Board of Management

In tandem with the Board of Management there are four sub-committees which deal with specific aspects of the association for which they are given delegated powers. These are the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, Technical Committee, Finance and General Purposes Committee and Housing Services Committee.

Current Board Members

John Waddell (Chair) BSc MA

John, who is a long standing Board Member, brings extensive knowledge and experience of local rural community development, and is also Chair of Rural Community Network since 2019.  John is a founding member of Poyntzpass Community Regeneration Company Ltd. and currently holds the position of Secretary and has been an active member of projects which have led to the regeneration of the village. John has a keen interest in the social and economic regeneration of rural areas through the development of social enterprise at a local and regional level; and in building positive community relations.

Ciaran McKenna BSc MBA (Secretary)

Ciaran McKenna is a retired Human Resources Manager of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.  He has a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Business Administration. Ciaran joined the Rural Housing Association Board in September 2012 and was Chair of the Association between June 2021 and June 2022.

Carol Follis BA (Vice Chair)

Carol Follis is currently Manager of Policing and Community Safety Partnership with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council. She has a BA in Social Geography. Carol joined the Rural Housing Association Board in March 2015 and was appointed Board Vice Chair. Carol is currently the Chair of the Audit Risk & Governance Sub-Committee.

Alistair McKane BA, Dip TP, MRTPI ( Rtd) (Honorary Treasurer)

Alistair was formerly a Chartered Town Planner, before his retirement from the NI Civil Service and was based in Omagh.  Alistair is one of the founding members of Rural Housing Association since its formation in 1992 and is passionate about increasing social housing supply in rural communities across N. Ireland.

Tommy Gallagher BEd

Tommy Gallagher has a BEd from Queens University and is currently retired from teaching. Tommy was a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland. Tommy joined the Rural Housing Association Board in November 2017 and has a keen interest in addressing social housing need across rural communities in Northern Ireland

John Moss

 

Tom Potter BSc CMCIH

Tom Potter is currently employed with Clanmil Housing Association as a Digital Business Transformation Manager. Tom has a BSc in Housing Management and is a Board Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing NI. Tom is also a member of the CIH Futures group, which supports young professionals in the Housing Sector.  Tom joined the Rural Housing Association Board in January 2022 and is currently Chair of the Housing Services Committee.

Michaela McCusker BSc CMCIH

Michaela has a BSc in Housing Management from University of Ulster and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Michaela is currently employed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and has extensive housing management experience from working in generic and specialist Housing roles across the North and South of Ireland. Michaela has experience of managing large scale housing developments and working with local communities to build good relations and community cohesion.  Michaela is a board member of CIH Futures – the young professionals board of the Chartered Institute of Housing across the UK and also chair’s CIH Futures NI. Michaela joined the Rural Housing Association Board in January 2022 and is currently Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Margaret Rafferty

Margaret Rafferty is the tenant representative on the Rural Housing Association Board. Margaret also volunteers with her local community group, Knocks Community Association. Her community background is invaluable to help her contribute to discussions, help make decisions and allows the organisation to understand the tenant perspective.
Margaret joined the Rural Housing Association Board in January 2022 and is also an active Tenant Panel Member for the Fermanagh area.