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Executive Staff
Herbert T. Brown, Executive Director
Herbert T. Brown, is the Executive Director of the Trenton Housing Authority.
Herb was born and raised in New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and received a MBA in Finance from Monmouth University.
After completing his education, Herb began a career in the Utility Industry by joining New Jersey American Water Company, a subsidiary of American Water Works, as a Chemist. He held various positions at the company during his 25 years of services mostly at the Senior Management level.
Herb joined the Trenton Housing Authority in October of 2001 as the Director for Administrative Services. He was responsible for all employee-related and risk management functions, including human resources administration, labor negotiations, employee benefits administration and employee training and development.
He was promoted to Assistant Executive Director in January 2005 where he was responsible for agency-wide planning and development functions. In August 2007, Herb was promoted to the position of Deputy Executive Director. His appointment to Interim Executive Director was in September of 2009 and Executive Director in March of 2010.
Herb has served on various Boards of Trustees, including the Central Jersey Blood Center in Monmouth County and the School of Business at Monmouth University. He has been adjunct faculty to the Brookdale Community College and to the School of Business at Monmouth University where he taught Managerial Economics in the Graduate School.
Jelani B. Garrett, Deputy Executive Director
Jelani B. Garrett is the Deputy Executive Director of the Trenton Housing Authority.
Jelani attended Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies. Upon graduating from Rutgers University he returned to his hometown of Atlantic City where he began working in the field of urban planning and community development. Since that time, Jelani has accumulated more than 14 years experience working on neighborhood revitalization projects totaling more than $240 million in investments. He has distinguished himself as a competent and able professional with the ability to build consensus and establish excellent rapport with community stakeholders in order to accomplish major community redevelopment objectives.
Prior to joining the Trenton Housing Authority in July of 2010, Jelani worked with the Atlantic City Housing Authority for approximately 10 years where he held progressively responsible positions including serving as Acting Executive Director of the Agency. While at the Atlantic City Housing Authority Jelani was responsible for the implementation of a $200 million neighborhood revitalization effort. Prior to joining the Atlantic City Housing Authority Jelani worked with the Atlantic City Planning Department as a Housing Development Analyst where he focused on the design and marketing of affordable housing programs. Jelani was also employed as a Project Manager with a private planning and landscape architecture firm where he managed streetscape construction projects.
Jelani is an active family man and resides in Egg Harbor Township, NJ with his wife and 5 children.
Board of Commissioners
Gary Gentry, Chairperson
Chairperson Gary Gentry, a native of Trenton, graduated from Cathedral High School in 1969.
Following his graduation, he joined the family business, Gentry Fuel and a few years later joined the United States Navy. He was active in the Navy for three years and remained in the reserves for six more years. After leaving the Navy he returned to the family business for a short period of time.
Mr. Gentry then started his own business, G & B Heating and Repair and in 2000 he opened the Galley Restaurant here in Trenton. Mr Gentry is currently self-employed as a public adjuster.
Mr. Gentry has been a member of the THA Board of Commissioners since 2007 and was elected to the position of Chairperson in 2010.
Sandra E. Bishop, Commissioner
Commissioner Sandra Bishop was educated in the Ewing Township school system and graduated from Ewing High School in 1971. She graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1982, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts/Biology.
Ms. Bishop is presently employed with the Division of Youth and Family Services as a case manager. Her duties include conducting investigations and working with high risk families whose children have been removed from the home to assist and advocate for the families to reunite the children with their families.
She has served in many civic and community organizations throughout the Mercer County area. She is a member of the Trenton Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a member of the International F&A.M. Mason and OES, was appointed to serve on the Mercer County Drug and Alcoholism Advisory Council and was appointed as the North Ward Committee-woman for District #2. Past memberships have included the Mercer County Umpire Little League District #12, the City of Trenton Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition, and the New Jersey Health Department's Circle of Friends, giving support to those individuals fighting cancer.
Ms. Bishop has been an active member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church for 30 years and is the President of the Ladies Guild Ministry, a Class Leader of the Church, giving assistance to the Pastor and to members when needed, as well as visiting the sick and home-bound members.
Her motto is: "Enrich yourself, so you can enrich the lives of others."
Kyle P. Ledford Sr., CFSP, Commissioner
Kyle P. Ledford, Sr., CFSP, is the owner/manager of Ledford Funeral Home, Inc., Trenton's newest African-American owned funeral home.
