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Board of Commissioners

The governing body of the Authority is it’s Board of Commissioners, which is comprised of five members, four of whom are appointed by the Pierce County Executive and ratified by County Council and one which is nominated by the Authority Board of Commissioners and ratified by the County Council.

The Board appoints an Executive Director to administer the affairs of the Authority. The Authority is not considered a component unit of Pierce County, as the Board of Commissioners independently oversees the Authority’s operations and Pierce County is not financially accountable for the Authority. Commissioners serve a five-year term.

If you are interested in becoming a board member, click here.        

Link to Board Meeting Minutes

MARK MARTINEZ (Chair) – As the retired Executive Secretary of the Pierce County Building & Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO, Mark P. Martinez was the “American Dream Coordinator” for 5,000 skilled construction craft workers in Tacoma/Pierce County, WA. He worked to ensure safety, equity and fairness on the Jobsite and enabling tradespeople to retire with dignity. Mark worked hard to introduce young people to lifelong careers in the construction industry through apprenticeship.

Mr. Martinez began his career in the trades as an apprentice roofer, gaining his Journey level certification in 1985. He recently celebrated his 41st year as a member of Roofers & Waterproofers’ Union Local #153 and served as its Business Manager from 1995 until his election to his present position in 2005.

In addition to serving on the Board of Commissioners for the Pierce County Housing Authority, Mr. Martinez is a Trustee at Clover Park Technical College, a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, and a member of the Pierce County Workforce Development Council.

Mr. Martinez lives in Tacoma’s Fabulous East Side. He enjoys skiing, backpacking, cycling, and the occasional pint at the local pub.

Narva Christopher Walton (Vice-Chair) – Narva is a Principal Managing Broker for John L. Scott Real Estate. A broker and Realtor for over 19 years she is very active in the real estate community. She is a member of the Pierce County, Washington State and National Realtor Associations. She currently participates on the Diversity and Communications Committees and is involved on various community task forces. Narva has served in Government Affairs as a Congressional contact educating on housing related issues and travelled to our Washington DC capital on behalf of our county and state. She is a past Tacoma and state President for the Washington Women’s Council of Realtors and served a 3-year term on its National Executive Committee. She has also helped put together various housing educational seminars to inform both Realtors and the general public. Prior to real estate she enjoyed a long career in media and also co-hosted an informational radio talk show. A trainer, mentor, speaker and business coach, Commissioner Walton is passionate about education, home ownership, equal opportunity and fair housing. She holds a double-major Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology from the University of Washington, Seattle and a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento.

Willie Stewart (Commissioner) –

Willie Stewart is a community leader with a 36-year career in educating the youth of Pierce County as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. He has served on the Boards of Governance for the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Tacoma Kiwanis Club, Shanaman Sports Museum, Palmer Scholars, Goodwill Industries, Tacoma Housing Authority, and Tacoma School District.

Willie is a 2019 recipient of the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize that recognizes and honors Peacemakers from the Tacoma/Pierce County region. He served our country, having two years of active duty in the Army and 30 years in the United States Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel.

His compassion for high school sports led him to become active with the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the local chapter of the National Football League.

Married with two adult children, a granddaughter, and a great-grandson, Willie has been active with the Urban Grace Downtown Church and involved with their Community Breakfast for 27 years. Appointed to the Board of Commissioners in 2022, his goal is to help Pierce County Housing Authority reach its full potential by providing decent, affordable housing for all Pierce County community members through collaborative leadership on the Commission and with the staff of the Pierce County Housing Authority.

Tausha Blaksley (Commissioner) –

Commissioner Blaksley is a single parent that has raised a daughter with special needs while building her career as a successful Real Estate agent specializing in first-time homebuyers. The Authority is proud that as a program participant for the last 13 years she moved from poverty as a single mother, to a home owner and business owner. Commissioner Blaksley is grateful for the assistance and support she has received from the Authority and eager to provide her insight and life experience to help Pierce County Housing Authority reach its full potential serving the people of the County.