Senior Staff Profiles

Claudia Cappio

Executive Director, appointed April 2011. Previously she held the position of Development Director for the City of Oakland, CA. Claudia has been a planner in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years, working for local governments on both large-scale and small planning and development efforts. Prior to that she served as the Manager of Major Development Projects for Oakland, worked as the Planning and Building Director for the City of Emeryville, and also held the position of Planning Director for the City of Albany. She has a degree in Urban Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University.

L. Steven Spears

Chief Deputy Director, appointed April 2011. Previously he held the position of Chief Deputy Director beginning December 2006 and also Acting Executive Director from December 2008 to the appointment of Ms. Cappio. Prior to that, Steve was the principal consultant of the SAER Group (2003-2005), Managing Director for Metropolitan West Financial and Strategic Services (1998-2003), and Deputy State Treasurer to former State Treasurer Matthew Fong (1995-1998). Education: B.S., Accounting, Southern Missionary College – Collegedale, Tennessee. M.B.A., Finance, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tennessee. Juris Doctor, University of the Pacific; McGeorge School of Law – Sacramento, California. Pacific Law Journal: Comment Staff, Assistant Managing Editor.

Margaret Alvarez

Director of Asset Management since March 1996. Margaret previously served as Asset Management Specialist for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (1994-1996); Senior Asset Manager at FWC Realty Services Corporation (1987-1993), Property Manager at American Development Corporation (1986-1987) and Property Manager at Far West Management Corporation (1980-1986). Education: B.A., California State University, Chico.

Diane Richardson

Director of Legislation since January 1999. Diane previously worked as the Deputy Legislative Secretary for the Governor's Office (1998), Director of Legislation for the California Environmental Protection Agency (1997), Deputy Director for Legislation and other positions, Office of Planning and Research (1983-1996) and Legislative Assistant, California State Assembly (1981-1983).

Bruce D. Gilbertson

Director of Financing since August 2004. Bruce previously served as Comptroller from October 1996 until July 2004, Financing Officer from January 1994 until September 1996, Mortgage Loan Accounting Administrator from February 1988 until December 1993. Bruce also held various accounting positions with the California State Department of Transportation (1978-1988). Education: B.S., Business Administration, California State University, Sacramento.

Charles K. McManus

Director of Mortgage Insurance since December 2006. B.A. Harvard University; M.B.A. Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Previously: Acting Director of Mortgage Insurance for CalHFA (May 2006); Owner McManus Financial Services (2005 to 2006); SVP Branch Operations for Home American Mortgage (2005); VP Retail Mortgage Production for Ohio Savings Bank FSB (2003-2004); SVP National Account for NCS (2002 -2003); VP Real Estate for American Invsco (2001-2002); SVP Variable Annuities for Annuity Investors Life Insurance (1995-2000); Various mortgage banking and consulting positions (1991-1994);Chief Operating Officer of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (1980-1991); SVP Marketing of Verex Mortgage Insurance (1975-1980).

Robert L. Deaner II

Director of Multifamily Programs since September 2007. BBA, Accounting, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Previously: Vice President and Relationship Manager for US Bank (2006-2007); Pacific National Bank and CW Capital, Vice President, Affordable and Market Rate Housing (2004-2006); Key Bank Real Estate Capital, Vice President, National Multifamily Affordable Housing, (1999-2004); various positions in the affordable housing lending industry (1985-1999).

Gary M. Braunstein

Special Advisor to Executive Director and Acting Director of Homeownership since April 2008. B.S., New York State College, Plattsburgh; M.B.A., National University, San Diego, California. Previously: Mortgage Banking Consulting (2007-2008); Vice President Sales and Director of Strategic Relations, Aames/Accredited Home Lenders (2004-2007); Executive Vice President Mortgage Banking, Pacific Mercantile Bank (2003-2004); Director/Senior Manager, Morgan Stanley Credit Corporation (2000-2003); Director/Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Capital Alliance (1999-2000); Division Manager Mortgage Banking, Pacific Thrift and Loan (1997-1998); Division Manager Sales and Operations, AMRESCO/Quality Mortgage (1996-1997); Division Manager Real Estate Lending, Bank of America (1995-1996). Additionally, Managing Director, Industry Guest Speaker and Consultant for various mortgage banking organizations (1978-1995).

Thomas C. Hughes

General Counsel since February 2001. Mr Hughes had been a partner in the Sacramento law firm of Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard (1982-2001), practicing real estate and business law. Prior to that time, he practiced with the firm of Iwama & Castro (1978-1982).

Howard Iwata

Director of Administration since January 2009. B.A., Political Science, UC Berkeley. Previously: Bureau Chief, State Controller's Office (2005-2008); Assistant Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (1997-2005); Division Administrative Officer, Department of Fish and Game (1991-1997); and various administrative positions for a variety of State Agencies (1980-1991).

Kenneth H. Giebel

Director of Marketing since September 2003. B.S. and M.B.A., University of Santa Clara. Previously: Senior Marketing Manager at the California Lottery from 1996-2002 and various marketing positions for private sector corporations and advertising agencies.