408 Tamiami Trail, Unit 121, FL 33950 | 
941-289-7628
About Us
Who is PORCH?
Our Mission
To advocate for the development and construction of safe, functional, affordable, and sustainable housing for SW Florida residents.
The Problem
In our community, housing insecurity is a reality in a place where average wages can’t keep pace with rising housing costs. Too many people are forced to pay more than 30% if their income on housing, leaving little money for other necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and education OR they find themselves homeless. Independent studies indicate that just in Charlotte County more than 10,000 additional housing units are needed by 2025 to keep up with the growing population and 5,553 of those units should be for those earning less than 80% of the area median income.
The Solution
PORCH envisions a day, when safe, affordable housing is available to all economically disadvantaged SW Florida populations, including disabled Veterans, the underemployed, the homeless, and those with special needs. Housing would be available at reasonable rates, such that our residents are encouraged to remain in our community and live as productive, contributing citizens.
The Plan
PORCH takes a community leadership role in convening organizations throughout the region and calling attention to the needs for affordable housing, while facilitating cross-organization solutions. PORCH also operates as a Community Land Trust, focused on tackling our community’s affordable housing shortage, one rental at a time. PORCH builds, acquires, and renovates properties to be used as rental homes and makes those properties available for low-income families and individuals with special needs. Affordability will be maintained, as rents will not exceed 30% of the household’s income. As a land trust, PORCH will ensure affordability in perpetuity (99+ years).
WHAT DOES PORCH STAND FOR?
PORCH stands for Peace River Community Housing Partners.
WHAT DOES PORCH DO?
PORCH is dedicated to the development of safe, functional, affordable, and sustainable housing. The or ganization’s current strategic priority is the development of affordable rental housing for Veterans.
501(C)3
PORCH is a 501(c)3 Community Land Trust which is currently run 100% by volunteers. Because PORCH is a Community Land Trust, the term of affordability on PORCH properties is perpetuity (99+ years). A Community Land Trust provides lasting community assets and permanently affordable housing opportunities for families and communities. The heart of PORCH’s work as a community land trust is the creation of homes that will remain permanently affordable for generations of lower income families.
Why Partner with PORCH?
A Donor’s Perspective
It’s no secret that Floridians are currently dealing with a major housing problem, leaving many low-income families to scrape and struggle to find an affordable home. Victims of this crisis include low-income veterans who served their country bravely. Now, it’s our turn. Integrity Employee Leasing serves those in need by supporting various nonprofit organizations who have a positive impact on our local communities. After witnessing the genuine passion and determination of PORCH, Integrity was thrilled to contribute to a flooring project for a veteran in need of assistance. Partnering with this organization was a no-brainer!
Our Board
Kurt Pentelecuc
Executive Director
Punta Gorda Housing Authority
Angela Hogan
CEO
Gulf Coast Partnership
Ashley Maher
CEO
Charlotte Community Foundation
Nancy Johnson
CEO
TEAM Punta Gorda
Craig Esterly
Former Partner
SD Asset Group, LLC
Geri Waksler
Attorney at Law
McCrory Law Firm
Jessica Millman
Executive Director
Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation
Kurtis P. Pentelecuc
Executive Director
Punta Gorda Housing Authority
Kurt Pentelecuc has been a resident of Charlotte County since 2001 when he moved here from Michigan. Mr. Pentelecuc has extensive knowledge in the area of property management which included overseeing 14 multifamily assets in the state of Florida.
In his current position as Director of the Punta Gorda Housing Authority Mr. Pentelecuc is responsible for all administration and coordination of Housing Authority’s policies, programs and 4.3 million dollar operating budget in accordance with all laws and requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pertaining to housing authorities and established Board of Commissioners’ policies.
Mr. Pentelecuc attended Henry Ford College and has various accreditations in Real Estate Management. Mr. Pentelecuc currently serves on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Charlotte County; The Peace River Community Housing Partners (PORCH) working with a group of citizens who have come together to tackle the affordable housing problem; and The Advisory Council for the Port Charlotte Presbyterian Homes.
Angela Hogan
CEO
Gulf Coast Partnership
Angela Hogan is the CEO of the Gulf Coast Partnership (FL-602). Angela’s focus is on guiding strategic planning and capacity building to better serve our community’s most vulnerable populations. In 2021 the Gulf Coast Partnership was one of 33 community’s nationwide selected to participate in the HUD’s YHDP which will bring Charlotte County the resources to build a system to end youth homelessness. Angela is passionate about making system-wide change through starting or supporting projects that raise the community’s capacity to help people in crisis.
Angela is a proud graduate of Norwich University in Northfield Vermont with degrees in Social Psychology and Cultural Anthropology. Angela has served as CEO/ED of non-profit or government agencies for the majority of her 30+ year career including Mental Health, Substance Use, Literacy, Homelessness, and Child Welfare Organizations. Angela currently serves on Local Boards for FEMA-EFSP, Affordable Housing, Community Action, and Disaster Response.
