Welcome New Staff
Throughout the pandemic, Hilltown CDC staff have continued working on behalf of our communities, our tenants, and our small local farms and businesses. Although it has been many months since we all gathered together in person, we are thrilled to have grown our family with the addition of two new staff to our Housing Team:
We are delighted to introduce Jennifer O'Connell who was recently hired as our Housing Services Coordinator. Jennifer brings her skilled background in case management to our team and will focus on helping our tenants access needed services and support. Before Hilltown CDC, Jennifer worked as a Case Manager at Swift River in Cummington and assisted severely mentally ill clients in Enfield, CT to be able to live independently in their community.
Jennifer earned her associates in Human Services from Asnuntuck Community College and trained as a Nurse's aide. She has always enjoyed helping people and is happy to be able to work locally in the Hilltowns. She lives in the Hilltowns with her partner and 8-year-old daughter, and her daughter's kitten, Pluto. She loves being outdoors in the summer.
Kristepher Severy is our new Property Manager, taking over for Stephanie Bean as she transitions to our Accounting Department. Kris spent the last nine years working with Pancione Associates, the property management company that services all of the apartments and buildings owned by Hilltown CDC. He also served as the Property Chair for Laurel Park in Northampton where he has lived for the past ten years.
Kris says he enjoys the dynamic nature of working with people on ever-changing projects. He enjoys architecture and likes to see improvement! Kris also has an art history degree and music background, and managed Raven Used Books bookstore in Northampton for 17 years. He enjoys reading, singing, kayaking, cycling, cider, and sculpture parks
In addition, we also welcomed Clara Rowan to our finance department. She has worked in the financial field for the past 15 years at a few local housing authorities. In her spare time Clara likes to travel! Welcome to the family Jen, Kris and Clara!