GADC Leadership

The Greater Auburn Gresham team is comprised of a talented and committed group of community development professionals with strong backgrounds in housing and commercial real estate, workforce development, community organizing and law enforcement.

Carlos Nelson leads the GADC as Executive Director. A mechanical engineer with a Masters in Business Administration, Carlos has a proven history of housing development and community activism. Living most of his life near 79th Street here in Auburn Gresham, Carlos has an unmistakable passion for building his community. Carlos' strengths include the ability to abstractly conceptualize projects, and persuade other stakeholders to opt into the vision. The Winneconna Project is a prime example of this aptitude.

Cheryl Johnson of CJ & Associates serves as a consultant for GADC. Cheryl has an extensive background in providing consultant services to businesses seeking government financial support. She has more than 15 years experience as professional manager of real estate tax incentives for the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and more than 25 years experience promoting economic development and improvement programs in communities. Along with her Master Degree of Urban Planning and Policy, Cheryl's strengths include a real interest in serving the community and its residents most graciously and humbly.

Linda Johnson, a former employee training and development manager works in the capacity of Business & Project Manager. Linda is an accomplished real estate investor, with a history of community involvement. Linda is an organization guru for the GADC and the primary coordinator for the HRAIL program. She brings to her position the patience of a teacher, and the no-nonsense approach to budget matters of a CFO. Her strengths include the ability to quickly learn a procedure then teach it, as well as the ability to consistently administer and organize the daily operations of the GADC staff.

Tenisha Jones oversees Elev8 implementation at Perspectives-Calumet Middle School. She was formerly Dean of Students and Director of Student Services at the Youth Connection Charter School, which specializes in bringing dropouts back into the academic fold and making sure students at risk of failure stay in school. She excelled in boosting attendance and resolving discipline issues. Jones is also a certified child life therapist, a skill she has employed at Children's Memorial Hospital and other medical centers to provide therapeutic activities for chronically ill children. Throughout her career she has worked to help children and families overcome barriers and build resilience to the challenges they face. 

Hubert Newkirk joined GADC in August 2007 as the Litter Free Zone Initiative Coordinator. The Litter Free Zone is a targeted area within Auburn Gresham community and initally spanned from 75th to 83rd streets to Halsted and Racine. In 2009 the Litter Free Zone was extended to West Chatham. Its goal is to improve our neighborhoods physical appearance and participate in enviromental friendly habits. Since 2008 the Litter Free Zone has grown from 2,693 bags of recycables to over 9,000 bags in 2010. Hubert has spent 37 years working in the community as a store manager for both Jewel Food Stores and Dominick's Finer Foods. The last ten years he worked for the City of Chicago before he retired in June of 2006 as Streets & Sanitation Superintendent of the 17th Ward.                           

Ernest Sanders functions as the New Communities Program Manager and Director of Communications  for GADC. Ernie is a business professional of more than 30 years and has worked on national causes to reduce recidivism, enhance middle school education and social services and promote digital excellence in lower income populations. He is a community activist and a candidate for a Masters Degree in the areas of Community Development with a focus on Communications and Workplace & Traffic Safety. Ernie recently attended Harvard University’s Divinity School and earned a certification in Faith Based Community and Economic Development.

Ernie has authored two Christian self-help books and has extensive knowledge in property management. Ernie functions as inner-office technical advisor and coordinates the communications effort for the organization. His strengths are mostly demonstrated through interpersonal and project management skills.