Departments

Owen Carter joins RHA as the Director of Housing Operations. He was born and raised in Rockford, IL and attended Thomas Jefferson High School, after which he enlisted in the United States Navy.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years in several theaters of operation including Kosovo and Iraq. While serving his country, Owen was able to receive his Associates degree from Rock Valley College and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science: Public Law from Northern Illinois University.

Owen returned to Rockford and began working on several political campaigns and networking with those employed in and served by the social service field. In 2000, Owen began employment with Icon Property Management and Development Group where he oversaw the rehabilitation and management of numerous historical homes and properties within our fair city. 

Shortly after, Owen began employment with the Rockford Housing Authority serving as the Property Manager at several sites throughout Rockford. In November 2008, he accepted the position at the City of Rockford Human Services Department – A Community Action Agency, as the Community Action Coordinator, later as the Energy Programs Manager serving Boone and Winnebago Counties, where he received his Certified Community Action Professional. Owen also received his Certified Public Manager certification from University of Illinois at Springfield. Working within the Community Action Agency, Owen and his staff were able to use various state and federal grant funds to assist those in need at various stages in life, through maximum participation, to move toward self-sufficiency.

Odessa Walker is Director of Human Services for Rockford Housing Authority. She has been in the Public Housing industry 7 years where she served as Resident Social Services Coordinator for 2 years, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator for 3 years and Director of Education and Training for 2 years. Odessa was responsible for overseeing all resident programs to ensure their success by providing: classroom educational training, implementing programs that addressed employment readiness, financial literacy, self-empowerment, goal setting, and preparation for home-ownership.

Odessa holds certifications as a Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist, Public Housing Specialist and assisted in the development of the nationally recognized Workforce Development Institute which was launched in 2013. She also serves as the Youth Pastor for Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ and Youth Department Chairlady for Fifth West Illinois Jurisdiction. Odessa believes in creating pathways that allow the families she serves to thrive, be successful on all levels and become self-sufficient.

Taip Asani, returns at Rockford Housing Authority to serve as the Director of Finance. He oversees all aspects of Accounting including forecasting, budgeting, preparation of financial statements and reporting to RHA’s board and HUD.

Taip is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Prior to assuming this role, he worked as an Accountant for the Rockford Housing Authority from December 2013 to September 2017.

Sybil Mueller is the Housing Choice Voucher Manager for Rockford Housing Authority and its non-profit Bridge Rockford Alliance.

Prior to coming to RHA she was an Aviation Maintenance Administration man that was responsible for policy and procedure updates that were needed in order to successfully complete her squadron’s military missions.

After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy she attended Northern Illinois University where she received her bachelors in Marketing. Sybil brings not only management experience but also a wealth of knowledge and experience in government policies and procedures.

Marcus Hill is Resident Services Manager. He is a graduate of Rockford University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Physical Education.

He was previously employed by the Illinois Department of Human Services as a Case Worker/Job Specialist after spending much of the past five years helping people with criminal records find housing, education, and work through Chicago based Safer Foundation jail re-entry program. He was also a member of the Rockford City Council from January 2014 through April 2015 and represented the 6th ward as a Democrat.

Hill spends his spare time as a coach for Rockford Christian school freshman basketball team and also coaches and trains for AAU level basketball. He has 15 years of coaching experience; has coached for the RPS 205 school district, Boylan High School, and is a member of the RAVE Authority Board.

He prides himself on helping others, community involvement, and making positive change in the world.

Monique Jones Human Resources Manager for the Rockford Housing Authority, currently a Junior at Concordia University, attending school full-time, majoring in Human Resources Management. Currently with a degree in Human Services, she has worked for the Housing Authority for over 6 years in the Resident Services Department as a Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist, assisting families in becoming economically self-sufficient. She has over 15 years of Benefit Administration and Human Resource experience and knowledge.

As a Team Lead for Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Aon Corporation), Rolling Meadow, Illinois, for the Employee Benefits Organization, she supervised a team of 8 customer service representatives.

The team specialized in delivering services to over 2500 employees and retirees and their families, providing outstanding customer services in the delivery of employment and retirement related benefits.

Prior she was the Human Resources Administrative Manager for AT&T, in Morristown, NJ, where she successfully designed and rolled out the process for the Leadership Values Feedback Survey, tailored for the CFO Community. She also Managed the process for the successful production of the Alliance of Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. 1995 National Professional Development Conference in Chicago, IL. She led the logistics team in this effort as the Committee Chair.

In her spare time, she is the Vice President of the Illinois Jets Youth Track and Field Program, that she and her husband run together. She and her family have received numerous recognitions and awards for their efforts in youth athletics, most recently from the Armature Athletic Unions Central District for exhibiting exceptional competitiveness, and the Community Service Award from the Rockford Park District.

Joe Spinello is Senior Maintenance Foreman for Rockford Housing Authority. His 30-year career in property maintenance includes roles in public housing as a security expert and full time Institutional Locksmith with family ties to the trade dating 100 years.

Before coming to RHA he was a Professional Stagehand and Maintenance Engineer for the Rockford Metro Center. Joe has worked backstage with some of the biggest stars on the planet and knows how to get the job done!

