Discover all about CREA & what makes its culture so special!
Culture Code
Explore our Culture Code — it’s the go-to guide for current and new employees alike. Dive into the details that make our culture a cut above the rest, and get the inside scoop on CREA so you can speak confidently about the exciting work happening here.
About Us
Our story doesn’t start in someone’s garage, a college dorm room or through a dream. It started with Jeff Whiting seeing a need in communities across the country and wanting to be a part of the solution. Since 2001, CREA has provided inventive financial solutions that contribute to the creation of affordable housing across the country. With employees like you, working with investor, developer and community partners who align with our mission, we’re guiding the way toward a vision of affordable housing that everyone can be proud of. While our origin story might not be made for the big screen, it doesn’t matter nearly as much as how our story continues today. Our story continues at every closing, groundbreaking, ribbon cutting and grand opening. Our story continues at every internal meeting, industry conference, and client dinner. Our story continues within every community built, and each affordable home created or preserved. Through the creation and preservation of affordable housing, as well as the access it provides to people and families for the opportunity to not just reside, but live - CREA’s story continues.
We’re glad you’re here to be part of our next chapter.
On a Mission
At CREA, we believe that opportunity starts with a safe place to call home . With this mission at the heart of our business, we respect and value partnerships and conduct ourselves with integrity in all that we do. As we adapt and navigate an ever-changing environment, the need for affordable housing continues to grow. By upholding our values, we put our mission into action every day. It is this purpose that guides our passion. Vision Affordable housing that everyone can be proud of. Mission CREA believes that opportunity starts with a safe place to call home. CREA is a values-driven company, passionate about leveraging financial programs and partnerships to eliminate barriers and enhance the quality of life for residents within thriving and accessible communities that uphold the dignity of affordable housing. Values We work as a family, investing in each other, worthy causes, and the communities we serve. We have integrity in all that we do; we embrace differences and treat others with kindness and respect. We believe that, with teamwork, we can accomplish anything and pursue inventive solutions for our clients.
What We Do
CREA’s Escalator Speech We’ve all heard of elevator pitches, but why not an escalator? Learn about what we do, from the first step to the deeper level details.
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CREA helps in the creation of affordable housing across the country.
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We are a tax credit syndicator.
Through investor funds, we provide developers with the valuable resources necessary to support the development of affordable housing communities. Our investors claim tax credits awarded to affordable communities, and CREA helps protect investments by managing the asset and ensuring low-income housing credit (LIHTC) compliance.
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FAQ: How does CREA make a profit?
CREA generates revenue on a percentage of total equity raised and annual asset management fees through its partnerships with investors and developers.
Who We Are
About Us CREA is a private equity firm that helps eliminate financial and social barriers experienced by people and families across the country through financial solutions and connections with industry partners. 20+ Years, And Growing Our proverbial doors opened in Indianapolis in March 2001, with our first closed transaction in March 2002. Since then, we’ve opened five additional offices and hired over 150 employees. In collaboration with CREA employees and partners, our work has raised $11.2B in total equity, resulting in 924 properties and 84,355 affordable homes developed (as of 7/1/2024) . What Now? CREA executes its commitments to community and access to all by centering oninclusive culture from the inside out. Under the guidance of our Inclusion Advisory Council (IAC), our values and strategy align with our investor and developer partner’s attention to social impact, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) resources, and support of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). Find more details on specific initiatives and impact on our 2023 Highlights page.
The CREA Story
A Place to Work Putting a long-time business plan into action, Jeff Whiting opened CREA’s doors to investor developer clients, offering financial programs to facilitate the creation of affordable communities. A Place to Grow In a young industry, CREA started to carve out its own space, aimed at growth year-over-year. A Place of Purpose At a grand opening in California, key team members heard from a 12-year-old resident who shared her gratitude for being out of her mom’s car in a safe home. This is when CREA became a different organization - centering on purpose over profit. A Place for Wellness We are committed to supporting the health & wellness of employees. From expanded benefits and resources to flexibility to support work/life harmony, our employees are our top priority. A Place with Heart Mission, vision and values align with CREA’s focus on opportunity starting with a safe place to call home. A Place for Everyone With an emphasis of inclusive cultures & social impact within our business structure, CREA is making strides toward creating a more equitable culture, client base and impact.
Our Journey
CREA Timeline 2001-2024 Don’t stop, believin’! Oh, sorry. Wrong journey.
