AMHERST – A search for a new executive director for the Amherst Housing Authority, with assistance from a private company specializing in identifying potential candidates, will likely begin in September.
Laura Quinn, chairwoman of the Amherst Housing Authority Commission, said Friday that the commission is beginning its work on finding a successor to Denise LeDuc.
She retired last month after more than four years at the helm.
Before the search begins, the commission will discuss hiring an executive search firm at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room at Ann Whalen Apartments.
Debbie Turgeon, director of programs, is serving as the interim executive director, with Jonathan Hite, former executive director of the Northampton Housing Authority, providing some consulting assistance, Quinn said.
The commission will meet again July 25 to discuss proposals from search firms and possibly have a presentation by one or more companies in August.
The timeline right now is to have a company in place by the end of August, and then launch the search in September.
“(The) search process will involve tenants, the public, staff and, of course, the board, once initial screening has identified qualified candidates,” Quinn said.
The authority owns nearly 200 units of low-income public housing and is also responsible for providing rental assistance vouchers and verifies individuals and families seeking federal Section 8 certificates and rental subsidies.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
