After a nationwide search, the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) has selected Tony Caldwell as its new Executive Director. Caldwell currently is the Chief Administrative and Operations Officer of the Housing Authority of Monterey County in California. In that position, he is responsible for overseeing all financial management, Section 8 property management, maintenance, as well as all informational services and processes, which include information technology, telephony, business process management and automation, and public relations for the agency.

Caldwell brings the unique mix of public housing agency experience as well as entrepreneurship from having owned his own business, which the KCCHA board believes is absolutely essential for the survival of the beleaguered organization. KCCHA has undergone a stunning series of financial reversals over the past two years. The majority of the agency’s financial troubles are rooted in a previous Board of Directors decision to support the construction of the Harborside Condominiums in downtown Bremerton. However, no one on the current KCCHA Board was part of that decision, or was a member of the board when the Harborside decision was made.

Caldwell comes into the job with his eyes wide open and with a firm grasp of the challenges the agency faces. “Given the Housing Authority’s financial situation, we are absolutely thrilled to have attracted someone of Tony’s caliber to this position,” said 2010 KCCHA Board Chair, Port Orchard Mayor Lary Coppola. “Tony impressed the selection committee with his knowledge, commitment, and passion for a challenge. Almost from the very beginning of the interview, we knew he was the person we wanted.”

Caldwell holds a professional certification as a Public Housing Manager from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, as well as training in Intermediate and Advanced HUD Accounting. His educational background includes an M.S. in Information Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a B.S. in Economics from Santa Clara University. He completed all his Doctorate coursework except the final dissertation in Operations and Information Systems at Golden Gate University as well.

“We interviewed some first-rate candidates for the Executive Director position,” stated Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, vice chair of the KCCHA board. “The Board liked Tony and so did a panel of community and staff members. He is personable, has sound fiscal experiences and his answers to our questions showed insight about some work still ahead of us.”

“Tony also interviewed us,” she added. “He asked some pointed questions about the future of the Housing Authority that demonstrate he will work well with the Board on important policy issues as we refocus on our affordable housing mission.”

In his current position, Caldwell was an integral part the Housing Authority Development Department having constructed a substantial amount of new affordable housing stock in all areas of Monterey County. “Tony’s experience in rehabbing and the creation of new public housing, fits the refocused mission of KCCHA like a glove,” said Coppola. “We are all eagerly looking forward to Tony stepping in and taking charge.”

Caldwell’s first day will be March 1, although he has already hit the ground running, working closely via telephone, email and over the internet with KCCHA staff and board members — even though he isn’t officially on the payroll yet. And for the first three months on the job at least, he will live in a vacant KCCHA unit, so he can get a firsthand feel for the condition of the properties, the challenges that residents face, as well as the issues staff has to deal with from an up close and personal perspective. “It’s that kind of enthusiasm and commitment that made Tony stand out from the other applicants,” said 2009 Board Chair, Commissioner Steve Bauer. “That’s why it was so obvious to both the board and the staff, that he was the best choice.”