Victor Smeltz is the Executive Director of Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation.  Beginning in September 2006, he has focused on formulating and implementing the development strategy for RNDC, a unique partnership between Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana and Volunteers of America National Services, to initially create at least 1000 new units of mixed-income family housing.Prior to joining Volunteers of America, he served for over five years as Development Director for the Housing Authority of Portland in Portland, Oregon.  

Leading a four person development team, Mr. Smeltz was responsible for the development and acquisition of more than 750 mixed-income rental units financed by low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, local tax-increment financing and other state and federal sources, with a focus on the development of mixed-use urban neighborhood mixed-income housing.

Previously, Mr. Smeltz served as Manager of Housing Finance for the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, during which time he established the FHA Risk Sharing Program in Oregon and financed over 625 mixed-income units with a total loan volume of more than $28 million.  He managed the underwriting team responsible for the origination and closing of all other multi-family project loans made by the agency, with an annual volume between $20 and $30 million.  

Prior to becoming involved in affordable housing, Mr. Smeltz worked in the design and construction of a number of commercial real estate projects in Oregon and California, including offices, medical facilities and market-rate housing.Mr. Smeltz is an honor graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture.  He has completed extensive coursework as a Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM) Candidate, and is a registered architect in the state of Oregon, as well as with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).Mr. Smeltz serves on the boards of the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers (LAAHP) and the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA).

​

In October, 2014, Victor Smeltz was featured on the MyNewOrleans.com podcast, New Orleans' Voices. Click here to access Mr. Smeltz's podcast.

Vanessa Levine is a Development Director for Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation.   Ms. Levine is involved in all aspects of project development from pre-development through construction and close out.  Ms. Levine works closely with the Executive Director, serving as a relationship manager for the various projects, in cooperation with all internal and external parties.  Ms. Levine works jointly with the construction manager in the ongoing coordination of contractors and architects.  In addition, Ms. Levine works with external funders, public officials, community stakeholders, and neighborhood associations towards realizing Volunteers of America and RNDC’s mission of creating quality, affordable, sustainable housing throughout Louisiana.

Prior to joining RNDC, Ms. Levine worked as an architectural associate at Billes Partners, where she worked with the Audubon Nature Institute on the Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East.  In Berkeley, California Ms. Levine worked as an architectural intern at McCamant and Durret Architects, designing affordable and senior cohousing neighborhoods on the west coast.  Early in her career, Ms. Levine interned at San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, advocating and working with developers and city regulatory agencies to promote affordable housing in San Francisco.  Ms. Levine received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Masters of Architecture with a concentration in Urban Design from The Catholic University of America in 2004 and 2006, respectively.  Ms. Levine was awarded The Henry Adams Certificate of Merit for excellence in the study of architecture and is a member of Tau Sigma Delta, Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts.  Ms. Levine is a registered architect in the state of Louisiana as well as with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Ms. Levine is originally from the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans and enjoys developing much needed workforce and senior housing in Louisiana.
 

William Callihan is a Development Director for Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation.   Mr. Callihan is involved in all aspects of project development from site selection and pre-development, to construction and close out.  Mr. Callihan works closely with the Executive Director, serving as a relationship manager for the various projects, in cooperation with all internal and external parties.  Mr. Callihan works jointly with the construction manager in the ongoing coordination of contractors and architects.  In addition, Mr. Callihan works with external funders, public officials, community stakeholders, industry organizations, and neighborhood associations towards realizing Volunteers of America and RNDC’s mission of creating quality, affordable, sustainable housing throughout Louisiana.
Prior to joining RNDC, Mr. Callihan was a commercial real estate banker with JPMorgan Chase and Capital One.  In his 12 year role as an originator, Mr. Callihan provided $783MM in debt and equity financing for numerous residential and commercial properties.  These financial products include: LIHTC, Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, Construction Loans, Permanent Loans, and Tax-exempt Bonds.  Mr. Callihan’s career began as a financial analyst with a national real estate development firm that specializes in urban revitalization.

Mr. Callihan has a BA in Political Science from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of New Orleans; and he has a Louisiana Real Estate Brokerage license.  Mr. Callihan has lived in New Orleans since 2000.

Mr. Callihan is a former President of the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers (LAAHP), and is a current trustee for the Coypu Foundation.  

WCallihan@voasela.org

Jason Strealy has been hired for the newly created position of Director of Property Management for Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation. Mr. Strealy oversees a housing portfolio of 820 units spanning ten properties. His responsibilities include providing leadership for the overall administration, marketing, operations, and compliance of this portfolio by establishing goals, monitoring operations and motivating site staff to make sound decisions that create additional asset value as well as functional and livable communities. Mr. Strealy has more than 10 years of property management experience with the majority of that time spent in a supervisory role overseeing multiple properties.

Prior to joining RNDC, Mr. Strealy served as a Regional Property Supervisor for an established management company where he oversaw 10 properties encompassing both market rate and tax credit units. Previous to this employment, Mr. Strealy held property management and supervisory positions with both small and large organizations including responsibility for a portfolio encompassing 1,300 market rate and tax credit units throughout Louisiana and Texas.Mr. Strealy has a BA in Marketing & Advertising from Louisiana State University and a MBA from the University of New Orleans and is a Certified Apartment Property Supervisor, Certified Apartment Manager, Housing Credit Certified Professional, and Licensed Realtor.

Luke Layfield is the Assistant Director of Property Management for Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation. Mr. Layfield began as the Housing Development Coordinator at RNDC where he assisted in all aspects of a project from pre-development through construction, close out, and property management. Mr. Layfield now works more closely with the Director of Property Management overseeing a growing portfolio of 820 units over ten properties. 

Prior to joining RNDC, Mr. Layfield spent 5 years working in sales and project management.  Mr. Layfield has a BFA in Art History from Louisiana State University.

llayfield@voasela.org

Myra Wilson is the Senior Financial Analyst for Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation.   Mrs. Wilson is involved in accounting for projects during the development stage through construction, close out, and operations and works closely with all members of RNDC’s team.  

Prior to join RNDC, Mrs. Wilson spent 11 years working in Public Accounting performing financial statement audits, business consulting and tax preparation services.  Mrs. Wilson has a BS in Accounting from University of New Orleans and is a Certified Public Accountant for State of Louisiana.  

​

Mrs. Wilson is also a US Veteran having served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.

mwilson@voasela.org

Prior to joining RNDC, Mr. Swiler spent 5 years working in Banking including 2 years of Accounting experience as well as 2 additional years specializing in Property Management Accounting.  Mr. Swiler has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans.  A New Orleans native, Mr. Swiler is a graduate of Brother Martin High School where he served as Captain of the cheerleading program and later went on to cheer for Louisiana State University.

sswiler@voasela.org