About Us

Debra has been with Velair Property Management since 2016. In 2020 she was promoted to Director of Property Management.  She brings a strong background in both market rate and affordable housing. This includes a 17-year career working as Director of Property Management and subsequently Senior Vice President of a portfolio of 8,000 units that included a 1,303-unit complex serving as the largest Project Based Section 8 complex in HUD Region Five. Debra holds a degree in Real Estate/Property Management and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker who before coming to Velair Property Management worked as the Primary Broker and Vice President of Property Management for a portfolio of affordable, market rate and commercial properties located throughout Minnesota. Debra is a Certified Occupancy Specialist in both Section 8 and Section 42 housing and is also a Certified Property Manager Candidate through the Institute of Real Estate Management.  In addition, she has held the designation of RAM Dean through the National Association of Home Builders. As an active member of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, she has served on the Board of Directors (2014-2016) was named Outstanding Board Member – 2015, past Committee Chair of the Professional Education Committee and serves on the Career Networking Task Force.  She has served on the Real Estate Advisory Group for UW – Stout and on the Business Management Advisory Committee for Dakota County Technical College, where she was an Adjunct Instructor in the Property Management program for three years. Debra is passionate about affordable housing and proud of her life-long career in the property management industry.

Heather Barness (“bar-ness”) started with Velair Property Management in March 2016 as an Area Manager. She supported the Iowa properties while completing the lease-up for 1^st Avenue Flats in April 2017. Heather is proud to have held the roles of Property Manager, Senior Property Manager, Mentor, Lead Roving Property Manager and is very excited to now be the North Metro Regional Property Manager with Velair.

Heather attended Iowa State University where she got her degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Women’s Studies. She holds her Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designation. For 10 years, she has worked in student, senior, luxury market-rate, and Section 42 Tax Credit housing programs. Heather graduated from the Rochester Chamber Leadership Greater Rochester program. She currently serves on the Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and Executive Committee and Rochester Multi-Housing Association (MHA) management committee.

In her free time, she spends time with family and friends going to concerts, exploring the outdoors through the eyes of her children, and enjoying the seasons as much as possible. Heather looks forward to continuing to help Velair grow in the best way possible and supporting her team along the way.

Belinda Smith joined Velair Property Management in October 2024, as the Regional Property Manager for the Southwest Region. Belinda is a seasoned professional with over 28 years of experience in the property management industry that includes extensive expertise in Project Based Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit – Section 42. Throughout her career, Belinda has collaborated closely with construction teams and contractors in both rehab and lease-up properties. Additionally, Belinda has served as a HUD inspector for several years. Belinda looks forward to the ongoing contribution to the success of her team in the Southwest Region.

Outside of work, Belinda enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Jodi Rossi started with Velair in November of 2023 as the Regional Property Manager for the North Metro. Jodi has been in property management since 2007. She graduated in 2010 with a Degree in Business management. Jodi also has a strong background in the hospitality industry for over a decade. Jodi enjoys helping others find a home that will make them feel safe and secure. Jodi believes that resident events help to make residents part of the community that they are living in, as well as working with communities to support inclusiveness.

Jodi enjoys seeing her team learn and grow in their property management careers with Velair.  Outside of work, Jodi loves to spend time with family and friends, but most importantly spoiling her 3 grandsons. She loves to do outdoor bonfires as well as camping with them, or just long car rides to explore new places.

Jacob became a full time compliance technician in the fall of 2018, but worked for Velair as an intern for several previous years; in 2023 he became a Senior Compliance Coordinator. Jacob works closely with the property managers to maintain compliance of Velair’s portfolio. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Classical Humanities from UW-Madison and was recipient of the Blugold Fellowship from UW Eau Claire. Jacob is the EIV coordinator Velair Property Management and has been TaCCs certified by Quadel. He specializes in Low Income Housing Tax Credits and has experience in HOME, Section 811, and LTH programs. Jacob is eager to provide affordable housing for households as housing is the foundation for success.

Koda Fay started with Velair in February 2024 as a Compliance Coordinator. Koda has over 13 years of LIHTC Property Management experience and 5 years of Compliance Specialist experience in numerous states.

Koda specializes in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and carries Tax Credit Specialist designation through NCHM.  In addition, Koda has experience with HOME, Section 8, VASH, CoC, and HOPWA.

Koda graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology which was centered on Dealership Management. His crossover from the automotive industry to affordable housing came from his drive of wanting to help people. He firmly believes that stability begins at home and providing people with clean, safe, and stable housing a steppingstone to a better life for that household.