The Howard County Housing Commission is governed by a seven member board appointed by the Howard County Executive and confirmed by the Howard County Council. Each Commissioner serves a five-year term. The Board represents a broad spectrum of housing industry expertise and community interests.
Jacqueline West-Spencer, Chairperson: September 2027
Jacqueline West-Spencer, Chairperson, Commissioner, was re-appointed to the Board of Commissioners on October 31, 2022. Ms. West-Spencer serves as the director of development for The Community Builders, Inc. Mid-Atlantic region, a position she has held since March 2014. In this capacity, Ms. West-Spencer directs the real estate development activities and manages the project management staff within the Mid-Atlantic region. Ms. West-Spencer holds a Master of Science degree in urban policy analysis and management from the Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at the New School in New York City. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in New York. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards within the community development and social services fields.
Bert Hash, Vice Chairperson: September 2026
Bert Hash, Vice Chairperson, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on December 6, 2021. Mr. Hash is the retired President and CEO of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore (MECU). Mr. Hash was a seasoned financial services executive with over 44 years of experience in managing various aspects of banking and financial services. Before retiring from MECU, Bert worked for Equitable Bank for 15 years and Provident Bank of Maryland for 12 years.
Paul Casey: September 2023
Paul K. Casey, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on May 4, 2020. He is a retired partner of the law firm Ballard Spahr LLP where he was Co-Leader of the firm’s Housing Practice Group. During his 23 years at Ballard, Mr. Casey concentrated his practice on real estate finance and public finance transactions, with an emphasis on affordable housing, public housing law, and federal housing programs. Much of his practice was in the area of mixed-finance public housing development and he was actively involved in negotiating and closing hundreds of such transactions across the country. Additionally, Mr. Casey previously served as President of the Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation, a member of the Howard County Housing and Community Development Board, and as Principal Counsel to the Maryland Department of Economic and Community Development.
Candace Dodson-Reed: October 2028
Candace Dodson-Reed, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on October 2, 2023. Ms. Dodson-Reed previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for former Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, serving as a liaison between the County Executive and nonprofit and arts organizations, educational institutions, the library system, and the general public. She now serves in multiple leadership roles at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, including Chief of Staff to the President and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Ebonee Fitzgerald: July 2028
Ebonee Fitzgerald, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on July 31, 2023. Ms. Fitzgerald has worked in the administrative and supervisory field for over 10 years. Her work includes positions with the Machinery Dealers National Association, where she served as Director of Membership as well as an administrator of the Association’s scholarship fund. Currently, Ms. Fitzgerald provides administrative support to the Engineering Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Patricia Warr Marshall: September 2025
Patricia Warr Marshall, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on March 2, 2020. Ms. Marshall possesses over 25 years of experience in banking, education, and real estate. She has held various positions with large commercial banks, including NationsBank and Bank of America. Additionally, Ms. Marshall has worked for the Howard County Public School System and is currently a Business Advisor with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and a Financial Well Being Coach with a national non-profit organization.
Kathryn Valentine: September 2024
Kathryn Valentine, Commissioner, was appointed to the Board of Commissioners on October 2, 2023. Ms. Valentine joins the Board with 20 years of government financial, assurance, and compliance experience. Additionally, Ms. Valentine is a certified Project Management Professional, certified Government Financial Manager, and certified Fraud Examiner.