SEATTLE—Governor Bob Ferguson has named three new members to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Vancouver City Councilmember Diana Perez, U.S. Bancorp executive Ann Melone, and retired attorney Aaron McGrath attended their first meeting with fellow Commissioners in Seattle on October 23.
“These new members bring a remarkable range of experience,” said Nicole Bascomb-Green, chair of the Housing Finance Commission. “Their leadership and perspectives are very welcome.”
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Diana H. Perez was elected to the Vancouver City Council in November 2021 and recently retired from a 30-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she served in various roles including biologist and forest fisheries program manager. A longtime resident of Vancouver, her community involvement includes founding a local council of the League of United Latin American Citizens and serving on boards such as the Elder Justice Center and Clark County Community Action Advisory Board. Perez earned a bachelor of science degree as a first-generation graduate of Texas Tech University, followed by a master of science from Oregon State University.
"I’m stepping into this role with intention and urgency,” Perez said. “Washington deserves housing solutions that reflect the real lives, real dreams, and real challenges of the people who call this place home."
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Aaron McGrath, a retired lawyer volunteering with several Seattle-area nonprofit organizations, served as vice president & associate general counsel at Amazon from 1999-2024, leading legal work in various divisions of the company. Earlier in his career, he worked in the real estate group of K&L Gates, founded a community-based nonprofit housing developer in Nebraska, and served as a VISTA (AmeriCorps) volunteer for migrant farmworker housing. He attended Willamette University and NYU Law School.
"It’s an honor to join this talented group,” McGrath said. “I’ll learn everything I can and will work hard to make a difference.”
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Ann Melone is a financial expert and advisor with a long career in Washington state’s affordable-housing industry. Currently senior vice president & business development officer at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank, Melone guides public and private developers through complex real-estate transactions. She has served on the boards and committees of multiple non-profits in the Seattle area over the last two decades. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Washington in St. Louis and an MBA from the UW Foster School of Business.
“I look forward to collaborating with the Commissioners and staff to promote inclusive and equitable housing solutions across our state and advance the Commission’s mission with transparency, integrity, and a deep commitment to community impact,” Melone said.
As Commissioners, Perez, McGrath and Melone will help to oversee programs that have provided home loans and downpayment assistance to more than 100,000 homebuyers in Washington and built or preserved more than 133,000 affordable apartments statewide, as well as financed a wide range of other community needs including sustainable energy, farms and farmland, and facilities for nonprofits.
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The Washington State Housing Finance Commission (wshfc.org) is a publicly accountable, self-supporting state agency that works to provide equitable access to capital through strong partnerships and innovative financing, in order to create and sustain affordable rental housing, homeownership, and community spaces across Washington state.
Download Press Release: Three named to state Housing Finance Commission (PDF)