Our sincere thanks to all the nominators and nominees who took part in the 2025 AFHC Board Elections Nomination process! Every one of us was impressed by the caliber and experience of each and every individual nominated for a position on the AFHC Board of Directors. As we shared in the announcements and through our process, once the nomination process is completed, nominated individuals are then checked for whether they meet the qualifications for serving as AFHC Board members pursuant to its bylaws.

AFHC bylaws state as follows: “Qualifications to serve on the board shall include:

• Having held an adult family home license for at least 2 years before assuming office

• Have no history of or current substantial enforcement actions or violations with DSHS, L&I, IRS, or other government sanctions against their home.

• Having been a dues paying member of the AFHC for at least 18 months before being eligible for nomination.”

A team of AFHC staff members, guided by two Board Officers not up for election/reelection, reviewed all nominated individuals and reviewed whether each qualified under the bylaw requirements in arriving at a final candidate list of qualified candidates to face AFHC membership voters. Any qualified individuals nominated for multiple board seats are given the option to select the one seat they prefer to be a candidate for.

We are honored to share the following list of Board position candidates that will appear on the 2025 Board Election ballot:

Eyob Gebrekidan                       Region Three Delegate (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom)

Rosalyn S. Benton (Rose)      Region Three Delegate (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom)

Damaris Awungshi                    Region Six Delegate (Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, GH, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston & Wahkiakum)

Paul Galasso                                Region Seven Delegate (King)

Kristina Nation                             Region Seven Delegate (King)

Tammy Stimach                          At Large Delegate (Statewide)

Hope Reffett                                 At Large Delegate (Statewide)

Candidates have been contacted by email with the opportunity to share campaign information by noon on 12/8/2025 with the staff for inclusion in the election packet.

To ensure members have ample opportunity to vote in this important Board election, we will be opening the voting for a 30-day period. We’ll open the online system the evening of 12/8/2025 and keep the election and voting open through 5pm on 1/8/2026 to encourage maximum opportunity and participation for our valued members.

Thank you for being so engaged and willing to serve our mission focused, member driven organization!

Best,

Bob