Joe has been instrumental over the years in analyzing, designing, upgrading and performing day to day maintenance on RHA’s mechanical and electrical locks and burglar alarms in all the family, low rise, high rise and scattered sites. His duties currently include managing vacant apartment turn arounds and training up and coming maintenance staff.

Charles Doyle is the Physical Asset & Quality Assurance Manager for the Rockford Housing Authority and its non-profit Bridge Rockford Alliance.

Mr. Doyle has 32 years of experience in the Public Housing Field. Mr. Doyle’s wide range of experience includes Building Construction, Maintenance, Security, Management, Procurement, HUD (UPCS) Uniform Physical Condition Standards & (HQS) Housing Quality Standards quality assurance Inspections.

Angel Mackey is Executive Assistant to the CEO. She comes to RHA with over 12 years’ experience in Social Services with a strong technology background. Throughout her 16 years in Rockford, Angel has graciously volunteered her time in our community assisting multiple organizations improving the lives in our Community.

Her experience and contributions have led her through vastly diversified services ranging from teen moms and senior citizens to career mentoring for young females, tutoring after-school programs, and teaching a variety of computer and life skills classes to persons of all ages.

Angel has a passion for helping people from all walks of life, especially within our low-income communities and has devoted much of her professional career doing just that.

Linda Dorsey-Tillman has accepted the position of Procurement, Section 3 and Compliance Manager for the Rockford Housing Authority. 

Linda earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in Schaumburg, Illinois.  She began her career in housing as the Capital Fund/Internal Auditor for the Housing Authority of Elgin and was later promoted to Deputy Director for a total of 10 years. 

During her tenancy at housing authority she served and earned credentials as Uniform Physical Condition Standards Specialist, Procurement and Contract Management Specialist and HCV Housing Quality Standards Specialist.

Linda is an advocate in the community in which she lives. She has previously served as a board member of Bethesda Community Development Center, the Elgin United Way Board and has served as Administrative Assistant at Bethesda Church of God in Christ for the past 35 years.

Christine Manley has joined the RHA team as the Housing Policy Manager. With a bachelors in Psychology and Sociology from Rockford University, she joins the Rockford Housing Authority with over 10 years of experience in human services and worked with Carpenter’s Place, coordinating HUD funded programs that provided housing and supportive services to Rockford’s homeless population. Most recently, Christine served as an Occupancy Specialist for the Rockford Housing Authority, Housing Choice Voucher Program. 

She looks forward to being part of RHA’s excellent team of caring professionals dedicated to the betterment of this community.

Vien Sati, Foremen for Rockford Housing Authority, began his career at RHA in December of 1987. He has risen through the maintenance ranks starting as a janitor and was promoted in April of 2018 to Foreman of overall day to day operations for RHA.

Vien is dedicated to the Mission of RHA to partner with the community, and responsible residents, to transform houses into homes while guiding families to self-sufficiency.  He is grateful for the opportunity to service RHA, and the community, in his new capacity as Foreman.

Although all of Roberts’s family roots are from the Southern States he, himself was born and raised in Rockford, IL.

Robert has 14 years of education, started working at Rockford Housing Authority on June 1, 1987 in the grounds department and has worked in all but 1 job classification in the maintenance department and has held the title as Foreman for several years.

Throughout his career he has completed several courses, seminars and trainings that relate to the Housing industry and holds several certifications such, but not limited to the Nelrod Company Certified Housing Inspector, the Nan McKay UPCS Fundamentals Training and the Nan McKay Supervision and Management certification just to name a few.

Robert has held positions with IAMAW and is currently shop Chairperson and holds an officer position with Local Lodge 1553 as Secretary Treasurer.

When not on the job Robert has been in the real estate business since 1993 and is still a current Landlord.

Robert has raised two daughters and was most recently promoted to, and given the title of PaPa with the arrival of his new granddaughter.

Robert has traveled to several countries in the Caribbean, Europe and several places throughout the USA including Kodiak, Alaska and he is an avid fisherman.

After retirement he looks forward to spending more time with his granddaughter and traveling.

Michael Murray began his extensive career with RHA in October 1985 as a member of the grounds crew. He was later promoted to the maintenance department where he worked between the sites, in different capacities helping to grow and develop the RHA sites. Currently Mike is the Maintenance Foreman over Scattered sites East & West and the Bridge Rockford properties. His certifications include Site based budgeting specialist, Certified Maintenance Manager, Lead based paint, UPCS and REAC Inspector.

Mike's roots are Michigan based and he still frequents his home state to enjoy nature, fishing and hunting.

Michaela Harris has joined RHA as the Section III Compliance Manager. She comes with 15 years’ experience in community service, management and customer service. Prior to RHA she was in private property management and developed several programs that helped build and track the success of a locally owned company.

Since her youth she has spent time volunteering in the community with organizations such as Rock House Kids, where she taught and mentored elementary aged children. It’s a background in service and heart for the community that she brings as she joins the excellent team at RHA.

Jana Janes joins RHA as the Accounting Manager in the finance department.

Jana is a graduate of Rockford University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Economics.

Prior to coming to RHA, Jana has served as Director of Finance as well as Controller with experience in federal funding, federal grants, non-profit and property management.