In her role as Chief Financial Officer of Georgia HAP Administrators, Inc. (GHA), Karen Romaine Thomas is responsible for the oversight & annual disbursement of approximately $350 million in Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to Section 8 Project-Based properties located throughout Georgia and Illinois.  Additional responsibilities include the day-to-day management of GHA’s information technology, financial and accounting operations and oversight of GHA’s multi-million dollar operating budget.  

Prior to joining GHA's staff, Karen worked eleven years for The Schwan Food Company, one of the largest manufacturers of frozen foods in the United States.  After a series of rapid promotions, she concluded her assignment there as Vice President, Divisional CFO for Schwan’s European division, during which time she lived abroad for two years.  She has a vast amount of knowledge of financial standards and administrative operations. 

Karen holds a BBA degree in Accounting from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and an MBA from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia.  She currently sits on the board for The Prodigy Group, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster educational achievements in minority males ages 5 – 12.    

You may reach Karen at (770) 939-3939 ext. 2015, or by e-mail at kthomas@ghaca.org.