupancy Specialist Masters as well as a Site Compliance Specialist.  She has worked for JSCo since 2008, starting out in Special Projects before joining the Sacramento Compliance Team where she has continued to grow and develop her knowledge of the requirements for housing applicants.  Laura believes it is a privilege to provide homes for those who need the affordable programs.

  • My name is Susy Rocha, and I am a Regional Manager with The John Stewart Company (JSCo). I have been with JSCo for 18 years, and my career with the company has given me the opportunity to grow through nearly every role within the property management office. I started as a receptionist and went on to become an Assistant Manager, Property Manager, and ultimately a Regional Manager.

    Having worked in each of these positions has been one of the most valuable parts of my career. It allows me to understand and appreciate the different responsibilities and challenges my team members face every day. I believe this experience helps me see situations from my staff’s perspective, support them more effectively, and work alongside them to find solutions.

    I truly love what I do. I never imagined that I would build a career in the housing industry, but life had other plans for me, and I am grateful that it did. What started as a job has become a career that I am passionate about. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

    One of the things I value most about my role is the opportunity to serve our residents, support our teams, and make a meaningful difference in our communities. Affordable housing is more than managing properties; it is about creating safe, stable homes and being part of something that positively impacts people’s lives.

    I hold an Associate in Arts/Associate in Science degree from Cabrillo College, with a major in Accounting. I originally thought accounting would be my career path, but life had a different plan for me. Today, I am grateful to be where I am serving our residents, supporting my colleagues, and giving back to the communities we are fortunate to serve.

    After 18 years with JSCo, I am proud of the journey that brought me here and excited about the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and serving.

  • Tai Wright is a Regional Manager with The John Stewart Company’s San Francisco Regional Office and a longtime affordable housing professional. She began her career with JSCo in 2006 as an Assistant Manager in Richmond, California, and advanced into property management roles overseeing communities throughout the Bay Area. After expanding her leadership experience as a Regional Manager with Burbank Housing and EAH Housing, Tai returned to JSCo in 2022.

    Beyond her work in property management, Tai is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. She has proudly served on JSCo’s DEI Committee since 2024, contributing to initiatives that encourage meaningful dialogue, greater awareness, and a more inclusive workplace culture.

    For the past two years, Tai has also had the opportunity to teach and facilitate DEI-focused conference tracks, an experience she has especially enjoyed. She values creating spaces where participants can engage in thoughtful, sometimes challenging conversations while learning from one another’s experiences and perspectives. Her approach to DEI centers on connection, education, open dialogue, and turning conversation into meaningful action.

DEI: Ripple of Momentum. One Action, Countless Impacts

Making NetVendor Work for You

  • Martha serves as Director of Legal and is a California-licensed attorney with a diverse professional background, including 10 years of experience in Human Resources prior to joining JSCo. She provides legal support across the organization, assists with legal claims and property related matters, and serves as a liaison between legal counsel and JSCo staff. Her responsibilities include reviewing contracts and legal documents, participating in mediations, tracking legal claims, supporting risk management, and preparing legal reports for leadership. She also oversees the Workplace Violence Prevention Desk and Risk Management Coordinator, supports NetVendor, and contributes to the development and implementation of policies.

    Martha earned her A.A degree in Speech Communication from Modesto Junior College, where she received the Communication Skills Recognition Award. She went on to earn her B.A in Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Relational and Organizational Communications and a minor in Sociology, from California State University, Stanislaus. Martha later earned her Juris Doctorate from the JFK School of Law at Northcentral University, where she was recognized with four Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence.

    Martha’s favorite role of all time is being an auntie/Tia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces, nephews, family, and boyfriend, as well as working out and snacking. She is currently planning a quinceañera for her niece and is looking forward to welcoming her newest niece to the family later this year.

  • Taylor supervises JSCo's IT and Systems department, which manages JSCo's software systems such as Nexus, MRI, Dayforce, and Yardi. He also supervises JSCo's relationship with its new IT support provider Parachute.

    Taylor graduated in 2002 from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Mathematics, and a minor in Writing. If you're surprised that this background somehow led to a career in software, systems and data, so is he. 

Development Demystified

  • Catherine joined the John Stewart Company in 2013 as a Project Manager and now serves as Vice President of Development where she helps lead the planning and execution of multifamily affordable housing projects across the Bay Area, Sacramento, North and South Bay.  Her work includes new construction, preservation of existing affordable housing, and mixed-use developments, often involving layered financing structures with public funding, private debt, and equity partners.  Ms. Etzel oversees entitlement processes, design coordination, construction, financial closings, and stakeholder and resident engagement.  She has contributed to large-scale community-focused developments including the Hunters View HOPE SF project in San Francisco.  

    Prior to JSCo, Ms. Etzel worked for BRIDGE Housing Corporation for nearly 7 years, where she focused her work on both new construction and rehabilitation development projects across the Greater Bay Area. Catherine serves on the board of the Housing Action (HAC) Coalition and holds a B.A degree in U.S. History from Columbia University.

