Mr. Desjardins serves as the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Operations for Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS). Real Estate Operations encompasses Asset and Property Management, Resident Services, Training and Education, Compliance, and Sustainability. This is a senior leadership position that works with executive staff and the board of directors to analyze portfolio performance, develop operating strategy, and provide strategic input into the overall housing strategy.
Mr. Desjardins came to VOANS from the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, Maryland (HOC), a national leader in the development of affordable housing, where he served for over nine years in the Asset Management department. During his time with HOC, he was responsible for a portfolio of market rate and subsidized housing gaining significant experience in marketing as well as federal, state and local housing programs including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments, the Section 236 Interest Reduction Program, Housing Choice Vouchers, and State and County grants. Prior to HOC, Mr. Desjardins worked for CRI, Inc. and EEA Realty as Asset Manager and Financial Analyst respectively, overseeing market rate as well as HUD subsidized housing.
In addition to his extensive housing experience, Mr. Desjardins has also worked as a Market Analyst and News Editor for the CoStar Group, the nation’s leading commercial real estate research company.