Chad Simmons, former housing policy and engagement specialist at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, has been named executive director at the Housing & Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, effective Jan. 5, 2026. He succeeds Frank Knaack, who left the organization in November.
Simmons comes to HHAV with over 20 years of nonprofit, advocacy and community organizing experience. At the VHFA, he supported strategic partnerships, led agency training and coordinated the 2024 Statewide Housing Conference. Simmons is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and holds a masters in sustainable development from the School for International Training in Brattleboro.
“We are elated to welcome Chad as our new executive director,” said Sarah Phillips, chair of the HHAV Board of Directors. “Chad is a proven leader with a history of rolling up his sleeves and bringing together people together to advance equity across sectors. He is the ideal person to propel forward our efforts in housing policy and practice.”