contentsTHA offers employee flu shots............ 2Inspire your team members.............. 3

TRIO wins award of excellence.....41st Annual Fishing Tournament............6

The GazetteVolume 2014

Sept/Oct Edition

monthly in-house publication for THA employees and its publics

The Congressional Black Caucus culminated its 44th Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, D. C. with more than 8,000 attendees representing business and industry leaders, elected officials, community leaders, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans during the scheduled policy forums, panels and general sessions of this 3-day conference. An integral part of the conference included Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s (Miami) introduction of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Julian Castro. During his welcoming remarks Secretary Castro mentioned ENCORE as a successful model of public, private partnership that is worthy of emulation.

Various members of the Tampa Bay community participated in a panel presentation: The New Urban Agenda - Building Successful Public-Private Partnerships for Stronger Communities. Panelists from Tampa included President/CEO Jerome D. Ryans and SVP/COO Leroy Moore from Tampa Housing Authority, Frank

DeBose from Pinnacle Group Holdings, Nancy Crown from Bank of America, Bob Rohrlack from Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Santiago Corrada from Visit Tampa Bay and Christine Burdick from Tampa Downtown Partnership. George Burgess from Becker and Poliakoff and Attorney Stephanie Mickle also participated on this panel that drew the crowd in with their combined expertise in building successful public, private partnerships for development projects like ENCORE and other Florida development projects.

Video presentations featuring the City of Tampa’s Downtown Partnership, elements of Visit Tampa Bay, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce as well as ENCORE, were all well received.

ENCORE! MAKES AN IMPRESSION AT CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

Fall 2014 2The Gazette

TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY OFFERS EMPLOYEES FLU SHOTS

PPS CELEBRATES BABY JOHNSON

Last month the Program Property Services department hosted a baby shower for one of their own, Jaymie Johnson.

Jaymie, the Administrative Clerk for the department was expecting her bundle of joy within the next two weeks. The shower was filled with games, food and smiles as many brought gifts to signify baby Johnson’s impending arrival.

Every year the Tampa Housing Authority offers flu vaccinations to all participating staff. Despite what many say about the flu vaccine it seems to be a very smart decision for so many that suffer from weak or compromised immune systems. This year’s annual flu shot will offer protection against H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus, in addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to be in circulation this flu season. A vaccine that protects against four strains of the virus was also made available as a high-dose flu vaccine for adults age 65 and older.

PPS staff participate in baby shower diaper game.The winner was Janice Damanze.

Jaymie Johnson and some of her friends

The Gazette Fall 2014 3

What’s Happening?

Congratulations for a job well done!

Sept/Oct 2014Employees of the Month

Brian Deeds

G e r m a i n Thomas

SalvadorValez

PamelaBain

12/4--Senior Cabaret @ Rusty Pelican

12/12--THA All Staff-Business MeetingTampa Convention Center

12/17--THA Board Meeting8:30 a.m. Admin Offices

Twelve years, two companies, 100 employees, and three times on the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing companies later, I’ve learned that the only way to build a company with great success and scale is to build a great team.

No matter how smart, talented, driven, or passionate you are, your success as an entrepreneur depends on your ability to build and inspire a team. A successful leader is one who can inspire his or her team members to work better together toward a common vision and goals.

To inspire your team members, you’ll have to talk to them, of course. I hate meetings, but I love short (seven to 20 minute) huddles to get the team aligned, motivated, and inspired. One very effective way to begin or end a huddle is by sharing a quote. Here are quotes from well-known coaches, athletes, business leaders, and authors that will inspire you and your team members to work better together:

“Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” --Vince Lombardi

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” --Michael Jordan

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” --Andrew Carnegie

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” --Helen Keller

“Remember teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” --Patrick Lencioni

“I invite everyone to choose forgiveness rather than division, teamwork over personal ambition.” --Jean-Francois Cope

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” --Ken Blanchard

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” --Henry Ford

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” --Henry Ford

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” --Phil Jackson

“Collaboration allows teachers to capture each other’s fund of collective intelligence.” --Mike Schmoker

“It takes two flints to make a fire.” --Louisa May Alcott

WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOWABOUT FACEBOOK??!!

