HEATHER RICE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(234) 571-3244  ext: 2

hr***@su***********.org

Heather recently stepped into the role of Executive Director at Summit Housing in January 2025 following the retirement of the previous director. With a deep commitment to providing safe and affordable housing solutions, Heather brings a wealth of experience in community development, strategic leadership, and a strong passion for enhancing housing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Having served in various leadership capacities within SHDC for over 12 years, she is eager to continue building on the foundation set by the previous director and guide the organization toward advancing its mission that empowers individuals to live and thrive in their communities.  

Heather’s primary duties as Executive Director include the overall management and operation of Summit Housing, including protection of the organization’s financial assets, community engagement, and ensuring compliance with Board directives. She has experience in development and construction of new properties, property acquisition and management, and overseeing the operational needs of all existing homes. 

Heather has 20+ years experience in public administration while working for a variety of companies including Summit County DD Board, Village of Silver Lake and City of Norton. Heather has always enjoyed baking cakes & desserts in her spare time and most recently ventured into owning The Dreamsicle Ice Cream Truck. She enjoys reading, being outside and enjoying the sunshine, and spending time with her family and friends. 

 
Kate Blair
pROPERTY MANAGEMENT director
(234) 571-3244  ext: 3

kb****@su***********.org

Kate was hired in October 2024 and was recently promoted to Director of Property Management in January 2025. Kate directly oversees the Assistant Property Manager as well as the daily operations of the office and all SHDC homes, schedules maintenance and repairs, coordinates all capital improvement projects with contractors, handles all grant paperwork, regularly inspects all SHDC properties to ensure everything is in good working order, and quickly resolves emergency maintenance issues.

Kate has 13 years of retail management experience where she managed over 100 employees at a high volume store.  Her passion is customer service and taking care of her people that she works with and for.  Her biggest professional strength has been developing her team to their full potential.  While not at work you can find Kate with her 2 young kids and husband or reading a book.

Stacey Bluey 
finance and operations director 

(234) 571-3244  ext: 1

sbluey@summithousing.org

Stacey was hired in 2017 as our part-time Accountant and recently transitioned to Finance and Operations Director in January 2025. 

 

Despina Mulrooney

accounts Payable Specialist 
(234) 571-3244  

dm********@su***********.org

Despina Mulrooney serves as a part time bookeeper at Summit Housing Development Corporation.  In her role, she handles a variety of tasks including entering invoices, paying bills, issuing checks, processing work orders for homes, and coordinating utility setups for new home purchases.

Despina brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background in finance and administration.  She has previously worked as a bookkeeper, substitute teacher, and real estate appraiser.  With a Master of Business Administration in Management from the University of Akron and a B.A. in Accounting from Walsh University, Despina has a strong educational foundation that supports her professional skills.

Outside of work, Despina enjoys spending time with her husband and son, her two dogs, Thunder and Lovey, and her friends.  She loves listening to audiobooks and podcasts, watching movies, and meeting new people.  Despina is also an enthusiastic member of her book club, where she enjoys engaging in thoughtful discussions about various literary works.