Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Goltzman.
Hi Shea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path has always been guided by a deep commitment to people—helping families find stability, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. Before stepping into housing, I spent years in education and advocacy, working with multiple state and national organizations, eventually serving as Texas State Policy Chief and later Chief of Staff for the National Parents Union. That experience grounded me in how systems—schools, governments, and nonprofits—either lift up families or leave them behind. I learned the importance of giving people a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
At the same time, I’ve always been deeply involved in my local community. Whether through leadership in Scouting America (BSA), organizing youth programs, or supporting local nonprofits, I’ve found joy in building programs that connect people and strengthen neighborhoods. That hands-on community work has kept me rooted in what truly matters—the individual stories behind every statistic or policy.
When the opportunity arose to lead the Taylor Housing Authority (THA) as Executive Director/CEO Just 11 months ago, I saw it as a chance to bring all those experiences together—policy, people, and purpose. Housing is the foundation of everything: education, health, safety, and opportunity. Since joining THA, our focus has been on restoring trust, modernizing operations, and redefining what affordable housing can look like in Taylor.
Over those 11 months, we’ve made incredible progress:
Improved compliance with HUD across all major programs and reporting systems, ensuring THA meets the highest federal standards for accountability and performance.
Reopened our Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for the first time in four years—every applicant on the previous list has now received a voucher, marking a milestone in equitable access to housing assistance.
Transitioned our public housing portfolio to Section 18 disposition to allow for modernization and reinvestment in our aging properties. We’re set to break ground by the end of this year on a complete redevelopment of our 46-unit Mary Olson Apartments, originally built in the 1970. These homes will be fully gutted and rebuilt into modern, energy-efficient units that residents can be proud to live in. Construction is expected to take about nine months start to finish.
We’re also planning the future of the 70-unit Avery Apartments complex, which was devastated during the Memorial Day Floods more than a decade ago. We’re now working on new architectural plans and identifying funding sources to rebuild that community from the ground up in the coming years.
At the same time, THA is actively working to reclaim two properties that were incorrectly transitioned away from the Housing Authority years ago—an effort aimed at restoring public assets to public ownership and ensuring they once again serve the people of Taylor.
Beyond the physical projects, we’re focused on changing the perception of what a housing authority is and does. We’re building partnerships with city leaders, local organizations, and residents to create a sense of shared purpose. We want people to know that they have an advocate and ally—someone who genuinely cares about their well-being and their future.
What drives me every day is knowing that housing is not just about buildings—it’s about dignity. It’s about helping people move from crisis to stability, from surviving to thriving. I’m incredibly proud of what we’re building together at the Taylor Housing Authority: a stronger, fairer, more connected community where every person has a safe place to call home and a reason to believe in what’s next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—and I don’t think it was ever meant to be. When I stepped into the role of Executive Director at the Taylor Housing Authority, I inherited an organization with decades of complicated history. There were financial and operational challenges, compliance gaps, and even property ownership issues that stretched back many years. Rebuilding trust—with residents, the community, and the city—was and continues to be one of the biggest challenges.
Much of the early work was about untangling the past while setting a new standard for transparency and accountability. That meant going line by line through records, rebuilding partnerships that had fractured, and making hard but necessary decisions to restore integrity to the Housing Authority’s mission. It also meant leading with empathy—listening to residents who had lost faith in the system and showing them that change was not just possible, but already happening.
On a personal level, it’s been a lesson in patience and resilience. Transforming an organization isn’t glamorous—it’s daily problem-solving, navigating red tape, and holding on to the belief that every bit of progress matters. But seeing families move into safe, stable housing and knowing we’re building something sustainable for the next generation makes every challenge worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Taylor Housing Authority, where our mission is to provide safe, affordable housing and build stronger, more connected communities in Taylor, Texas. My work blends compliance, redevelopment, and community engagement — but at its heart, it’s about people and helping families move from instability to opportunity.
Before coming to the Housing Authority, I spent 16 years in education advocacy at both the state and federal levels, serving as Texas State Advocacy Director and National Board Member for Public School Options, Texas State Policy Chief then Chief of Staff for the National Parents Union. That experience gave me a front-row seat to how systems — housing, education, and policy — intersect to shape people’s lives. It also strengthened my belief that lasting change happens when we center community voices and hold institutions accountable to the people they serve.
For over 22 years, I’ve also been deeply involved in Scouting, volunteering with the Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America) in multiple leadership roles, with local units, Central Texas and across the country . That work has been a cornerstone of my life — mentoring youth, teaching life skills, and building programs that foster inclusion, confidence, and service. It’s taught me that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about creating spaces where others can thrive.
At THA, I specialize in organizational turnaround, community partnership building, and compliance restoration. Since stepping into this role, we’ve made major strides — rebuilding trust, working on recovering lost assets, and reimagining properties like Mary Olson Apartments, which will soon become Olson Village, a new model of modern, inclusive affordable housing.
What sets me apart is the way I lead — with both heart and structure. I bring the compassion of a community advocate and the precision of a systems builder. My greatest pride is seeing the tangible change that comes from that balance: residents feeling proud of where they live, partnerships with the City of Taylor beginning to heal, and our Housing Authority regaining its footing as a trusted local institution.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many people have played a part in my journey — I’ve never believed that success happens in isolation. I’ve been blessed with mentors, colleagues, and friends who have guided, challenged, and encouraged me through every chapter.
During my years in education advocacy, I had the honor of working alongside Keri Rodrigues, President and Co-Founder of the National Parents Union, and countless other fierce, powerful advocates from across the country. Together, we pushed for equity and accountability in education at both the state and federal levels. I learned so much from the collaboration and insight of state and federal Representatives, Senators, and their staff, as well as dedicated professionals within the U.S. Department of Education and even staff members from the White House who were deeply committed to improving outcomes for families. Those relationships taught me how real change happens — through persistence, coalition building, and courage.
Transitioning into housing, I owe a great deal of gratitude to Tammie Cheatum, a former Taylor Housing Authority Board member who first suggested that I apply for this position. We met while volunteering together during Kimberly Holiday’s Pflugerville City Council campaign, and Tammie’s belief in my leadership opened the door to a new way of serving the community.
Today, I’m incredibly thankful for the current THA Board of Commissioners, who bring passion, compassion, and vision to everything we do. Their support has been instrumental as we rebuild the Housing Authority with transparency and integrity. I’m equally grateful for our staff team, whose commitment to serving residents is the heartbeat of our organization.
And finally, I can’t leave out the community itself — the residents who share their stories with honesty and hope, and my Scouting family, with whom I’ve shared more than 22 years of service, mentorship, and friendship. They’ve all shaped who I am as a leader and reminded me that the most meaningful work is always done shoulder to shoulder with others.
Pricing:
- I serve people in the Taylor area that make less than $28,000 per year to be able to afford housing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorha.org/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shea-goltzman/
