Shelly Yapp named Chief Financial Officer at SHA

Current Seattle Center executive to start June 18

SEATTLE—May 14, 2007—Michelle (Shelly) Yapp has been selected to be Seattle Housing Authority’s Chief Financial Officer. Dick Woo, who held the position for the past several years, left SHA to take a management position in Finance for King County’s Human Services Division. 

Yapp brings over 25 years of public sector management, financial and policy experience to SHA. Most recently, she held the position of Redevelopment Director and Executive Advisor for the Seattle Center. During her tenure there, she was responsible for capital financing of the Center's projects, managed over $600 million in private investment and development, and oversaw the successful redevelopment of McCaw Hall.

According to Executive Director Tom Tierney, “Shelly Yapp brings tremendous general management and financial management experience to Seattle Housing. I am sure she will be a great addition to our team.”

Yapp has also served as Executive Director of the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority, as Deputy Mayor to Mayor Charles Royer and as the Budget Director for King County.  As King County Budget Director, she was responsible for the development and management of the County's $500 million Operating and Capital budget, and was on the Executive Finance Committee directing investment policies and practices for over 50 County funds. 

She has a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Washington, where she graduated cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She has also served as a member of the Board of Regents.

She will begin work at SHA on June 18.