Jefferson County Housing Authority, Pennsylvania

Deb Shook

Executive Director

DebshookED@jeffcoha.com

Deb joined the JCHA team in 2017 as Deputy Director. She was appointed Executive Director by the board effective 1/1/2022. Deb has lived most of her life in NW PA, until taking this position. She refers to Punxsutawney as “Mayberry” and loves the feel of the town, which reminds her of days from another era. She has experience as a Public Housing Manager, and also has worked at the Assistance office. Deb received her Public Housing Manager certification in 2012 from Nan McKay and subsequently in 2014, received her Specialist in Housing Management certification from NAHMA. Her “home” when she’s not in Punxsutawney is Jamestown PA, where she resides with her husband, Terry and her grandson, Channing, who is the light of their lives. She has 2 adult daughters, Carri and Courtney. Deb enjoys travelling extensively in the US, hoping to reach her goal of visiting all 50 states (having 5 to go) She also enjoys anything that involves her grandson, and camping.

Sharon Corbett

Operations Manager

Sharon@jeffcoha.com

Sharon joined JCHA in 2002 as an Administrative Assistant and Property Manager for Toby Terrace, located in Brockway PA. Sharon completed the Public Housing Manager certification thru Nan McKay in 2002 and also received the S.T.A.R. Rural Development 515 training in 2014. Sharon continues today with those duties. She currently serves on the board of Directors of Community Action, Inc, located in Punxsutawney which primarily serves Clarion and Jefferson Counties. In 2022, she celebrated 20 years of employment with JCHA. Recently, Sharon has taken on the responsibility of grant writing, and has been very successful! Sharon resides in Brookville with her husband and 2 teenage children. She enjoys spending time watching her teens play school sports, and family game nights!

Nicole Brown

Director of Housing Management

nicoleb@jeffcoha.com

Nicole L Brown joined JCHA in 2000, starting her career as a Management Aide. By 2001, she was tasked with the responsibility of the Section 8 program, being promoted to Section 8 Coordinator. During that time, the Section 8 program was regularly named a high performing program. Nicole completed her Housing Choice Voucher Certification thru Nan McKay in 2009. Most recently in 2019, she was promoted to Director of Housing Management. In this position, she oversees and supervises the Section 8 program as well as public housing. in 2022, she completed training offered thru Vitruvian for her L.E.A.D. certification (Leadership Education and Development). Nicole resides in Dubois with her husband John, and 4 children, Ashley, age 17, MacKenzie age 15, Reese age 14, and John 6. They keep her busy, busy, busy! Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, walking, working outside in their garden and flower beds, and camping and boating.

Gionna Yale

Asst. Section 8 Coordinator

hcvprogram@jeffcoha.com

Gionna was born and raised in Falls Creek, PA. She is a 2009 graduate of DuBois Area High School. She was a stay at home mama prior to working with JCHA. She started out of the Step-Up program through the Housing Authority in July 2016. She was hired on as a fulltime Management Aid/Office Manager in October 2017. In April 2020 she completed the Public Housing Management training and earned her Property Manager certificate. Gionna is excited about her recent role change to Asst. Section 8 Coordinator effective June 2021. In 2022, Gionna received her certifications as Housing Choice Voucher Specialist and Housing Choice Voucher inspector after extensive training and testing in both topics. She is eager to learn more every day.

Gionna resides in Reynoldsville, PA with her two children, and five animals. In her free time, she is often found in her kitchen trying new recipes (and regularly brings in baked treats for her co workers!) and enjoying time with her family. She loves to fish, read a good book, redecorate her home, and try new and exciting DIY projects. She also has a slight obsession with owls, tattoos and singing off key which her family loves and tolerates her for.