2001
March 2001: CREA is formed under Jeffrey Whiting March & Sept 2002: Closes first transaction and posts profit
2006
Jan. 2006: Employees 6
Oct. 2009: Boston office opens
2011
Jan. 2011: Employees 41 April 2011: Portland office opens
thankAug. 2015: San Diego offices open Jan. 2016: Employees 71
2016
Jan. 2017: New York City office opens June 2018: CREA hires their 100th employee
2022
Aug. 2022: Induction Ceremony for IUI CREA Scholars
Oct. 2023: Induction Ceremony for CSUN CREA Scholars Dec. 2023: Employees 150+
2024
“At CREA, it’s people first - profits second.” THUY MILLER SVP, CREDIT & UNDERWRITING
2023 Highlights
7,316 AFFORDABLE HOMES PRESERVED OR CREATED
COMMUNITIES 79
&
LEAD IMPORTANT & IMPACTFUL DISCUSSIONS through our Inclusion Advisory Council efforts
EMPHASIS ON VOLUNTEERISM
EEs logged over 460+ volunteer hours in 2023
ANTI BIAS HIRING TRAINING COMPLETED
CHARITABLE GIVING $200k+ in total charitable contributions with 22 causes/organizations recognized
INCLUSIVE TRAINING DEI Foundations & Inclusive Hiring Best Practices Training offered quarterly
SOCIAL IMPACT SPEAKER SERIES
“HELPING STUDENTS CROSS THE FINISH LINE” Launched the CREA Scholars Program at CSUN adding 20 new CREA Scholars to the program. $501 K
$60K+ RAISED FROM CREA EMPLOYEES WHO CONTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THE FOUNDATION OVER THE COURSE OF 2023.
TOTAL FUNDS SECURED FOR THE FOUNDATION’S PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS FROM VARIOUS DONOR POOLS.
Human Resources Contact Information
Katy McShane, SHRM-SCP Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer kmcshane@creallc.com 317.808.7285
David Barnhouse Senior Human Resources Associate dbarnhouse@creallc.com 317.808.7257
Brianna Ojata, PHR, SHRM-CP Senior HR Generalist bojata@creallc.com 317.942.7259
Gloria Marcano Senior HR Coordinator & NY Office Manager gmarcano@creallc.com 212.405.2653
Employee Resource Guide
Casual Dress? Most Days! We want you to be comfortable while you’re busy contributing toward our mission. Business casual is our general philosophy. We will have specific days where we ask employees to follow to business professional depending on office guests. YAY!
Good Things to Know
Nay Athleisure/Sportswear Tank Tops & Low-cut Tops Strapless or Cropped Tops
Cardigans & Sweaters Jeans, Khakis & Slacks Mid-length Skirts & Dresses Polo & Button-down Shirts Loafers, Flats & Heeled Shoes Blazers & Jackets
PTO We offer full-time employees paid time off to cover vacation, personal, and sick days. Years of Service
PTO Days Per Calendar Year
1-4 Years 5-11 Years 12+ Years
15
20 25
VTO In support of our values and community commitments, we encourage employee volunteering by providing 24 hours each calendar year, for employees to volunteer at an organization or activity of their choice or through company-sponsored events. Floating Holiday Eight hours of floating holiday time each year to be used at any time.
2024 Holidays ● New Year’s Day ● Martin Luther King Jr. Day ● Presidents’ Day ● Good Friday ● Friday before Memorial Day* ● Memorial Day ● Juneteenth Day ● Independence Day
● Friday before Labor Day* ● Labor Day ● Indigenous Peoples’ Day ● Election Day ● Day before Thanksgiving* ● Thanksgiving Day ● Day After Thanksgiving ● Friday before Christmas* ● Christmas Day (Observed )
* Denotes Noon Early Office Closure (12PM in respective time zones). Summer Hours / Fridays, May31 ST – August 23 RD (3PM close in respective time zones).
Net Helpful Links (bookmark now, access later!)
Where to Learn More
HR Information System & Payroll
Company Intranet & File Sharing
Expense Reimbursement
Work Travel Booking
Benefits
benefits Learn & Enroll Employee Benefits
Commuter Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts
401(k) Retirement Readiness
Wellness & Employee Assistance Program
Our Organization
Jeff Whiting Chairman & CEO
Charles Anderson Co-President
Tony Bertoldi Co-President
Roger Shank Chief Financial Officer
Human Resources
Finance & Accounting
Social Impact
Legal
Information Technology
Acquisitions
Marketing
Syndications
Portfolio Management
Credit & Underwriting
How We Message We are real people with real passion at the heart of our mission. You’ll see and hear that in our messaging. While our internal messaging, social media and event touchpoints show more humor and personality, we like to make bold messages that highlight the sentiment of affordable housing in our advertisements and many of our collateral pieces. Want to find the most relevant messaging from marketing? Discover brochures and collateral on Marketing’s SharePoint site.
Our Voice
Stefanie Brown Senior Vice President, Marketing Krysten Schmidt Vice President, Marketing Communications Manager
Kara Barentine AVP, Corporate Event Manager Annelise Edwards Digital Marketing Specialist Tim Fuson Marketing Coordinator
Follow Us Online!
