About RHA's 2012 Board of Directors

Sherry Zane - Chair

• Joined RHA in 2007
• Joined Board of Directors in 2008
• Sherry has been with Phillips Real Estate for 25 years and has extensive experience managing as both an owner and fee manager. She also co-teaches a class for new resident managers at Phillips
• Sherry's favorite part of being on the Board is keeping ahead of everything that is happening concerning the rental housing industry. She states "Being on the Board of Directors has been the best real estate education I could ever imagine having." Sherry has also appreciated being able to have good discussions among other Board Members about what is the best direction for our industry. "The Board is a great mix of people with a wide range of views; it's a terrific group to work with."

Steve Barton - Vice Chair

• Joined RHA in 1997
• Joined Board of Directors in 2009
• Steve is retired after a career in corporate and private business. He and his wife have owned and managed rental property since 1967 and today they operate their commercial and residential holdings in both Seattle and Tacoma.
• Steve serves on the board to give back what he can and to absorb and watch in amazement at the power RHA has within the industry on the local and state level. He finds it an honor and privilege to serve on RHA's Board of Directors

Laura Decker- Treasurer

• Joined RHA in 2007
• Joined Board of Directors in 2011
• Laura obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and continued education at Carroll College in Helena, Montana where she earned her Certified Public Accounting Certificate.  Laura worked in the accounting industry for 10 year. Now she manages her own property full time.

• Laura is looking forward to joining RHA's Board. She says it "means continuing to learn as a property owner and manager and also helping the organization to further the ability for Washington landlords to provide good housing and safeguard their incomes and property. Laura’s favorite part of being owner/manager is when the property is full of quality tenants who enjoy calling her property "home". 

John Mullally - Secretary

• Joined RHA in 1990
• Joined the Board of Directors in 2011
• John is a Manager Member of Mullally Development Company which is an owner operated group of companies that owns over 1400 units in the greater Seattle are. Mullally Development has been a member of RHA for over 20 year. He feels the joining the association gives owners big and small a voice, and influence and credibility to shape the industry.
• John says" Being a member of the Board of Directors allows me to learn from my peers and to share the knowledge I have for the benefit of the membership. Being able to develop new relationships with individuals in the industry is always a rewarding experience.  

Jack Hawes - Past Chair 2010-11

• Joined RHA in 1995
• Joined Board of Directors in 2004
• Jack works for Equity Residential and also manages his rental business with his wife
• Jack's favorite part of being involved with RHA is working with the PAC. He likes attending the candidate interviews and learning more about each candidate. He also enjoys being on the Legislative Committee and helping to improve the rental housing industry by working with cities, counties and state legislators. Jack believes RHA offers great educational opportunities and always looks forward to being able to get to know other rental property owners when attending events.

Michelle Broderson - Board of Directors 

• Joined RHA in 2005
• Joined Board of Directors in 2010
• Michelle has been a licensed Real Estate Agent for 21 years and has been at Wilson Realty Exchange, Inc for the past seven years of her career. Michelle and her husband also own rental property and manage it themselves.
• To Michelle, being on the Board of Directors means she is lucky enough to be able to surround herself with high caliber people who also love the sport of owning property as much as she does. She truly feels honored to be a part of an organization that is committed and serious abou the industry, its growth and development, not to mention that it is a fun mix of Board Members and RHA staff.

• Joined RHA in 1999
• Joined Board of Directors in 2009
• Doug owns Dewar Properties LLC which owns and manages several apartment buildings from Lake City to Everett.
• Doug's favorite part of belonging to RHA is that it gives him and his staff access to the best information available to manage apartment buildings. It keeps him aware of what is happening in the legislative arena regarding apartments and gives him an opportunity to participate in the legislative process.  

Earl Ecklund - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1985
• Joined Board of Directors in 2009
• Earl is the president of Lockhaven Development Co and the owner/operator of Lockhaven Apartments and Sunset Plaza Apartments in Ballard. His previous career was in computer science, in academia and industry consulting.
• Earl feels that RHA does a great job of supporting the rental housing industry, from forms and tenant screening to lobbying the rental housing perspective at local and state levels. He is impressed by the energy and dedication of the RHA staff and fellow Board Members in pursuing RHA goals. He is gratified to be a part of RHA's ongoing success by serving on the Board.  

