Marcia Perritt
Director
(919) 600-7874
mperritt@sog.unc.edu
Marcia Perritt was named DFI director in 2023 after serving as associate director, project manager, and Community Revitalization Fellow. She handles business development for DFI and provides specialized assistance related to community engagement and communication across all DFI projects.
Tyler Mulligan
Faculty lead
David M. Lawrence Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government
(919) 962-0987
mulligan@sog.unc.edu
Tyler Mulligan launched DFI in 2011 and now serves as its faculty lead. He is an expert in community economic development, affordable housing, and public-private partnerships for development.
Sarah Odio
Associate director, affordable housing
(305) 778-9383
odio@sog.unc.edu
Sarah Odio specializes in affordable housing. She helps urban and rural communities across North Carolina understand their housing needs and attract private investment to mixed-use and mixed-income developments.
Eric Thomas
Associate director, design
(919) 843-6914
ethomas@sog.unc.edu
Eric Thomas manages mixed-use development projects across North Carolina. He provides a range of support to DFI projects including conceptual design, program definition, budget, cost estimation, and site analysis.
Margaret Valyou
Assistant director, business operations
(919) 966-5911
valyou@sog.unc.edu
Margaret Valyou manages DFI operations, including human resources, budgeting, contracts, workspace, and administrative support.
Sonyia Turner
Senior project manager
(919) 445-0670
sturner@sog.unc.edu
Sonyia Turner oversees project level work at DFI. She conducts pre-development feasibility analysis and builds and maintains relationships with a wide range of stakeholders for DFI projects.
Sara VanLear
Project manager
(650) 380-9876
vanlear@sog.unc.edu
Sara VanLear is a project manager with DFI. She works alongside government partners to determine how privately-led real estate opportunities can support local economic and community goals.
Kevin McCarthy
Real estate development analyst
(919) 843-0250
kmccarthy@sog.unc.edu
Kevin McCarthy supports DFI’s work through data analysis and GIS services. He has expertise in urban planning and affordable housing finance, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and other rental housing programs.
Clark Ricciardelli
Real estate development analyst
(919) 918-1716
cricciardelli@sog.unc.edu
Clark Ricciardelli uses financial modeling and economic analysis to structure public-private partnerships and promote real estate development that supports local economies and residents.
