Cook County HRA interviews two finalists for executive director; board to check references and run background checks

The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority interviewed two finalists for its executive director post — Jeff Brand, a former Minnesota state representative with housing and development experience, and Haley, a long‑time affordable‑housing practitioner at Grounded Solutions Network — and asked staff to check references and run background checks before making an appointment.

The finalists described how they would prioritize outreach, funding and project pipeline management. Board members said they need someone in place quickly to sustain ongoing projects and to update the HRA strategic plan, last completed in 2023.

Jeff Brand, who identified himself as a former state representative for Minnesota House District 18 and a one‑time city council member in St. Peter, told the HRA he would focus early on networking with local leaders, developers and potential funders. “I think in order to be successful at this job, it's gonna be a lot of networking,” Brand said. He described housing goals for Cook County including starter homes, new rentals and better coordination between vacation‑rental owners and workforce housing needs. Brand cited past experience securing legislative and federal funds for a highway project, saying the effort required bipartisan coordination and ultimately produced federal funding (he said the effort yielded about $36 million after legislative amendment and intergovernmental matching).

Haley, who said she has nearly 20 years in affordable housing work and currently supports policy, data and program implementation at Grounded Solutions Network, described a measured approach: an initial period of relationship‑building, keeping the HRA’s existing pipeline moving, and then expanding funding and development opportunities. “The first 3 months would be spent... acquainting myself,” Haley said. She emphasized experience assembling cross‑sector teams and building data and management systems to support projects and applicants, and said she would treat the early months as a time to “keep the boat afloat” while laying groundwork for longer‑term progress.

Both candidates addressed community engagement and public communications. Brand highlighted direct outreach and local media engagement he said he used while in the legislature; Haley said she has extensive public‑facing presentation experience at conferences and national convenings but limited broadcast media interview experience.

Board members pressed candidates on practical questions about project delivery and local constraints. Commissioners and HRA members noted that ARPA funds that previously helped seed local projects are no longer available and that the HRA will need to identify other subsidy sources. The board discussed the need to update the HRA strategic plan and to prioritize projects that can be completed with available funding. Members also emphasized the value of having a director who can build developer relationships, manage grants and help projects clear the final permitting and funding steps that often stall local efforts.

On residency and remote work, board members said the job requires substantial in‑person outreach early on: several commissioners said an upfront period of local presence is important to meet community partners. The board indicated there is flexibility once relationships are established but that the initial months should emphasize being physically present in Cook County.

The HRA reviewed administrative support available: payroll and HR assistance continue to be provided by the county, contracts for legal and public‑finance services are available on retainer, and the HRA maintains templates and a library of past resolutions and contracts that the incoming director can use. Board members said the HRA has capacity in the budget for some contracted admin support if needed.

Next steps: the board said it will check references, run a background check and then discuss negotiation of an employment agreement. The board conveyed an “immediate need” for a director — the current interim/contracted director, Jason (last name on file with the board), indicated he will remain available through the end of the month to provide transition support but will not serve long‑term as interim. The HRA asked candidates about start availability and emphasized a quick hiring timeline to avoid losing momentum on projects and grant deadlines.

The interview session included questions about Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; both candidates said they could perform the job without accommodations. Candidates also discussed past experience resolving conflicts among partners or board members, approaches to time management and priority setting, and practical examples of projects they had helped shepherd through funding and implementation.

Board members thanked both candidates and said they would be in touch after reference checks and background screening.