Affordable Housing Experts Brenda Champy & Tom Pereira Join CREA

CREA, LLC welcomes Brenda Champy as Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Tom Pereira as Executive Vice President, Business Development – Syndications. Both LIHTC veterans with extensive leadership and industry expertise, Brenda and Tom join CREA to support strategic expansion and growth goals that strengthen both acquisition and syndication platforms.

Jeff Whiting, Chairman and CEO, said: “As demand for LIHTC opportunities and investments at CREA drive our current levels of capacity, the addition of Brenda and Tom will allow for measured growth to better serve and support our business relationships as we work toward our vision of affordable housing everyone can be proud of.”

About Brenda Champy

Brenda Champy most recently held the title of Senior Vice President, Director of Acquisitions at a national LIHTC syndicator, and was responsible for managing acquisition efforts by leading the originations team, overseeing account managers, and collaborating with sales and capital teams to optimize deal placement. Ahead of that, she spent 15 years managing nine deal teams and overseeing the screening of all LITHC investment risk parameters relative to guidelines, while assessing specific risk sensitivities of investors.

“We are ecstatic to have Brenda join Brad Bullock and Jamie Irwin in the strategic leadership of our acquisitions team,” said Charles Anderson, Co-President. “Her presence will allow us to bolster the fulfilment of our partner’s affordable housing goals and support CREA’s continuing efforts to make a broader social and community impact through our national presence.”

Brenda received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Lowell in Massachusetts, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder.

On joining CREA, Brenda Champy said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the acquisitions team and be a part of CREA’s impact and growth. CREA’s collaborative approach and culture have guided its success and were key factors in my decision to be part of the organization.”

About Tom Pereira

Most recently, Tom served as Senior Vice President, Director of Investor Relations at a national LIHTC syndicator where he was responsible for identifying and securing institutional capital for national and regional multi-investor and proprietary fund offerings. Prior to that, Tom spent 17 years serving as Senior Vice President, Director of Sales and Structured Finance, where he directed the sales efforts by working closely with acquisitions to grow new investor initiatives and expand the syndications platform.

“Tom and I have known each other for nearly 25 years and have stayed close friends along the way. I have a great deal of respect for the accomplishments he’s earned during his career,” said Tony Bertoldi, Co-President. “Working alongside Brad Howarth and Anthony Richardson, Tom will lead our efforts in enhancing existing investor relationships, as well as growing our investor partners and product offerings. His experience and tenure in LIHTC make him perfect for the position.”

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Boston University School of Management as well as a master’s degree in business administration from Boston University Graduate School of Management’s Public and Non-Profit Program. Introducing college students to careers in affordable housing, real estate planning and urban policy, Tom is also heavily involved in the National Affordable Housing Case Competition at the Corcoran Center at Boston College.

On joining CREA, Tom Pereira said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the syndications group at CREA. I’ve long admired CREA’s team, company culture and commitment to affordable housing, and have recently been further impressed by the work they have planned through CREA Foundation.