Our Team Key Players

Wilfred N. Cooper Sr, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Mr. Cooper founded WNC to specialize in development and syndication of affordable rental housing properties. Mr. Cooper, who has testified before Congress regarding low-income housing tax credits, is a life director of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a national trustee of NAHB’s Political Action Committee. He is a life trustee of the National Housing Conference, a cofounder and director emeritus of the California Housing Consortium and a member of the U.S. Vets Housing Taskforce committee. Additionally, Mr. Cooper has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF). Mr. Cooper is the recipient of the CHF Lifetime Achievement Award, the NAHB Robert J. Corletta Award and the David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award for his achievements in the industry. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from Pomona College.

Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of WNC, President and Registered Principal of WNC Capital Corporation and Principal of Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Mr. Cooper directs WNC’s overall business operations and strategy. Prior to joining WNC in 1988, Mr. Cooper worked in government and legislative affairs in the Washington D.C. office of a multinational corporation. He is a national trustee of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Political Action Committee, a member of the NAHB Housing Finance Committee and the board of directors of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), a co-chair of the Affordable Housing Subcommittee of the CBIA. He is also a member of the advisory board and Political Action Committee of the National Multifamily Housing Council. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from the School of International Service of the American University.

President and Chief Investment Officer, Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Ms. Caruana oversees all activities of the Preservation Equity Funds.  She has more than 19 years of direct experience in the multifamily investment sector, including nearly eight years specializing in investments of affordable rental housing to create attractive economic returns for investors. 

Prior to joining WNC in 2018, she worked for four years with a private real estate equity firm where she specialized in the acquisition of affordable rental apartments generating economic returns, last serving as senior vice president of acquisitions. Prior to that, Ms. Caruana spent nine years with a publicly-traded multifamily REIT where she served in various research and investment roles, including senior director of market research, senior investment analyst and investment manager. Ms. Caruana is a member of the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Women’s Leadership Initiative and the NMHC (National Multifamily Housing Council) Emerging Leaders Committee. Ms. Caruana holds an MBA from the University of Miami, Florida and a bachelor’s degree in statistics and marketing from Miami University, Ohio.

Christine Cormier, Executive Vice President - Fund Management and Investor Relations and registered representative of WNC Capital Corporation Ms. Cormier oversees WNC’s institutional Fund Management and Investor Relations teams, including equity raising efforts, investor due diligence and multi-investor fund closings. Prior to joining WNC in 2008, she served as a managing director for a national tax credit syndicator. Ms. Cormier serves on the board of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. She graduated summa cum laude from Bentley University with a bachelor of science in accounting and computer science.

Edward Campbell, Esq., Senior Vice President – Legal Affairs with WNC. Mr. Campbell oversees WNC’s corporate and partnership legal affairs. He has 15 years of experience in the affordable housing industry representing lenders, investors, developers, and government agencies. Prior to joining WNC, He was a Partner in the affordable housing and real estate practice group at an AM Law 100 firm, and previously served as in-house counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He received the 40 under 40 Award from the Nation LGBT Bar Association in 2016 and the Young Leader Award from Affordable Housing Finance in 2017. Mr. Campbell earned a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, San Diego and a juris doctor from Pepperdine University, School of Law.

Kristin Han, Vice President - Compliance, HCCP Ms. Han oversees property compliance for WNC’s nationwide portfolio. Prior to joining WNC in 1997, Ms. Han was a certified occupancy specialist for a nationwide property management company. She  holds the Housing Credit Certified Professional designation as well as NAHP (National Affordable Housing Professional), Certified Credit Compliance Professional, National Compliance Professional Executive (NCP) and Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) certifications. Ms. Han is on the HCCP Board and the advisory board for the property compliance section of the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits. She is a frequently invited speaker at National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) conferences. Ms. Han attended the California State University at Long Beach.

Michael Byrd, Vice President - Originations, Midwest Mr. Byrd oversees WNC’s origination efforts throughout the central United States. Prior to Joining WNC in 2007, he worked for national nonprofit and for-profit developers. Mr. Byrd earned a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Michigan and a master of architecture from the University of Minnesota.

