Management & Staff

CHBA is managed by Graham P. Espley-Jones, President. He oversees all operations, including strategic planning, acquisitions, development, and operations.  Outside professionals are retained to assist CHBA in meeting our  administrative, operational and compliance requirements.

Graham Espley-Jones, President – Mr. Espley-Jones was named President and a Director of CHBA in 2007 during a management team transition from the Building Industry Association.  He brings over twenty years of experience in the affordable and LIHTC industry to CHBA. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Mr. Espley-Jones served as the Chief Financial Officer of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (now Highridge Costa Investors, LLC), one of America’s leading partners in the investment and development of affordable multifamily and senior rental communities financed primarily with LIHTC’s from 1999 to 2000. Prior to joining Kaufman and Broad Multi-Housing Group, Mr. Espley-Jones was a principal, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ARV Assisted Living, Inc. and their affiliated companies (“ARV”). ARV’s assisted living division developed and/or acquired over sixty assisted living communities comprising approximately 7,000 assisted living units. Prior to joining CHBA in 2007, Mr. Espley-Jones served as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of the Meyers Group, a real estate information and consulting company specializing in the housing industry. Mr. Espley-Jones began his career holding positions in the commercial real estate lending divisions of First California Savings Bank and CA Financial.

Sandra Gibbons, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary – Ms. Gibbons serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CHBA. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration from California State University at Fullerton after having earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from Riverside City College. She worked for ARV Assisted Living, Inc. (“ARV”) where she served in several capacities in ARV’s tax credit division including Partnership Controller and as Director of Tax Credits. Ms. Gibbons also served as Partnership Controller of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (now Highridge Costa Investors, LLC) in Long Beach, CA from 1999 to 2003. As Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Gibbons is responsible for CHBA’s financial and tax reporting and serves as the technical specialist on LIHTC issues.

Leanne Truofreh, Vice President and Corporate Secretary – Ms. Truofreh became Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of CHBA in 2007. She has worked in the senior and affordable housing industry for twenty years. She is a certified Notary Public in the State of California. Ms. Truofreh began her career in the accounting department at ARV Assisted Living, Inc. (“ARV”). Prior to joining CHBA, Ms. Truofreh worked for Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (now Highridge Costa Investors, LLC) as a Loan Draw Specialist. Her responsibilities include maintaining the records of CHBA and the partnerships that own affordable housing communities.

David P. Collins, In-House Counsel – Mr. Collins joined CHBA in 2010 as In-House Counsel to assist with affordable housing partnership closings and to develop an archiving strategy of all company legal documents to maintain regulatory compliance. Mr. Collins has practiced law for nine years and has a broad spectrum of experience which t includes commercial transactions, real estate, civil litigation, land use, corporate, and intellectual property. Mr. Collins has experience handling  matters for both public and private clients involving the purchase, sale, entitlement and development of real property. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Mr. Collins spent nearly a decade working for a  major record label, Capitol Records in Hollywood, California. At Capitol Records, he worked with the label’s new media and technology department where he developed web sites and negotiated technology deals. Mr. Collins has an undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance from Chapman College and graduated cum laude from Chapman University School of Law.

Barbie Defeo, Compliance Manager and Assistant Corporate Secretary – Ms. Defeo became Compliance Manager and Assistant Corporate Secretary for CHBA in 2007. Prior to joining CHBA, she served as an Accounting Clerk for Sprint Funding Corporation. She is a certified Notary Public in the State of California. As Compliance Manager, Ms. Defeo is responsible for all  compliance filings with  city, county, state and federal agencies to ensure that all CHBA’s affordable communities meet their affordability and reporting requirements. Ms. Defeo also supports the Corporate Secretary in updating and maintaining the books and records of CHBA and its affordable housing partnerships.

Scott Gayner, Senior Portfolio Manager – Mr. Gayner joined CHBA in 2007 as a Portfolio Manager and was promoted to Senior Portfolio Manager in 2011. He began his career in the affordable housing industry in 1992 and brings a broad base of experience to the CHBA team. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from University of California, Los Angeles  and an MBA from Chapman University. Mr. Gayner served as Vice President and Partner of ARV Affordable Housing, Inc. from 1992 to 1996, focusing on large family and senior affordable housing projects. His expertise includes commercial land acquisition and development, industrial projects, rural affordable housing and acquisition/rehab of affordable housing. As a Portfolio Manager, Mr. Gayner helps provide oversight on all asset management functions relating to affordable housing developments and acts as a liaison with property management agents, lenders, community partners, and CHBA.

Katy Janeway – Portfolio Manager – Mrs. Janeway joined CHBA in 2013 as a Portfolio Manager and was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2015. She began her career in the affordable housing industry in 2004 as an intern for Western Community Housing, Inc., where she performed administrative, personnel, and clerical work in support of the President and staff. Prior to joining CHBA, Mrs. Janeway held several positions as a political fundraiser and served as an Account Executive at Revive Health. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. As a Portfolio Manager, Mrs. Janeway provides oversight on asset management functions relating to CHBA’s affordable housing communities. In addition, Mrs. Janeway manages the CHBA’s website and other marketing materials.

Jaymie Piguing – Accounting Manager – Ms. Piguing joins WCH as an Accounting Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines. Prior to joining WCH, she worked at various firms such as Ernst & Young, Chevron, Steadfast Companies and The Irvine Company. Her 15 years of professional work experience includes Audit, Financial Reporting and Property Management. As an Accounting Manager, Ms. Piguing works closely with Ms. Gibbons to manage WCH’s accounting, financial reporting, and Audit.

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