Meet the ACDA Team

Since 2001, Michael “Mick” Foley has held a variety of jobs at ACDA, and since 2008, he has served as a supervisor. As Director, Mick oversees a department that funds home rehabs, emergency repairs, as well as making homes lead-safe and accessible too. ACDA also provides Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that uplift neighborhoods. “I have always appreciated making a difference in the lives of City residents,” Mick says. “And I am fortunate to have a strong team that works well together.” Mick calls himself a “proud lifelong resident of the City of Albany,” and says he is “looking forward to working with the new Neighborhood & Community Services Department under the leadership of Commissioner Andrews.”

Kristin has worked for the Department of Housing & Community Development for 23 years. She previously maintained several roles there, including Mortgage Officer and Finance/Compliance Officer. Kristin currently oversees staff to make sure all HUD regulations are being adhered to in housing programs and community development initiatives. In addition, she underwrites all of the Department’s developer loans and prepares environmental reviews. Before she worked at the City, Kristin spent 10 years in the residential and commercial mortgage fields. A lifelong Albany resident, she is dedicated in ensuring that Albany residents are being assisted in the best way possible with HUD funds that the Department oversees. 

Terrence’s job is to maintain the City of Albany properties that are overseen by the Department of Housing and Community Development. He is a lifetime Albany resident who has also worked for the City’s Department of General Services and the Department of Recreation. “I work with good people, and that makes all the difference in a job,” Terrence says. 

Dennis focuses on communications for the Department of Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS). "I see my job as building community and morale in the department,” Dennis says, “and sharing the good work we do here with the public." He writes newsletters for NCS as well as for all City staff, and his job includes creating social media for various departments. He organizes some special events for the Mayor’s Office, including Bike to Work Day and Henry Johnson Day. He also writes and edits public documents for the City of Albany as well as helps oversee staff enrichment and wellness activities. In his free time, Dennis likes to take photos, bike, and be in nature.

Christian is the main point of contact for anyone who is applying for housing grants through the department. Christian also answers questions regarding ACDA grants from homeowners, future homeowners, and landlords. Christian is also bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. “I enjoy helping people improve their living situations,” he says. “I am grateful to be part of ACDA team.” Christian previously worked as a case manager in an inpatient rehab facility.

Mike Greene is in charge of overseeing the $3.5 million federal Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Program grant the City received in January 2021. The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant is designed to reduce the risk of lead paint in the interiors and exteriors of homes and apartments in the City where children under 6 live or spend a significant amount of time. Mike, who is NY State Code Certified and an EPA-Certified Risk Assessor, oversees the abatements from beginning to end, with a goal of abating a total of 160 Albany homes over the three-year program. 

“I like driving by the homes we’ve done,” Mike says, “and seeing the impact we’ve had on neighborhoods and the City.” He’s worked for the City for 17 years as a rehab specialist and five years as a code inspector. Outside of work, Mike likes to spend time with his family. 

Amie Jefferson is the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program Manager who assists the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program Director in administrating the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program. The three-year, $3.5 million grant was awarded to ACDA in January 2021. The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program is designed to reduce the risk of lead-based paint in the homes and apartments of Albany residents with a child under the age of 6 who lives or spends a significant amount of time in the home. 

Amie previously worked as the Confidential Administrative Assistant in ACDA. Before that, she worked in the City of Albany's Human Resources Department. Amie has a Bachelor of Science from Sage College, and in her free time she likes to shop, watch movies, and eat out.

John has worked for Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA) going on 10 years. He currently does the intake for anyone applying for the various ACDA home and property improvement programs, reviewing applications for completeness and income eligibility requirements for the various programs. John also approves loans that come through the ACDA, ensuring that all required documentation is provided by applicants.

For 13 years he owned his own mortgage company in Albany, and has 37 years experience working in the banking and finance industry.

Jordan has been a home inspector in the Capital District for nine years. “Every house is a different story,” Jordan says of her work. “I enjoy meeting new people. And I have a good team at work. I feel like they have my back.” Two of Jordan’s out-of-work passions? Animals and making art. 

Alfonso joined the department in 2021 after working in the City’s Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance. 

“I like working with the team here,” Alfonso says. “And I like our sole purpose – to renew, restore and rejuvenate Albany one home and one family at a time. That’s extremely rewarding. We’re the boots on the ground for the City, seeing what needs to be fixed and repaired – and when that’s done, it improves lives and the condition of the City of Albany.” Outside of work, Alfonso enjoys softball, karaoke, collecting watches – and always staying physically fit. 