  • Tomoyo is an Assistant VP in the Construction and Maintenance Department at The John Stewart Company, where she oversees construction documentation for a wide range of rehabilitation and repair projects. That work covers both the organization's own portfolio and outside clients in the affordable housing sector. Tomoyo first joined JSCo in 2005 as a drafter working under Dan Levine.  After a brief six-month break in 2006, Tomoyo returned to Dan's team and has been there ever since, marking 20 years with JSCo this year. Before joining JSCo, she worked designing single-family homes and multiplexes at small architectural firms in San Diego after graduating from San Diego State University. Tomoyo is currently working toward becoming a licensed architect.

    Away from work, Tomoyo is usually courtside at their middle-school son's basketball games or in the bleachers at his baseball games. With no off-season, it's always sports! Tomoyo loves meeting new people and swapping stories about kid's growth and youth sports. She also enjoys walking Bobo, the family's little Maltipoo and her new hobby is playing Mahjong with friends.

  • Frank was born and raised in Northern California. He is the Assistant Vice President of Construction and Maintenance Services at JSCo. Throughout his career, he has held key roles such as Construction Manager, Project Manager, and Infrastructure Support Specialist.

    Frank has owned and operated his own construction business and has led numerous projects as both a General Contractor and Construction Manager. Outside of his professional life, Frank holds certifications as a Commercial Pilot and Private Glider Pilot, and enjoys spending his free time as an amateur winemaker.

    He earned his B.A. in Speech Communications with a minor in Business from the University of Arizona.

Maintenance for Property Managers

  • Jacquelyn Mejia has been with The John Stewart Company for eight years, beginning her journey in the Southern California region as a Property Manager. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned into the role of Regional Manager and, most recently, Regional Director.

    Throughout her tenure, Jacquelyn has overseen a diverse portfolio and team of Regional Managers across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, managing communities that include HUD, TCAC, MHSA, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs. With nearly 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, she brings confidence, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to every challenge she faces alongside her team.

    In early 2024, Jacquelyn officially stepped into her current role as Regional Director, where she has enjoyed taking an active role in training, planning, and supporting the Regional Managers within the Southern California region. She looks forward to continued growth and many more successful years with JSCo.

Momentum Speed Coaching

  • Anton is originally from the beautiful island of St. Lucia. He is a proud father and grandfather, blessed with a supportive fiancée, and passionate about cooking.

    Anton joined the John Stewart Company with no prior property management experience, but someone saw potential in him and took a chance. Four years later, he has grown from Property Manager to Assistant Regional Manager. Among his proudest accomplishments are receiving the Santa Clara County Housing Authority’s “Bridge Builder Award,” earning his TCAC and TCS certifications, and helping transform Buena Vista into a stronger, more connected community.

    Anton is fascinated by psychology and human behavior and strives to bring positivity into everything he does. Above all, his goal is simple: to leave people and places better than he found them.

Boundaries and Balance

Track Session 3 Bios

  • Ezra serves as a Regional Manager with The John Stewart Company, overseeing the TODCO portfolio of affordable housing communities in San Francisco. In his role, he provides leadership and operational oversight to property management teams while working closely with ownership partners, regulatory agencies, service providers, and other stakeholders to support the successful operation of our communities. Ezra has worked with JSCo for over 20 years, 10 of which were as a Regional Director.

    Ezra’s professional responsibilities include overseeing property operations, financial performance and budgeting, regulatory compliance, staff development, resident relations, capital improvement projects, and risk management. Throughout his career with JSCo, Ezra had the opportunity to manage complex affordable housing portfolios, lead teams through operational and compliance challenges, oversee major property improvement initiatives, and help develop solutions that strengthen both property performance and resident services.

  • Marcia Brown joined The John Stewart Company in 1979 as one of the company’s first eight employees and continues to be a valued member of the team today. She currently serves as Director of Property Management and has more than 45 years of experience in housing supervision, administration, and resident services. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of property owners, including nonprofit housing development corporations, for-profit partnerships, and cooperative corporations.

Build Your Own Tower from the Ground Up

  • Taylor supervises JSCo's IT and Systems department, which manages JSCo's software systems such as Nexus, MRI, Dayforce, and Yardi. He also supervises JSCo's relationship with its new IT support provider Parachute.

    Taylor graduated in 2002 from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Mathematics, and a minor in Writing. If you're surprised that this background somehow led to a career in software, systems and data, so is he. 

  • Justin is a Yardi Specialist II at JSCo, where he supports the organization with all things Yardi. His responsibilities include leading Yardi training initiatives, assisting on-site teams with HUD/50059-related issues, supporting the help desk, and helping onboard properties onto the Yardi platform.

