Executive Team / Board Members

On this Page: Executive Team | Board Members

Meet Western Community Housing’s executive team and board members.

Executive Team

Graham Espley-Jones
President

Graham Espley-Jones Bio

Mr. Espley-Jones joined WCH as President in 2002 and serves as Director. He brings over 30 years of experience in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) industry and in the development and ownership of both senior and affordable housing communities. Prior to joining WCH, Mr. Espley-Jones served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Meyers Research (now Zonda), a real estate information and consulting company specializing in the housing industry; Chief Financial Officer of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (“KBMH”), a leading investor and developer of affordable multifamily and senior rental communities financed primarily with LIHTC’s; and as Principal, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ARV Assisted Living, Inc., and their affiliated companies (“ARV”). During his tenure at ARV, ARV’s assisted living and affordable housing divisions developed and/or acquired over 60 assisted living communities, comprised of approximately 7,000 assisted living units and 22 LIHTC communities comprised of approximately 1,500 units, respectively. Mr. Espley-Jones began his career in the commercial real estate lending divisions of First California Savings Bank and CA Financial. Mr. Espley-Jones holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from San Diego State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

Leanne Truofreh
Senior Vice President and Secretary

Leanne Truofreh Bio

Ms. Truofreh joined WCH as Corporate Secretary in 2005, added the responsibilities of Vice President in 2007, and executes all WCH’s human resource management functions. With 35 years of experience in the senior and affordable housing industry, Ms. Truofreh maintains WCH’s books and records, works with its partners in preparing applications for debt and equity financing, and assists with the closing of the financing of its’ partnerships that own affordable housing communities. Prior to joining WCH, Ms. Truofreh worked as a Loan Draw Specialist for Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. She also worked in the accounting department at ARV Assisted Living, Inc., processing payables and preparing loan draws for the LIHTC development department. Ms. Truofreh is a certified Notary Public in the State of California.

Jaymie Piguing
Vice President, Controller

Jaymie Piguing Bio

Mrs. Piguing joined WCH as Accounting Manager in 2016 and was promoted to Vice President, Controller in 2022. As Vice President, Controller, Mrs. Piguing manages all accounting, financial reporting, budget, tax returns, audits and Welfare Exemption filings. Prior to joining WCH, Mrs. Piguing worked as Senior Accountant at The Irvine Company, Controller at Steadfast Companies where she led a team of accountants during the acquisition of REIT properties, Financial Analyst at Chevron, and as Staff Auditor at Ernst & Young. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, graduated Cum Laude, and was an Ernst and Young Awardee. She also is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines.

Martha Cisneros
Vice President, Real Estate

Martha Cisneros Bio

Ms. Cisneros joined WCH as Senior Portfolio Manager in 2010 and was promoted to Vice President of Real Estate in 2023. With over 20 years of affordable housing experience, she is committed to expanding the development of affordable housing and has worked in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Ms. Cisneros is responsible for the development and asset management of WCH’s extensive real estate portfolio. Prior to joining WCH, Ms. Cisneros served as Senior Project Manager at MacFarlane Costa Housing, where she developed senior and multi-family affordable housing projects throughout California. Ms. Cisneros also previously worked with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles Housing Department, East LA Community Corporation, and Excellent Education Development (ExEd). Ms. Cisneros holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Latham Barker
Vice President, Operations

Latham Barker Bio

Mr. Barker joined WCH as Vice President, Operations in 2022. With more than 25 years of property management experience in the senior living industry, Mr. Barker oversees WCH’s Resident Services, monitors compliance of tax credit programs, and executes required substantial management duties. Mr. Barker previously served as Partnership and Corporate Controller at Vintage Senior Living and Clearwater Senior Living, both of which served seniors in need of assisted living and memory care. Additionally, Mr. Barker worked at ARV Assisted Living as the Accounting Manager, eventually transitioning to Regional VP of Operations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from North Carolina State University.

Scott Gayner
Vice President, Asset Management

Scott Gayner Bio

Mr. Gayner joined WCH in 2007 and has served as Development Manager, Senior Portfolio Manager and Director of Development, and Vice President, Management and Development. He began his career in the affordable housing industry in 1992 and brings a broad base of experience to the team. In his newest role, Mr. Gayner manages multiple affordable communities located throughout California, conducts annual site inspections, assists with the acquisition and development on new projects, interfaces with City and County personnel, and oversees construction progress on projects that have AHP financing. In 2010, Mr. Gayner was instrumental in procuring a Capital Magnet Fund grant from the US Treasury, which provided significant growth to the WCH portfolio. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Gayner served as Vice President and Partner of ARV Affordable Housing, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of California Los Angeles and an Master of Business Administration from Chapman University.

Lauren Carich
Director, Resident Services

Lauren Carich Bio

Ms. Carich joined WCH as Program Coordinator in 2020 and was promoted to Director of Resident Services in 2022. Ms. Carich oversees WCH’s Resident Services, which includes programs such as educational classes, social services, tutoring and social events at many of the properties within the WCH portfolio, which includes both senior and family communities. Prior to joining WCH, Ms. Carich worked as a camp director, behavioral therapist, basketball coach, and preschool teacher. Ms. Carich holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State University of Fullerton.