Jessica Captanis, Vice President - Originations, Western Region. Ms. Captanis oversees WNC’s origination efforts in the Western United States. Prior to joining WNC, she worked for a community lending banker and an affordable housing development company. Ms. Captanis earned a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in finance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Christina Pham, Vice President – Portfolio Dispositions Ms. Pham is responsible for the oversight of WNC’s property dispositions. Prior to joining WNC in 2004, Ms. Pham served as WNC’s Investor Services Manager and also provided financial analysis for WNC’s portfolio management group. Ms. Pham serves as Chair for the University of California, Irvine Alumni Advisory Committee, which provides leadership training and mentorship to its members. Ms. Pham graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a bachelor of science in economics.

Michael Egidi, Vice President - Investor Relations. Mr. Egidi is responsible for investor equity raising efforts, due diligence, property pipelines and fund closings pertaining to WNC's proprietary funds. Prior to joining WNC in 2022, he served as a director and team lead of multi-investor/equity originations and underwriting at a multinational financial services holding company. Mr. Egidi is a member of the CFA Society of Virginia. Mr. Egidi earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a master's degree in business administration from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Jason Brown, CPA, Controller. Mr. Brown oversees the accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting functions of WNC. Prior to joining WNC in 2020, Mr. Brown worked with private and public homebuilders in various accounting and finance roles, focusing on project and corporate accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and an ERP system implementation. Jason started his career as a Manager in the assurance services practice at Ernst & Young, where he primarily managed the audits of private real estate investment firms, commercial property developers, and operators. Mr. Brown graduated cum laude from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Jason earned his MBA degree from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, with dual specializations in digital transformation and real estate and urban development

David Ciminelli, Vice President – Originations, Southeast. Mr. Ciminelli oversees WNC’s origination efforts in the southeast and northeast. Prior to joining WNC, Mr. Ciminelli worked for a major tax credit syndicator as an originator responsible for properties nationwide. Mr. Ciminelli also has prior experience in LIHTC acquisition and asset management. Mr. Ciminelli earned his bachelor of science in economics and finance from Westfield State University. He also holds a Master of Urban, Community and Regional Planning (MCP) and a Real Estate Finance Association Certificate in real estate finance, both from Boston University.

Tammy Bliss, Director - Construction Risk Management. Ms. Bliss oversees the construction risk management department at WNC. Prior to joining WNC in 2013 she worked as a lender, developer, property manager and business owner.  Ms. Bliss earned an associate of arts degree in communication studies from Coastline College. Currently, Ms. Bliss holds a California broker license and real estate license. She is a member of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Ms. Bliss also is an accredited independent rental owner professional.

Wilfred N. Cooper Sr, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Mr. Cooper founded WNC to specialize in development and syndication of affordable rental housing properties. Mr. Cooper, who has testified before Congress regarding low-income housing tax credits, is a life director of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a national trustee of NAHB’s Political Action Committee. He is a life trustee of the National Housing Conference, a cofounder and director emeritus of the California Housing Consortium and a member of the U.S. Vets Housing Taskforce committee. Additionally, Mr. Cooper has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF). Mr. Cooper is the recipient of the CHF Lifetime Achievement Award, the NAHB Robert J. Corletta Award and the David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award for his achievements in the industry. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from Pomona College.

Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of WNC, President and Registered Principal of WNC Capital Corporation and Principal of Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Mr. Cooper directs WNC’s overall business operations and strategy. Prior to joining WNC in 1988, Mr. Cooper worked in government and legislative affairs in the Washington D.C. office of a multinational corporation. He is a national trustee of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Political Action Committee, a member of the NAHB Housing Finance Committee and the board of directors of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), a co-chair of the Affordable Housing Subcommittee of the CBIA. He is also a member of the advisory board and Political Action Committee of the National Multifamily Housing Council. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from the School of International Service of the American University.

President and Chief Investment Officer, Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Ms. Caruana oversees all activities of the Preservation Equity Funds.  She has more than 19 years of direct experience in the multifamily investment sector, including nearly eight years specializing in investments of affordable rental housing to create attractive economic returns for investors. 

Prior to joining WNC in 2018, she worked for four years with a private real estate equity firm where she specialized in the acquisition of affordable rental apartments generating economic returns, last serving as senior vice president of acquisitions. Prior to that, Ms. Caruana spent nine years with a publicly-traded multifamily REIT where she served in various research and investment roles, including senior director of market research, senior investment analyst and investment manager. Ms. Caruana is a member of the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Women’s Leadership Initiative and the NMHC (National Multifamily Housing Council) Emerging Leaders Committee. Ms. Caruana holds an MBA from the University of Miami, Florida and a bachelor’s degree in statistics and marketing from Miami University, Ohio.

