PMHA Leadership Team
Pamela Nation Calhoun
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Read Pamela's Bio
Pamela Nation Calhoun is the Executive Director of the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA). Pam began her career at PMHA on November 8, 1999. As Executive Director, Pamela is responsible for all aspects of the agency’s operations.
Over the course of her career at PMHA, Pamela has worked to ensure that the agency pursues funding opportunities that expand its’ capacity to assist the families and individuals as they work towards self-sufficiency and attempt to overcome barriers.
Improving the quality of PMHA’s housing stock remains a priority for Pamela. She has worked with the agency’s staff to ensure that renovations and improvements are made that not only improve the quality of housing but also improve the quality of life for the families residing in PMHA’s Public Housing.
Pamela is very passionate about community service and dedicates a significant amount of her time to service on the Boards of organizations that serve populations in need. She currently serves on the Community Action Council of Portage County’s Board of Directors, the Community Corrections Board and the Portage Learning Centers’ Board of Trustees. Pamela is an alumna of Leadership Portage County (Class of 2009). She formerly served on the Neighborhood Development Services and Townhall II Boards of Directors. Pamela is a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. She has served on the Ravenna School District Board of Education since January 1, 2015.
Pamela earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Kent State University in May of 1993.
Amy Bower
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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Amy Bower is the Assistant Director of the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority. She began her career at PMHA on February 7, 2000. As Assistant Director Amy is responsible for oversight of the agency’s operations.
During her tenure at the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority, Amy has worked extensively in both the Public Housing and Section 8 departments. She is committed to ensuring our program participants have safe and affordable housing options.
Amy earned an Associate’s Degree in Human Services Technology from Kent State University in 1997.
Cindy Blevins
HOUSING PORTFOLIO MANAGER
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Cindy Blevins is a veteran of management in the subsidized housing industry and has over 32 years of experience, 26 of which have been at the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority when she began in 1994. Cindy oversees the day to day housing management of the 327 residential rental units owned and managed by PMHA and holds certifications for Housing Specialist and Public Housing Manager.
Carolyn Budd
SPECIAL PROGRAMS MANAGER
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Carolyn Budd is the Special Programs Manager at the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority. Carolyn began her career at PMHA on July 21, 2004. As Special Programs Manager, Carolyn is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, evaluation and day-to-day administration of designated grants. Carolyn coordinates activities leading to the completion of PMHA’s MTW Annual Plans and MTW Annual reports, as well as all applicable grant applications and reports. Additionally, Carolyn manages the PMHA Resident Services Department, which includes one Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator and one Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Coordinator.
Over the course of her career at PMHA, Carolyn has endeavored to attain an array of knowledge in several areas of HUD-assisted housing, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership program, the FSS program, the Mainstream program, the HUD-VASH program, the Shelter Plus Care program, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative, HCV Quality Control, Public Housing resident services, the ROSS program, and departmental management.
As a lifelong resident of Portage County, Ohio, Carolyn strives for the Resident Services Department to provide quality programming and referrals for the households they serve, in order to assist them in addressing and overcoming barriers to stability and self sufficiency. Carolyn loves to see her fellow community members succeed in reaching their goals!
Carolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Kent State University in May of 2001.
Mariah Blake
Finance Manager
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Mariah Blake is the Finance Manager of the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority. She began her career at PMHA in April of 2022. As Finance Manager, Mariah is directly responsible for the day-to-day duties of the agency’s financial systems, office operations, and administrative assistance.
Mariah earned a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University in December of 2020.
Wes Ransom
PROJECT MANAGER
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Wes Ransom is the Project Manager for the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority. Wes began his career with PMHA on January 27, 2014. As Project Manager, he is responsible for the structural and systemic upkeep and upgrades of PMHA’s Public Housing portfolio. Additionally, he is responsible for in-house IT and technology.
Wes oversees the PMHA’s Capital Fund Program, which funds the necessary improvements of PMHA’s housing stock. These improvements include modernization and renovation, and ensuring that PMHA’s housing stock is safe, building code compliant, and that it provides quality housing for the residents that the agency serves. It is vitally important to Wes that the families we serve are proud to live in the housing that we provide.
Wes is community minded and works, not just with PMHA, but with several local organizations to serve the community. He has worked with several of the local churches and service organizations to provide food and shelter to families in need of assistance. He also active with the state correctional system helping to institute programming that assists incarcerated individuals by providing training, life skills, and other assistance, to ensure their success upon societal re-entry.
Wes attended Ravenna High School and Kent State University, where he majored in Architectural Design.
Trevena Kaminski
Section 8 Manager
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During her tenure at PMHA Trevena has served in many different capacities and has been an integral part of the Section 8 team. Trevena has a strong commitment to serving others and has been instrumental in building relationships with partner agencies to help meet the housing needs in our community. Trevena has served on the Head Start Policy Council since 2019.