Michonne Preston, CEO of Habitat Washington State, was introduced and sworn in remotely before the Washington State Senate Housing Committee on Feb. 7 during consideration of a gubernatorial appointment to the Housing Finance Commission.

Committee members pressed Preston for a brief statement about her interest and background. Preston told the committee she has spent 30 years with Habitat affiliates, including in Spokane, and that the commission "has been a fuel beneath our fire to build housing for families in need." She described the commission as a primary bond-financing entity for affordable housing in Washington and cited programs ranging from homeownership supports to a "first time farmer" program.

The committee framed the appointment as adding an east-of-the-mountains voice to the commission. Ranking Member Gaynor thanked Preston for her willingness to serve and noted his appreciation for farmers; Preston confirmed she is a long-term wheat farmer and cattle rancher based in Spokane.

Committee members said they expect Preston’s experience with Habitat and affordable housing financing to be directly relevant to the commission’s work. The committee did not record any formal roll-call vote on the appointment in the transcript excerpt; the exchange served as the public gubernatorial appointment hearing portion of the meeting.

Preston’s testimony occurred during the committee’s opening minutes, before the legislative public hearings on bills scheduled for the day. The committee adjourned the appointment portion and moved to public hearings on multiple bills.