Ledford, Sr., was born and raised in Linden, New Jersey. He graduated from Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ receiving a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Guidance and Counseling. Mr. Ledford is also a graduate of the McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY and recently received an Employment Law Certification from Rutgers Center for Management Development. After completing his education, Kyle formally managed a Newark, NJ-based funeral home for several years. Kyle's love of funeral service has also led him to involvement in the Garden State Funeral Director's Association, where he is serving his third term as President. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Mercer County Funeral Directors Association, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
Here in Trenton, Kyle was recently appointed as a Commissioner of the Trenton Housing Authority (August 2007) and was elected as President of the Trenton chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association. In November, 2005 Kyle was selected as one of the top 20 under 40 ‘Movers and Shakers - Community Leaders' by the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and the Trentonian. Kyle is also actively involved in the Metropolitan Trenton African-American Chamber of Commerce, a National Night Out Host, Trenton 6/11 Little League sponsor, Capital South Neighborhood Preservation Program and the South Broad Community Civic Association. Kyle, his wife Chandra and their three children Kyle Jr., Kaylen and Kristen reside in Trenton.
Kim Y. Taylor, Commissioner
Kim Taylor, a native of Trenton, attended and graduated Trenton Public schools. She obtained an Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) from Mercer County Community College and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Administration/Global Leadership with a Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from New Jersey City University. Ms. Taylor is also pursuing a graduate degree from Boston University. Commissioner Taylor was appointed by Governor Chris Christie on August 8, 2011 to the Trenton Housing Authority Board.
Ms. Taylor has more than 20 years of experience in public finance and fiscal management. She presently works for the County of Hunterdon in the Department of Finance.
Ms. Taylor is and has been involved in the community through many different community volunteer efforts. “I believe that if one is in a position to make a positive difference in the lives of others then you must do so by paying it forward. We might not admit it, but we all got to where we are by someone helping us”.
Ms. Taylor is an elected Trustee of the Liberty Green Homeowner Association, an appointed member of the Lawrence Township Planning Board, Rent Stabilization Board, and member of Eggerts Crossing Civic League, appointed liaison with Mercer Vicinage Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns and Local 1036 Civil Rights and Equity Committee. Ms. Taylor is a former volunteer with Juvenile Conference Committee and Child Placement Review Board of the Superior Court of New Jersey; Chair, of the Lawrence Township Affordable Housing Board, appointed liaison with the Lawrence Alcohol and Drug Alliance, Growth and Redevelopment Committee and is co-founder of TAYBUR Strategic Management.
Ms. Taylor is in her third term as an elected Committeewoman District 16 (R-Lawrence Township) and a former Municipal Chairwoman (R-Lawrence Township). She is a member of The National Federation of Republican Woman, League of Women Voters and New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Ms. Taylor is active in the community at the State, County and Municipal levels working in partnerships across party lines on a regular basis and on a broad range of shared political, social and civic concerns.
Ms. Taylor and her family reside in Lawrence Township, NJ and are active members of the Church of Saint Ann, Lawrenceville, NJ and the Diocese of Trenton.
Jessie Caine Tossie, Commissioner
Mrs. Tossie attended Tuskegee University earning a degree in Elementary Education and Social Studies. Later she enrolled at Florida State University where she was awarded a Master’s Degree in School Administration. Mrs. Tossie holds memberships in several state and national education organizations. She was a teacher at several elementary schools in the Trenton districts before becoming Assistant Principal at Trenton Central High School. She retired in 2001 completing many years as an educator.
Mrs. Tossie believes that all children are entitled to the best education the community can afford. Jessie and friends cofounded a special school to provide students with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Two of her favorite organizations are the NAACP and the West Ward Neighborhood Group where she serves as President.
Jessie is the mother of two children and five grandchildren.
Darlene Weldon, Commissioner
Commissioner Weldon is a native of Jersey City, NJ. She is a graduate of Ferris High School of Jersey City and earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Data Processing from Hudson County Community College.
Commissioner Weldon is a long-time resident of the Trenton Housing Authority. She is an advocate for safe, decent and sanitary housing for all residents of the Housing Authority. She holds a special affinity for the children of the public housing community and works untiringly to ensure a safe, nurturing environment for them. Commissioner Weldon has been very active in civic and community organizations. She has volunteered with Lifeline under Reverend Alice Parker and with the former director Alma Hill, of the LIFT Program (Looking into the Future Together). The City Council of Trenton appointed Commissioner Weldon to the Board of Commissioners in 1999. Since that time her colleagues have elected her Vice-Chairperson of the Board, three consecutive terms.
She is married to Harry A. Gordon and they are the parents of two children.
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