Executive Board

Executive Board

The Executive Board is the governing board of SKHHP, and is comprised of either an elected official or City Manager or Administrator for each City and the King County Executive, or their designated representative for each participating jurisdiction.

Board Members

AUBURN: Nancy Backus (Chair), Mayor

Nancy Backus was elected in 2014 and is the first female to hold the office in Auburn's 125 year history. Prior to taking office, she served as an Auburn city councilmember and spent 25 years as a financial manager for the Boeing Company. Backus is a strong advocate of service to the community, with a particular passion for women’s rights and healthy communities. She is the recipient of the American Medical Association Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service, Dale Carnegie Human Principles in Action Award, Business and Professional Women's Woman of Achievement Award, Soroptimist International Women Helping Women Award and serves on numerous boards and committees throughout the state and region advocating for the health, safety and prosperity of her community.

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BURIEN: Liz Stead, Community Development Director

Liz Stead is the Community Development Director for the City of Burien and has served as the city’s representative to SKHHP since October 2024.

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COVINGTON: Kristina Soltys, Councilmember

 Kristina Soltys has been a resident of Covington for 17 years, along with her family, and a Covington City Councilmember since 2020. The core belief that a healthy and wholesome community consists of healthy and wholesome individuals drives her work in South King County. Kristina looks forward to her role in helping shape and guide South King County’s future as a welcoming community that supports a vibrant local economy through diverse services, vital infrastructure, and affordable housing. She continues to create ways for South King County residents to be active, social, and engaged with their local communities.

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DES MOINES: Gene Achziger, City Councilmember

Gene Achziger represents Position #3 on the Des Moines City Council and has served as the city's representative to SKHHP since February 2025.

 

 

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FEDERAL WAY: Brian Davis, City Administrator

Brian Davis has been with the City of Federal Way since 2016. His experience includes over twenty years of housing and land use administration at federal, state, and local levels throughout the Pacific Northwest. While working in Oregon, he was voted by the American Planning Association as the youngest city planner of the year in the state’s history.

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KENT: Dana Ralph (Vice Chair), Mayor

A Kent native, Mayor Dana Ralph was elected to the Kent City Council in 2011 and served until 2017, when she was elected as Mayor. She is currently serving as President of the Sound Cities Association, Chair of the Valley Communications (911 dispatch) Board, Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Board and as a member of the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Committee, King County Flood Control Advisory Board, Watershed Resource Inventory Area Board, South County Area Transportation Board, South King Housing and Homelessness Partners Board, an Ex-officio of the Kent Chamber of Commerce Board and a former Board Member for the Kiwanis Club of Kent where she still remains an active member.

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MAPLE VALLEY: Victoria Schroff, Councilmember

Victoria Schroff, a longtime Maple Valley resident, was elected to the Maple Valley City Council in January 2022. Prior to her election, she actively volunteered for numerous local organizations, including serving on the Maple Valley Planning Commission. This experience provided her with valuable insights into local government operations and the importance of collaborative decision-making. Victoria is honored to bring her commitment to collaborative problem-solving to the SKHHP Executive Board to address the pressing housing challenges facing Maple Valley and South King County.

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NORMANDY PARK: Eric Zimmerman, Mayor

Eric Zimmerman serves on the Normandy Park City Council, and previously served on the City's Planning Commission and as its representative to the SeaTac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Roundtable (StART). He is a fifth-generation King County resident. Since 2003 Eric has worked in the global humanitarian industry and has partnered in community development projects in more than 40 countries, across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and with a specialization in climate and the environment. Eric, his wife, and his son all love the outdoors and in their free time enjoy exploring the Puget Sound region's natural areas.

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RENTON: Carmen Rivera, Councilmember

 Carmen Rivera, a proud Rentonite, made history in 2021 as the first openly queer person, first Boricua, and youngest Latina elected to the Renton City Council. With a strong academic background, including degrees from Seattle University and the University of Liverpool, Carmen has dedicated her career to serving marginalized communities. Her experience working with youth at Echo Glen Children’s Center and King County’s YouthSource has shaped her commitment to social justice and equity.

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SEATAC: James Lovell, Councilmember

James W. Lovell is the Councilmember for Position #5 in SeaTac, Washington. He is actively involved in the city's development, chairing the Planning & Economic Development Committee and is passionate about affordable housing. Prior to his role in city council, James had a long career in non-profit education, housing, and human services, with a focus on youth development. He is a resident of SeaTac with his wife, children, and mother-in-law. An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, James brings a diverse perspective to his role and is committed to serving his community. In addition to SeaTac City Council, James’ full-time job is at Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit housing developer and homelessness services organization in King County.

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TUKWILA: Thomas McLeod, Mayor

Thomas McLeod was elected to serve as Mayor of Tukwila in 2023 after having been appointed to the City Council in 2016. Before his appointment to the City Council in 2016, Thomas previously served on the Tukwila Planning Commission. On the Commission, he worked on the Tukwila Comprehensive Plan to help our city grow sustainably. His work on the Planning Commission also includes the development of the new, award-winning Tukwila Library in Tukwila Village, the Hotel Interurban, and i-fly Indoor Skydiving.

Thomas has served on the Growth Management Planning Council of King County, representing Tukwila’s interests in our region. Especially in this difficult time, preserving affordable housing in our region. In his free time, Thomas enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and following the local sports teams.

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KING COUNTY: Sunaree Marshall, Director Housing & Community Development

Sunaree is the Director of King County’s Housing & Community Development division. In her current role, she oversees division work to advance affordable housing development, housing stability, and housing policy and planning, including the Health Through Housing initiative. Previously, Sunaree led affordable housing policy, planning, and regional collaboration efforts at King County, including a focus on equitable development. She has more than 10 years of experience leading teams and working directly on housing and community development, sustainable communities, climate resilience, and social equity issues with the federal government in Washington, DC. This includes her work leading teams working on efforts to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and implement the Sustainable Communities grant program. Through both of these efforts, Sunaree supported cities and regions in advancing access to opportunity through equitable community planning at the intersection of housing, transportation, and economic development. Sunaree also served for three years as a Community Youth Development volunteer in the Peace Corps in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.