Mr. Ari Beliak comes to Merritt from Bank of America where he served as a Senior Vice President in Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Community Development Banking group leading a team of experts who provided debt and equity solutions to affordable housing developers based in Northern California, Nevada, and Colorado.
Mr. Beliak has been credited with reestablishing the bank as a leader in affordable housing in Northern California and expanding into Nevada. In addition, he was the key driver in Bank of America’s $2.2 billion financing of the nation’s largest affordable housing project, the San Francisco Rental Assistance Demonstration. Beliak has dedicated himself to attracting professionals into affordable housing via his management and expansion of the Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge, a business plan competition and supporting industry leadership and mentorship programs. In 2016, he was recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” in the San Francisco Business Journal.
Prior to Bank of America, Beliak practiced law for Sidley Austin LLP, served in various real estate finance capacities for Wells Fargo Bank, including their affordable housing group, and was a management consultant for A.T. Kearney. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and a JD/MBA from UC Hastings College of Law and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
To reach Ari abeliak@merrittcap.org or 510.906.0245
BACK TO TEAM
Mr. Nichols brings over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy and operations working with nonprofits, investment firms and Fortune 500 companies. Most recently he served as the Chief Business Officer/Chief Financial Officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern California. Previously Mr. Nichols served as a Managing Director at Outlook Ventures where he developed investment strategies, selected opportunities and managed investments for this investment firm. He has also been active supporting a variety of community-based and youth development nonprofits along with serving on the faculty of the University of California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Mr. Nichols was the 2017 winner of the Bay Area nonprofit CFO of the Year as selected by the San Francisco Business Times. He holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Brown University.
cnichols@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 303
BACK TO TEAM
Mr. Long has over thirty-eight years of real estate and investor experience, including twenty-eight providing financing for low-income housing tax-credit properties. Prior to joining Merritt in 2019 as Director of Investor Relations and Acquisitions, Chris was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. At various points with Bank of America, Chris managed the national Direct LIHTC originations platform, managed syndicator relationships, sold and syndicated debt portfolios, and was involved with nearly all facets of the origination, underwriting, and asset management of real estate and community development equity and debt. Long also served in various leadership real estate roles at AEGON and USA Realty Advisors, and began his career at Wells Fargo Bank and Union Bank. Chris holds a BS/BA in Finance and Financial Management from California State University Long Beach. Chris is also a Former Chairman of the Merritt Community Capital Board of Directors.
clong@merrittcap.org or 510.906-0243
BACK TO TEAM
Nedrah brings to Merritt more than 15 years of experience managing accounting systems, bookkeeping, financial planning, corporate and non-profit filings, tax preparation, and both State and Federal grant management. Most recently, Nedrah was working with the World Institute on Disability based in Berkeley, CA, as Director of Finance where she managed a budget of up to $5 million annually. Nedrah’s career with Merritt began in early 2015 as part of the Asset Management Team. There, she dove into the LIHTC world and earned her National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional designation in just four months. In early 2018, the opportunity at Merritt arose for a more financially focused position as Controller and both the Board and CEO agreed that Nedrah would be a great asset in this capacity. She was offered, and accepted, the position of Controller in January of 2018. A life-time resident of a small town on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, Nedrah brings a stable, community-focused approach to financial management.
nelm@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 312
BACK TO TEAM
Ms. Duarte joined Merritt Community Capital Corporation in January 1997. She is responsible for compliance monitoring of all Merritt Investments, providing quarterly status reports to the Board and to investors and providing technical assistance to project staff on tax credit and related matters. Ms. Duarte has successfully completed the National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional Exam and received her designation. She also holds a National Compliance Professional-Executive designation. Prior to assuming her role as Director of Asset Management, Ms. Duarte served as Administration and Human Resources Manager.
Ms. Duarte has over 20 years experience in business administration and business development. Prior to joining Merritt Capital Ms. Duarte held the position of Vice President of D.L. Bradford Corporation, a custom home construction firm based in Santa Cruz, California.
mduarte@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 307
BACK TO TEAMMr. Ari Beliak comes to Merritt from Bank of America where he served as a Senior Vice President in Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Community Development Banking group leading a team of experts who provided debt and equity solutions to affordable housing developers based in Northern California, Nevada, and Colorado.
Mr. Beliak has been credited with reestablishing the bank as a leader in affordable housing in Northern California and expanding into Nevada. In addition, he was the key driver in Bank of America’s $2.2 billion financing of the nation’s largest affordable housing project, the San Francisco Rental Assistance Demonstration. Beliak has dedicated himself to attracting professionals into affordable housing via his management and expansion of the Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge, a business plan competition and supporting industry leadership and mentorship programs. In 2016, he was recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” in the San Francisco Business Journal.
