Civitas Team
Erich Chatham
ERICH CHATHAM
principal owner and lead consultant
Erich has 17 years of professional housing and community development research and analysis experience. As the lead consultant for Civitas, Erich has guided housing and community development projects with local governments, for-profits, and non-profits throughout the nation. He serves as a national technical assistance provider for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is a HOME Certified Specialist. In addition to his hands-on approach to project management, Erich has significant experience in housing policy analysis, focusing on strategic planning and data-driven solutions to enhance community development initiatives. His expertise in housing policy, homeless solutions, economic development, and community enhancement has impacted hundreds of communities nationally.
Erich has previously served on numerous non-profit boards of directors including the Palmetto Community Land Trust, the South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Lowcountry Continuum of Care, where he served as the Chairman of the Governing Council. He is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership and strength in distilling information, competing priorities, and community input into actionable, community-centered strategies.
Karen Chatham
CFO and FINANCIAL MANAGER
Karen has 31 years of banking and financial experience, working with Fortune 500 companies with both domestic and international based clients. Prior to joining Civitas, she worked for a Food & Beverage company working with the Board of Directors managing Quarterly and Annual Board Meetings. Including: travel, expenses, payment processing, and event planning. Prepared all meeting materials for all Quarterly and Annual Board of Director and Committee Meetings. Karen has experience using Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project, and Outlook), SharePoint, QuickBooks, and Director’s Desk. As Finance Manager, she oversees payroll, accounts payable and receivables, project budgeting, cash management, general ledger, banking, and reconciliations. Karen earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
Contact: karen.chatham@civitassc.com
Spencer Christian
SPENCER CHRISTIAN
Director of operations and compliance
Spencer has six years in housing and community development consulting experience after transitioning from 11 years of service with the United States Navy . He serves as the Civitas Director of Operations, ensuring project quality control, communications, and timeliness. He also heads up the firm's special projects. Having spent time in cities and military bases throughout the US, Middle East, and Asia, he brings a unique, multinational perspective to housing and development. He delivers value and insight to urban development projects by leveraging his military background in analysis, policy review, financial oversight, and project management. Spencer has a keen interest in affordable and fair housing as well as supporting urban sustainability technology and culture. He maintains oversight on all projects to ensure transparency, timeliness, and quality. He also provides grants management compliance and reporting including policies and procedures development for all Civitas projects.
Spencer continues to serve as an intelligence officer with the US Navy Reserves. Prior to his service, he taught high school French and coached basketball. He holds a B.A. in French from Georgia College & State University. Spencer completed his Master’s of Science in International Affairs from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Peter Neiger
Peter neiger
Lead analyst and lead Environmental review coordinator
Peter has 14 years of professional experience in economic analysis, with ten years specializing in housing policy issues and environmental reviews. He serves as the Environmental Review Coordinator, a role he has excelled with clients throughout the country. He has overseen the completion of hundreds of ERs for projects of all sizes; from CENST’s for TBRA to Environmental Assessments for multi-location demolition and new unit residential construction. He has also written ER policies and procedures for jurisdictions looking to conduct the reviews internally. As the ER Coordinator, Peter oversees the completion of all ERs from beginning to end. He determines the level of review necessary, consults with SHPO, THPO, and other agencies, and completes any supplemental documentation that may be required. Additionally, he has served as the primary analyst for many Consolidated Plans, Analyses of Impediments, and Market Analyses.
Peter grew up in California and Oregon before joining the Army where he served as a Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his honorable discharge, Peter used the US GI Bill to earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the College of Charleston. Prior to working with Civitas, Peter was a data analyst in Washington DC where he focused primarily on higher education reform.
Vern Xiong
Vern xiong
IDIS Technician/Data and Visualization Specialist
Vern has worked with Civitas for nine years as a research assistant and data collection expert. He serves as the team’s IDIS specialist, combining his experience and technical proficiency to all ConPlans, AAP, and CAPERs. His experience spans housing studies, Strategic Plans, Annual Action Plans, and CAPERs across the country including dozens of jurisdictions in South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, and many others. In addition to his work with Civitas, he has worked on research and evaluation for non-profits in Minnesota and Colorado, as well as international development projects in Southeast Asia and Central America.
Coming from a refugee family, Vern has a special interest in helping displaced people and secondary migrants adapt, make healthy living choices, and grow with their new communities. Before working at Civitas, Vern managed Lao Family’s Youth and Family program for seven years. He also helped lead many community development programs, including CDBG, in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Kyle Jenkins
Kyle Jenkins
HUD Program SPECIALIST and ESG Grant Consultant
Kyle is an accomplished housing policy analyst and public-private program expert with over a decade of experience in affordable housing and community development initiatives. He brings a wealth of knowledge in federal and local grant management, technical advisory services, and program administration across various HUD federal funding streams. With a strong background in both nonprofit leadership and government partnerships, Kyle has successfully developed and implemented strategic housing solutions that bridge public and private sector efforts. His expertise spans program development, budgeting, administration, and evaluation, with a particular focus on creating practical strategies to address housing challenges. Kyle's analytical skills are complemented by his proficiency in database management and reporting systems, including HMIS platforms like Wellsky's ServicePoint and Charity Tracker. His technical insight allows him to provide valuable insights for evidence-based decision-making in housing policy and program design.
