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Our Team

NextGen Escambia CDC is led by a passionate team of community builders, visionaries, and professionals dedicated to advancing affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization across Escambia County. Together, we are committed to creating more than homes we’re building pathways to opportunity, stability, and growth for the families we serve. Our collective mission is to empower communities and shape a stronger future for all.

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MEssage

Chairman’s Message

Building Homes. Strengthening Families. Empowering Communities.

At NextGen Escambia, HOME represents more than a place it’s the foundation of opportunity. We are dedicated to developing, preserving, and managing affordable housing that promotes stability, dignity, and growth for individuals and families across Escambia County. Every home we help create has a lasting impact on the well-being, safety, and future of the people we serve.

Quality, affordable housing improves lives. When families have stable homes, children perform better in school, parents experience less stress, and seniors live healthier, more independent lives. Safe and affordable communities reduce financial strain, increase access to opportunity, and foster pride among residents who know they are part of something greater than themselves.

NextGen Escambia believes that community transformation begins with access to safe and stable housing. Our work focuses on addressing housing disparities, revitalizing underdeveloped neighborhoods, and promoting equity through projects that create opportunity and growth. We view every development as an investment in people because when families thrive, entire communities rise with them.

Our team is working to expand the reach of affordable housing across Escambia County through collaborative partnerships, forward-thinking development strategies, and inclusive planning. By aligning with public and private partners, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth that ensures long-term impact and community empowerment.

Beyond housing, NextGen Escambia CDC is focused on the holistic well-being of residents. We understand that the strength of a community is not only measured by the quality of its homes but by the quality of life experienced within them. That’s why our initiatives also prioritize access to healthcare, financial literacy, workforce development, and supportive programs that strengthen families from the inside out.

As we continue to grow, our goal is to serve low- to moderate-income households, seniors, veterans, and families who need a stable foundation to achieve independence and success. Through programs centered on self-sufficiency and opportunity, we’re creating pathways for individuals to move from surviving to thriving.

Strong communities are at the heart of NextGen Escambia’s mission to transform lives and neighborhoods through the development, preservation, and management of affordable housing, while connecting residents to resources that enhance their quality of life.

NextGen stands as a catalyst for change in Northwest Florida. Through collaboration with developers, investors, and community organizations, we are cultivating spaces where residents can live, learn, and grow in environments that foster hope and economic resilience. Each new partnership and project brings us closer to building a county where equity and opportunity are accessible to all.

We invite you to partner with us on our journey to create vibrant communities that support seniors, individuals, and families.

George Hawthorne

Chairman

Board of directors

Board of directors

George hawthorne

Board Chair

Barbara Tyson

Chief Administrative Officer

Robert Strickland

Chief Executive Director

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Eddie Brown

Member

Mr. Brown has been a dedicated member of the ONIC Board since 2004, serving two terms as its Board Chair. Currently, he holds the position of Program Manager at the Orange County Community & Family Services Department – Community Action Division. In this role, his primary focus is on working with individuals and families, assisting them in achieving self-sufficiency. Prior to his current role, Mr. Brown dedicated over 20 years of service at the Naval Air Warfare Center. During this time, he graduated from the Defense Security Institute with a focus on Information, Personnel, and Industrial Security. Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Brown is an active member of various community organizations. He is a member and past President of the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a member of 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando, and an active participant at St. Mark A.M.E. Church. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise as a member of the City of Orlando Code Enforcement Board. Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida Southern College.

Derek Burke

Member

Mr. Burke is a long-serving board member (1997) and a former chair of ONIC. He is the president of the civil engineering consulting firm WBQ Design & Engineering, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida. He has also served in leadership positions on numerous civic and corporate boards, including the Orlando Chamber of Commerce and the Orlando Downtown Development Board. Mr. Burke has a bachelor’s degree in civil and structural engineering from the University of Bradford, UK, and a master’s degree in transportation engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Ericka Dunlap

Board Chair

Ms. Dunlap joined ONIC’s board in 2018 and is an award-winning Public Relations Strategist, Author, Entrepreneur, and the distinguished winner of Miss America 2004. She is currently the CEO and Principal Consultant of Crown Communication Group, a strategic consulting firm focused on enhancing brand relationships and reputations. Ms. Dunlap is also a passionate advocate for the Arts and serves as Executive Producer for various productions. With her extensive experience in the beauty and entertainment industries, she has become a trailblazer in creating innovative strategies that drive brand success.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Dunlap is deeply involved in several civic organizations, including the American Heart Association, NAMI, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her commitment to community solutions is further reflected in her previous candidacy for public office and her current role as ONIC’s Board Chair. Ms. Dunlap holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Central Florida.

Milton W. Carroll, Jr.

Vice Chair

Milton Carroll

Secretary & Treasurer

Mr. Carroll joined ONIC’s board in 2021 bringing with him a wealth of experience in finance that spans three decades. Throughout his career, he has held several leadership roles at Bank of America, First Union Bank, and Fifth Third Bank. Currently lending his expertise at FAIRWINDS credit union, Mr. Carroll specializes in delivering loan and treasury solutions. His success is evident in the genuine relationships he cultivates with clients and the Central Florida community. Mr. Carroll holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management & Entrepreneurship from Louisiana Tech University.

Ralph Armstead

Member

Mr. Armstead joined ONIC’s board in 1985 and is a distinguished attorney with almost 50 years of experience serving Orlando, Florida. Throughout his career, Mr. Armstead has been a tireless advocate for civil rights, human rights, and various community causes, receiving numerous prestigious awards for his dedicated service to the community. He is currently an active member of the Saint Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves on the School Board of Cornerstone Charter Academy. Upon graduating Morehouse College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science, he served as a military policeman, later earning his law degree from Florida State University College of Law.
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