 Dave Fulton - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 2008
• Joined Board of Directors in 2011
• Dave was born and raised in the Seattle area. He has been working in various positions within the Maritime Industry for the past 8 years. In addition, he is a Real Estate Agent with Skyline Properties. He does 100% of his own management for his rental properties.

• Dave’s favorite part of being a rental property owner is the ability to make improvements to his property. He finds it especially rewarding when that is appreciated by his tenants.

Bart Flora - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1990
• Joined Board of Directors in 2011
• Bart has over 25 years in the property management business and ownership. Apartment Division Manager, Phillips Real Estate Services, 1985-1991; General Manager of Cornell and Associates 1992-2001; 1/2 owner of Cornell and Associates Inc in 2001, currently Property Manager and Co-President.  
• Bart served on the Board from 1991-1996 and is looking forward to joining the group once again.

Bill Jackson - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1995
• Joined the Board of Directors in 2007, Chair in 2009 
• Bill is a licensed Real Estate Agent specializing in the management of single family residences. He has been with Protocol Property Management since 1993.
• "I have been in the business for almost 20 years, but I am constantly impressed by RHA members. They are smart, hardworking, dedicated landlords providing quality rental housing to the region and the state. Whether they own one unit or hundreds, they all seem to be committed in providing safe and affordable housing to all sectors of our society." 

Tom Lamoureux - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 2009
• Joined the Board of Directors in 2012
• Tom has been an active member of NARPM, has been in the business since 1977 and is a property manager with Fulcrum Property Management
• Tom says, "I see being asked to serve on the Board, first as an honor, compliment, and of course a commitment. I guess one of my sons summed it up best with the comment, "Pay it forward."  
• Goals? Being around fun, enthusiastic, and energetic people with the same cares, desires, and motivations as myself.  Wanting and hoping to do more for RHA as an association, and of course for the industry at large. I believe our association, especially the staff does such a great job in all areas, and it’s so important to get the word out to more property owners, investors, managers, and vendors.

Doug Neyhart - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1977
• This is Doug's second time on the Board (previously from 1989-2006)  
• Being on the Board to Doug means being able to work with the rental housing industry on their legislative issues. He enjoys working with RHA lobbyists, staff and Board of Directors during the legislative session and is able to help give back to the rental housing industry.

 Tamara Simon - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1997
• Joined Board of Directors in 2010
• Tamara has been the owner of Koss Property Management since 1990. Aside from RHA, Tamara is also an active member of NARPM. She teaches many classes for RHA including Tenant Screening A-Z and Landlord 101
• Tamara finds RHA to be a tremendous resources including having the best forms, information, classes and newsletter for our industry. She considers it a great privilege and honor to be part of RHA's Board of Directors, allowing her the opportunity to give back to an organization she feels has done so much for her.  

Jim Sykes - Board of Directors

• Joined RHA in 1997
• Joined Board of Directors in 2010
• Jim worked for 32 years in the editorial department of the Seattle Times newspaper. He left the Times in 2001 and freelanced for 6 years. He also manages all of his properties with his wife and volunteers many hours with Seattle Parks and Recreation and RHA. He is currently the Publications Committee Chair at RHA.
• To Jim, being on RHA's Board means being able to have input on what rental housing industry policy is. Equally important is the satisfaction of knowing RHA members are hard working savvy business men and women who set the example as proper landlords. His favorite part of being a rental property owner is the ability to provide nice homes for folks who wish to rent.

Chris Benis - RHA Legal Counsel

• Joined RHA in 1990
• Chris served on RHA's Board of Directors as a Director and Legal Counsel from 2002-2009.
• Chris is a partner with the law firm Harrison, Benis & Spence, LLP with offices in Seattle, WA. Mr. Benis attended University of WA where he received a B.A. in Political Science, a Master of Urban Planning and J.D. from its School of Law. He represents property managment firms, individual real estate investors, real estate brokerages, industry trade associations, design professionals and construction companies.
• Chris is a regular speaker and educator for RHA, IREM, NARPM and TRENDS. He also regularly writes articles for RHA's UPDATE Newspaper and Washington Realtor News.