Prior to Bank of America, Beliak practiced law for Sidley Austin LLP, served in various real estate finance capacities for Wells Fargo Bank, including their affordable housing group, and was a management consultant for A.T. Kearney. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and a JD/MBA from UC Hastings College of Law and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
To reach Ari abeliak@merrittcap.org or 510.906.0245
BACK TO TEAMMr. Nichols brings over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy and operations working with nonprofits, investment firms and Fortune 500 companies. Most recently he served as the Chief Business Officer/Chief Financial Officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern California. Previously Mr. Nichols served as a Managing Director at Outlook Ventures where he developed investment strategies, selected opportunities and managed investments for this investment firm. He has also been active supporting a variety of community-based and youth development nonprofits along with serving on the faculty of the University of California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Mr. Nichols was the 2017 winner of the Bay Area nonprofit CFO of the Year as selected by the San Francisco Business Times. He holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Brown University.
cnichols@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 303
BACK TO TEAMMr. Long has over thirty-eight years of real estate and investor experience, including twenty-eight providing financing for low-income housing tax-credit properties. Prior to joining Merritt in 2019 as Director of Investor Relations and Acquisitions, Chris was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. At various points with Bank of America, Chris managed the national Direct LIHTC originations platform, managed syndicator relationships, sold and syndicated debt portfolios, and was involved with nearly all facets of the origination, underwriting, and asset management of real estate and community development equity and debt. Long also served in various leadership real estate roles at AEGON and USA Realty Advisors, and began his career at Wells Fargo Bank and Union Bank. Chris holds a BS/BA in Finance and Financial Management from California State University Long Beach. Chris is also a Former Chairman of the Merritt Community Capital Board of Directors.
clong@merrittcap.org or 510.906-0243
BACK TO TEAMNedrah brings to Merritt more than 15 years of experience managing accounting systems, bookkeeping, financial planning, corporate and non-profit filings, tax preparation, and both State and Federal grant management. Most recently, Nedrah was working with the World Institute on Disability based in Berkeley, CA, as Director of Finance where she managed a budget of up to $5 million annually. Nedrah’s career with Merritt began in early 2015 as part of the Asset Management Team. There, she dove into the LIHTC world and earned her National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional designation in just four months. In early 2018, the opportunity at Merritt arose for a more financially focused position as Controller and both the Board and CEO agreed that Nedrah would be a great asset in this capacity. She was offered, and accepted, the position of Controller in January of 2018. A life-time resident of a small town on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, Nedrah brings a stable, community-focused approach to financial management.
nelm@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 312
BACK TO TEAMMs. Duarte joined Merritt Community Capital Corporation in January 1997. She is responsible for compliance monitoring of all Merritt Investments, providing quarterly status reports to the Board and to investors and providing technical assistance to project staff on tax credit and related matters. Ms. Duarte has successfully completed the National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional Exam and received her designation. She also holds a National Compliance Professional-Executive designation. Prior to assuming her role as Director of Asset Management, Ms. Duarte served as Administration and Human Resources Manager.
Ms. Duarte has over 20 years experience in business administration and business development. Prior to joining Merritt Capital Ms. Duarte held the position of Vice President of D.L. Bradford Corporation, a custom home construction firm based in Santa Cruz, California.
mduarte@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 307
BACK TO TEAMClear filters
Mr. Ari Beliak comes to Merritt from Bank of America where he served as a Senior Vice President in Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Community Development Banking group leading a team of experts who provided debt and equity solutions to affordable housing developers based in Northern California, Nevada, and Colorado.
Mr. Beliak has been credited with reestablishing the bank as a leader in affordable housing in Northern California and expanding into Nevada. In addition, he was the key driver in Bank of America’s $2.2 billion financing of the nation’s largest affordable housing project, the San Francisco Rental Assistance Demonstration. Beliak has dedicated himself to attracting professionals into affordable housing via his management and expansion of the Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge, a business plan competition and supporting industry leadership and mentorship programs. In 2016, he was recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” in the San Francisco Business Journal.
Prior to Bank of America, Beliak practiced law for Sidley Austin LLP, served in various real estate finance capacities for Wells Fargo Bank, including their affordable housing group, and was a management consultant for A.T. Kearney. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and a JD/MBA from UC Hastings College of Law and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
To reach Ari abeliak@merrittcap.org or 510.906.0245
BACK TO DIRECTORY
Ms. Skurdenis joined the Merritt Capital staff in September 2002 as an Asset Manager. Ms. Skurdenis has over thirty years of experience in affordable housing management and staff development and training. She directed the design and delivery of Asset Management Training Program at the California Housing Partnership Corporation. She also served as an Affordable Housing consultant to a wide range of non profit housing development and management organizations. Prior to her work at CHPC, she was a Director of Housing with the John Stewart Company.
