Aleksandar Markovic (Alex) is an Analyst in the Real Estate Development division of Housing on Merit. In this role, he is responsible for providing research support, financial analyses and acquisition due diligence for the company’s Vice President of Real Estate Development. Alex has experience evaluating a variety of property types, including multifamily, commercial, mixed-use, and development assets. Prior to his career in real estate, Alex worked as a Project Manager in the field of international business development. During this time, he helped clients obtain investor visas, such as E1, E2, L1, H1B, and EB5. Academically, Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, with studies focused on finance and marketing. While attending, he was awarded numerous scholarships, graduating with honors.

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Jodi Braden is the Director of Compliance for Housing on Merit. With over fifteen years of housing experience, Jodi has overseen both market rate and affordable properties across the Northeast.   Having held Executive positions in National Companies, Jodi is well versed in new construction, lease-up, historical rehabs, and property management operations for both market rate and affordable housing.   Jodi’s has extensive experience with multiple programs that include LIHTC, HUD, CDBG, and Bond Financing.  Jodi holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh and is H.C.C.P certified in tax credit compliance.

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Julia George provides support for Housing on Merit’s Executive Director ensuring administrative functions run smoothly and efficiently. Along with the work at Housing on Merit, she also serves on the board of directors for the Mustard Seed Project. Julia is passionate about addressing the homeless epidemic that the United States of America is currently experiencing. Through this passion, she trains college students to work one-on-one with individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness to navigate local services, write resumes, complete applications, and be a source of companionship. Additionally, Julia connects various groups of college students to local organizations to help with their services and have conversations with individuals. Julia graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Minor in English. When not working, Julia enjoys reading, wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, skating, and going to the beach with her friends.

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David Cottingham is the Vice President of Real Estate Development for Housing on Merit. With over fifteen years of experience, David has served as a real estate portfolio, finance, and risk management executive representing private, local, and federal government entities, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and the U.S. Department of State.  He has expertise in the development and management of commercial real estate portfolios from strategic development through completion with over $25B in completed projects.

David is a recognized Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and active participant in both the Building Industry Association and the Commercial Real Estate Developers Association.  He is an associate of the Project Management Institute, the Urban Land Institute, and the Appraisal Institute.  As a certified general appraiser, David has valuated over 100,000 properties, including numerous special use properties, such as power plants, sewer and water treatment plants, natural gas pipelines, and communications towers, as well as traditional commercial and residential properties.

He received his Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University in Human Resource Development and a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate Finance from Georgetown University. In 2019, David completed the Certification of Negotiations Mastery program at the Harvard University Business School.

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