The Tampa Housing Authority has a Facebook page and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please be on the lookout for instructions on how you can help assist this agency in increasing our visibility and mission by “liking” our page.

Fall 2014 4The Gazette

THE TRIO WINS HPC AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

THA TAKES HOMELESSNESS HEAD ON

In June 2010, the USICH (United States Interagency Council on Homelessness) and The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched an ambitious, comprehensive plan to end homelessness in 10 communities across the country; Tampa was one of them. As a result, the Tampa Housing Authority adopted initiatives to meet the goal of eradicating homelessness in the Tampa Bay community by allotting 29 vouchers to two chronically homeless projects which are now leased to capacity; changed its preference system to dedicate 60 housing choice vouchers per year for the chronically homeless, applying for and receiving an Emergency Solutions Grant funding in the amount of $60,000 (effective September 2014) to be used for the rapid re-housing of literally homeless families and dedicated one staff person to conduct outreach, assessment and pre-screens.

“Without the support of successful partnerships with The City of Tampa’s Affordable Housing Office, Tampa Crossroads, Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa Hillsborough

The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners presented at our October 30th awards ceremony. The event was held at the A La Carte Pavilion in celebration of the American Planning Association’s Community Planning Month and Great Places in America, and to honor the very best in planning and design in our own region.This brand new six-story building features interior harmony and hip one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. We offer apartment homes with amazing features and amenities in a unique, upscale building. From the park-like courtyards and spectacular pool to the movie theater and internet cafe, The Trio offers relaxation and convenient access for exploring area attractions.

THA staff accept HPC Award of Excellence

Homeless Initiative, Catholic Charities, Francis House, and the Veterans Administration, we would have been unable to provide this extraordinary assistance,” said Tampa Housing Authority President/CEO, Jerome Ryans.

Commissioner Padgett holding award

Fall 2014 5The Gazette

MOORE SUCCEEDS WITH CULTURAL ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

Moore succeeds with cultural, economic diversity (Video) Executive Files - Oct 31, 2014, 6:00am EDT Updated: Oct 31, 2014, 10:26am EDT

Title, company: Senior vice president, chief operating officer, Tampa Housing Authority

Years in his role: 16

Education: University of Memphis

College years: Active in TV production for community access station

Downtime: Loves ocean fishing

Hot button: Indecision

First paid job: Working in cash control at the "Liberty Land" theme park. He spent the day counting cash.

Music preferences: A little blues and a lot of jazz, especially jazz singers such as Sade. "Her voice is an instrument."

A favorite book: "Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa."

Why Leroy is a big deal: Now in his 16th year in leadership at the Tampa Housing Authority, Leroy has provided key direction on Encore Tampa , an important mixed-use, mixed-income master planned community on 28acres in the heart of downtown Tampa. The former Central Park Village public housing site once accounted for eight full-time workers to manage it, an provided zero revenue to city tax rolls. At build out, Encore is slated to account for 1,000 jobs and a solid revenue stream from a wide range of affordable housing and retail.

What keeps you inspired? I like working in places that continue to reinvent and innovate and give challenges butt get things done. Today, successful public sector real estate development requires that mix of taking a corporate approach to developing the right product and putting the right product in the market.

What’s the recipe for success? The properties we develop need to sustain themselves and be less dependent on public sources of sustaining funding, but also need to be marketable not just to the affordable buyer but to broader market rate buyers as well. We are creating diverse communities and that diversity comes not just ethnically and culturally but also economically.

As a young kid in Memphis, did you have Elvis sightings? I really have a great appreciation for Graceland, formerly a church and to me a very special place. As a child, my mother worked taking care of other people’s homes. Her close friend was Elvis’ maid. The two of them would bring us to certain events and we got to see him.

