Laura Snyder-CEO, is responsible for the financial and operational success of RHA. With over 17 years of experience with Public Housing, Laura has assisted in the development of our safety and security programs and, currently holds certifications as a Housing Choice Voucher specialist, Public Housing Manager, and Tax Credit specialist.

Laura has been a valued member of the RHA Directors and Leadership team. Formerly the Director of Housing Operations for the RHA she was responsible for leading the Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, and Maintenance teams to peak performance and to develop and implement initiatives to improve program integrity within Section 8 and Public Housing programs.

Chairman Karen Hoffman has resided in Rockford, Illinois since 1957.  She graduated from East High School in 1965.  She then attended Rock Valley College where she earned two degrees, an A.A.S in Human Services and the second an A.S degree with an emphasis on business. During her working career, she pursued a Bachelor Degree at Western University through the Regional Academic Center in Rockford.

Mrs. Hoffman’s early business experience was in banking and managing a large affordable housing development on the east side as well as other rental properties.  In 1979, she began working for the Winnebago Department of Human Services (formerly known as Public Aid) as a caseworker for family cases as well as all related refugee programs.  In 1990, she was appointed as Administrator of the Boone County Department of Public Aid. During her tenure, she increased the number of minority employees from 10% to almost 30% in that office.  In her pursuit to diversify the Department, she hired the first African-American in the history of that office, who eventually not only became the Administrator of Boone County but went on to become the Administrator of two large downstate facilities.

In 1997, Mrs. Hoffman returned to Winnebago County after also serving in the Elgin office.  She became responsible for moving 4,000 local families from receiving Aid to Dependent Children to Self-Sufficiency.

Mrs. Hoffman’s responsibilities not only included moving people off of assistance but preparing them for independence. She was therefore held accountable for developing programs and services to help clients become self-sufficient.

Because of her interactions with both her clients and community organizations, Mrs. Hoffman became a community activist.  In 2005, she was elected to the Winnebago County Board where she served until 2010.

In January 2008, after two tragic floods in her neighborhood, Mrs. Hoffman cofounded the Rolling Green Association.   The Association was instrumental in getting the City of Rockford to implement a flood mitigation plan within six months.    The Association continues to educate and unify its residents and has doubled in territory.

In order to fulfill her duties, Mrs. Hoffman worked with other community programs.  She consequently served on the Rockford Community Action Council for 14 years, eventually becoming the secretary for the board.  During that time, she also became the council’s representative on the Head Start Family Council Board and served for three years in that capacity.

In 2012, Mrs. Hoffman became a member of AAUW (American Association of University Women) a group which actively works and lobbies for increased civil rights for women.

In July of 2014, Mrs. Hoffman was appointed to serve on a committee named CLI (Community Leadership Institute).  The CLI group has focused on establishing good neighborly relationships and developed a program and video.  The video is currently being shown in various community meetings.

Mrs. Hoffman also serves on the Rockford Neighborhood Network Board.

“Although I am now retired from State employment, it is my belief, that since the people of my community invested, over the years in training me and preparing me to serve, I have an obligation to use the knowledge and resources that I have received for the betterment of the area in which I live.”

Jeffrey DiBenedetto has lived in Rockford all his life. He is a graduate of Boylan Catholic High School and Northern Illinois University. At NIU he studied at the College of Business and earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing.

Jeff is Executive Vice President of DiBenedetto & Associates, Ltd., a boutique wealth management firm in Loves Park IL. He currently serves on the Rosecrance Health Network board of directors, where he is most recently past Chairman. Jeff also serves on the Rosecrance Foundation board of directors, the Rockford Country Club board of directors, the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford board of directors, and as Chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford Foundation. Jeff is married and has two children.

Commissioner Jamie Sanchez is a native of Chihuahua, Mexico and has been a Rockford resident since 1983. Jaime is a graduate of Rockford East High school, and is a 30-year member of Carpenters Local 792.

He began his career as an apprentice with the carpenter’s union, and has also worked as a construction foreman and most recently as an Organizer for Local 792. Jamie is a past Trustee on the Local 792 Executive Board and currently serves as the Local’s Treasurer.

In his spare time, Jamie enjoys travel and boxing. He is a volunteer coach with the Patriot’s Gateway Boxing Club.

Commissioner Jessica Wilson is a born and raised Rockford native whom also has strong family ties from Greenville, MS. Jessica is a graduate of Jefferson High School in 2005 and Rock Valley College in 2015. While attending Rock Valley College, she studied Criminal Justice and earned an Associate’s in Applied Science Degree. She also obtained a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate in 2009 at RVC and has served her community as a CNA for 10 years.

In July of 2017, Jessica moved on to become an employee for FurstStaffing Employment Agency. She worked as an Onboarding Specialist where her job title was The Drug Test Administrator. She has worked for this company for the last 3 years learning many new skills.

In Jessica’s personal time, she enjoys spending time with her children and family. She loves to travel, watch a favorite TV show or movie, or enjoy a good book. She occasionally enjoys a night on the town and “Tuesday in the Gardens” at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford.

Sandra was born and raised in Rockford. She attended Boylan Catholic High School and Rock Valley College studying Art, Child Care and Child development. She worked many years in the banking industry and several with RPS 205. Currently, and for the last 15 years, Sandra has worked as a Journeyman Painter with Local 607.

Sandra is an Executive Board member for Local 607 serving as Recording Secretary. She also serves as Secretary for Rockford Labor Day Committee and is a delegate for Rockford United Labor. Sandra serves as a Trustee for the regional chapter of LCLAA, Labor Council of Latin American Advancement. Sandra feels it is important to be involved in the community and looks forward to her term as Commissioner on the RHA Board.