Throughout his career, Kyle has demonstrated a talent for fostering strategic partnerships between government agencies, community organizations, and private stakeholders. His collaborative approach and comprehensive understanding of housing ecosystems make him an asset in developing innovative, sustainable solutions to complex housing issues.
Grace Orr
GRACE ORR
HUD Program SPECIALIST and PROGRAM MANAGER
Grace has over six years of experience in housing and community development, working with local governments and nonprofits to manage diverse sources of federal funding. Her expertise with HUD’s CDBG, ESG, and HOME programs has supported numerous communities in developing viable plans to meet housing needs and comply with federal requirements. She provides technical assistance in program management, policy development, compliance, and reporting. Grace has authored multiple Consolidated Plans and Action Plans and has led numerous community outreach meetings, demonstrating her broad expertise in housing policy and HUD program development.
Prior to joining Civitas, Grace worked with the Lowcountry Continuum of Care, where she contributed to the annual consolidated application, monitored program performance, managed the Coordinated Entry System, and directed the annual Point in Time Count. She also supported a nonprofit serving human trafficking survivors, helping implement a Rapid Re-Housing program and manage federal grant funding. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the College of Charleston and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from The Ohio State University.
Maggie Blake
Maggie Blake
HUD Program SPECIALIST and PROGRAM MANAGER
Maggie joined Civitas in 2021, bringing experience in homeless services, grant writing, non-profit operations, and development. She has quickly become a leading expert in HUD grant programs and compliance. Her work includes technical assistance and client support for CDBG, HOME, and ESG programs. She regularly assists with HUD Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, CAPERs, IDIS, and stakeholder outreach. Maggie’s expertise spans program management, policy updates, fair housing initiatives, and strategic planning aligned with HUD requirements and local needs. She also advises on compliance with Build America, Buy America (BABA) provisions and Davis-Bacon labor standards. Her well-rounded knowledge of HUD programs allows her to offer valuable insights on policy and best practices.
Maggie completed a two-year teaching service program while earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Notre Dame. She later transitioned to homeless services, working for the Pope Francis Center in downtown Detroit, where she developed broad expertise in non-profit operations and federal grant management.
Melanie Tucker
Melanie Tucker
Program Assistant
Melanie joined the Civitas team as a parttime member in 2021 to assist with a variety of assistance programs and construction program application in-take and review. She provided Initial and Final review of applications for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for the City of Jacksonville, FL; Berkeley County, SC; and Horry County, SC. She is familiar with a variety of general and specific housing management programs to include Neighborly and Excel. She has vast experience with communicating via phone and email with applicants for both rental assistance and other programs. Prior to her time with Civitas, Melanie managed the business side and functionality of Lifepoint Church with various software programs such as Excel, Quickbooks, Planning Center, and Pushpay to keep all financial records for the church and contributions for all members.
Contact: melanie.tucker@civitassc.com
Kari Dettmer
Affordable Housing and Grant Specialist
Kari has worked in the affordable housing industry for 11 years after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University in 2010. She began her career as the Program Manager for Grand Strand Housing and Community Development Corporation. There, she administered a Tri-County Housing Rehabilitation Program utilizing state and federal grant funding. Her background includes use of State Housing Trust Fund, CDBG, HOME, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. Kari also began managing HOME-funded Rental Housing Units in this role including renovation of existing housing stock and new construction. She was named the Executive Director of that organization in 2016, where she continued advancing her career in Affordable Housing. Kari joined Civitas in 2019, to apply her expert knowledge in Program Administration, Housing Rehabilitation, Rental Housing, HUD Housing grant administration and compliance, and Lead-Based Paint Renovation policies and procedures for working lead safe.
Contact: kari.dettmer@civitassc.com
Chris Hayes
Research and Compliance Assistant
Chris brings over 20 years of service industry experience to the Civitas team. Since joining Civitas, he has provided technical assistance to various projects across multiple states. Chris excels in research and data gathering, client relations, and technical writing. His expertise includes working with jurisdictions that require eligibility determination for Federal LMI assistance programs. A native of Columbia, SC, Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management. He is particularly adept at clearly communicating program objectives and eligibility criteria, ensuring all stakeholders are well-informed and aligned.
Contact: chris.hayes@civitassc.com
Curtis Chatham
Research and Compliance Assistant
Curtis is a skilled research assistant at Civitas, a consulting firm that partners with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across the United States in community economic development and urban revitalization planning. In his role, Curtis excels at managing program intake for rental assistance, ensuring that applicants meet eligibility requirements and receive timely support. His strengths lie in researching and creating data-driven insights, skills that prove invaluable in the development of Consolidated Plans (ConPlans) required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Curtis's expertise in conducting Environmental Reviews and Assessments further supports the success of numerous urban development projects.
Contact: curtis.chatham@civitassc.com