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Executive Director Harry Thomas announces retirement

Housing Authority begins search for replacement

SEATTLE—May 20, 2003—Harry Thomas, who has served as executive director of the Seattle Housing Authority for 13 of the last 16 years, has announced that he will retire in April of 2004 when his current contract expires. Thomas first joined the housing authority in 1987 and served until 1993 when he became staff director for Gov. Mike Lowry. Thomas then rejoined the Seattle Housing Authority in 1995 and has served as executive director since that time.

The Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has formed a search committee to begin the process of seeking a replacement. The committee is headed by Bettylou Valentine and also includes David Bley, both of whom serve on the commission.

Under Thomas’ leadership, the housing authority has successfully competed for more than $136 million in federal grants to redevelop its family communities, consisting of NewHolly and Rainier Vista in Southeast Seattle and High Point in West Seattle.

According to Thomas, "One of the most important of my personal goals in this job was to see our family communities well on the way toward redevelopment. With High Point now moving through the process smoothly, and the other two developments on the way, I can see that goal being accomplished. Now I can turn my attention to other pursuits in retirement, knowing that Seattle's public housing will be renewed for the next 50 years or more."

Thomas also currently serves on several national housing organizations. He is secretary of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, a Washington, D.C.-based industry group that represents the interests of large housing authorities. He also serves as president of the Housing Research Foundation Board, also based in Washington, D.C. Last year (2002) he served on a special Congressional commission, the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs of Senior Citizens in the 21st Century.

Locally, Thomas is a member of the Board for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, which he also chaired, from 1995-1998. He also serves as a member of the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Board.

Thomas attended the University of Washington where he received a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in social work administration. He is the recipient of the 1999 National Council on the Aging Sidney Spector Award and the 1995 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Washington School of Social Work and Alumni Association.

The Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will conduct a nationwide search for a new executive director. During May and June, commissioners will be meeting with members of the public to hear ideas about the qualities needed in a new director. Two public meetings for this purpose will be held as follows:

Candidates applying by July 31, 2003 will be given first consideration, but the position will remain open until filled. The Board of Commissioners hopes to make a hiring decision by late November or early December 2003, and to have a new executive director begin work early in 2004.