Altoona Housing Authority promotes interim director to permanent status

Authority elevates Kanuch to permanent status

The board of the Altoona Housing Authority on Wednesday elevated interim Executive Director Brad Kanuch to permanent status as the authority's top staffer.

Kanuch started at the authority in 2012, became deputy director several years ago and was promoted to interim director in June upon the retirement of Executive Director Cheryl Johns.

In keeping with civil service rules, the authority advertised internally for a permanent replacement for Johns, but received no applications other than Kanuch's, officials said.

"Hard-pressed for me to believe there's somebody out there with the experience with the Housing Authority and who has done the job that Brad has done since 2012," said board Chairman Mitch Cooper.

The interim tag will go away Nov. 1, after which there will be a six-month probationary period, in keeping with civil service rules.

Kanuch is currently earning $107,000 a year.

Upon becoming permanent executive director, he'll begin earning $113,000 -- the top of the civil service range for the organization -- in keeping with Cooper's recommendation.

Kanuch worked hand-in-hand with Johns as her deputy and was always available in her absence, Cooper said.

Since Johns retired, he's been "able to get things done," Cooper said.

Cooper has been impressed with updates Kanuch has given on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA), a Housing and Urban Development initiative that has created administrative complications for the local staff; and he's been impressed with Kanuch's updates on an energy audit; on upcoming capital projects and on training, and he's also been impressed in general with Kanuch's monthly reports, which are presented in orderly fashion and easy to comprehend, Cooper said.

Cooper also spoke of "good ideas" that he's expecting from Kanuch in service of the authority's ongoing mission to provide clean, safe, affordable housing.

Kanuch is hoping to enhance some existing programs and is in the early stages of considering the possible addition of housing units to the authority's inventory, given what seems to be a shortage of affordable housing in the city.

"I'm extremely honored," Kanuch said of his elevation. "It's something I've been dreaming of."

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.