Message from our Interim Executive Director

Greetings to Everett and surrounding communities:

I am excited to share that I have been appointed by the EHA Board of Commissioners as the Interim Executive Director of Everett Housing Authority. I, along with EHA and many in the community, will sincerely miss our most recent Executive Director, Ashley Lommers-Johnson, and wish him the very best in his new role with another housing authority.

I joined EHA six years ago, most recently serving as the Deputy Executive Director overseeing the work of the Housing Management, Resident Services, HCV, and Asset Management teams, after a career of over 20 years with the Seattle Housing Authority. I am honored and humbled to be in the position of Interim Executive Director. I do not take this leadership role lightly and will continue the legacy of our previous Executive Director while keeping EHA moving forward to meet the needs of our clients and community.

In the last month, the EHA Board of Commissioners hired a recruitment firm called The Organizational Leadership Edge (TOLE) to assist the Board with the search for our permanent Executive Director. TOLE has successfully worked with many housing authorities across the United States and focuses on finding the right fit for not only the organization, but also the community they serve. The ideal candidate will focus on building EHA’s current initiatives and expansion plans for new housing.

The Board and I expect the hiring process will take at least three or four months but may take longer as we want to make sure the ideal candidate is identified. An EHA Executive Director recruitment brochure is available on our website, which includes information about our mission and values, major initiatives, and information about Everett and our region. The position will remain open until filled.

During the interim period, I look forward to continuing to advance the goals and vision of the agency and to maintaining a healthy workforce and a positive relationship with community members and organizations.

Thank you,

John Forsyth