1.
Roger Valdez
Writer, thinker, manager, and advocate.
Seattle, WA 98111
rogval@gmail.com
206-427-7707
For the past twenty-five years, I have been involved in public policy in the areas of education, health,
and housing. Most recently I was housing director at a large regional non-profit, managing housing
operations and development. At the same time, I have been an advocate for progressive supply side
solutions to housing scarcity, and it is usually lack of housing that keeps cities expensive for poorer
people and families. My background as a staff person for state and local elected officials, work in the
non-profit sector, at a sustainability think tank, in political campaigns, and in the public health field
have culminated in my work for Seattle For Growth, a housing and growth advocacy organization
pushing for more housing supply for all levels of income in Seattle.
Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Work Experience
Visiting Fellow
Foundation for Research on Economic Opportunity (FREOPP) - Seattle, WA
June 2018 to Present
As a Visiting Fellow, I research and develop policies that help Americans who have trouble affording
a place to live. My work includes research, writing, speaking, and meeting with people who build,
manufacture, and manage housing and with people who are seeking housing solutions for themselves
or others.
https://freopp.org/the-freopp-brain-trust-roger-valdez-f56803713a07
Founder and Director
Seattle For Growth - Seattle, WA
January 2014 to Present
As director I have built the brand identity of the organization, led fundraising efforts, directed our
policy agenda, and written and spoken for increased housing supply locally and throughout the
country. Seattle For Growth was the first and only pro-growth organization supporting a market based
approach the regions housing price problems.
http://www.seattleforgrowth.org/author/roger/
Director, Housing and Human Resources
Sea Mar Community Health Centers - Seattle, WA
July 2011 to February 2014
I managed an 8-person team responsible for hiring, orientation, benefits management, Labor
and Industries compliance, records management, and regulatory compliance. Sea Mar has 2,000
employees at dozens of sites in Western Washington. I managed a transfer of thousands of records

2.
and documents from Iron Mountain to our own warehouse where we developed our own management
system and software.
As housing director I oversaw the development of an $11 million, 43-unit tax-credit apartment project
in Des Moines, managed 25 units of townhouse apartments in Seattle, and 150 units of Farmworker
housing in Pasco, Washington. I was responsible for regulatory compliance as well raising funds for
development and operations.
Research Associate
Sightline Institute - Seattle, WA
February 2009 to February 2011
Researched, wrote, and spoke about sustainability and energy efficiency policy at a regional
sustainability think tank. This included meetings to share research with elected officials, business
leaders, and other groups concerned with climate change and energy efficiency. Additionally, I
extensively researched options for financing energy efficiency and infrastructure.
Consultant
Self-Employed - Seattle, WA
June 2007 to June 2009
I worked and partnered with the American Lung Association of Oregon, the Health Education Council
and others to develop and implement health education products to support non-profit organizations
working with low-income populations with high risk factors. My curriculum was based on my years of
experience in the tobacco prevention and public health field and included a science based systems
change model.
Instructor
Puget Sound Early College - Seattle, WA
January 2009 to March 2009
I co-taught a health and art class for students in an alternative high school embedded in a community
college. This role included developing curriculum, teaching, grading, and lectures as well as one on one
support and work with students. Among the texts I used was The White Plague by Rene DuBos, a book
that emphasized the social and cultural factors that influence the incidence and spread of diseases,
especially tuberculosis.
Legislative Aide
Seattle City Council, Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck - Seattle, WA
June 2007 to December 2007
My role was largely working with constituents, writing public comments and speeches, responding
to questions and requests from Councilmembers and City staff, and providing support for the
Councilmembers regular duties and public engagements. The Councilmember had an emphasis during
my time on land use and housing.
Manager, Tobacco Prevention Program
Public Health - Seattle & King County - Seattle, WA
January 2003 to May 2007
Managed a staff of 14 and a budget of $2 million and led policy and compliance on tobacco regulation
in King County. The program also had a strong education component as well as an active policy
development function. Our team managed the implementation of Washington State’s smoking ban