    With more than 20 years of experience using Yardi, Justin brings extensive knowledge of the system along with a diverse background in real estate and information technology. He previously held a real estate license and has IT experience supporting both software and hardware needs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

    Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and their two wonderful boys. Married for 16 years, family is a central part of his life. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers, camping with friends and family, and mountain biking.

JSCo’s Conversion to Yardi: Progress Report

Property Management Password Game Show

  • Miguel currently serves as Assistant Vice President in the Sacramento Regional Office. He has worked in property management since 1998 and began his career with JSCo in 2003 as a Maintenance Dispatcher, advancing through multiple leadership roles to his current position.

    Miguel oversees two Regional Managers, one regional director and a diverse portfolio throughout the Sacramento Region. Under his leadership, his teams have consistently maintained portfolio occupancy between 98% and 100% and accounts receivable below 2% of Gross Potential Rent.  He has extensive experience with property lease-ups, re-syndications, affordable housing, and specialized housing communities.

    Miguel has also directly supervised several hundred units of Special Needs Housing, including two SRO properties in downtown Sacramento serving individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and residents participating in VASH, MHSA, PBV, HOPWA, Alta Regional and Tenant-Based Voucher programs.

    He has built strong relationships with local service providers and community partners, including Urban Strategies Inc., LifeSTEPS, TLCS, Turning Point, and other community agencies, giving him a deep understanding of the operational and supportive-service needs of Special Needs Housing.

    With more than 23 years at JSCo and extensive regional management experience, Miguel brings comprehensive knowledge of property operations, affordable housing, resident services, and leadership aligned with JSCo’s Core Values.

Beats, Rhymes and Life: Hip Hop Therapy & FloCab Workshop

  • Rob is the CEO and Co-Founder of Beats Rhymes and Life, a nonprofit dedicated to the creation, practice, and preservation of Hip Hop Therapy. An Oakland native, Rob has spent more than two decades pioneering culturally responsive approaches that use Hip Hop as a vehicle for youth to recognize their own capacity for healing. Under his leadership, BRL has grown from a grassroots Oakland initiative into an internationally recognized organization serving thousands of young people and training clinicians, educators, artists, and youth-serving professionals.

  • Damonté is the Lead Artist Trainer at Beats Rhymes and Life, where he trains staff, interns, and Train the Provider participants in BRL’s innovative Hip Hop Therapy model. An Oakland native and former youth in the program, Damonté has played an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s approach to artistry, training, and youth engagement since 2008. He co-founded the BRL Academy and originated the idea for BRL’s Mobile Studio Bus, helping bring music, mentorship, and healing directly into communities. A passionate youth advocate, artist, and culture bearer, Damonté has dedicated nearly two decades to empowering young people and those who serve them.

  • Jacquelyn Guerrero has been with The John Stewart Company for eight years, beginning her journey in the Southern California region as a Property Manager. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned into the role of Regional Manager and, most recently, Regional Director.

    Throughout her tenure, Jacquelyn has overseen a diverse portfolio and team of Regional Managers across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, managing communities that include HUD, TCAC, MHSA, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs. With nearly 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, she brings confidence, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to every challenge she faces alongside her team.

    In early 2024, Jacquelyn officially stepped into her current role as Regional Director, where she has enjoyed taking an active role in training, planning, and supporting the Regional Managers within the Southern California region. She looks forward to continued growth and many more successful years with JSCo.

Property Pit Stop Challenge

  • Yvonne is a seasoned Regional Manager in JSCo’s Sacramento Region, bringing over 35 years of property management experience, including 25 years with JSCo. She began her career managing market-rate apartment communities with 200+ units and transitioned into affordable housing when she joined JSCo. Starting part-time at Humphrey Place in Suisun City, she quickly took on additional responsibilities, eventually moving into a full-time role in Solano County.

    Over the years, Yvonne has managed a variety of communities including Laurel Gardens, Union Square Apartments, Monument Arms, and Village II. Her performance led to a promotion to Assistant Regional Manager under Miguel Jacquez, where she gained experience overseeing large portfolios and working directly with ownership groups. Within two years, she was promoted to Regional Manager. Today, Yvonne’s portfolio includes several long-standing properties as well as Marina Village, a new 160-unit development. Despite multiple lease-up delays, her leadership helped the team meet occupancy deadlines, ensuring critical tax credit compliance and cost savings for ownership, an accomplishment she is especially proud of.

    Yvonne holds an Associate’s Degree in Human Services, which supports her ability to lead with empathy and work effectively with diverse teams and communities.

  • Robert Vega is the Lead Maintenance professional at Eleanor Roosevelt Circle Apartments in Davis, California, and supports the property portfolio overseen by Regional Manager Carissa Estrada. He has been with the company for 14 years as of this October and brings more than 30 years of experience in the maintenance profession. Robert graduated with honors from Sacramento City College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Mechanical Electrical Technology.

Unit Turnover Best Practices