Christine Cormier, Executive Vice President - Fund Management and Investor Relations and registered representative of WNC Capital Corporation Ms. Cormier oversees WNC’s institutional Fund Management and Investor Relations teams, including equity raising efforts, investor due diligence and multi-investor fund closings. Prior to joining WNC in 2008, she served as a managing director for a national tax credit syndicator. Ms. Cormier serves on the board of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. She graduated summa cum laude from Bentley University with a bachelor of science in accounting and computer science.

Wilfred N. Cooper Sr, Founder and Chairman Emeritus Mr. Cooper founded WNC to specialize in development and syndication of affordable rental housing properties. Mr. Cooper, who has testified before Congress regarding low-income housing tax credits, is a life director of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a national trustee of NAHB’s Political Action Committee. He is a life trustee of the National Housing Conference, a cofounder and director emeritus of the California Housing Consortium and a member of the U.S. Vets Housing Taskforce committee. Additionally, Mr. Cooper has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF). Mr. Cooper is the recipient of the CHF Lifetime Achievement Award, the NAHB Robert J. Corletta Award and the David Reznick Lifetime Achievement Award for his achievements in the industry. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from Pomona College.

Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of WNC, President and Registered Principal of WNC Capital Corporation and Principal of Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Mr. Cooper directs WNC’s overall business operations and strategy. Prior to joining WNC in 1988, Mr. Cooper worked in government and legislative affairs in the Washington D.C. office of a multinational corporation. He is a national trustee of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Political Action Committee, a member of the NAHB Housing Finance Committee and the board of directors of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), a co-chair of the Affordable Housing Subcommittee of the CBIA. He is also a member of the advisory board and Political Action Committee of the National Multifamily Housing Council. Mr. Cooper earned a bachelor of arts from the School of International Service of the American University.

President and Chief Investment Officer, Preservation Equity Fund Advisors Ms. Caruana oversees all activities of the Preservation Equity Funds.  She has more than 19 years of direct experience in the multifamily investment sector, including nearly eight years specializing in investments of affordable rental housing to create attractive economic returns for investors. 

Prior to joining WNC in 2018, she worked for four years with a private real estate equity firm where she specialized in the acquisition of affordable rental apartments generating economic returns, last serving as senior vice president of acquisitions. Prior to that, Ms. Caruana spent nine years with a publicly-traded multifamily REIT where she served in various research and investment roles, including senior director of market research, senior investment analyst and investment manager. Ms. Caruana is a member of the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Women’s Leadership Initiative and the NMHC (National Multifamily Housing Council) Emerging Leaders Committee. Ms. Caruana holds an MBA from the University of Miami, Florida and a bachelor’s degree in statistics and marketing from Miami University, Ohio.

Christine Cormier, Executive Vice President - Fund Management and Investor Relations and registered representative of WNC Capital Corporation Ms. Cormier oversees WNC’s institutional Fund Management and Investor Relations teams, including equity raising efforts, investor due diligence and multi-investor fund closings. Prior to joining WNC in 2008, she served as a managing director for a national tax credit syndicator. Ms. Cormier serves on the board of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. She graduated summa cum laude from Bentley University with a bachelor of science in accounting and computer science.

Kristin Han, Vice President - Compliance, HCCP Ms. Han oversees property compliance for WNC’s nationwide portfolio. Prior to joining WNC in 1997, Ms. Han was a certified occupancy specialist for a nationwide property management company. She  holds the Housing Credit Certified Professional designation as well as NAHP (National Affordable Housing Professional), Certified Credit Compliance Professional, National Compliance Professional Executive (NCP) and Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) certifications. Ms. Han is on the HCCP Board and the advisory board for the property compliance section of the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits. She is a frequently invited speaker at National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) conferences. Ms. Han attended the California State University at Long Beach.

Christina Pham, Vice President – Portfolio Dispositions Ms. Pham is responsible for the oversight of WNC’s property dispositions. Prior to joining WNC in 2004, Ms. Pham served as WNC’s Investor Services Manager and also provided financial analysis for WNC’s portfolio management group. Ms. Pham serves as Chair for the University of California, Irvine Alumni Advisory Committee, which provides leadership training and mentorship to its members. Ms. Pham graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a bachelor of science in economics.

