JEMINE BRYON NAMED HUD'S CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
Donovan Institutes Reforms to Ensure Efficient and Transparent Procurement Process

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that Jemine Bryon has been appointed as HUD's new Chief Procurement Officer. Bryon brings 20 years experience to the agency in the areas of public housing planning, management, development, resident services, and procurement. She will be responsible for the oversight and management of all Departmental procurement activities.

Bryon's appointment is part of a wider set of reforms instituted by Secretary Shaun Donovan and Deputy Secretary Ron Sims to change the way that HUD does business and ensure that the end-to-end procurement process is managed with transparency, accountability and integrity.

Prior to this appointment, Bryon served as the Deputy Executive Director at the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC). While there she was responsible for the agency's $300 million budget, 900 employees. In addition she managed the overall operations which included modernization of over 14,000 housing units within public and mixed finance developments, as well as administration of tenant and project based Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for over 12,000 households.

"I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve during this critical time as HUD's Chief Procurement Officer" said Bryon. "I am excited to join a team that is committed to making strides toward change in our nation's affordable housing."

"Jemine brings with her years of knowledge and expertise in the housing and procurement fields. These vital skills make her a perfect fit for this job" said Deputy Secretary Ron Sims. "I look forward to working with her as we bring transformational change to HUD."

The procurement reforms being instituted by Donovan and Sims include:

• Suspending the Contract Management Review Board indefinitely. This decision follows a set of recommendations to address procurement challenges made by former HUD Secretary Steve Preston. This reform will lead to a speedier, more efficient process.

• Embarking on a top to bottom review of HUD's procurement processes. This comprehensive evaluation and assessment of HUD's procurement functions will specifically focus on removing impediments and improving efficiencies. Congressman John Olver, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing, has asked HUD to work with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) to conduct this assessment and HUD has begun the process to engage NAPA.

• Engaging with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to evaluate HUD's small business contracting goals and ensure the right balance between supporting small business and HUD's needs and requirements for services.

"Through these changes - already in place or underway - we believe that HUD can be a leader in government agencies on procurement efficiency, transparency and integrity," said Secretary Donovan. "I am delighted to have Jemine on board to implement these reforms and other necessary changes."

Before serving as the Deputy Executive Director at HABC, Bryon served as the Assistant Executive Director, Real Estate Development at the Philadelphia Housing Authority. In this role, she was responsible for the overall management of $700 million in capital and mixed finance affordable housing development to provide rental and homeownership opportunities to 75,000 public housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program residents.

Bryon has also served as the Assistant Commissioner/Agency Chief Contracting Officer, Director of Operations, and Deputy Director at the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation and Development. Bryon holds a Juris Doctor Degree from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University.

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