District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Russell D. Simmons Confirmation Resolution of 2000
PR 13-852

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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To confirm the appointment of Mr. Russell D. Simmons to the District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Russell D. Simmons Confirmation Resolution of 2000".

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of

Mr. Russell D. Simmons
1829 Upshur Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20018
(Ward 5)

as a public commissioner member of the District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, established by section 12 of the District of Columbia Housing Authority Act of 1999, effective May 9, 2000 (D.C. Act 13-254; 47 DCR 1325), for a term to end 2-years from the date a majority of the first members are sworn-in.

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its adoption, each to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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RUSSELL D. SIMMONS
129 UPSHUR STREET, N.E.
WASHINGTON, DC 20018
(202) 529-5389

EXPERIENCE

Senior Vice President CRA Officer and Director of the Business & Community Development Division, Riggs Bank, NA, Washington, D.C. December 1993 to Present.

Responsible for the direction and implementation of the bank's CRA, capacity grant, community outreach and business development activities in low and moderate-income areas. I also serve as the bank's spokesman on matters relating to community development. Following are selected accomplishments:

• increased lending in low and moderate-income areas from an estimated $20 million in 1993 to more $700 million by 1999 ($150 million average per year).
• Initiated first bank sponsored micro-loan program in D.C., area.
• Established division that combined CRA strategic planning and business development
• Manage relationship with the Collective Banking Group (CBG), 225 African American Churches with membership exceding 200,000 people. Includes developing home buyer, business and investment seminars.
• Initiated $20 million construction loan partnership between Fannie Mae arid Riggs for affordable housing projects.
• Developed and currently manage Federal Home Loan Bank Board's Affordable Housing Program that has won over S3 million in grants for nonprofit sponsored housing projects.
• Initiated first partnership with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Washington.

Community Loan Manager, Citibank F.S.B. of Wash, D.C., September 1981 to November 1993.

Responsible for business development, loan origination and underwriting business and community development commercial real estate loans. Following are selected highlights:

• Utilized government sponsored programs where possible.
• Financed more than $100 million of affordable housing and commercial projects in low and moderate-income areas.
• Managed a loan portfolio of $300 million that included credit reviews and restructuring problem loans.
• Led real estate department in sales in 1988,1988 and 1991.
• Selected as a member of the Presidents Club (top performers across the country) in 1990.
• Spoke at numerous conferences and workshops.

Chief, Neighborhood Commercial Services Division, Office of Business and Economic Development, May 1985 to September 1987.

Responsible for the revitalization of several commercial corridors in the District of Columbia, making real estate loans and negotiating contracts with Community Development Corporations. Selected accomplished are as follows:

• Issued first request for proposal for the Neighborhood Initiatives Support Program in order to provide funding for local community development corporations.
• Established six Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Offices.
• Originated several million dollars of real estate loans to difficult projects.
• Leased commercial space in the D. C. Municipal Office Building located at 14th and U Streets, N.W.
• Lead outreach efforts to local businesses acrd community groups.

Chief, Community Economic Development Division, Development Administration, D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, August 1984 to May 1985

Responsible for underwriting loans and assisting community development corporations. Selected accomplished are as follows:

• Provided technical assistance to community development corporations (CDC).
• Developed a process for awarding pre-development grants and loans to CDC's.
• Negotiated Contracts with community groups.
• Managed a staff of 10 people.

Chief, Marketing and Development Development Administration, D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, 1981 to 1984

Selected accomplished are as follows:

• Provided staff support for the Redevelopment Land Agency's (RLA) Board of Directors.
• Operated Urban Development Action Grant Program (UDAG) which resulted in the city winning several awards.
• Managed the disposition of more than 70 RLA parcels of land.
• Managed staff of 10 persons.

Chief, Evaluation Division, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, 1976 to 1981

Selected accomplished are as follows:

• Established procedures for data collection for the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Provided management assistance to department heads on a regular basis.
• Conducted-in-depth evaluation of maintenance costs in public housing.
• Conducted evaluation of housing rehabilitation program. This evaluation resulted in changes being made in the operation of the program.
• Managed a staff of 15 persons.

Assistant Director for Operations and Evaluation, D,.C. Modal Cities Program, 1973 to 1975

Selected accomplishments are as follows:

• Negotiated and managed $16 million in contracts for services to nonprofit community groups participating in the Model Cities Program.
• Monitored and provided assistance for all nonprofit contractors.
• Developed evaluation procedures that satisfied federal guidelines.
• Had extensive public contact that included speeches, radio and TV shows.
• Managed a staff of 50 people.

Assistant Director of Operations, D.C. Model Cities Program, 1972 to 1973.

Responsibilities were the same as described above except for the evaluation function. I managed about 20 people in this position.

Chief Economic Planner, D.C. Model Cities Program, 1970 to 1972

Selected accomplished are as follows:

• Developed economic development component for the annual Model Cites Plan.
• Assisted with the creation of the first economic development corporation in the city.

Lecturer, Federal City College, Washington, D.C. 1972 to 1974 (Part Time)

I taught a course in social and economic planning to undergraduate planning students.

Real Estate and Financial Consultant, Gladstone Associates, 1970

Responsible for a number of consultant assignments, some of which I had lead responsibilities. Most of these studies were economic feasibility studies for real estate projects. A sample of two assignments are listed below.

• Feasibility of neighborhood shopping center In Newark, New Jersey.
• Economic feasibility study for the Philadelphia Bicentennial Celebration.
• Economic feasibility study for alternative uses and values of a large apartment complex.

Industry Economist, U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, 1997 to 1969

Conducted brief studies on industrial capacity so that the Department of Commerce would not provide assistance to industries with surplus capacity.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, Economics, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 1966-1968.

Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 1962-1965.

Attended a number of workshops and seminars, including a weeklong course at Harvard University on Program Evaluation and an evaluation course at the Catholic University. Other courses include the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training course and numerous underwriting, sales, computer and management seminars.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

I have held a number of leadership positions in the community. A sample of these positions are listed below:

• President, D.C., United Way
• Chairman, Social Planning Committee, Metropolitan United Way
• President, Saint France DeSalle, Home-School Association
• President, The Children's Centre (Day Cafe Program)
• Chairman; Finance Committee, Metropolitan Washington Planning and Housing Association
• President, Board of Directors, United Planning Organization
• President, Board of Directors, H Street Community Development Corporation
• Board of Directors, Apartment Improvement Program
• Chairman, Business and Economic Development Committee, Board of Directors, D .C. Chamber of Commerce (Current)
• Board of Directors, Source Theater (Current)
• Board of Directors, Shiloh Church Economic Development Corporation (Current)
• Board of Directors, New York Avenue Development Committee (Current)
• President, Metropolitan Bankers Association (Current)
• Leadership Washington, Class of 1995
• Chairman, D.C. United Way Campaign (Current)

PERSONAL

• Born In Washington, D.C., and attended local schools.
• Married to Sheila, and have a son, age 22 and a daughter, age 14.
• Height 5'8", weight: 190 pounds. Good Health: no disabilities.

REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST