4 New Leaders Join DCHA

The Washington D.C. Housing Authority has named Amy Glassman its new General Counsel and Michael Reese its new Chief of Police, the latest two appointments to a refreshed DCHA executive leadership team. 

“I am excited that we have attracted key leaders in their respective fields to assist DCHA’s turnaround into a leader in the affordable housing industry. Amy and Mike have a history of improving conditions for low-income households and their experience will help us meet our short- and long-term goals,” said Executive Director Keith Pettigrew. 

Along with Ms. Glassman and Mr. Reese, DCHA has also named Nicole Wickliffe its Deputy Executive Director and Heather Mueller its new Chief Financial Officer, two respected leaders in the affordable housing industry. 

“With this group’s background and skills, I am confident that DCHA is positioned to become a model for success,” Director Pettigrew said. 

“The Board of Commissioners is pleased that Director Pettigrew is building out his team with capable and experienced professionals,” said Board Chair Raymond Skinner. “We look forward to working together to ensure a bright future for DCHA.”

Ms. Glassman has nearly two decades of experience as an attorney, including the last seven as partner at Ballard Spahr, working with dozens of public housing authorities across the country on U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development regulatory and compliance matters, fair housing, corporate governance, affordable housing development, and many other management and operational challenges faced by housing authorities. 

“Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure public housing and Section 8 residents are safe and secure, and that housing authorities adhere to HUD regulations, local and federal laws, and the highest ethical standards,” Ms. Glassman said. “Serving as DCHA’s general counsel is an opportunity to focus my efforts and expertise on my adopted hometown’s housing authority as it reestablishes itself as a leader in the industry.”  

She began in the affordable housing industry in 1998, and throughout her career, she has worked with public housing authorities, including more than three dozen Move to Work agencies. A resident of D.C. for two decades, Ms. Glassman has a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a juris doctorate from Yale Law School. Her first day is Feb. 20. 

Mr. Reese’s background includes 30 years with the Metropolitan Police Department where he rose through the ranks from a patrol officer to become Commander of the Second District. In 2015, Mr. Reese became the Deputy Chief of Police for DCHA Police Department. In that role, he oversaw day-to-day operations of a 135-member force and coordinated with MPD and federal agencies on policies and investigations. Most recently, he served as the deputy director of operations for the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Protection Services, managing 750 employees across Greater D.C., New York, Arizona, Florida, and several locations in Panama. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, and master’s degrees from the University of the District of Columbia and Johns Hopkins University.   

“I am proud to return to DCHAPD as its chief. My commitment to D.C., background in public service and experience in law enforcement have prepared me to lead the department as it works to reduce crime and maintain safety for DCHA and D.C. residents and their communities,” Mr. Reese said. He will begin leading DCHAPD on Feb. 5. 

Ms. Wickliffe joined DCHA in November. She has two decades of affordable housing experience, including 11 years as director of asset management for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, a Move to Work agency where she led and completed the repositioning of public housing units through RAD to Section 8 Project Based Vouchers. In that role, she also oversaw the finances and long-term preservation of nearly 5,000 units. 

“Nicole has a history of successfully advancing housing authority’s portfolios through innovative programs and has a deep understanding of HUD regulations and D.C. policy. I’m grateful to have a dependable and knowledgeable deputy who enhances the Office of the Executive Director,” Director Pettigrew said. 

Immediately prior to DCHA, Ms. Wickliffe was the deputy director of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, where she managed the financial and physical components of roughly 1,100 units across various property types. She has also served as a HUD subject matter expert subcontractor. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Strayer University and a master’s degree in real estate development from George Mason University.

Ms. Mueller began with DCHA in January, joining the agency from the South Mississippi Housing Authority. There, she served as the director of finance and treasurer, leading the agency’s transition from decades-old software to the Yardi affordable housing management system and refining its Board reports to ensure total transparency of the agency’s fiscal conditions. 

“Heather’s commitment to transparency and background as a thoughtful financial strategist will support DCHA’s efforts to restore an open dialogue with HUD, our Board, our residents and the surrounding community on our fiscal health and future,” Director Pettigrew said. 

She previously served as CFO for the Indianapolis Housing Agency, where she created corrective action plans in response to HUD financial audits and reconciled a backlog of policies and procedures that had not been implemented. As CFO for the Sylacauga Housing Authority in Alabama, her fiscal oversight led to a $300,000 revenue increase in one year. She has a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of North Alabama and Athens State University, respectively.  

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About DC Housing Authority

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is committed to providing safe, affordable, and quality housing to the residents of the District of Columbia. The agency emphasizes fostering a collaborative work environment to meet the highest expectations of the affordable housing industry. With a focus on innovation and community development, DCHA strives to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating sustainable and thriving communities. Learn more at our website about DCHA and the work that the agency is doing to impact the residents of Washington, D.C.