Foundations Fund
Advisory Council

We would like to thank the following members of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Advisory Council for reviewing the Texas Foundations Fund proposals and for being committed to the cause of affordable housing for low-income families in Texas.

Mr. Jerry Romero

Jerry Romero is currently the Community Development Manager for Wells Fargo Bank in conjunction with the Border Banking Group which covers the markets of Yuma, Nogales and Douglas in Southern Arizona and El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville in Texas. As the Community Development Manager for Wells Fargo, Mr. Romero has developed numerous relationships with non-profit groups all along the U.S. and Mexico border dealing with issues of affordable housing, small business, and economic development.

Mr. Romero previously served as Chairman of TSAHC's Board of Directors and is now Chairman of TSAHC's Advisory Council.
 
Mr. Romero also currently serves on the ACCION Texas Board of Directors as their treasurer. As one of the largest micro lenders in Texas, ACCION serves the needs of thousands of small businesses and micro business entrepreneurs of Texas.

Along with the above commitments, Mr. Romero has and continues to serve in leadership positions with the following organizations:

The El Paso Community College Foundation Board
The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso Board
The El Paso Collaborative for Community and Economic Development Board of Directors
The University of Texas at El Paso Cedars Program
YWCA Foundation Board of Trustees
YMCA of El Paso Board of Directors
The Ronald McDonald House of El Paso Board
Rural Development Finance Corporation Board
Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce Board
Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Board
El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Romero is married to Monica and they have three children - Christopher, Joshua and Nicole. When Mr. Romero is not working or traveling, he enjoys riding his motorcycle with his wife Monica.

Mr. Russell A. Vandenburg

Russell A. Vandenburg, a native of Chicago, Illinois, has been the CEO of TVO North America, formerly known as EPT Management Company, since its inception in 1983.  He is responsible for all administrative aspects of property management, including long range planning, budgeting, personnel, and operations.  He has implemented on-site systems specifically designed to control the financial accountability of property management. Under Mr. Vandenburg's guidance, TVO has been qualified as an Accredited Management Organization by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
 
Mr. Vandenburg earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  He is currently a board member of the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC), UTEP Development Board, Catholic Diocese Foundation, and St. Matthews Parish - Finance Board.  He is a member of the Miner Foundation, Texas Apartment Association, El Paso Holocaust Museum, YMCA of Greater El Paso, Downtown Touchdown Club, UTEP Alumni Association, UTEP First Down Club, Rebounder's Club, the Paso del Norte Group (PDNG) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
 
Mr. Vandenburg has authored a number of articles which have been published in the following publications:  Multi-Family News, Real Estate Investor, and Journal of Property Management.
 
Mr. Vandenburg was named UTEP's - Alumni of the Year in 2002.  In January 2004, Cathedral High School honored him by dedicating/naming the school's library - The Russell Vandenburg Library.
 
Mr. Vandenburg has lived in El Paso for over 30 years and is married to Marty E. Vandenburg and has three (3) children:  Heather, Joshua and Stephen.

Ms. Edwina Carrington

Ms. Edwina Carrington has been involved in real estate and affordable housing finance and development in Texas for over 30 years.  She has been in high level management positions with the state and nonprofit organizations. She is currently the office managing partner of Reznick Group a national accounting, tax and business advisory firm with a substantial affordable housing practice.  Previously, Ms. Carrington was Executive Director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.      

Ms. Carrington’s involvement in the community goes well beyond her professional experience.  She holds many memberships and serves on multiple boards, including:

• Chair-elect of the Austin Community College Foundation,
• Member of Texas Women for the Arts,
• Member of the Women’s Leadership Council for the Long Center,
• Ex-officio board member and past president of the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP),
• Board member of the TAAHP – PAC,
• Member of the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Austin,
• Member of the Austin Urban Land Institute Chapter,
• Member of the  Leadership Texas Alumnae Association,
• Member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce,
• Former member of the Bank One Community Advisory Board, and later Chase Advisory Board,
• Former board member and chair of the YMCA Town Lake Committee of Managers,
• Former board member of the Austin Classical Music Center,
• Former member of the City of Austin Arts Commission, 
• Former board member of the National Council of State Housing Agencies,
• Former president and board member of Texas Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, 
• Former president and board member of the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds, and
• Former member of the Fannie Mae Advisory Council.