Meet the Board shaping our vision

Nehemiah HDFC Board

Guided by a shared commitment to community, our Board of Directors helps shape the vision and direction of Nehemiah. Their leadership ensures that our work remains grounded in service, accountability, and the belief that stable housing is the foundation for thriving families and neighborhoods.

Aaron Graf

Executive Director of Nehemiah HDFC

Aaron Graf is the Executive Director of Nehemiah HDFC. Mr. Graf's primary role is to source, structure, and develop affordable housing in New York City.

Aaron Graf is also the co-founder of LG Fairmont Group, a residential brokerage firm focused on Manhattan and Brooklyn. The firm has completed over $1.2 billion dollars in transaction volume.

Prior to forming Capital, Mr. Graf was a Loan Officer for three years with the Community Preservation Corporation ("CPC") where his primary role was to provide debt capital for affordable residential development projects and stabilized property in Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan, and Staten Island. As a Loan Officer and subsequently in an advisory role, he reviewed hundreds of deals for feasibility and committed, closed, and/or arranged approximately $100 million dollars in transactions.

Mr. Graf holds an MBA from Columbia Business School where he was a Toigo Fellow and a Pension Real Estate Association Fellow. Mr. Graf holds a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College where he was a Merit Scholar.

Arshad Bacchus

Director of Nehemiah HDFC

Arshad is widely considered a subject matter expert on Real Estate Development and Finance, Disaster and Emergency Recovery and Project and Program Management. Mr. Bacchus serves as the Director of Real Estate at Nehemiah HDFC where he oversees Nehemiah's growing real estate portfolio and ensures its continued expansion.

Arshad Bacchus also serves as the Director of Operations and Program Manager for Capital Access Inc. where he manages the Emergency Rental Assistance Program ("ERAP") for Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bacchus skillful and efficient management of the ERAP has successfully resulted in funds being administered ahead of schedule. Under his leadership, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program has been applauded for its exemplary performance.

Mr. Bacchus earlier positions include serving as Deputy Director for the Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability Program ("ELLA") at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development ("HPD"). At HPD, Arshad oversaw a robust pipeline of over $SB in new construction developments. He supervised a team of highly skilled Project Managers in negotiating and closing large multifamily real estate transactions that utilizing funding sources such Tax­ Exempt Bonds, Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Federal, State and Local government subsidies, and private financing. Mr. Bacchus was directly responsible for the closing of various projects totaling over $1B in total development cost that produced over 2,500 affordable housing units across New York City at various income levels.

Arshad holds a Master in Real Estate Development from Georgetown University where he earned the accolade of Summa Cum Laude and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy-Law from CUNY-Brooklyn College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Zach Longmore

Director of Nehemiah HDFC

Zach is a Director of Real Estate at Nehemiah where he focuses on developing the organization’s real estate portfolio outside of New York City (and east of the Mississippi).

Mr. Longmore was previously the Vice President of Development with New York City based Monadnock Development. At that company, he worked on the development of over 2,000 units of affordable housing, community facilities, and commercial space with a TDC of over $1 Billion. He was the lead representative for Ownership of over 1,200 units and oversaw project staff for those projects. His portfolio primarily included NYC and NYS, 4% LIHTC and Bond financings for 100% Affordable Residential and Mixed-Use developments, and Affordable Homeownership. The projects served a range of income limits, as well as created set-aside units for Formerly Homeless and Supportive residents, and Senior Housing. Zach’s contributions to these projects started at the conceptual and predevelopment phases and continued through closing, construction, stabilization, and conversion to their permanent financing.

Prior to starting his career in Real Estate Development, Mr. Longmore worked at various Architecture firms as a Project Manager with a focus on Commercial projects across the country. During this period, he managed projects that accumulated to over 2.8 Million SF of Warehouse, 1.5 Million SF of Office, 1.9 Million SF of Retail, and 85k SF of Educational space.pace.

Zach holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Design (focus in Architecture) from the University of Colorado.

Lawrence Bell

Asset Manager of Nehemiah HDFC

Lawrence Bell is the Asset Manager for Nehemiah HDFC. Mr. Bell’s primary responsibility is the management of Nehemiah’s existing portfolio, which consists of 680 affordable units, including two senior living projects.

As a former NYCHA resident with a diverse background, Lawrence is sensitive to the unique needs of our low-to-moderate income tenants and has a personal commitment to preserving quality affordable housing. Applying his training in legal affairs and social justice, Mr. Bell works diligently to ensure Nehemiah’s projects operate efficiently and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Moreover, Mr. Bell works to ensure that the rights and dignity of all tenants are honored in the decision-making process for our properties. 

Prior to coming to Nehemiah, Mr. Bell served as an Honorarium Lecturer for several universities and colleges, including Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Swarthmore College. During his tenure, Mr. Bell instructed in the areas of Political and Social Sciences, The History of African Religions, and Penology. Mr. Bell continues his work in education through various speaking engagements and community organizing.

Mr. Bell is an OSHA certified Construction Site Safety and Health Coordinator and is registered with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) for Standardized Craft Training, and Green Energy Sourcing.

In addition, Mr. Bell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Rutgers University’s School of Law, where he earned Summa Cum Laude honors. Mr. Bell is a Braven Fellow and member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network and the Transformative Justice Initiative.