April McClain

Property Manager

ph1@jeffcoha.com

April McClain joined the JCHA staff family in August 2020. She is assigned to the Reynoldsville and Sykesville communities and works out of those offices. She graduated from Dubois Area Catholic High School. After high school, April worked for 7 years at Christ the king Manor as a Home Care Aide. She also has 7 years experience working in direct care with mentally disabled individuals. Most recently, she was employed as a Domestic Violence Advocate. April’s passion has always been to help people and make a difference in their lives. When she’s not at work, she likes to spend her free time with her beautiful 9 year old daughter. Together they enjoy the outdoors, including tent camping on occasion. In addition, April takes care of and assists her Mom and she likes to read in her “spare” time. Her and her daughter reside with 3 dogs and several cats.

Tonya Przbrowski

ROSS Service Coordinator

servicecoordinator@jeffcoha.com

Tonya is no newcomer to the Human services arena she has many rewarding years in the field working with all ages from children to the elderly. Her many years of work in the retail sector compliments her skills and understanding needed to accomplish a successful program. Tonya graduated Summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. She believes firmly “To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” - Dr. Seuss

Angie Burns

Asst. Property Manager

ph2@jeffcoha.com

Angie joined the JCHA team in April 2022 as the Management Aide for the Public Pousing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. Her role with JCHA includes processing all applications for housing for both programs. In addition, she is responsible for the front office duties and is the point of contact for those entering JCHA administrative offices. She will assist in other areas of housing as needed. Angela graduated from West Virginia University of Parkersburg with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Psychology in May of 2015. In 2016 she moved to Punxsutawney and accepted a position as a Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate II with Community Action’s Crossroads Project. She also held a position with JusticeWorks as a Family Resource Specialist where she gained more experience working with families in the community to build self-sufficiency. Before joining JCHA she spent a year as the Office Manager for the local radio station where she was fortunate to expand her office experience by overseeing operations to ensure overall office efficiency.

Angie and her son have grown to love the community in Punxsutawney and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Her son Henry is actively involved in sports, and she enjoys watching him and the other young athletes in the community play and learn. She enjoys meeting and interacting with other parents at sporting events and is incredibly grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Toni Lingenfelter

Fiscal Asst.

Toni@jeffcoha.com

Toni was hired by JCHA in 1993 as a Clerk Typist II, was later promoted to Accounting Assistant and now serves as the Fiscal Assistant for the Authority. In 1994, when Toni started working in the accounting department with the staff accountant, and that took her on a journey where she has learned the debits and credits of the HUD accounting world! Toni received her Public Housing Manager certification in 1994 thru NAHRO. She currently handles accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger reconciliations, bank reconciliations, paid time off accruals, and payroll journal entries, just to name a few duties. She assists with the annual audit each year as well!

Toni resides in Punxsutawney with her husband Brent, and their daughter, Laci, age 16. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading fiction, swimming, walking, bike riding and an occasional family beach trip.

Kurt Kister

Contracting Officer

Kurt@jeffcoha.com

Kurt joined the JCHA team in 2004 as a Maintenance Mechanic and was later promoted to Maintenance Manager. As maintenance manager, he has extensive responsibility for the physical condition of the public housing units, including capital fund projects. Kurt resides in Sykesville with his wife Michele. They have 3 daughters. In his spare time, Kurt enjoys woodworking, racquetball, tennis, and family time.

Chuck Young

Maintenance Mechanic

Chuck joined the maintenance staff in 1984, making it over 35 year he has been employed! Chuck resides in Punxsutawney with his wife, Shelly. They are the parents of 3 adult children, being 2 daughters and 1 son. Chuck’s passion is hunting and fishing. He also enjoys camping, spending time with family, any kind of fun that involves the grandchildren, and taking family vacations.

Ted Hallowell

Maintenance Mechanic

Ted joined the maintenance staff in 2008. He resides in Reynoldsville with his wife, Tina. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, (their adult children and grands!), yardwork, and attending car shows with his Jeep, where he regularly takes home a first prize! Ted is a man of few words!

Jim Stroka

Maintenance Mechanic

Jim joined the maintenance staff in 2011. He resides in Reynoldsville and has 1 daughter. In his free time, Jim enjoys spending time away- whether that be “at camp” or occasional beach trips with friends.