New advisory board members appointed by Thurston Regional Housing Council 

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved the appointment of nine new members to the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board (TAHAB) and Homeless Services Advisory Board (HSAB) at a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.  

Thurston County’s Affordable Housing Program Manager Alex Persse presented the results of a two-week recruitment process, from Aug. 11 to Aug. 25, during which a total of 23 individuals applied for seats on the boards.

According to Persse, a dedicated advisory board recruitment subcommittee reviewed applications, prioritizing candidates with lived experience of housing instability and representation from community sectors. Interviews were conducted on Sept. 10 and Sept. 12.  

The TAHAB will welcome four new members: Britt Pomush, an Olympia resident working at the Washington State Senate; Isabella Marocco, of Lacey, who is employed at Olympia Federal Savings; Alex Barclay, of Olympia, who works at Community Youth Services; and Chris Well, of Olympia, who works at United Way of Thurston County.  

The appointments will expand the TAHAB to 12 members, representing various sectors, including housing advocacy, lending and community services.  

The HSAB will have five new members: Garrett Leonard, of Olympia, from Catholica Community Services and Lived Experience Steering Committee; Sophie Blake, of Olympia, who works at Family Support Center of South Sound; Harri-Ann Ellis, of Lacey, who works at Adaptive Change Counseling, LLC; Amelia Mott of Salvation Army; and Rebecca Hutchinson, of unincorporated Thurston County, who works at Senior Services for South Sound.  

The additions will bring the HSAB to 13 members. It also gives the advisory board a wide range of expertise from coordinated entry, behavioral health, shelter services and senior advocacy.  

The housing also approved term renewals for existing members, with Meg Martine and Grace Lee continuing on the TAHAB until December 2028. 

Joshua Chaney and Candice Garman’s terms at HSAB were also extended through December 2028.