Jason Brown, CPA, Controller. Mr. Brown oversees the accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting functions of WNC. Prior to joining WNC in 2020, Mr. Brown worked with private and public homebuilders in various accounting and finance roles, focusing on project and corporate accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and an ERP system implementation. Jason started his career as a Manager in the assurance services practice at Ernst & Young, where he primarily managed the audits of private real estate investment firms, commercial property developers, and operators. Mr. Brown graduated cum laude from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Jason earned his MBA degree from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, with dual specializations in digital transformation and real estate and urban development

Tammy Bliss, Director - Construction Risk Management. Ms. Bliss oversees the construction risk management department at WNC. Prior to joining WNC in 2013 she worked as a lender, developer, property manager and business owner.  Ms. Bliss earned an associate of arts degree in communication studies from Coastline College. Currently, Ms. Bliss holds a California broker license and real estate license. She is a member of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Ms. Bliss also is an accredited independent rental owner professional.

Jim Ashby has more than 25 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur and business leader in the healthcare, construction and technology industries. He is a past COO of Banfield Pet Hospital, which owns over 1,000 veterinary care clinics located in the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Prior to Banfield, Mr. Ashby served as President and CEO of CareMeridian, a $46 million provider of healthcare services with 16 facilities throughout the southwest. He has served on various philanthropic boards. Jim holds a master’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish from the University of Redlands where he graduated a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Beda is a partner with Wabash Partners, a private real estate investment firm that focuses on multifamily real estate, which he founded in 2018. Prior to Wabash Partners, Beda was a founding partner at Carmel Partners Inc., where he helped the multifamily investment firm raise and invest $4 billion in equity from 2004 to 2017. Previously, Beda spent approximately 10 years as the acquisitions and dispositions officer for the western U.S. at Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR), during which time he helped the firm acquire more than 200,000 apartment units. Beda graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Trisha Malone is president and chief investment officer at Anton Development Company, a developer, builder, owner and operator of market rate and affordable housing. She provides strategy and vision to the company, and leads operations, including investments in ground-up apartment developments, capital formation, affordable housing, asset management and dispositions. Malone, who has been with Anton Development Company since 2000, co-chairs its executive committee. She began her career in public accounting, where she acquired experience in the tax and audit industries, focusing on real estate and non-profit clients. Malone earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Sacramento. She earned her California certified public accountant license and is  a member the Urban Land Institute Multifamily Silver Council.

Jenny Netzer has been a member of WNC’s Advisory Board since March 2018 and has more than 30 years of experience in the affordable housing and renewable energy industries. Ms. Netzer is CEO of TCAM, an independent investment manager which provides asset management, advisory and consulting services to owners and funders of affordable housing. Prior to joining TCAM, Ms. Netzer spent 21 years in the affordable housing and the renewable energy industries with MMA Financial and its predecessor organizations, Lend Lease Housing and Community Investing and Boston Financial. Ms. Netzer led the development of new business for MuniMae, leading the company’s entrance into the renewable energy business and expanding its affordable housing investment activities internationally. She also led the company’s affordable housing tax credit business, including capital-raising, investment, and asset management. Ms. Netzer has also served as Deputy Budget Director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; at Yale University as Assistant Comptroller, and at the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare as a budget analyst and Assistant Deputy Commissioner. She has a master’s in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and an AB from Harvard College.

Michael Byrd, Vice President - Originations, Midwest Mr. Byrd oversees WNC’s origination efforts throughout the central United States. Prior to Joining WNC in 2007, he worked for national nonprofit and for-profit developers. Mr. Byrd earned a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Michigan and a master of architecture from the University of Minnesota.

Jessica Captanis, Vice President - Originations, Western Region. Ms. Captanis oversees WNC’s origination efforts in the Western United States. Prior to joining WNC, she worked for a community lending banker and an affordable housing development company. Ms. Captanis earned a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in finance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

David Ciminelli, Vice President – Originations, Southeast. Mr. Ciminelli oversees WNC’s origination efforts in the southeast and northeast. Prior to joining WNC, Mr. Ciminelli worked for a major tax credit syndicator as an originator responsible for properties nationwide. Mr. Ciminelli also has prior experience in LIHTC acquisition and asset management. Mr. Ciminelli earned his bachelor of science in economics and finance from Westfield State University. He also holds a Master of Urban, Community and Regional Planning (MCP) and a Real Estate Finance Association Certificate in real estate finance, both from Boston University.