You are invited to the Master Builders Pierce County 2024 Housing Summit. Come join us April 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at the Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup to hear the 2024 housing overview, economic forecast, and more.

Speakers/topics include:

• Jen Tetatzin, PPW Director (Pierce County)

  • Tetatzin served more than 20 years in the United States Navy before entering the private sector. While in the Navy, Tetatzin was responsible for overseeing enterprise-wide energy policy and investment programs for the Secretary of the Navy. She led innovation, security, mobility and efficiency initiatives in energy programs throughout the Navy and Marine Corps, working to ensure reliable and resilient utilities, lower cost transportation options and critical facilities operations to support maritime and aviation missions worldwide.

    Tetatzin earned her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento and a master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkley. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional

    

• Nick Waggood, Building Official (Pierce County)
  • Drawing from 25 years of hands-on construction experience, Nick Waggood has navigated through both public and private sectors. Transitioning into the public domain, he introduced fresh ideas to government offices that were often resistant to change. His approach emphasizes fairness and diversity, ensuring that all voices are heard within our team and throughout Pierce County. Through unwavering dedication, he’s elevated our previous building and code enforcement division to a top-performing status in our region, driven by a commitment to progress and tangible results. Nick continues his success with Pierce County managing the Inspection Services and Code Enforcement sections of the Development Services Division.

• Brandon Smith, Engineering Manager (Pierce County)
  • Brandon Smith is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer with over 20 years of experience in infrastructure design, planning, review, and construction management.  Prior to joining Pierce County, Brandon was a principal in a local engineering firm and development company.  Currently, Brandon serves as Technical Review Manager overseeing the entitlement and construction review process for Pierce County Planning and Public Works. 
     

• Meredith Neal Development and Permitting Services Director. (Puyallup)
  • ​Meredith Neal is a dedicated leader in community and economic development, currently serving as the Development Permitting Services Director for the City of Puyallup. She has gained valuable experience in her past roles as Puyallup’s Economic Development Manager, Director of the Manufacturing Industrial Council, member of the City of Tacoma Planning Commission, as a construction project manager and planner for regional transportation projects. Meredith possesses extensive knowledge of small and large local businesses, government organizations, non-profits, and their leaders. Her passion lies in nurturing entrepreneurs, revitalizing downtown areas, supporting local businesses, and transforming public spaces into vibrant community hubs.

• Ryan Windish, Community Dev. Director (Sumner)
  • Ryan Windish is the Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Sumner where he has worked for 25 years. His work has focused on comprehensive planning, land use policy, economic development, and special projects.  His latest projects center around affordable housing, reestablishing local transit connections to Sumner, and parks planning.

An economic forecast from ECOnorthwest's Dr. Michael Wilkerson.

• Mike Wilkerson, Ph.D. -- Bio
  Mike is a leading expert and thought partner in real estate economics.  He is a Partner and Director of Analytics at ECOnorthwest, and has 20 years of experience working with public sector and private clients around the country. His unique expertise is the intersection of real estate and economic development , with the goal of creating effective policies, influencing the built environment, and producing outcomes that improve individual opportunities . Mike has the ability to communicate complex topics and tradeoffs in a simple and approachable ways, which deliver actionable insights for implementation.
  He regularly presents to local and state legislative bodies and at national conferences, including the American Planning Association, the National Multifamily Housing Council, and the Urban Land Institute. Mike is an adjunct professor in the Master of Real Estate Development program at Portland State University.