Board of Commissioners

Carol George Johnson

President/Owner, Johnson Mortgage Corporation

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For forty years, Carol George Johnson has been a force in making home ownership a reality for local families. An unwavering advocate for home ownership for all, Ms. Johnson began her career selling real estate. Subsequently realizing the challenges faced by people of color to participate in the process of obtaining a home loan, she shifted gears, moving into mortgage financing.

Carol became the first African American woman in the nation to lead a municipal Housing Finance Authority. She streamlined complex processes of tax-exempt bond programs and developed systems to directly support affordable housing finance. Thousands of families in low-income households realized their dreams of homeowner-ship through these programs, which are still being utilized today, ensuring home ownership for our most vulnerable populations.

In 1993 Ms. Johnson opened her own mortgage brokerage firm, Johnson Mortgage Corporation. Within three short years, the organization was acclaimed one of five top lenders in the United States by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This distinguished award recognized Carol for providing first-time home ownership opportunities to single, African American female heads of household. Johnson Mortgage Corporation received multiple recognitions from the City of New Orleans for being a “Top Lender,” and lauded a “champion” for affordable housing by real estate professionals and non-profit organizations.

Johnson Mortgage Corporation was instrumental in providing higher-wage job opportunities for African Americans, which laid a foundation for many professionals of color in leading roles today in the mortgage finance industry.

Carol attended the University of New Orleans and has completed numerous training programs in top mortgage banking institutes; she is a certified mortgage broker.

Ms. Johnson is married, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. She resides in New Orleans, LA.

Avery Foret

Land Use Attorney and Urban Planner, Sherman Strategies, LLC

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Avery Foret is a Land Use Attorney and Urban Planner with Sherman Strategies, LLC, a project-based legal consulting firm. Her practice primarily includes zoning and entitlement work for real estate development projects and community and neighborhood engagement related to these developments. Over the years, she has worked on dozens of these endeavors, ranging from multi-family developments with affordable housing set asides, revitalizations of vacant properties, and projects bringing economic development and sustainable employment to New Orleans.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from Louisiana State University and returned to New Orleans to earn a dual degree from Loyola University’s College of Law and The University of New Orleans’ Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program.

She was born and raised in New Orleans and now enjoys raising two young children here with her husband.

Percy Manson

Secretary for the Board of Directors for the International High School

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Earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Louisiana Tech University and School of Banking at Louisiana State University, respectively.

Serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors for the International High School of New Orleans in addition to the following: Algiers Economic Development, Harvey Canal Association, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Matteh Foundation, New Orleans South African Connection (NOSACON), Jefferson Community Action, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Services, Volunteers of America, Jefferson Parish Employment & Training, Youthbuild U.S.A., New Orleans Chambers.

Employed by Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company as a Commercial Lender

Kim Piper

President, Iberville Resident Council

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A native New Orleanian, and devoted mother and grandmother, Kim Piper is the President of the Iberville Resident Council. She was a resident of the former Iberville Public Housing Development for over 30 years, and has been involved in promoting tenant rights for HANO residents since 2003. As a member of HANO’s Board of Commissioners, Ms. Piper will continue to advocate for safe, affordable housing for low income families across the city.

As President of the Iberville Resident Council, Ms. Piper is a strong proponent for resident input, improved housing conditions, recreational opportunities for youth, and social services for low income families. She also previously served as a member of the Iberville Redevelopment Working Team, working with residents and housing officials to preserve Iberville’s historical buildings during its redevelopment in 2012.

Ms. Piper continues to be a dedicated community leader with a strong commitment to helping public housing and HCVP residents – providing transportation to seniors, helping working mothers with school pickups and drop-offs, assisting residents in completing applications for SNAP benefits, and much more.

Rev. Michael Bernard Raymond

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Rev. Michael Bernard Raymond For over 25 years Rev. Raymond has served as a housing advocate and provider of social services to the poor. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he assisted leaders in the city to help streamline the process of homeless citizens to receive housing and mental health services under the Housing First/Permanent Supportive Housing Model with wraparound services. He is employed as the Senior Administrator and Pastor of Shiloh Christian Fellowship of New Orleans and serves as a Law Enforcement Chaplain with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and President of the New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Baptist African American Fellowship.