Housing Authority holds special meeting to interview four finalists for Secretary-Executive Director | Center | TheCommon

Summary

Housing Authority holds special meeting to interview four finalists for Secretary-Executive Director

MilwaukeeFeb 17, 20262 min read

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On February 17, 2026 at Hillside Family Resource Center, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) conducted interviews of four candidates—Berdie Cowser; Ralph Jordan; Harold S. Ince, Jr.; and Keon Jackson—for the Secretary-Executive Director position. Seven commissioners were present. Each candidate answered standardized questions (three-minute limit), completed a practical exercise, and participated in public forums; the Board will consider interviews, exercises, resumes, references, and public feedback before making a selection. The meeting was adjourned at 5:01 p.m.

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HOUSING AUTHORITY

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Housing

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Key decisions

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Conducted interviews of four candidates for the Secretary-Executive Director position (Berdie Cowser; Ralph Jordan; Harold S. Ince, Jr.; Keon Jackson).
Maintained a standardized interview format: same questions for all candidates with a three-minute response limit and a practical exercise.
Affirmed that new, unrelated questions could not be added after the first candidate; only follow-ups to initial questions were allowed (per HACM Counsel).
Board will review all available materials — interviews, practical exercises, resumes, references, and forum/public feedback — before making the hiring selection.
Meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m. (motion by Commissioner Moore; seconded by Commissioner Nelson).

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Meeting information

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HOUSING AUTHORITY

Feb 17, 2026, 12:00 AMHillside Family Resource Center 1452 N. Seventh St., Milwaukee WI 53205scheduled

Special Meeting

Agenda

The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) is to foster strong, resilient and inclusive communities by providing a continuum of high-quality housing options that support self-sufficiency, good quality of life, and the opportunity to thrive.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Interview with Candidate Berdie Cowser Beginning at 8:30 AM
Interview with Candidate Ralph Jordan Beginning at 10:00 AM
Interview with Candidate Harold S. Ince, Jr. Beginning at Noon
Interview with Candidate Keon Jackson Beginning at 3:30 PM
Adjournment
Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the Housing Authority ADA Coordinator at 286-5824, (FAX) 286-0833, (TDD) 286-3504 or by writing to the Coordinator at PO Box 324, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0324.
Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
Be hereby notified that three (3) members or more of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee Executive Search Committee, Travaux, Inc. Board of Directors or the Crucible, Inc. Board of Directors may be present at the meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee Board of Commissioners, as some members serve on both boards. While a quorum of the HACM Executive Search Committee, Travaux, Inc. Board or Crucible, Inc. Board may be present at the HACM Board of Commissioners meeting, they will not exercise the responsibilities, authority, or duties vested in the HACM Executive Search Committee, Travaux, Inc. Board of Directors or the Crucible, Inc. Board of Directors.
HACM Counsel Greg Kruse reminded the Commissioners that new questions which weren’t asked of the first candidate could not be added, in order to ensure all candidates were asked the same questions. Only follow-up questions related to responses of those initial questions were allowable.

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