David Blenk
dblenk@opdc.org
David Blenk is the Executive Director of OPDC. In addition to the organizational
management, David's responsibilities include visioning, fund raising, public
relations, and direction setting for the organization. Prior to coming to
OPDC, David served for seven years as both the Executive Director and Business
Development Specialist for the Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development
(AAUD). AAUD is a development corporation that runs education, human services,
business development, and arts programs in Beaver County. David holds a Masters
of Architecture degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and
a Bachelors of Science in Architecture from Penn State University. Several
of David's notable accomplishments include the development of over $1.6 million
in affordable housing and related commercial development, the establishment
of a 700 member community development credit union, and the creation of a
$2.5 million community development loan fund. Since coming to Oakland, David
has been actively involved in the full array of OPDC's planning, development,
and workforce activities.
Elly Fisher
efisher@opdc.org
Elly Fisher is the Assistant Director at OPDC. Elly’s responsibilities include coordination and planning for each business line, government and media relations, fundraising and marketing. A recent transplant to Pittsburgh, Elly has worked with Riverlife, South Side Local Development Company and Pittsburgh City Planning. Previously, she directed outreach efforts for Menomonee Valley Partners in Milwaukee, WI and volunteered for the US Peace Corps in Jamaica significantly expanding capacity for their recycling program. Elly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management in December 2007. She holds a B.S. in Civil and
Environmental Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
Ken Kennedy
kenk@opdc.org
Ken Kennedy is the Controller for OPDC and has been with the organization
since 1993. Ken is responsible for al financial accounting and reporting for
OPDC, Oakland Development Fund, Allequippa Place, and Oakland Business Improvement
District. Prior to this position, he worked for a national car rental agency
as an accountant and as an assistant controller for a private property management
company. Ken graduated from CCAC in 1984 with an Associates Degree in Computer
Technology. In 2000, Ken earned his Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Point
Park College.
Doug Stewart
dstewart@opdc.org
Doug Stewart is the Real Estate Program Manager at Oakland Planning and Development Corporation and a Licensed Sales Agent. After serving on the board of OPDC from 2006-2008, Doug recently accepted the position of real estate manager. In this role, he manages the ongoing construction of housing units, acquires new properties for rehabilitation, and aids the community through educating potential home buyers on the process of buying a home through OPDC. With a BA in Political Science from Swarthmore College, Doug has a broad range of professional experience and comes to us with expertise in real estate, urban planning, and technology. As OPDC’s Real Estate Manager, he hopes to help people create a home for themselves and their families in the Oakland neighborhood.
Kelly Wawrzeniak
kellyw@opdc.org
Kelly is the Community Organizer for OPDC. Kelly's responsibilities include administering the “Keep It Clean, Oakland!” (KICO) and Adopt-A-Block programs along with other community initiatives that fall under OPDC’s community organizing program. In addition, Kelly works with OPDC’s interns on various projects relating to the organizing program, such as the Dumpster Project and the Furniture Recycling Program and Sale. Kelly holds a B.A. in Communication and an M.P.A. in Urban and Regional Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.
Vanessa Veltre
vanessav@opdc.org
Vanessa is an intern at OPDC. She assists Kelly with the “Keep It Clean, Oakland!” program, as well as the dumpster project and the restaurant tour. She is also working on a multi-neighborhood collaborative proposal with David. Vanessa holds a B.S. in Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University and is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing.
Julie Kuhns
juliek@opdc.org
Julie is an intern at OPDC. She is assisting the executive director by researching density ordinances in campus communities with the goal of defining possibilities and building support. She will also be assisting Kelly by developing a business plan to retool the Furniture Recycling Program. Julie holds an MS in Business Administration from California University of PA and a B.S. in Accounting from Clarion University. Julie is currently pursuing an MS from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing.
Darryl Daughtry
darryl_daughtry@hotmail.com
Darryl is the Executive Director of the Hill Oakland Workforce Collaborative
(HOWC). His job duties include program management, fundraising, and staff
supervision. Before joining HOWC/Job Links, Darryl worked as a nurse recruiter
for the Nursing Recruitment Coalition placing minority and nontraditional
students into Pittsburgh area schools of nursing. He has also worked for the
Commonwealth of PA for 13 years in several medical positions.
OPDC's Board of Directors:
Andrea Boykowycz
Kelleigh Butler (Secretary)
Raymond Garafalo (Treasurer)
Nathan Hart (Vice President)
Andy Hardie
Janet Kikta
Jeffrey Maurin (President)
Gavin O'Connor
Mavis Rainey
Doug Stewart
Adrienne Walnoha
Mark Webb
