Washington State law directs that the Tacoma Housing Authority shall be governed by a five person Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Tacoma. The Mayor appoints each Commissioner to a five year term. Since 1998, the law also directs that the Board shall include an individual who receives assistance from THA’s federal housing programs. THA has had such a person on its Board since 1990.
Commissioners are volunteers. They do not receive any financial compensation for their time or work. Their work on THA’s Board is a notable instance of community service.
Meet Our Commissioners
Derek Young, Chair
term: 8-23-2021 to 8-23-2026
Mr. Young was appointed to the Board in 2015. He currently works for Amazon Web Services and is the co-founder of Tacoma Runners. Mr. Young is a proven leader, entrepreneur and manager with over 20 years of experience in process development, program management, risk management, and communications strategy across a variety of industries with clients around the world. He possesses a highly contagious entrepreneurial and community spirit.
Stanley Rumbaugh, Vice Chair
term: 8-23-2017 to 8-23-2022
Mr. Rumbaugh was first appointed to the THA Board in 1998. He was the founding partner of the law firm of Rumbaugh, Rideout, Adkins and Wallace where he practiced until his election to the Pierce County Superior Court in 2012. Stan served 10 years as Trustee on the Bates Technical College Board of Trustees and has served as a director of the World Trade Council, member of the Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors, and on the boards of many other public, private and professional organizations.
Dr. Minh-Anh Hodge, Commissioner
term: 8-16-2024 to 8-15-2029
Dr. Hodge is Director of the Second Language Acquisition, Elementary Education and Leadership for the Tacoma School District in Tacoma, Wash. In this role, she directs the development, implementation, coordination and review of programs for limited English speaking students, including the State Transitional Bilingual, Emergency Immigrant, Refugee Assistance, and Title III projects. In addition, she oversees the district’s International Education and Indian Education programs.
For over 25 years, Dr. Hodge has designed, directed and implemented programs serving language minority students and parents. Prior to her current post, she served as an Instructional Director to supervise the overall operations of 14 elementary schools and to conduct performance evaluations of these principals. Since this past school year, she has limited this scope to four schools in order to focus her assistance and support to the district’s Superintendent in matters relating leadership development and diplomatic relations with district administrators and community leaders.
Dr. Hodge is a native of South Vietnam, a past Title VII Bilingual Education Fellow, and a doctoral graduate of the University of Washington. She is extremely active in community activities and has served on numerous boards at the local, state and national levels. She is intensely passionate about serving the needs of immigrant students and families and has worked tirelessly to ensure equal access, equal opportunities, and equal voices in all arenas for these communities.
Shennetta Smith, Commissioner
term: 8-22-2023 to 8-21-2028
Shennetta Smith is a single mother of four children. They live at THA’s community of New Salishan. Ms. Smith is the founder and Chief Executive Operator of Diamonds in The Rough Foundation Inc., an organization that helps women and their children move into the next phase of living without abuse. Ms. Smith is the co-author of I AM Beautiful: The Evolution of Beauty. She has served as an advisory Director on the Salishan Association Board since 2017. Her educational journey began at Clover Park Technical College where she obtained her certificate as a Chemical Dependency Specialist and her AA degree in Human Services. Continuing her education, Shennetta completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Evergreen State College-Tacoma with an emphasis in Psychology.
Reverend Dr. Michael A. Purter, Commissioner
term: 8-18-2020 to 8-18-2025
Reverend Dr. Michael A. Purter is a native of Alexander City, Alabama. He graduated in 1978 from Kendrick High School, Columbus Georgia. In that same year, he joined the United States Army and served honorably for twenty years both at home and abroad, ending his service at Joint Base Lewis McChord. In 1998, he retired in Tacoma. He is married to his beautiful wife, Mrs. Coachella B. Purter (Reese), a native of Milwaukee Wisconsin who is a source of strength and encouragement. They are the very proud parents of one son, three daughters, four grandsons, five granddaughters and two son-in-laws. In July 1996, Pastor Purter accepted his calling to the ministry. Pastor Purter holds the following degrees: Associate of Theology and Bachelor of Theology with United Theological Seminary and Bible College, Monroe Louisiana. He received his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Humane Letters from Faith Evangelical College & Seminary Tacoma Washington. In September 2004, Pastor Purter obeyed the voice of God calling him into Pastorship and to organize Living Word Christian Church, the Sticky Love church of Tacoma. Pastor Purter has served his community in many partnerships over the past twenty-five years. Pastor Purter’s church motto is: “Anyway you bless me Lord, I’ll be satisfied.”
Board Meetings
Unless otherwise announced, the Board of Commissioners meets in open public session the fourth Wednesday of each month at 4:45 PM. Most of the time, the Board meets in the 2nd Floor conference room at the Housing Authority’s administration offices located at 902 S. L Street, Tacoma. About half of the meetings each year, the board meets in the community room of the various THA properties around the city.
Most meeting agendas have time set aside for public comments. Click the button below to see a list of upcoming meeting dates and locations. For other questions regarding board meetings, please contact Sha Peterson at (253) 207-4450.
Meeting Documents
THA Bylaws
The Tacoma Housing Authority Bylaws are available as a PDF file in our resource library.