Eric Finnigan
Vice President of Demographics Research, JBREC
Eric leads demographics research at JBREC, including the US Demographics Insights and Strategies suite. He focuses on helping clients plan around demographic shifts that impact housing and the overall economy. His past experiences include being the Vice President of Research & Investment Strategy at Clarion Partners in New York and the Vice President at Rosen Consulting Group in California.
George Passantino
Managing Partner, Passantino Andersen Communications
With nearly 25 years of experience in strategic communications and advocacy at the federal, state and local level, George Passantino knows what it takes to move public opinion, influence decision makers, build compelling brands and achieve victory for clients, whatever their challenges. Since founding Passantino Andersen Communications in 2007, George has overseen the rapid growth and strategic direction of the award-winning firm. He guides a diverse portfolio of clients that includes global retailers, automakers, homebuilders, school districts, government agencies, tech startups, nonprofits and trade associations. As a crisis manager, he has provided calm direction and media guidance for some of the largest companies and organizations in their respective industries as they faced the most challenging types of public crisis.
George has appeared on television, radio and in newspapers across the nation. He has appeared on FOX News Network, CNN Headline News Local Edition, CNBC, Bloomberg and National Public Radio. He has also been published in the pages of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, Investor’s Business Daily, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The San Jose Mercury News. He is the former host of “Home Team Radio”, on KTIE News Talk 590, which was broadcast to millions of residents across Southern California.
Dr. Lesli Gooch
Chief Executive Officer, Manufactured Housing Institute
Dr. Lesli Gooch is the Chief Executive Officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). Dr. Gooch has assembled a strong team that under her leadership has secured a number of key legislative and regulatory accomplishments for the industry.
MHI made progress on several key issues in 2023 that they are building upon to elevate manufactured housing within Congress and the Administration. For example, as a result of this work MHI was able to secure a delay in overzealous and poorly constructed Department of Energy standards and continues to push to ensure HUD remains the primary regulator of manufactured housing. In 2023, HUD made the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs an independent office and ensured eligibility for manufactured housing within a number of its programs. Manufactured housing was a key topic during all of Congress’ hearings about housing, which is critical while the nation is facing an affordable housing shortage. MHI helped states accomplish some key zoning wins and supported them as they combatted state legislation that could negatively impact owners of land lease communities.
Dr. Gooch joined MHI after serving across a variety of vantage points in Washington – including as a congressional staff member, congressional candidate, lobbyist, and political scientist focused on Congress. She has served on both Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s Affordable Housing Advisory committees.
Dr. Gooch has been recognized for three consecutive years as one of HousingWire’s Women of Influence for her efforts to elevate housing innovation and expand attainable homeownership. She has been ranked as one of The Hill’s top lobbyists in the United States and was a finalist for the Women in Government Relations’ 2020 Advocate of the Year Award. In 2018, Dr. Gooch was a nominee for the Professional Women in Advocacy’s Excellence in a Federal Issue Campaign award. In 2017, she was named in M Report’s “Wonder Women of Housing” as one of the top females impacting the housing industry.
Dr. Gooch has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma.
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