National Church Residences Promotes Sonya M. Brown to Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing Management

COLUMBUS, Ohio ­– National Church Residences is pleased to announce the promotion of Sonya M. Brown to senior vice president of affordable housing management effective July 1, 2022. She will replace Steve Bodkin, who will collaborate on the transition until his retirement at the end of this year.

Since 2020, Brown has served as vice president of property management, leading a team of four regional vice presidents and spanning more than 340 affordable housing communities in 25 states. She joined the organization in 2004 as a property manager and then was promoted quickly to regional manager, then regional portfolio leader and regional vice president, before progressing to her current position two years ago.

“Sonya has embraced our servant leadership attributes of listening, connecting, investing and inspiring in her team leadership,” said Mark Ricketts, president and CEO of National Church Residences. “She is loyal to our mission, even during times of incredible growth, change and crisis.”

Brown has served the organization’s mission as a Certified Training Associate, on the COVID-19 Task Force, on the Diversity Task Force and with a team of missionaries developing a new Respectful Living program to improve the culture of inclusion in a mutually-respectful work environment.

“Sonya’s vision for affordable housing is both strategic and practical,” said Steve Bodkin. “Her deep and varied affordable housing experience will allow Sonya to help shape our organization’s strategic direction. Her proven leadership skills, industry expertise, and broad knowledge of the apartment industry all prepare her for success in this new role.”

Brown is a graduate of St. Louis University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing. She currently serves as committee chair of membership and marketing for the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) – and is a board member and vice chair of finance for the Contemporary Arts and Theatre Company (CATCO), a local Columbus-based theatre organization. Brown also previously served on the boards for Missouri Housing and Development Commission Advisory Board and the Heartland Affordable Housing Management Association.

“I’m very grateful to have been a member of this National Church Residences leadership team,” added Bodkin. “And I couldn’t be more pleased to have Sonya in this new position.”

About National Church Residences

National Church Residences serves more than 42,000 seniors through its array of housing and health care services. The not-for-profit organization is driven by a vision of advancing better living for all seniors, enabling them to remain home for life. With 340 communities in 25 states, it is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers residential senior communities, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.