2019 Training & Certification Conference
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Keynote Speakers
Theresa L. Kitay
Attorney at Law
For over 30 years, Terry Kitay has provided general consultation and defense representation on civil rights issues in the real estate industry. She spent the early part of her career as a trial attorney in private practice and with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), prosecuting fair housing cases throughout the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
Since leaving government service, Terry has continued to practice exclusively in the field of fair housing and accessibility. She has developed an expertise in disability and accessibility issues for real estate, including reasonable accommodations and design and construction requirements. She represents owners, developers, managers, housing authorities, non-profit providers, architects, and engineers throughout the country on all civil rights defense issues.
Terry is a frequent contributor on housing civil rights issues to national publications, and has testified before the United States House of Representatives on accessibility issues. She holds a California CASp (“Certified Access Specialist”) designation, and is certified by the International Code Council as an Accessibility Inspector / Plans Examiner professional, having met eligibility and examination standards for knowledge and application of federal and state laws, standards, codes, and regulations related to accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Terry is an honors graduate of both Smith College and the Emory University School of Law. She practiced law in Atlanta for seventeen years, continued her practice in Los Angeles after relocating in 2004, and moved to Oak Island, North Carolina in late 2016. She is a member of the California, Georgia, and (now) North Carolina state bars, having taken the last bar examination of her career in 2017.
Kris Cook
Executive Director
NAHMA
Kris Cook, CAE, joined the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) as its Executive Director in November 2002. NAHMA is the leading voice for affordable housing management, advocating on behalf of multifamily property managers and owners whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing. NAHMA's mission is to support legislative and regulatory policy that promotes the development and preservation of decent and safe affordable housing. NAHMA serves as a vital resource for technical education and information, fosters strategic relations between government
and industry, and recognizes those who exemplify the best in affordable housing.
NAHMA is the voice in Washington for some 20 regional, state and local affordable housing management associations (AHMAs) nationwide. NAHMA's membership represents 75 percent of the affordable housing management industry, and includes its most distinguished multifamily management companies and owners.
Kris has more than 35 years’ experience in nonprofit and trade association management. Prior to joining NAHMA, she held a dual role as executive director of the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM), an affiliate of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and senior vice president of CAI.