Ashley Maher
CEO
Charlotte Community Foundation
Ashley Maher joined Charlotte Community Foundation in March 2017 and was named the Foundation’s Executive Director in August 2018.
She previously served as the Director of Marketing & Development and Interim President & CEO at the Foundation and, prior to joining CCF, she was the Director of Marketing with Unity Medical. Ashley has a history of working in nonprofits in addition to serving on various nonprofit boards such as the United Way of Charlotte County and the Fred Lang Foundation.
“When I accepted my new career at CCF, it was based on my hope that through CCF’s collaboration with donors, community partners and non-profits we will not only build up the grant and scholarship programs we have, but flourish in new opportunities that strengthen our community. CCF serves a great purpose and I’m thrilled to continue to tell our story as the leader of CCF,” stated Maher. “With every closed chapter a new one begins, and I am excited to lead the tremendous and growing team at CCF.
Nancy A. Johnson, M.Ed.
CEO
TEAM Punta Gorda
Nancy Johnson, M.Ed. is the CEO of TEAM Punta Gorda, an all-volunteer community development organization founded in 2004 to help Punta Gorda, Florida recover from Hurricane Charley. Today TEAM Punta Gorda has over 500 volunteers serving on 20 committees. Her areas of expertise include building and working with collaborative community groups; strategic planning, group facilitation. board development, and grant-writing. She is the retired and founding Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth & Family Services (MANY), the Mid-Atlantic Region’s coordinated network committed to providing opportunities and alternatives for young people in high risk situations. Nancy has had 35 years of experience in youth services and non-profit management. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Special Education from Chatham College, and Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh with a specialty in adolescent learning disabilities.
W. Craig Esterly
Former Partner
SD Asset Group, LLC
Former Partner, SD Asset Group, LLC, a holding company, with a portfolio of captive engineering and construction companies, as well as private equity investments in various technology firms.
Mr. Esterly has extensive volunteer board level experience Locally, he is currently Board Secretary of the Charlotte Community Foundation, Treasurer of the Punta Gorda Rotary Club, and Board Chair of Water4Life Mozambique (Punta Gorda). Formerly, he served as Board Chair for the Punta Gorda Rotary Foundation and, Board Vice Chair for TEAM Punta Gorda.
Elsewhere, he currently serves as Director, Chair of Planning Committee for the national Hepatitis B Foundation; Director, Chair of Quality Committee for UPMC Presbyterian/Shadyside Hospitals (Pittsburgh, PA); and Assistant Treasurer, Chair of Quality Committee of The Shadyside Hospital Foundation (Pittsburgh, PA).
Geri L. Waksler
Attorney at Law
McCrory Law Firm
Geri L. Waksler is a land use and zoning attorney who assists landowners and developers in obtaining development permits and zoning approvals from local governments and state agencies. Geri has been involved in development projects in Charlotte, DeSoto and Lee Counties and the City of Punta Gorda. Geri received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, cum laude, from Duke University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami and her Juris Doctorate, with honors, from Stetson University College of Law. An active member of the community, Geri is a founder of Charlotte Preparatory School, and served on its board of directors as Treasurer and Vice President. She is a past President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, the Charlotte Local Education Foundation, and the Charlotte County Economic Development Partnership. Geri has mentored four high school students as part of the Take Stock in Children program. She is a 1998 graduate of Leadership Charlotte and a 2015 graduate of Leadership Florida. Geri and her husband Joe have two sons and the cutest grandson in the world, which they have verified in their travels to 32 countries. Geri’s bucket list destination – Everywhere!
Jessica Cogan Millman
Executive Director
Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation
The mission of the Soderberg Foundation is to enhance access to quality health services and economic empowerment opportunities by boosting the quality of life for all people with a specific emphasis on improving the lives of women.
Jessica is an expert and leader in urban planning and environmentally sustainable development and known as a passionate and energetic organizer for the public good. Presently, Jessica is a member of the Environmental Advisory Committee of the Village of Skaneateles and is on the Board of Directors for the Skaneateles Festival. Jessica served as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and the School Safety Committee of the Skaneateles School Board, the Skaneateles Lake Association, and the Skaneateles Music Guild. In addition, she was a member of various local government committees including the Planning Board of the Town of Skaneateles.
Jessica has extensive experience working at all levels of government and in the non-profit arena. Through the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Green Neighborhoods Program, Jessica worked with communities around the country to design, plan, and catalyze the building of model, neighborhood-scale development projects that combine equity, environmental justice, green stormwater infrastructure, efficient transportation options, green building, public health practices, smart growth, and new urbanism.
Jessica served as the Planning Director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization dedicated to the adoption of sound planning policies around the Washington region. Jessica has held many other positions including: Deputy Director of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute at Smart Growth America (where she ran a technical assistance grant program); Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office of Smart Growth in Maryland (where she helped directed the State budget towards the Governor’s top environmental priorities); and a variety of grant-making positions at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.