Thurston Housing Land Trust
Board of Trustees
Like most CLTs, our bylaws require a democratically selected “tripartite” board. In 2021 we increased board size from 9 to 12. All trustees are elected by members. The three categories are:
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Lessee Trustees: at least one-third of trustees must be lessees (homeowners) of the trust, once there are enough lessees for this to be feasible. Until then, there must be other individuals representative of low-income population and needs.
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Public Trustees: one third are Public Trustees, nominated by the board to bridge to important community capacities and perspectives
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General Trustees: the final third of trustees must be other members of THLT.
We have a hard-working board in an organization that was wholly volunteer until late 2021 when we initiated our contracted Operations Manager position.
President
Jerry Bustamante
Jerry has been part of THLT since our start-up, including service on the Outreach Committee, Funding and Acquisitions Committee, as one of the trustees most involved in developing our ground lease, and as THLT’s advocacy lead. In the latter role he has built on prior experience doing legislative administrative work and as a lobbyist to serve as one of THLT’s primary representatives in northwestern regional CLT advocacy, and on Thurston County’s most important coordinating body for affordable housing and homelessness response, the Housing Action Team. Jerry is Dine (Navajo) and graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2014.
Secretary
Dan Rubin
One of THLT’s founders, Dan was attracted to this effort by a desire to make a long-term contribution to affordable housing outside the speculative spiral. Dan has been a half-time volunteer for THLT for the past four years, from its pre-incorporation organization committee through the present, with major roles in establishing our organization, helping develop our ground lease, exploring potential property donations, finding financial donors, representing THLT publicly and writing grants.
Trustee
Ann Vandeman
Ann believes housing is a human right and a social obligation of a civil society, and the land trust model of permanent affordability is part of the solution. Ann has a PhD in agricultural economics, and currently works as a CPA tax accountant. Her previous positions include research economist, bookkeeper, organic farmer and nonprofit executive director. She’s a joiner, having served on numerous professional and nonprofit organization boards, most recently with the Community Farm Land Trust. She has an adult child with intellectual disabilities and is a leader in the community of like parents.
Trustee
Susan Davenport Moore
More than anyone else, Susan is the founder and instigator of THLT, and served as our Vice President 2018 - 2021. She applies years of knowledge and connections related to affordable housing and the situation of low-income families in Thurston County. Susan was a founding member, in 1975, of Black Walnut Association, a community land trust in Olympia, with ongoing work since then toward creating affordable housing in numerous community advocacy efforts. Susan works as a Homebuilder therapist and advocate with the Institute for Family Development, providing a full range of services including assisting clients finding stable, affordable housing.
Trustee
Paul Knox
Paul is former Executive Director of United Way of Thurston County, following a long career of leadership and innovation in policy, operations, advocacy, and community organizing with state government and non-profit organizations (including founding executive of the Washington Asset Building Coalition). Paul is a social entrepreneur and professional consultant with a passion and life-long commitment for creating better communities and connections between people. He loves building projects, growing and making food and bringing people together. He has been the acquisitions lead in our first homeownership project.
Vice Presdient
LaToya Johnson
Passionate about history, with a Master’s degree in the field, LaToya also serves as a part-time adjunct faculty instructor of US History 1 at Everett Community College in Everett, WA and Highline College in Des Moines, WA. And, as a member of the community, LaToya remains engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts. One of her accomplished moments was the passing of an equity bill that she pushed to become law, Senate Bill 5044, “Concerning professional learning, equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system.”
Trustee
Rob Richards
Rob has been an advocate and activist for people experiencing poverty and homelessness for over 20 years. His volunteer work in city government politics led to a career as an effective consultant. He is a proud veteran of the United States Navy including a tour in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Fox.
He has also served on the Board of Directors at the Statewide Poverty Action Network since 2012, working hard to bend our system toward justice and fairness for folks experiencing poverty in the state of Washington.
Treasurer
Rebeca Potasnik
Rebeca believes the land trust model is one of the many antidotes needed to make the changes these times require if we are to ensure everyone is housed. She hasprevious experience working with the Community Farm Land Trust as a long-time volunteer, and had the opportunity to serve on their board as a lessee representative when she was the Operations Director at Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB).
Rebeca has a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon and a broad range of nonprofit leadership experience.
Vice President
Robin Downey
Robin is currently a licensed realtor, with a focus on first-time and low-income homebuyers, following work in a family business with husband building, investing in and remodeling home. Her previous occupations have included shellfish farmer and director of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association; jazz vocalist and songwriter, restaurant owner; free-lance writer; work in youth and family programs. Housing issues are near and dear to Robin’s heart and she became a member of THLT in 2021, soon after moving back to Olympia after an absence, in hopes that she could contribute to finding solutions to the complex issues around housing.
Contracted Operations Manager
Thea LaCross
Thea has a longstanding interest in housing as a critical part of community-building and resilience. Her broad background in project management, business operations, and finance was developed in the world of book publishing and software, and has been put to good use in her work with community nonprofits over the past ten years.
Trustee Opening
Community Members
We have an open position on the current board, and would love to talk to interested community members with nonprofit or housing experience and a passion to help make homes happen for low and modest income neighbors.