Let’s take a Closer Look:

Title, Company: Senior VP, chief operating officer, Tampa Housing Authority Years in his roles: 16Education: University of MemphisCollege years: Active in TV production for community access stationDowntime: Loves ocean fishingHot button: IndecisionFirst paid job: Working in cash control at the “Liberty Land” theme park. He spent the day counting cash.A favorite book: “Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa.” He also reads business books on process. “We’re constantly trying to improve our organization.”

Our own Leroy Moore,SVP/COO was recently featured by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in its Executive Series.

Fall 2014 6The Gazette

THA ATTENDS LOCAL NAACP FREEDOM FUND BANQUET

On the 25th of October the Tampa Housing Authority attended the NAACP Annual Freedom Fund banquet. Congressman James E. Clyburn, from South Caralina, was the keynote speaker and reminded the audience that it’s not enough to talk about the issues and problems within our community and country, but to evoke change by being active within the communities in which you live.

Many of the major companies and organizations that comprise the business community in the Tampa area were present and a number of these businesses and organizations received recognition from the NAACP during the award portion of the evening. The Tampa Housing Authority was one of many that received an award for its Encore! project located in the heart of downtown Tampa. The incoming NAACP president, Joe Robinson said that the Tampa Housing Authority has done a tremendous job in supporting residents and youth with its many programs and initiatives.

Jerome D. Ryans President/CEO

Lillian Stringer with Commissioner Padgett

Lenor Russell (ret. City of Tampa), Lillian, Shawannia, Latoya and Lashaun (top)

Residents also accompanied staff to the NAACP dinner.Theresa Richardson, David Gallon, NBH Resident Council Pres./Timothy Graham NBH Resident

Council Sargeant atArms

Fall 2014 7The Gazette

THA HOSTS 1ST ANNUAL FISHING TOURNAMENT

The PPS department hosted its first annual fishing tournament which was held at Hubbards Marina located in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 10 sponsors participating in this event the event raised more than $8,000 to help aid in many of its youth and elderly activities as well as prepare for successful futures.

All participants had a great time and are shown here with their respective “catches of the day.”

Tina Washington, event sponsor and Stephanie Brown-Gilmore

Fall 2014 8

Housing Authority contact information

(813) 341-9101

Gloria Rayder ext. 3540

Lillian StringerDirector of Public Relations

NewsletterLaToya Carter

ext. 3590

www.thafl.com

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF TAMPA5301 West Cypress StreetTampa, FL 33607

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Dr. Hazel HarveyChairperson

Robert ShimbergVice Chairperson

James A. Cloar

Billi Johnson-Griffin

Susan Johnson-Velez

Rubin E. Padgett

Ben Wacksman

Jerome D. RyansPresident / CEO

Perhaps you went to bed last night thinking about the past due bills, the lack of finances, problematic people or situations you have to face. This morning when you woke up, did you give thanks? Maybe your back is out, your leg may be broken, your head is stopped up or your eyes are swollen. So you are in pain, in fear, in an uncomfortable situation but did you give thanks? You may be alone, heartbroken, confused or disappointed, but the issue still remains, did you give thanks?

Let me put it this way, you can think, you can feel, you are alive. You’ve got a brain, a life, an idea. All of this means that someway, someday, you can and will do better, so did you give thanks?I am thankful that as I reflect on the accomplishments of this agency, I recognized that we have truly been blessed! More importantly, I am thankful that I have a staff of dedicated, committed individuals who helped to make us the award-winning, high performing agency that we have become.

We will all be with our families during this Holiday period, giving thanks for so many of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Let’s not forget that when praises go up, the blessings come down; that should be enough to inspire you to be thankful!

“I’ve seen too many victories to let defeat have the last word.” A verse from the song “Counting It Victory”by the William Brothers.

Jerome D. RyansFRO

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