New
Executive Director Announcement:
Dear Friends of Shared Housing Services,
The Board of Directors is pleased to share with you the good news of the successful
completion of the national job search for the Executive Director of Shared Housing
Services to fill the vacancy of retiring Stella Jones. Byron Cregeur has accepted the
Board’s offer to be our Executive Director, and will officially start at Shared Housing
Services on August 2, 2010. Byron has been in Tacoma for over 20 years and has held
positions with Tacoma Community College, the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, as
well as fourteen years with MetroParks Tacoma.
Byron earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
He has always had a passion for helping others in the community whether working on
Foundation Boards or hosting, with his wife Kim, foreign exchange students, and they are
expecting this summer to be caring for a young nephew with special needs. Byron has
experienced first hand what it means to need housing matches since that was his initial
experience when he arrived to Tacoma after college without much experience, funds or
housing. An elderly benefactor who has remained a close friend and supporter offered
him a similar type of our referral-match housing for his first year. The Board has
appreciated Byron’s empathy, enthusiasm, and sense of duty that have been the hallmark
of our current Executive Director.
We are looking forward to his smooth transition with the support staff and donors, and to
working with him to continue to provide the community with the quality services we
have come to expect from what Stella Jones has done so admirably for the past 20 years.
We will miss Stella and we pledge to continue her legacy to serve the community. Stella
has been gracious during this transition period since she announced her retirement plans
over a year ago, thus giving us ample time to find a suitable candidate. She will be a vital
part of welcoming and training Byron for his new duties. Please help us honor Stella and
welcome Byron. In August we will formally recognize Stella’s service, and introduce
Byron Cregeur.
The Board is especially thankful to all of you for your generous gifts and support over the
years, and to all the staff, former Board members, and volunteers who were superbly
patient and helpful during this search period. We look forward to a bright future and a
productive partnership. In the meantime, please do keep Shared Housing Services in your
thoughts as you contemplate volunteer activities, gift giving, or referrals to those in need.
Executive Director Transition Committee:
Stephanie Hare
Eric Henning
Michel Rocchi
(253) 272-1532