Eric Novak, President
Eric Novak has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the affordable housing development process, including public housing mixed-finance and affordable assisted living. He has specific expertise in the creation of housing for special needs populations, including the frail elderly, people with AIDS, and the homeless.
From 1999 through 2002, Mr. Novak served as a project manager for Affirmative Investments of Boston, overseeing the development of three tax credit supported housing and assisted living residences for public housing authorities. As Associate Director of Affordable Housing Resource Council in Reno, Eric directed the development of Silver Sky Assisted Living in Las Vegas, Nevada's first affordable assisted living residence using tax credit equity and Medicaid waiver reimbursement.
Mr. Novak has also provided technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of strategic planning, portfolio assessment, mixed-finance and RAD development and HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Initiative applications and implementation and has written extensively on housing and community development issues.
Mr. Novak has a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a concentration in real estate finance and housing and human service policy.
Eric Novak has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the affordable housing development process, including public housing mixed-finance and affordable assisted living. He has specific expertise in the creation of housing for special needs populations, including the frail elderly, people with AIDS, and the homeless.
From 1999 through 2002, Mr. Novak served as a project manager for Affirmative Investments of Boston, overseeing the development of three tax credit supported housing and assisted living residences for public housing authorities. As Associate Director of Affordable Housing Resource Council in Reno, Eric directed the development of Silver Sky Assisted Living in Las Vegas, Nevada's first affordable assisted living residence using tax credit equity and Medicaid waiver reimbursement.
Mr. Novak has also provided technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of strategic planning, portfolio assessment, mixed-finance and RAD development and HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Initiative applications and implementation and has written extensively on housing and community development issues.
Mr. Novak has a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a concentration in real estate finance and housing and human service policy.
Hilary Lopez, PHD, Senior Associate
Dr. Hilary Lopez has over fifteen years experience in affordable housing finance, programs and policy. In her current role, Hilary works with clients to structure and assemble public and private financing for affordable housing developments and manage the due diligence process through financial closing.
Prior to joining Praxis Consulting Group in 2013, Dr. Lopez served as the Chief of Housing Programs for the State of Nevada Housing Division. In this role, Hilary administered the State’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and served as lead underwriter for multi-family projects. She also oversaw the State’s HOME, Housing Trust Fund, homeless, and weatherization assistance programs.
In addition to her experience at the State of Nevada, Hilary has worked for local housing departments in Reno, Nevada, and Denver, Colorado. She received certification from HUD as a HOME Program Administrator and is also certified by the National Development Council as a Housing Development Finance Professional.
Dr. Lopez has participated in numerous panels discussing affordable housing development at conferences hosted by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, Novogradac, and local organizations. She holds a Masters in Applied Economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Doctorate in Geography, with a concentration in Urban Geography and Planning, from the University of Denver.
Dr. Hilary Lopez has over fifteen years experience in affordable housing finance, programs and policy. In her current role, Hilary works with clients to structure and assemble public and private financing for affordable housing developments and manage the due diligence process through financial closing.
Prior to joining Praxis Consulting Group in 2013, Dr. Lopez served as the Chief of Housing Programs for the State of Nevada Housing Division. In this role, Hilary administered the State’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and served as lead underwriter for multi-family projects. She also oversaw the State’s HOME, Housing Trust Fund, homeless, and weatherization assistance programs.
In addition to her experience at the State of Nevada, Hilary has worked for local housing departments in Reno, Nevada, and Denver, Colorado. She received certification from HUD as a HOME Program Administrator and is also certified by the National Development Council as a Housing Development Finance Professional.
Dr. Lopez has participated in numerous panels discussing affordable housing development at conferences hosted by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, Novogradac, and local organizations. She holds a Masters in Applied Economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Doctorate in Geography, with a concentration in Urban Geography and Planning, from the University of Denver.
Aaina Sharma, Project Manager
Aaina Sharma is responsible for providing administrative and project management on many Praxis assignments. She is part of the project team that recently completed portfolio assessments for the Houston Housing Authority and Rochester Housing Authority. She routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Ms. Sharma assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Aaina has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Aaina Sharma is responsible for providing administrative and project management on many Praxis assignments. She is part of the project team that recently completed portfolio assessments for the Houston Housing Authority and Rochester Housing Authority. She routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Ms. Sharma assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Aaina has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Joshua Bertain, Project Manager
Joshua Bertain is the most recent addition to the Praxis team. He is responsible for providing administrative support, project management, and performing general office duties. He routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Mr. Bertain assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Joshua holds a Masters in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Geography from the University of Nevada, Reno .
Joshua Bertain is the most recent addition to the Praxis team. He is responsible for providing administrative support, project management, and performing general office duties. He routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Mr. Bertain assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Joshua holds a Masters in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Geography from the University of Nevada, Reno .