bskurdenis@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 306
BACK TO DIRECTORYMr. Nichols brings over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy and operations working with nonprofits, investment firms and Fortune 500 companies. Most recently he served as the Chief Business Officer/Chief Financial Officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern California. Previously Mr. Nichols served as a Managing Director at Outlook Ventures where he developed investment strategies, selected opportunities and managed investments for this investment firm. He has also been active supporting a variety of community-based and youth development nonprofits along with serving on the faculty of the University of California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Mr. Nichols was the 2017 winner of the Bay Area nonprofit CFO of the Year as selected by the San Francisco Business Times. He holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Brown University.
cnichols@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 303
BACK TO DIRECTORYMr. Long has over thirty-eight years of real estate and investor experience, including twenty-eight providing financing for low-income housing tax-credit properties. Prior to joining Merritt in 2019 as Director of Investor Relations and Acquisitions, Chris was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. At various points with Bank of America, Chris managed the national Direct LIHTC originations platform, managed syndicator relationships, sold and syndicated debt portfolios, and was involved with nearly all facets of the origination, underwriting, and asset management of real estate and community development equity and debt. Long also served in various leadership real estate roles at AEGON and USA Realty Advisors, and began his career at Wells Fargo Bank and Union Bank. Chris holds a BS/BA in Finance and Financial Management from California State University Long Beach. Chris is also a Former Chairman of the Merritt Community Capital Board of Directors.
clong@merrittcap.org or 510.906-0243
BACK TO DIRECTORY
Denise, a native of Berkeley, CA, joined Merritt in 2001. She has over 25 years of professional experience as an Office Manager, Executive Assistant and Administrative Professional and Event Planner. As Merritt’s Office Manager, Denise is dedicated to making sure that the day to day office functions run smoothly. Outside of work, Denise can be found doing any outdoors activities or fitness related activities with her family and cooking up delicious meals.
dwright@merrittcap.org or 510.906.0234
BACK TO DIRECTORY
Mr. Singh has over 10 years of asset management and property management experience. Most recently he was an Asset Manager for the Santa Clara County Housing Authority overseeing a portfolio valued over $400MM. His prior experience includes asset management at First Community Housing where he oversaw a portfolio valued over $215MM and held Regional Manager position’s at Davis-Paul Management Group and Solari Enterprises. Throughout his career he has overseen real estate assets that include over 5,000 units throughout California. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA in Sociology from San Jose State University.
isingh@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 309
BACK TO DIRECTORY
Jack Okada has been in asset and property management for five years, most recently for a San Francisco based real estate developer. Prior to entering the real estate industry, Jack worked in telecommunications. He graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor's degree in Economics.
jokada@merrittcap.org 510.906.0238
BACK TO DIRECTORYMs. Duarte joined Merritt Community Capital Corporation in January 1997. She is responsible for compliance monitoring of all Merritt Investments, providing quarterly status reports to the Board and to investors and providing technical assistance to project staff on tax credit and related matters. Ms. Duarte has successfully completed the National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional Exam and received her designation. She also holds a National Compliance Professional-Executive designation. Prior to assuming her role as Director of Asset Management, Ms. Duarte served as Administration and Human Resources Manager.
Ms. Duarte has over 20 years experience in business administration and business development. Prior to joining Merritt Capital Ms. Duarte held the position of Vice President of D.L. Bradford Corporation, a custom home construction firm based in Santa Cruz, California.
mduarte@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 307
BACK TO DIRECTORYNedrah brings to Merritt more than 15 years of experience managing accounting systems, bookkeeping, financial planning, corporate and non-profit filings, tax preparation, and both State and Federal grant management. Most recently, Nedrah was working with the World Institute on Disability based in Berkeley, CA, as Director of Finance where she managed a budget of up to $5 million annually. Nedrah’s career with Merritt began in early 2015 as part of the Asset Management Team. There, she dove into the LIHTC world and earned her National Association of Home Builders Housing Credit Certified Professional designation in just four months. In early 2018, the opportunity at Merritt arose for a more financially focused position as Controller and both the Board and CEO agreed that Nedrah would be a great asset in this capacity. She was offered, and accepted, the position of Controller in January of 2018. A life-time resident of a small town on the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, Nedrah brings a stable, community-focused approach to financial management.
nelm@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 312
BACK TO DIRECTORY
Suzanne started her Tax Credit career in 1986 with the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee working on the allocation of the Federal and State tax credits, her last 9 years at CTCAC she managed the Compliance Program. While at CTCAC she was awarded the Government Employee of the Year awards by both the AHMA-NCN and AHMA-PSW organizations. In 2005, she moved to the private sector as the Northern California Director for the National Affordable Housing Trust where she provided development consulting to their nonprofit members. Suzanne returned to State service in 2011 to be the Transactions Manager for the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) where she was responsible for real estate transactions of HCD’s existing multi-family loan portfolio.
svice@merrittcap.org or 510.444.7870 ext. 310 (Tuesday - Thursday) / 916.803.6009 (Monday & Friday)
BACK TO DIRECTORY
