Chicago Housing Authority Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Chicago Housing Authority has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, administration, financial oversight, and legal compliance.

Committed to providing stable housing solutions, Chicago Housing Authority advances urban development through the management of public housing assets and the expansion of affordable living opportunities across the region.

Leadership Roles at Chicago Housing Authority

  • Chief Executive Officer - Keith Pettigrew
  • Interim Chief Financial Officer - David Zimmer
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Melinda Mitchell
  • Chief Operating Officer - James Bebley
  • Chief of Staff - Kevin Lamm
  • Chief Legal Officer - Cheryl Colston
  • Deputy Chief Legal Officer - LaRue Little
  • Keith Pettigrew - Chief Executive Officer

    Keith Pettigrew, the Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, directs the overarching strategic vision for public housing initiatives. Overseeing the agency mission, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between federal housing mandates and local community needs. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving long-term sustainability for thousands of residents. By optimizing organizational performance, Keith Pettigrew directly impacts the quality of life for families across the metropolitan area. The Chief Executive Officer coordinates with the Board to secure funding and implement policy changes that expand housing access. Through rigorous oversight of agency programs, Pettigrew maintains high standards of operational excellence. This executive leadership ensures that the agency remains a cornerstone of urban stability, fostering growth and resilience within the housing sector while navigating the evolving landscape of public policy and community development requirements.
    Keith Pettigrew

    David Zimmer - Interim Chief Financial Officer

    David Zimmer, the Interim Chief Financial Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, manages the immediate fiscal health and budgetary compliance of the agency. Overseeing short-term financial planning, the Interim Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital resources support critical housing programs and maintenance needs. This leadership role involves monitoring cash flow and preparing financial reports for regulatory review. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, David Zimmer directly impacts the agency ability to fund essential services during transitional periods. The Interim Chief Financial Officer coordinates with department heads to prioritize spending and mitigate financial risks. Through careful analysis of budgetary data, Zimmer secures the financial stability required for ongoing operations. This financial leadership ensures that the agency maintains transparency and accountability in all monetary transactions, providing a solid foundation for the organization while preparing for long-term fiscal strategies and sustainable growth within the public housing sector.

    Melinda Mitchell - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Melinda Mitchell, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, architects the long-term financial strategy and investment planning for the agency. Overseeing the comprehensive budget and fiscal policy, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the organization maintains a robust financial position to support future development. This leadership role involves managing complex funding streams and optimizing capital allocation for large-scale housing projects. By implementing advanced financial modeling, Melinda Mitchell directly impacts the agency capacity to expand affordable housing inventory. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer coordinates with external financial institutions and government agencies to secure necessary funding. Through strategic oversight of financial operations, Mitchell drives the fiscal health of the organization. This executive leadership ensures that the agency remains financially resilient, balancing immediate operational costs with the long-term goal of sustainable urban development and community investment.

    James Bebley - Chief Operating Officer

    James Bebley, the Chief Operating Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, manages the daily execution of property management and maintenance services. Overseeing the physical infrastructure, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that residential facilities meet safety and quality standards for all tenants. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to improve service delivery and operational efficiency across the entire portfolio. By implementing data-driven maintenance schedules, James Bebley directly impacts the longevity and habitability of public housing assets. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates with regional property managers to address urgent repairs and long-term capital improvement projects. Through consistent monitoring of facility performance, Bebley maintains a high level of responsiveness to resident concerns. This operational focus supports the broader agency goal of providing secure, well-maintained environments, ensuring that the physical infrastructure remains a reliable resource for the community while optimizing resource allocation and maintenance workflows.
    James Bebley

    Kevin Lamm - Chief of Staff

    Kevin Lamm, the Chief of Staff at Chicago Housing Authority, coordinates executive communications and manages the flow of information between departments. Overseeing administrative workflows, the Chief of Staff ensures that leadership priorities receive proper attention and resources. This leadership role involves facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to achieve agency-wide objectives and policy implementation. By managing the executive office agenda, Kevin Lamm directly impacts the efficiency of decision-making processes. The Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison for internal and external partners, ensuring that strategic initiatives remain on schedule. Through meticulous planning and project management, Lamm supports the executive team in executing complex housing programs. This administrative leadership ensures that the agency functions as a cohesive unit, aligning daily operations with the long-term mission of providing affordable housing solutions while maintaining clear communication channels across all levels of the organization.
    Cheryl Colston, the Chief Legal Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, directs the legal strategy and regulatory compliance framework for the agency. Overseeing the legal department, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that all housing programs adhere to federal, state, and local laws. This leadership role involves managing litigation, contract negotiations, and policy development to protect the interests of the organization. By providing expert legal counsel, Cheryl Colston directly impacts the agency ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. The Chief Legal Officer coordinates with internal teams to mitigate risk and resolve disputes efficiently. Through proactive legal management, Colston maintains the integrity of agency operations and ensures compliance with fair housing standards. This legal leadership supports the broader mission by creating a secure framework for policy implementation, ensuring that all initiatives remain legally sound while fostering trust and accountability within the community and among stakeholders.
    Cheryl Colston
    LaRue Little, the Deputy Chief Legal Officer at Chicago Housing Authority, supports the legal department by managing specific litigation and compliance matters. Overseeing day-to-day legal operations, the Deputy Chief Legal Officer ensures that internal policies align with evolving housing regulations. This leadership role involves drafting legal documents, reviewing contracts, and providing guidance on operational procedures to minimize liability. By handling complex legal inquiries, LaRue Little directly impacts the efficiency of the agency legal response team. The Deputy Chief Legal Officer coordinates with the Chief Legal Officer to address emerging legal challenges and support the implementation of agency-wide policies. Through diligent review and analysis, Little maintains high standards of legal compliance across all departments. This leadership role ensures that the agency operates within a clear legal framework, providing the necessary support to protect organizational assets and facilitate the successful delivery of public housing services.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Chicago Housing Authority Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Chicago Housing Authority?
    Chicago Housing Authority is led by Keith Pettigrew (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as David Zimmer (Interim Chief Financial Officer) and Melinda Mitchell (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Chicago Housing Authority’s executive team?
    The executive team of Chicago Housing Authority includes leaders such as Keith Pettigrew (Chief Executive Officer), David Zimmer (Interim Chief Financial Officer), Melinda Mitchell (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Chicago Housing Authority have?
    Chicago Housing Authority has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Chicago Housing Authority’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Chicago Housing Authority includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff.