Gerard Holder

Gerard Holder is Executive Director of the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century. The commission was established by legislation during the 106th Congress, and is charged by mandate to make recommendations to Congress on specific and broad policy recommendations regarding the affordable housing and service needs for our elders today and into the future. Prior to his appointment to the Commission, Mr. Holder served as Executive Director of the Senior Housing Council for the Assisted Living Federation of America, a membership organization of senior housing providers. Mr. Holder also spent 10 years at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, as the Associate Director for Housing Policy in Washington DC, where he had lead responsibility for housing legislative issues. He has over twenty-five years experience in policy and government, including serving on a congressional staff in Washington, DC; as a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and as a private consultant specializing in government and public affairs. Mr. Holder also maintains a real estate broker's license in the State of Virginia where he resides.

Kenneth R. Trepeta

Ken Trepeta is the Deputy Executive Director of the Commission. In that role, he is responsible for organizing field hearings, press, and managing the content of the website. Prior to his appointment to the commission, Ken spent five years as counsel to former Representative Rick Lazio (R-NY). Ken handled special projects and teamed with the Congressman's legislative staff to develop and secure appropriations projects. Ken also did work on behalf of the Congressman across the entire spectrum of federal, state, and local issues including housing, the environment, community redevelopment, energy, technology, law enforcement, and taxes. Ken took a leave of absence and joined the Congressman's Senate campaign where he was an advisor to the research team on federal issues. In that capacity, he helped develop economic aid, tax, and education plans. Ken was also responsible for content and initial development oversight of the www.lazio.com website. Ken has a bachelor of arts in economics, political science, and law and society from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He has a juris doctor from Hofstra University School of Law and is a member of the bar in New York and the District of Columbia.

Dina Elizabeth Elani

Dina Elani is the Associate Director of the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century. Her 21 years experience in the long-term care field has encompassed work in provider, state and federal government, university and national associations, and as a consultant. Prior to the coming to the Seniors Commission, Ms. Elani was Assistant Vice President for Planning and Development at a nonprofit long-term care system, Aging in America, in the Bronx, New York. Previously, she had been Director for Managed Care for the Association of Homes and Services for the Aging for six years, as well as AAHSA's Reimbursement Specialist for three years. She was awarded a fellowship with the Health Care Financing Administration for her work in developing the "RUGs" reimbursement system for nursing homes, as well as for her systems design work with the New York State Department of Health and Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. Ms. Elani holds a Masters of Health Services Administration and Policy from George Washington University, Washington, DC. She was the receipient of President Carter's National Scholarship Award for health services administration, and the Commissioner of New York State's Department of Health Outstanding Achievement Award.