J. Hunter Pickels is Senior Vice President of Policy and External Affairs at the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. With more than 20 years of experience in policy and politics, he leads efforts to advance affordable housing through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and policy reform. Previously, Hunter served as Chief Policy Officer at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development under Governor Larry Hogan and began his career on Capitol Hill working for a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, the U.S. Naval War College, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government, where he earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA).