Board of Commissioners
EHA is governed by a Board of Commissioners, which is appointed by the Mayor of Everett and confirmed by the City Council. The Board is composed of six commissioners, including a resident commissioner who is a current program participant. Commissioners serve five year terms with staggered expiration dates. EHA's Board of Commissioners is listed below, with the year of expiration for each commissioner's current term in parenthesis.
Board Members
Koren Smith, Board Chair (2020 - 10/06/2025)
Email Koren
Occupation: Regional Senior Vice President, Coastal Community Bank
Community Involvement: Actively involved in outreach work with people experiencing homelessness over the years, through fundraising efforts with community-based non-profit organizations and direct services. She has also volunteered for youth sports and education.
Cynthia Andrews, Vice-Chair (2022 - 10/06/2027)
Email Cynthia
Occupation: Innovation Initiatives Program Manager, North Sound Accountable Community of Health (ACH)
Community Involvement: With a passion for the elders in her community, she is the former Executive Director of a senior center in Seattle that historically services African American elders. She has had a long career in DEI, advocacy, agency administration, PR, multicultural services, and consulting.
Chip Burgess, Commissioner (2019 - 10/06/2025)
Email Chip
Occupation: Construction Marketing Representative, Laborers International Union of North America
Community Involvement: In his current role with LIUNA, he is tasked with expanding their market share and gaining new members to achieve higher wages, safer job sites, and a better quality of life for all working families.
George Perez, Jr., Commissioner (1998 - 10/06/2026)
Email George
Occupation: Retired
Community Involvement: A longtime resident of Everett, his volunteer work has included serving as a little league coach for the Everett Boys and Girls Club and as a Spanish interpreter for various organizations within Everett and Snohomish County. He is still actively involved with NAHRO.
John Traynor, Commissioner (2023-10/6/2028)
Email John
Occupation: Political Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 191
Community Involvement: Appointed to EHA's Board of Commissioners in 2022, he comes with a wealth of experience in lobbying, policy matters, and contract negotiations through his current position as the Political Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 191 and previous work with the IBEW Local 48. His community involvement has also included serving on a neighborhood association committee and coordinating union workers for days of service in the community.
Paul Manselle, Resident Commissioner (2022 - 10/06/2025)
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Occupation: Retired, EHA Resident
Community Involvement: As a resident of EHA senior housing since 2017, he brings a resident perspective to his Board duties and responsibilities. He has a long history of volunteer service for multiple charitable organizations, including work for EHA. Most notably, his volunteer work includes connecting low-income housing residents with meals, an enterprise sponsored by a local religious congregation.
Regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners will be held on the fourth Monday of February, March, May, June, and August, beginning at noon, unless a meeting is canceled in advance by the Board. The Annual meeting will be held on the second Monday of November beginning at noon, unless the date falls on Veterans Day, in which case it will take place the following Tuesday. The location of meetings is the Housing Authority's main office, 3107 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98201. Meetings are open to the public, and interested persons are encouraged to attend. To inquire about an upcoming meeting or schedule time on the agenda, please call 425-303-1124, or email Heather. Everett Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of, or access to, its programs or activities. Requests for assistance or accommodations can be arranged by contacting Heather Stults at the previously mentioned contact.
To access the Board Meeting Agendas and Meeting Recordings, please click here.
