About Us
Who we are
Velair is a service company and our mission is “delighting residents and communities by providing exceptional homes and service.” The measurement of our success is not only financial. It is also measured in the longevity of our employees, the welcome of the communities in which we work, and in the customers that come to Velair to find their home.
The way that we serve together, grow together, and succeed together is called the Velair Way. The Velair Way is as much as system of people as it is a system of processes. Everything that we do, and how we do it, mirrors our character as a company.
Debra Godtland
Director of Property Management
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.
Dan Westendorf
Operations Manager
Dan joined Velair in 2017 as a property manager, transitioning to Regional Manager in 2019 and to Manager of Environmental Services in 2020. Dan oversees all aspects of maintenance operations for the Velair portfolio and works closely with asset management, adjustors, inspectors and contractors for the needs of the property including capital expenditures. Dan brings decades of experience in the housing industry to his role.
Dan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University and has earned the Certified Residential Manager, Housing Credit Certified Professional and Certified Maintenance Manager Designations.
Dan facilitates a collaborative working environment with his proven leadership, teamwork, innovation and creative processes and was named the 2022 and 2023 Velair Corporate Associate of the Year.
Heather Barness
Regional Property Manager - Rochester
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) and Certified Manager of Maintenance designations. For over 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 (LGR) program in 2016. She currently serves on the Rochester Chamber LGR Steering Committee, Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and Executive Committee and Rochester Multi-Housing Association (MHA) management committee as the co-chair.
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.
Rachel Rebnord
Regional Property Manager - South Metro
Rachel came to Velair Property Management through our internship program in the summer of 2019. She soon transitioned into a Property Manager at two of our sites in the metro area; then became Velair Property Management’s Roving Property Manager and now is the Regional Property Manager for our Southern Metro Region. Rachel graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a bachelor’s degree in Property Management. She also has CPM & ARM Certifications. Day to day you can find Rachel at any one of our Velair sites helping both staff and residents to ensure our apartment communities are the best they can be. Rachel is looking forward to growing in the housing industry and delighting people along the way.
Jodi Rossi
Regional Property Manager - North Metro
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.
Stacy Menke
Senior Compliance Manager
Stacy has been the Compliance Manager for Velair since 2018 and has over 15 years of compliance experience. Stacy specializes in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, but has experience in Project Based Section 8, Rural Development, HOME, Bonds, and other local PHA programs. Stacy has her designation in Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), TaCCs through Quadel Consulting, and Housing Compliance Manager of HOME Funds (HCM-HF). She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in General Business with emphasis in Property Management. Stacy loves helping people find low income housing and providing a safe place to live.
Stacy was named 2022 Velair Corporate Associate of the Year.
Jacob Terpstra
Senior Compliance Coordinator
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
Compliance Coordinator
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.
Kylee Ambrasas
Section 504 Coordinator
Kylee Ambrasas began as an intern at Velair Property Management in May 2024 and quickly transitioned into the role of Section 504 Coordinator in the fall of 2024, having completed the Section 504 Coordinator Coursework. She is eager to contribute to the Velair team, believing that the “Velair Way” is the best way. Kylee looks forward to growing within the property management industry and advancing her career with Velair.
Currently studying Real Estate and Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Kylee brings years of customer service experience to the team. During the spring of 2024, she studied abroad in London, dedicating time to her studies and volunteering with seniors through Age UK in Chelsea. Kylee’s achievements include making the Opus College of Business Dean’s Honor List at the University of St. Thomas, being accepted into the London Business Semester, receiving the Willis Drake Entrepreneur Scholarship, and being an active member of Women in Business and the Real Estate Society.
Outside of work, Kylee enjoys traveling and spending time with family at the lake. She and her family also foster dogs.