CREALLC.com
/company/crea-llc
/CREALLC
@CREA_LLC
@creallc
One of the biggest tasks of starting at a new company, is learning the lay of the lingo land. Industry terms, acronyms, and abbreviations, oh my! Learn how to talk the talk with us. LIHTC Lingo
Company Lingo
• LIHTC : Low-income housing tax credits • CRA : Community Reinvestment Act • GSE : Government-Sponsored Enterprise • AMF: Asset Management fees • LTE: lower-tier entity
• MTE: middle-tier entity • UTE: upper-tier entity • Prop: proprietary • AHIC : (pronounced, ay-hick) Affordable Housing Investors Council CREA Lingo • AM/FM/PM: Asset Mgmt/Fund Mgmt/Portfolio Mgmt • Committees: Placement, Screening & Capital • CREA Live: Semi-Annual Company Meeting & Celebration • ESG : Economic, Social Impact and Governance • ERG: Employee Resource Group • IAC : Inclusion Advisory Council • MWBE : Minority, Women and Black-Owned Enterprises • PTO & VTO: Paid Time Off & Volunteer Time Off • TLPD : International Talk Like A Pirate Day • DEI: Diversity, Equity and inclusion • Cria: baby llama
Office Locations Main Office | 75-80 employees 30 S. Meridian St, Suite 400 / Indianapolis, IN 46204 Located just two and a half blocks south of Indianapolis’ Soldiers & Sailors Monument Circle, CREA has been headquartered in Indianapolis since its foundation. Jeff’s Favorite Lunch Spot: Gluten Free snack box in CREA café Indy is coined the Racing Capital of the World & home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world Boston, MA | 25-30 Favorite Lunch Spots: Flour , Dig , and Dirty Water Dough Located in Back Bay, considered to have some of the best-preserved examples of 19 ° -century urban architecture in the United States. New York, NY | 5-10 Favorite Lunch Spot: Dills & Parsley, Ess-A-Bagel, SweetGreen, and Urbanspace From our NY office, walk to Rockefeller Center, Times Square, or the offices of our parent company, Omni NY. Portland, OR | 10-15 Favorite Lunch Spot: Yama Sushi & Sake Bar Situated in Portland’s NW Pearl District within one block of the Portland Streetcar. San Diego, CA | 5-10 Favorite Lunch Spot: Grubb for burgers and shakes The city of San Diego produces 90% of the avocados grown in the U.S. Home-Based | 25-30 Home-based employees in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington
Our Community
Essentials •
Unique Perks
Read about CREA’s employee benefit offerings at MyCREABenefits.com
Work Perks •
Tuition Reimbursement Free Snacks + Drinks
• • •
Scooters
Casual Dress
• International Talk Like a Pirate Day • Pi Day • Summer Hours • CREALive! Semi-Annual Company- Wide Event • Coffee & Espresso Machine (Boston) • Bevy Sparkling Water & Espresso Machines (NYC) • Atrium & Fountains (San Diego) • Rooftop Garden Terrace (Portland) • Fitness Center (Indianapolis) • St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Indianapolis) Warm & Fuzzies • Volunteer Time Off & Team Volunteer Opportunities • CREA Foundation & CREA Scholars • CREA Cares Matching Gifts • Non-profit Donation for Employee Referrals • Various Corporate Sponsorships
Food Allergies & Dietary Needs Do you have a severe food allergy or dietary need that would be helpful for us to take into consideration? Let us know! From office snack, catered lunches and dinner events, we want to make sure you feel welcomed at any table (and safe!). For large events, our marketing team will specifically solicity dietary needs from the group. However, we do encourage you to let your boss, team and the office manager/administrative team know. Work In-Office & Flex Days CREA has adopted a work strategy that incorporates a flexible solution of in-office days (Tue-Thu) and flex days (Mo & Fri) for our employees. Cell Phones & Other Tech We understand that constant connectivity is an integral part of working culture today. Our only ask is that you use your devices responsibly and in a way that will not distract your colleagues. Personal calls should be taken in an office, conference room, or in a communal area, please. Please remember to be kind and close your door or utilize headphones for audio and video calls. Contact the IT Help Desk if you would like a headset for work. Secure Offices Access badges are required for entry to several of our office suites; if you have a question or need a badge replacement, please connect with your local Office Manager or Human Resources. Reserving Conference Rooms Conference room may be reserved via Outlook and other facilities requests may be emailed to your local Office Manager. Wellness Rooms Wellness rooms are available where you can have privacy if you are feeling unwell, are a nursing mother, or want to have a moment of quiet. Parking Parking options vary depending on your office location. Commuter Benefit information can be found at MyCREABenefits.com. Any questions or need additional resources? Connect with Human Resources.
House- keeping
How to Contact HR
Human Resources Department humanresources@creallc.com
Katy McShane , SHRM-SCP Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer • HR Strategy & Execution • Leadership Partner • Compensation Strategy
David Barnhouse Senior HR Associate • Payroll Administration • Payroll Compliance • Learning & Development
Brianna Ojata , PHR, SHRM-CP Senior HR Generalist Talent Attraction, Retention & Pipeline • Employee Experience • IAC Partnership • HR Generalist & Special Projects
Gloria Marcano Senior HR Coordinator & NY Office Manager • Interview Scheduling & Talent Acquisition Tracking • Snappy Administration • Family Feud • NY Office Management & Senior Staff Support • Limited seasonal Portfolio Management Support
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