Staff Leadership

• Steve Cramer, President and Executive Director
• Susan Baldwin, Deputy Executive Director/Vice President of Human Services and Administration
• Barbara McCormick, Vice President of Housing and Development
• Steve Studt, CFO and Vice President of Employment and Job Training Division
• Julie Brekke, Director of Fundraising and Communications
• Chris Wilson, Real Estate Development Director

Steve Cramer, President and Executive Director . Mr. Cramer was formerly the Director of the Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works & Transit from February 2002 to August 2003 when he rejoined. Mr. Cramer served as the Executive Director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency from 1999 to his appointment with the County. From 1994 through 1999, Mr. Cramer worked for PPL serving as the Director of Housing and Development, Chief Operating officer and finally President and Executive Director. Mr. Cramer was elected to the Minneapolis City Council and served as a council Member from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Cramer received his M.A. in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and his B.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Tulsa .

Mr. Cramer has served on the House Minnesota Advisory Committee, Fannie Mae National Housing Impact Advisory Committee, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, St. Joseph 's Home for Children Advisory Board and as vice-Chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Susan Baldwin, Deputy Executive Director/Vice President of Human Services and Administration . As a member of the Executive Management Team, Ms. Baldwin has overseen general operations and the Human Services division as COO for one year and Vice President for seven years; she has worked in PPL management positions since 1988. Ms. Baldwin developed the PPL 's Self-Sufficiency Program. She holds a masters degree in Clinical Psychology and Counseling from St. Mary's College and a bachelors degree in Social Services from the University of Wisconsin - Superior.

Barbara McCormick, Vice President of Housing and Development, has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit housing field, beginning with a community-based development corporation and then moving on to a Twin Cities-wide nonprofit housing provider. She is experienced in syndicating Historic Preservation and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, has served as asset manager for inner-city and suburban affordable rental housing, and operated various loan and grant programs for out-state housing developments. She has been overseeing PPL 's work in affordable housing and commercial development since 1998.

Steve Studt, CFO and Vice President of Employment and Job Training Division , joined PPL as its Director of Finance and Business Operations in January 1997. He is responsible for the job training programs and businesses operated by PPL and serves as the organization's chief financial officer. Prior to joining PPL , Studt was a corporate newspaper executive with Cowles Media Company and a publisher with Gannett Company, Inc.

Julie Brekke, Director of Fundraising and Communications , has thirteen years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management; specifically in raising operating and program support from individuals, corporations, and foundations for human services, social change, and arts non-profits through annual appeals, proposal writing, focused major donor work, capital campaigns and special events. In all her non-profit work, Ms. Brekke works closely with community members, volunteers, management teams and staff to advance the organization's mission and good works.

Chris Wilson, Real Estate Development Director , is responsible for all commercial and housing development activity from project inception through completion. PPL currently has under construction projects totaling in excess of $15 million with additional projects totaling $45 million in the pipeline. Also, Chris oversees the Emergency Repair Program, which provides repair services to low income homeowners. Chris has more than fifteen years of project management and architectural experience. He holds an Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in English from the University of Chicago .