Dan has worked as a Rehabilitation Specialist for Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA) for 11 years. He is a New York State Accredited Code Enforcement Officer, overseeing the process for various ACDA rehab programs for City homeowners. "I'm here for you," Dan says.

Previously, Dan worked as a Code Inspector for the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance and a repairman for the City of Albany Water Department.

Kevin Montanez Vargas majored in Accounting at St. Rose College, and after he graduated he joined the City of Albany’s My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper program, where he was introduced to mentors who later recommended him for an opening at ACDA. “I’ve learned so much about accounting and more since I’ve been here,” he says. “I really enjoy coming to work every day and I’m very happy to be part of the ACDA team.” Kevin, from Puerto Rico, is also bi-lingual.

Before he was a rehab specialist, Dan worked for Con Edison, the utility company for New York City. As a member of their Service Assessment team, he worked to help homeowners convert from heating oil to natural gas and ensure that electric services were adequate and safe.

After working remotely for some time he decided to move back to the capital city, where he had studied at the University at Albany and earned a degree in Urban Studies and Planning.

In 2017, he purchased a vacant Center Square brownstone, and performed a gut rehab over a period of nearly 2 years. He put his own sweat equity into it. “It was very stressful at times but well worth the effort.” His father, a carpenter, was a tremendous help in restoring some of the remaining historical elements of the home.

“I love the Capital District,” Dan says. He also likes how his new job allows him to get out and around Albany. When he’s not working on his brownstone, Dan loves to cook, ride his bike, eat and play golf.

“I’m also a tortured Jets fan,” says Dan, which has led him to become a bigger hockey fan.

Sherrod previously worked in Local Carpenters Union 290 for six years, where he learned a variety of construction skills. He’s taken the knowledge he accumulated there to his Rehab Specialist position with ACDA. “I still get to work with contractors and improve the quality of homes and other buildings,” Sherrod says. “I’m still in the construction trades, in another way, but now the focus is on Albany.”

He’s fond of the job. “I like the construction trades and I’m not stuck in just one place – I work in the office and in the field as well. The work also gives me the opportunity to help people. I provide individuals and the entire community a service that they value – and I value too.”

“I’ve done a lot of landscaping work all over the Capital Region, and was brought up in the construction industry,” says Nick. Since he was able to work, Nick helped his dad flip houses, usually taking on the demolition, sheetrocking, and painting portions of the renovations. “I learned a lot about everything in the trades,” Nick says. He wanted to find a job where he had room to improve. “I’m real busy and I enjoy the work,” he says. “I like how helping the community out. You get a lot of appreciative people, and that makes it worth it.”

Jim oversees the maintenance of Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA)-owned lots and buildings, such as the Albany Boxing Gym and the condos at 135 Elizabeth Street, which are used to house individuals and families, while heir homes are being made safe and lead-free through ACDA's lead abatement program. He also oversees and manages the contractors who are hired to rehab properties for ACDA, making sure that they comply with EEO standards and other government regulations.

Jim previously worked as a general contractor in the Albany area, and for fun, he loves all things related to sports!

Joe assists the community who are applying for any of the various housing programs offered by the Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA). Joe meets with applicants and reviews their eligibility, whether it is to purchase a home, to do necessary home repairs, or to address lead paint abatement. "We see what people's needs are, and how we can assist them," says Joe, who has worked at ACDA since 1995.

John worked in the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance as a Code Enforcement Inspector for five years before joining ACDA in 2021 as a Rehab Specialist. His job here is a continuation of his previous work he has done throughout the Albany community – working with the Albany City School District, Northern Rivers (formerly Parsons Child and Family Center) and St. Catherine’s Center for Children. “I love being on the go, working in the field, and interacting in the community I grew up in,” John says. “I love giving back to my community.” 

In his free time, John loves to travel the world – and play with his drone. 

Before joining ACDA, Shakiya worked at the City School District of Albany as a secretary for the Principal at Albany High School before she being promoted to Office Manager for the School District’s Grants Department. There, she oversaw contracts, board approvals, accounts payable, vendor relations, and payroll matters. “I’m quick with numbers,” Shakiya says. “My best subject in high school – and ever since – has been math.” She enjoys her present position because “I can learn here and the people are easy to work with – I like coming to work in the morning.”