BOARD MEMBERS

Joe Briganti
Director

Joe Briganti Bio

Mr. Briganti joined the WCH Board in 2008. Mr. Briganti is a Senior Vice President at PNC Bank, where he originates and structures tax-exempt bond transactions. With over twenty years of experience in the real estate finance and housing industries, he has an extensive background in debt, conventional equity, and tax credit equity markets. Prior to joining PNC Bank, Mr. Briganti served as Senior Acquisitions Director for GE Capital, Vice President of Acquisitions at Boston Capital Partners, and was a member of the multifamily acquisition team at General Investment and Development. Mr. Briganti earned both his Bachelor of Science in Finance and his Master of Business Administration from Boston University.

Kathleen Calvert
Director

Kathleen Calvert Bio

Ms. Calvert joined the WCH Board in 2013. Ms. Calvert is the Director of Equity Sales, West Coast at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), a global financial institution, and has over twenty-six years of experience in the affordable housing industry. Prior to joining RBC, she held positions at U.S. Bank, K2U, LLC, Highland Property Development, and JPMorgan Chase (JPMC). Ms. Calvert is an active member of her community and a board member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Family Alliance at Campbell Hall. Ms. Calvert has a degree in economics from California State University, Northridge.

Tom Dallape
Director

Tom Dallape Bio

Mr. Dallape joined the WCH Board in 2013. Mr. Dallape is a thirty-year veteran of the real estate industry and co-owner of The Hoffman Company, a land brokerage firm with offices in California and Nevada. Mr. Dallape is regarded as one of the top land experts in his field, specializing in residential land for homebuilding, development, and investment throughout California and Nevada. He has transacted major land sales in multiple Southern California markets, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Ventura Counties as well as Nevada and the Northern California Bay area. Recognized as an authority on residential land, Mr. Dallape is a featured speaker and panelist at real estate conferences and round tables. He is a member of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, and a licensed Real Estate Broker in both California and Nevada. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Land Planning from the University of Southern California.

Graham Espley-Jones
DIRECTOR

Graham Espley-Jones Bio

Mr. Espley-Jones joined WCH as President in 2002 and serves as Director. He brings over 30 years of experience in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) industry and in the development and ownership of both senior and affordable housing communities. Prior to joining WCH, Mr. Espley-Jones served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Meyers Research (now Zonda), a real estate information and consulting company specializing in the housing industry; Chief Financial Officer of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (“KBMH”), a leading investor and developer of affordable multifamily and senior rental communities financed primarily with LIHTC’s; and as Principal, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ARV Assisted Living, Inc., and their affiliated companies (“ARV”). During his tenure at ARV, ARV’s assisted living and affordable housing divisions developed and/or acquired over 60 assisted living communities, comprised of approximately 7,000 assisted living units and 22 LIHTC communities comprised of approximately 1,500 units, respectively. Mr. Espley-Jones began his career in the commercial real estate lending divisions of First California Savings Bank and CA Financial. Mr. Espley-Jones holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from San Diego State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

Wing Lam
Director

Wing Lam Bio

Mr. Lam joined the WCH Board in 2004. Mr. Lam is the co-founder and widely recognized face of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. A thirty-plus-year restaurant industry veteran, Mr. Lam is a panelist and featured speaker at global events, such as the IEG Conference, and a guest lecturer at MBA programs at Yale, UCLA and USC. Mr. Lam was featured on the ABC hit show, “The Secret Millionaire,” and starred in a national Merrill Lynch commercial and two Food Network shows, “Unwrapped” and “Beach Eats USA.” Mr. Lam serves on a multitude of non-profit boards, including Share Our Strength, Juvenile Diabetic Research Foundation and Surfrider Foundation, and is an active member of the Asian American Journalists Association. In 2018, he was honored by the Child Creative Lab with the Corporate Creativity, Kindness OC Award and the Leadership Award, and by the International Executive Council with the IMPACT Award. Mr. Lam his brothers were named among the “500 Most Influential” by the Orange County Business Journal. Mr. Lam holds a Bachelor of Science in Science with a minor in Spanish from San Diego State University.

Jeff Meyers
Director

Jeff Meyers Bio

Mr. Meyers joined the WCH Board in 2003. Mr. Meyers is the Chief Executive Officer of Zonda. As CEO, he leads the strategic vision for Zonda to inform, advise, and connect the next generation of homebuilders and multifamily developers. He spearheads new, innovative opportunities for Zonda’s growth across the organization’s three operating platforms: Data Intelligence, Engagement, and Media & Awareness. In 1985, Mr. Meyers founded the Meyers Group, where for over thirty years, he has led teams advising the housing industry. Highly regarded as an industry expert on residential new home construction and real estate trends and issues, Jeff is a member of the California Building Industry Association’s Hall of Fame, and the Harvard University’s Policy Advisory Board.

Mark Strutner
Director

Mark Strutner Bio

Mr. Strutner joined the WCH Board in 2005. With over twenty years of experience, Mr. Strutner is a seasoned sales leader and expert in bringing technologies to market for enterprise software and solutions companies. Mr. Strutner held management positions at several technology companies including Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and Symantec; and worked on many start-up ventures within the software industry. He is actively engaged in national and local civic activities, including serving as a volunteer at the YMCA, Queen of Hearts Foundation, and Angel Flight. He has a private pilot’s license and has participated in both the Civil Air Patrol and Angel Flight. Mr. Strutner has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from San Diego State University.