Travois recently honored housing and economic development industry leaders for creating positive change in their communities.
The Travois Superhero Awards presented at the 23rd Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing and Economic Development Conference in Washington, D.C., recognized four professionals and three teams for their exemplary efforts over the previous year. The award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by Travois.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize the hard work of our colleagues each year. Each award highlights the incredible persistence and creativity needed to make a difference in a community,” Travois CEO Elizabeth Glynn said. “I’m so happy to share their stories and hope it inspires others in Indian Country to pursue their big plans, too.”
Housing Professional of the Year: Francisco “Chico” Carr, Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority and Laguna Housing Development & Management Enterprise
Economic Development Professional of the Year: Dennis Johnson, CEO of Ho-Chunk Capital
Pillar of the Year: Rolando Jaimez, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Housing Department
Haven of the Year: Angela Stanley, Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Housing
Project Team of the Year: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Groundbreaking Team of the Year: The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
Transformative Initiative of the Year: Warm Springs Housing Authority
Housing Professional of the Year: Francisco “Chico” Carr, development manager at the Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority and board chairman for the Laguna Housing Development & Management Enterprise
Francisco “Chico” Carr accepts the Housing Professional of the Year award for his achievements at the Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority and the Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise.
Francisco “Chico” Carr was recognized for his efforts both as the development manager at the Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority and board chairman for the Laguna Housing Development & Management Enterprise in New Mexico.
In 2022, the Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority completed the second of two adjacent Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments with a combined total project cost of $15 million. Each development features 30 homes, a community building and outdoor recreation areas.
Meanwhile, the Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise began construction of a LIHTC development with 20 townhomes, a community building and playground areas.
“It’s very honoring and humbling to receive this award,” Carr said. “I always go in day in and day out for the communities that I serve. It’s not for me, it’s not for that pat on the back — it’s for the community.”
Economic Development Professional of the Year: Dennis Johnson, CEO of Ho-Chunk Capital
Ho-Chunk Capital CEO Dennis Johnson accepts the Economic Development Professional of the Year award from Travois President Phil Glynn.
Dennis Johnson, an enrolled citizen of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, was honored for leading innovative efforts at Ho-Chunk Capital. The team began as the investment and real estate development division of Ho-Chunk, Inc., which was formed by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska to create jobs and diversify its economy. Under Johnson’s leadership, Ho-Chunk Capital has expanded to offer other Tribal organizations the expertise needed to create successful developments in their own communities.
Additionally, Johnson is an entrepreneur in his own right. In January, he opened a Pizza Ranch restaurant in Bemidji, Minnesota, creating quality and accessible jobs in an economically distressed, non-metropolitan community.
“I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” Johnson said. “Ho-Chunk Capital has been at the cutting-edge of real estate development since its inception, and I’m thankful for the support of our entire team and trusted partners. I feel blessed to be able to be a part of adding quality jobs, impactful community improvements and quality housing in our Native communities.”
Pillar of the Year: Rolando Jaimez, deputy director of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Housing Department
Deputy Director Rolando Jaimez, left, is congratulated by Travois architect Jerad Jessee after winning the Pillar of the Year award.
Rolando Jaimez is an integral part of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s multi-phase affordable housing development, featuring single-family homes, townhomes and apartments on its land near Tucson, Arizona. As the Pillar of the Year award winner, Jaimez was recognized for expertly managing a project, stretching a dollar and battling the elements to deliver a quality product on time.
“His knowledge and experience have allowed the department to expand beyond small projects to become one of the largest developers of affordable housing in Southern Arizona,” Pascua Yaqui Tribe Director of Housing Keith Gregory said.
Jaimez has worked in the Pascua Yaqui Housing Department for 18 years.
“I consider my work a small part of the beautiful work the whole department has done,” Jaimez said. “There is still a great need for affordable housing in our community, and this award will remind me that the efforts to fulfill this need are worth the work it takes to complete housing projects.”
Haven of the Year: Angela Stanley, housing services manager for Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Housing
Housing Services Manager Angela Stanley, left, accepts the Haven of the Year award from Travois Director of Asset Management and Compliance Mike Price.
As winner of the Haven of the Year award, Angela Stanley was recognized for keeping affordable housing strong into the future by listening to the needs of families and putting plans into action. Stanley returned to Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Housing after a hiatus with the task of getting existing units back on track while simultaneously applying for a Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation to create more homes for her fellow members.
“Angela handled all of this with grace and confidence, as though it were just another day at the office,” Travois Director of Asset Management and Compliance Mike Price said.
In a letter of congratulations, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs commended Stanley for her “singular commitment to affordable and accessible housing for our first Arizonans.”
“I am proud of your accomplishments and congratulate you on your national award,” Hobbs wrote.
Project Team of the Year: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
From left to right, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation senior staff attorney Shannon Thomas, Colville Business Council Member Norma Sanchez and Travois President Phil Glynn.
The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is building a Head Start program facility in Omak, Washington, providing additional early childhood education opportunities to children and creating quality, accessible jobs. In winning the Project Team of the Year award, they are recognized for representing the best in Indian Country development by using new ideas and courageous action to innovate in their field.
“The new Head Start will allow us to more than double the children and families we serve, having a huge impact on our children, families and community.” said Shannon Thomas, senior staff attorney for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
The new facility also will be closer to parents and children, provide a birth to age 3 program and incorporate Native language into education at a young age.
“Within the last eight years, we have deemed it a priority to find avenues to create and develop new structures and replace buildings for our membership,” Colville Business Council Member Norma Sanchez said. “The Head Start is one of the first buildings on a long list of replacement needs.”
Groundbreaking Team of the Year: The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
Board of Directors Member-At-Large Lisa Lellis, left, and Vice Chair Salvina Norris, right, accept the Groundbreaking Team of the Year award.
As the Groundbreaking Team of the Year, the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians was recognized for beginning its first Low Income Housing Tax Credit development. The Dry Creek Rancheria is building a development named Bi’du Khaale Elder Village, featuring 25 single-family homes and a nearly 3,000-square-foot community center.
“The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians is honored to be recognized as a Groundbreaking Team of the Year,” said Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians Board of Directors Member-At-Large Lisa Lellis. “The project is a team effort focused on urgent and unmet needs within our community.”
Located in Sonoma County, California, the Bi’du Khaale Elder Village will provide affordable housing in a region with some of the highest living costs in the country.
“The leadership team always maintained the end goal in mind — providing beautiful, safe and affordable homes to their community’s elders,” said Trent Rogers, senior project manager at Travois.
Transformative Initiative of the Year: Warm Springs Housing Authority
Bobby Ahern, a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs member and senior policy advisor for natural resources for Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, and Madison Moskowitz, the domestic economic policy advisor for Wyden’s office, accept the Transformative Initiative of the Year award on behalf of the Warm Springs Housing Authority.
The Warm Springs Housing Authority was honored for its efforts to rehabilitate affordable housing units for its members. At two sites on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon, the housing authority is rehabilitating a total of 18 homes.
The project features updates to interior finishes and layouts, energy efficient building envelopes and systems, a new laundry and storage building, and additional bedrooms to accommodate larger families.
“Warm Springs is experiencing a housing crisis. There are not enough homes for the families in the community, which results in many families living in overcrowded and substandard conditions,” Warm Springs Housing Authority Executive Director Danielle Wood said. “Being able to provide an additional 18 affordable and energy-efficient housing units has been a gift to our community. Seeing the joy and smiles on families faces as they enter their new home was all the reward that we needed.”