Three top officials ousted in shake-up at PHA

Three top officials at the Philadelphia Housing Authority have been ousted in one of the biggest management shake-ups since executive director Kelvin Jeremiah took the helm of the agency three years ago.

Barbara Adams, 64, who had served as PHA's general counsel since 2011, said she was told Friday that she was being dismissed but was given no reason.

"I'm very proud of what I accomplished," Adams said Wednesday.

Adams said she was an "at-will" employee, and as such could be dismissed at any time.

"You have a right to pick your general counsel," said Adams, a former general counsel to Gov. Ed Rendell, who was hired by Jeremiah's predecessor, Michael P. Kelly.

Adams said Keith Daviston, PHA's chief financial officer, was also dismissed, along with Keith J. Richardson, who was managing director of PHA's nonprofit arm, the Philadelphia Housing Authority Development Corp.

PHA spokeswoman Nichole L. Tillman confirmed that Adams, Daviston, and Richardson had left the agency, but declined to give details.

"PHA respects the privacy of our employees. Therefore, PHA does not comment on personnel matters," she said.

Neither Daviston nor Richardson could be reached for comment.

Adams said PHA had a strong legal department that would carry on the work she started. Before Adams was hired, the housing agency for years depended heavily on outside lawyers. Adams won praise for her work in assembling PHA's in-house legal team.

She said she was also proud of helping PHA return to local management in 2013. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development took control of the agency in March 2011 after a series of scandals.

Source: Philly.com