Visiting Fellow
Foundation for Research on Economic Opportunity (FREOPP)
June 2018 to Present

As a Visiting Fellow, I research and develop policies that help Americans who have trouble affording a place to live. My work includes research, writing, speaking, and meeting with people who build, manufacture, and manage housing and with people who are seeking housing solutions for themselves or others.

Founder and Director
Seattle For Growth
January 2014 to Present

As director I have built the brand identity of the organization, led fundraising efforts, directed our policy agenda, and written and spoken for increased housing supply locally and throughout the country. Seattle For Growth was the first and only pro-growth organization supporting a market based approach the regions housing price problems.

Director, Housing and Human Resources
Sea Mar Community Health Centers 
July 2011 to February 2014

I managed an 8-person team responsible for hiring, orientation, benefits management, Labor and Industries compliance, records management, and regulatory compliance. Sea Mar has 2,000 employees at dozens of sites in Western Washington. I managed a transfer of thousands of records and documents from Iron Mountain to our own warehouse where we developed our own management system and software.

As housing director I oversaw the development of an $11 million, 43-unit tax-credit apartment project in Des Moines, managed 25 units of townhouse apartments in Seattle, and 150 units of Farmworker housing in Pasco, Washington. I was responsible for regulatory compliance as well raising funds for development and operations.

Research Associate
Sightline Institute
February 2009 to February 2011

Researched, wrote, and spoke about sustainability and energy efficiency policy at a regional sustainability think tank. This included meetings to share research with elected officials, business leaders, and other groups concerned with climate change and energy efficiency. Additionally, I extensively researched options for financing energy efficiency and infrastructure.

Consultant
Self-Employed
June 2007 to June 2009

I worked and partnered with the American Lung Association of Oregon, the Health Education Council and others to develop and implement health education products to support non-profit organizations working with low-income populations with high risk factors. My curriculum was based on my years of experience in the tobacco prevention and public health field and included a science based systems change model.

Instructor
Puget Sound Early College – Highline Community College
January 2009 to March 2009

I co-taught a health and art class for students in an alternative high school embedded in a community college. This role included developing curriculum, teaching, grading, and lectures as well as one on one support and work with students. Among the texts I used was The White Plague by Rene DuBos, a book that emphasized the social and cultural factors that influence the incidence and spread of diseases, especially tuberculosis.

Legislative Aide
Seattle City Council, Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck
June 2007 to December 2007

My role was largely working with constituents, writing public comments and speeches, responding to questions and requests from Councilmembers and City staff, and providing support for the Councilmembers regular duties and public engagements. The Councilmember had an emphasis during my time on land use and housing.

Manager, Tobacco Prevention Program
Public Health – Seattle & King County
January 2003 to May 2007

Managed a staff of 14 and a budget of $2 million and led policy and compliance on tobacco regulation in King County. The program also had a strong education component as well as an active policy development function. Our team managed the implementation of Washington State’s smoking ban measure passed in 2005, including compliance, education, and technical assistance for businesses and other local governments.

Seattle Regional Health Officer
Public Health King County
October 2001 to January 2003

Worked with interdepartmental teams and across jurisdictions to support broad population based health interventions, assessments, and policy changes, including coordination on bioterrorism My geographic area of focus was the City of Seattle and I worked with local elected officials, City staff, and members of the community in support of population based health initiatives and other health interventions.

Neighborhood Development Manager
City of Seattle – Department of Neighborhoods
April 1999 to October 2001

Coordinated interdepartmental teams, neighborhood groups, and private developers to implement neighborhood plans in 7 neighborhoods in Southwest Seattle. Raised capital from multiple sources to complete projects collaboratively with the City departments and private developers. My work included managing multiple projects as well as tracking and advocating for policy changes and funding to
support neighborhood plan implementation.

Community Liaison Specialist
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
July 1998 to April 1999

Worked with a geographically focused cross disciplinary team to complete community health assessments and support broad population based health interventions and education. Our group worked to support crime prevention efforts, economic development, and supported communities in transition, especially in underserved and geographically isolated parts of the county.

Campaign Manager
Peter Steinbrueck for City Council
July 1997 to November 1997

I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for Seattle City Council including fundraising, scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. Our campaign was successful electing our candidate with more than 70 percent of the vote in a contested open seat for the City Council.

Account Executive
Voice Poll Communications
April 1997 to July 1997

Worked with a number of school districts to implement innovative polling techniques to measure support for school bond and levy measures. I built on my experience and contacts with education leaders in school districts to seek new clients, run and interpret public opinion polls, and advise on upcoming elections.

Political Consultant
Tramatola Company
January 1997 to April 1997

The firm consulted with school districts and community groups to conduct public opinion research to measure support for school bond campaigns. This included early community outreach, polls, determining capital improvement needs, and devising campaign strategy and implementation. I had several clients in southern and central California.

Program Coordinator, Government Relations
Washington State School Directors’ Association – Lacey, WA
March 1994 to November 1996

This position was working for the 1,482 elected school board members in Washington State. Our office worked broadly and narrowly on all public policy and legislative proposals impacting education in the state at the federal, state, and local level. My focus was on public policy originating outside education committees in the legislature with an impact on funding an operations of public schools; this included policies affecting the management of state trust land, crime and safety, and growth management.

Legislative Aide
Washington State Senator Margarita Prentice
January 1994 to March 1994

This position was a session position limited to the 60 day legislative session and in support of a State Senator and her full time legislative aide. I managed researched legislation, attended meetings on behalf of the Senator, helped with scheduling and supported the office generally by answering phone calls and welcoming visitors to the office. Much of the job required responding to hundreds of phone calls to the office and the legislative hot line on legislation or issues generally.

Campaign Manager
James Fearn for City Council
July 1993 to December 1993

I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for Seattle City Council including fundraising, scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. Our campaign was unsuccessful but gained significant endorsements including the Seattle Times and an Excellent rating from the Municipal League.

Comptroller
Committee for Washington’s Future
August 1993 to November 1993

I managed the receipt, deposit, accounting for, and reporting of $1.5 million in campaign contributions for a campaign opposing the passage of a statewide initiative on the ballot in the November election. This required managing pay roll, paying vendors, and providing cash flow reports on a regular basis.

Curriculum Advisor
Highline Community College
October 1992 to July 1993

In this role I was responsible for guiding and advising students and prospective students of a two-year community college. Our office was responsible for helping students negotiate the community college system including enrollment, financial aid, and meeting transfer and graduation requirements collaboratively across faculty and other student support offices.

Campaign Manager
Tracy Eide for State House of Representatives
September 1992 to November 1992

I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for the State House of Representatives including fundraising, scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. The campaign was successful.

Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara
September 1991 to June 1992

I taught and tutored students enrolled in courses in the Religious Studies department including assigning readings, grading written papers and exams, as well as delivering lectures and answering questions from students.

Education

Certificate in Advertising
University of Washington, 1993
Master of Arts, Religious Studies
University of California-Santa Barbara, 1992
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
University of Puget Sound, 1990

Skills

Human Resources Management (10+ years), Writing Skills (10+ years), Project Management (10+years), Campaign Management (10+ years), Budgeting (10+ years), Warehouse Management, Fundraising (10+ years)