Team

  • Jaymie Beckett

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    Jaymie Beckett, a seasoned leader in real estate investments, development, and private equity, currently serves as the CEO of Housing on Merit (“HoM”). Her role is to lead and manage all aspects of HoM, one of the premier non-profit affordable housing providers in the United States. Jaymie is responsible for strategic planning, fundraising, program development, financial management, staff management and overall organizational leadership. As CEO, Jaymie plays a pivotal role in leading HoM’s organization and driving its mission forward, merging her extensive real estate experience with a heartfelt desire to tackle the affordable housing crisis. This position is not just a job for her, but the culmination of a lifelong goal to blend professional skills with meaningful, mission-driven work. Jaymie strongly believes that everyone has a right to a safe and stable place to call home that supports well-being and provides new opportunities. She is excited to honor Housing on Merit’s legacy while propelling the organization towards new horizons.

    Jaymie’s career spans more than two decades, featuring roles in both institutional organizations and entrepreneurial ventures. She began her career at Deutsche Bank in Real Estate investment banking, later transitioning to a role at Related Capital, an affordable-housing financier specializing in LIHTC bond originations and tax-credit equity syndications. During her tenure at Related Capital, Jaymie focused on strategy and capital raising initiatives, playing a pivotal role in transforming the company into a more well-known, institutionally owned, publicly traded company.

    Following her time at Related Capital, Jaymie attended UCLA Anderson School of Management, where she was awarded the prestigious ULI Kenneth M. Good Graduate Student Fellowship. After graduating with an MBA, Jaymie co-founded AJ Capital Partners, a real estate operating business with a focus on the hospitality sector. Under her leadership, the business completed over $500 million in acquisitions of unique hospitality assets between 2009 and 2012.

    Expanding her focus beyond hospitality, Jaymie became the Head of Acquisition at Blatteis & Schnur, where she made significant contributions to retail development projects, including At Mateo in Downtown LA and the transformative redevelopment of the Macy Men’s Store in San Francisco’s Union Square.

    Most recently, Jaymie founded the Calderly Group, an investment and advisory firm. Calderly created successful joint ventures in which it acquired, redeveloped, and sold a portfolio of 700 workforce housing units in Salt Lake City, in addition to consulting on various real estate projects.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, Jaymie dedicates herself to her community. Her involvement with the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors, Cayton Children’s Museum Women’s Philanthropy Circle, and UCLA REAG Endowment Circle underscores her commitment to societal betterment. She is a proud alumna of Middlebury College and UCLA Anderson School of Management. Jaymie resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

  • Adam Broadnax

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    Adam has over 15 years of experience working with children and families both within and outside of school-based programs.  He is passionate about being a role model who can help others thrive in reaching their full potential in the art of learning through various enrichment and engaging activities. He is committed to using his knowledge and experience to help enrich the lives of the residents who live in HoM communities.  Adam stays up to date on industry trends and contributes to the professional development of others as a member of the advisory board for the Resident Services Support Network in Sacramento.

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  • Steven Ames

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    Steven brings his passion for education and proven teaching methods to Housing on Merit as the Resident Services Coordinator for our community in Fresno. He has been a math and science educator for 22 years at various academic organizations in southern California and uses his background in mechanical engineering as a compass to lead others towards STEM careers.  He enjoys helping others find the right trajectory for their purpose and encourages them to test the limit of their capabilities.  He is currently enrolled in a California credential program to teach math at the high school level and beyond.  Steven spends his leisure time exercising, going on nature walks, and spending time with family.

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  • Miguel Garcia

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    As the Vice President of Real Estate Development at Housing on Merit (HOM), a role he stepped into on May 15, 2023, Miguel Garcia brings an extensive background in real estate development, portfolio management, and architecture. Miguel Garcia is motivated by HOM’s commitment to preserving and developing affordable housing, which perfectly aligns with his experience in managing high-economic impact projects and implementing strategies to maximize policy objectives.

    Prior to his role at HOM, Miguel Garcia excelled as the Portfolio Manager at the DC Department of General Services. His expertise in entitlements, budget management, and government proposal writing, combined with a deep understanding of architecture and construction, made significant contributions to the department.

    Miguel Garcia’s impressive career includes a position as a Real Estate Project Manager at the Maryland Department of Transportation, where he honed his skills in transit-oriented development. He previously held a similar role at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, supervising significant transfers of District-owned real property and advising executive leadership on strategic real estate projects.

    The span of his career extends to the Department of Defense, where he monitored technically advanced construction projects at the Pentagon as a Project Manager for AECOM. His robust contract negotiation skills, acquired from extensive training, enabled him to make strategic acquisitions, ensuring the smooth execution of various projects.

    His international experience is also notable, managing the fit-out for a five-star hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, while coordinating with diverse teams. He also held a role as an Owner’s Representative in Lima, Peru, upholding international quality control protocols for Class A offices and hospitality buildings.

    Throughout his career, Miguel Garcia has demonstrated a commitment to safety, illustrated by his certificates in Adult First Aid/CPR/AED from the Red Cross and training in OSHA Hazardous Communication.

    In his role at HOM, Miguel Garcia applies his vast experience and skills to develop strategies that align with the organization’s mission to create a bridge to permanent affordable housing. Leveraging his mastery in overseeing complex building processes and his keen understanding of local regulations and environmental issues, Miguel Garcia is set to drive impactful initiatives at HOM.

    Joining fellow executive staff members like Jennifer Litwak and David Cottingham, Miguel Garcia is thrilled to further the cause of Housing on Merit. Given his extensive background and track record of success, Miguel Garcia is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of affordable housing, and he looks forward to making a tangible impact on the community.

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  • Kaelor Finch

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    Kaelor was born and raised in South Carolina. She took interest in helping vulnerable populations at an early age when she began volunteering for an assisted living facility in the 6th grade. The volunteering did not stop there, as she went on to volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club, Soup Kitchens, Churches, Recreational Parks, and many other organizations to help the community. Kaelor studied Social Work and obtained her BSW from South Carolina State University. Go Bulldogs! She then went and obtained her MSW in an accelerated 10-month program at the University of South Carolina. Go Cocks! She has a passion for working with children and families and has a heart for assisting vulnerable populations, no matter the age or social background. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, being a wife and mother, traveling, volunteering within the community, and cooking.

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  • Ziba Youssofi-Nayab

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    Ziba Youssofi-Nayab is a Compliance Associate in the Real Estate division for Housing on Merit. She provides support for Housing on Merit’s Compliance Project Manager and is responsible for administrative and compliance related tasks. Ziba graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a bachelor’s in finance. She has over 15 years of experience in Real Estate and Retail Banking Management. Prior to joining Housing on Merit, she managed the Real Estate Contract Compliance department in one of the largest independent brokerages in the country. In her spare time, she volunteers at her local community center to help immigrants and refugees feel welcomed by providing support and mentorship.

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  • Felicitas Arizmendi

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    Felicitas graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s in criminal justice. She is passionate about ongoing issues such as mental health, housing, and women’s needs. She hopes to play a role in the creation of policies surrounding these issues to improve people’s lives and create equal benefits for everyone. To achieve this, she is working toward attending grad school for public administration on mental health and housing. During her spare time, she loves to read and enjoy the outdoors. She is an avid jogger, and regularly goes on camping trips during the summers to Mammoth Lakes.

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  • Madison Tokijkla

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    Madison is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Global Health Program.
    The combination of her rigorous studies and inherent passion, drives Madison to ensure equity,
    social justice, and health as a human right. She is committed to leveraging her knowledge,
    courage and voice to advocate for those within the Inland Empire communities seeking to
    improve their wellbeing. As part of her commitment to ongoing professional development,
    Madison is on a path to further her education as a Public Health Master’s student at California
    State University, San Bernardino. Madison looks forward to joining forces with those that have
    similar passions and creating positive social change within her community.

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  • Stacey Fisher

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    Stacey Fisher is the Director of Compliance and Transactions with over 25 years of experience in Affordable housing and property management. Stacey oversees all compliance and transactions and remains current on new law, regulations, and changes to the multifamily housing programs. Stacey joined Housing on Merit in 2022. She specializes in the following programs: BOND, LIHTC, Tax Abatement/Welfare exemptions, project-based and tenant-based Section 8, HUD 202/811, PRAC, RD, HOME, and CDBG funding.  Additionally, she establishes compliance procedures and develops organizational strategies to ensure the company complies with all federal, state, and local regulations.  Prior to her role with HOM, Stacey performed Management and Occupancy reviews (MOR), on-site audits and lease-ups for multiple management companies all over the U.S., completed Annual Owner’s Certifications (AOC’s), and resident file audit approvals. Ms. Fisher’s professional designations are Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) through NAHB, (National Association of Home Builders), Assisted Housing Manager (AHM ), Tax Credit Specialist (TCS), and Tax Credit Compliance Systems (TaCCs). She is passionate about serving those in need of quality and affordable housing.

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  • Leticia Huerta

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    Leticia was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. with her family at a young age.  In the late 90’s, she moved to San Diego and enrolled in San Diego State University’s Social Work program where she obtained her Bachelor’s.

    In addition to ample experience working with youth, she has spent time volunteering in the community by helping provide meals for unhoused residents, volunteering for Mamas Kitchen, and delivering meals to homebound individuals battling chronic illnesses.  She most recently worked in a retirement community for the past 15 years. Listening to the many life experiences and stories from residents was extremely valuable and rewarding for her. She decided to join HOM in order to work directly with underserved communities in San Diego and help bridge access to services due to language barriers. When she isn’t working, Leticia enjoys traveling and learning the history of new places.

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