3.
measure passed in 2005, including compliance, education, and technical assistance for businesses and
other local governments.
Seattle Regional Health Officer
Public Health King County - Seattle, WA
October 2001 to January 2003
Worked with interdepartmental teams and across jurisdictions to support broad population based
health interventions, assessments, and policy changes, including coordination on bioterrorism My
geographic area of focus was the City of Seattle and I worked with local elected officials, City staff,
and members of the community in support of population based health initiatives and other health
interventions.
Neighborhood Development Manager
Public Health King County - Seattle, WA
April 1999 to October 2001
Coordinated interdepartmental teams, neighborhood groups, and private developers to implement
neighborhood plans in 7 neighborhoods in Southwest Seattle. Raised capital from multiple sources to
complete projects collaboratively with the City departments and private developers. My work included
managing multiple projects as well as tracking and advocating for policy changes and funding to
support neighborhood plan implementation.
Community Liaison Specialist
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department - Tacoma, WA
July 1998 to April 1999
Worked with a geographically focused cross disciplinary team to complete community health
assessments and support broad population based health interventions and education. Our group
worked to support crime prevention efforts, economic development, and supported communities in
transition, especially in underserved and geographically isolated parts of the county.
Campaign Manager
Peter Steinbrueck for City Council - Seattle, WA
July 1997 to November 1997
I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for Seattle City Council including fundraising,
scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. Our campaign
was successful electing our candidate with more than 70 percent of the vote in a contested open seat
for the City Council.
Account Executive
Voice Poll Communications - Seattle, WA
April 1997 to July 1997
Worked with a number of school districts to implement innovative polling techniques to measure
support for school bond and levy measures. I built on my experience and contacts with education
leaders in school districts to seek new clients, run and interpret public opinion polls, and advise on
upcoming elections.
Political Consultant
Tramatola Company - Oakland, CA
January 1997 to April 1997

4.
The firm consulted with school districts and community groups to conduct public opinion research
to measure support for school bond campaigns. This included early community outreach, polls,
determining capital improvement needs, and devising campaign strategy and implementation. I had
several clients in southern and central California.
Program Coordinator, Government Relations
Washington State School Directors' Association - Lacey, WA
March 1994 to November 1996
This position was working for the 1,482 elected school board members in Washington State. Our office
worked broadly and narrowly on all public policy and legislative proposals impacting education in the
state at the federal, state, and local level. My focus was on public policy originating outside education
committees in the legislature with an impact on funding an operations of public schools; this included
policies affecting the management of state trust land, crime and safety, and growth management.
Legislative Aide
Washington State Senator Margarita Prentice - Olympia, WA
January 1994 to March 1994
This position was a session position limited to the 60 day legislative session and in support of a State
Senator and her full time legislative aide. I managed researched legislation, attended meetings on
behalf of the Senator, helped with scheduling and supported the office generally by answering phone
calls and welcoming visitors to the office. Much of the job required responding to hundreds of phone
calls to the office and the legislative hot line on legislation or issues generally.
Campaign Manager
James Fearn for City Council - Seattle, WA
July 1993 to December 1993
I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for Seattle City Council including fundraising,
scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. Our campaign
was unsuccessful but gained significant endorsements including the Seattle Times and an Excellent
rating from the Municipal League.
Comptroller
Committee for Washington's Future
August 1993 to November 1993
I managed the receipt, deposit, accounting for, and reporting of $1.5 million in campaign contributions
for a campaign opposing the passage of a statewide initiative on the ballot in the November election.
This required managing pay roll, paying vendors, and providing cash flow reports on a regular basis.
Curriculum Advisor
Highline Community College - Des Moines, WA
October 1992 to July 1993
In this role I was responsible for guiding and advising students and prospective students of a two-
year community college. Our office was responsible for helping students negotiate the community
college system including enrollment, financial aid, and meeting transfer and graduation requirements
collaboratively across faculty and other student support offices.
Campaign Manager
Tracy Eide for State House of Representatives - Federal Way, WA

5.
September 1992 to November 1992
I managed the day to day operations of a campaign for the State House of Representatives including
fundraising, scheduling, messaging, voter out reach, and campaign mail and voter contact efforts. The
campaign was successful.
Teaching Assistant
University of California, Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA
September 1991 to June 1992
I taught and tutored students enrolled in courses in the Religious Studies department including
assigning readings, grading written papers and exams, as well as delivering lectures and answering
questions from students.
Education
Master's in Religious Studies
University of California-Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA
September 1990 to August 1992
Bachelor's in Philosophy
University of Puget Sound - Tacoma, WA
August 1987 to June 1990
Skills
Human Resources Management (10+ years), Writing Skills (10+ years), Project Management (10+
years), Campaign Management (10+ years), Budgeting (10+ years), Warehouse Management,
Fundraising (10+ years)
Certifications/Licenses
Driver's License
Present
Certificate in Advertising
June 1993 to Present
I completed a year long survey course in advertising and marketing through the University of
Washington's Extension program