Marty Miller

Executive Director

Marty has been a valuable member of ORFH since 1993 and became ORFH’s Executive Director in 2004 after serving as the Director of Housing Development. He has directly participated in the development of hundreds of units in rural Washington State serving thousands of farmworkers and other low-income residents.

Marty is a strong advocate at the federal, state and local level and works to bring positive change to policy issues affecting farmworkers and low-income rural residents. He serves as the Chair of the National Farmworker Housing Director’s Association and is on the Executive Committee of the National Rural Housing Coalition. At the state level, Marty is an active member of the Policy Advisory Team within the Housing Division of the Department of Commerce. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. Marty holds a Master of Science in Economic Development from Eastern University (Philadelphia, PA) and a BA from Whitworth University (Spokane, WA).

And, if none of that captures your interest, Marty also welcomes conversations about Little League baseball or your favorite fishing spot!

Bobbi Alseth

Director of Housing Development

Bobbi joined ORFH’s staff in October of 1998 after working in the for-profit arena for five years. She currently serves as the Director of Housing Development providing leadership and training to ORFH staff in the development of affordable rural housing.  She has over eighteen years of experience in the development of affordable housing in Oregon, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Texas and Washington resulting in more than 1,400 units serving low-income, elderly, developmentally disabled, and farmworker households. Bobbi is currently working on new innovative approaches in financing and building affordable housing in a tough economic environment. The Oregon Coast is Bobbi’s second home and she loves to play golf. 

Laurie Waytuck

Fiscal Manager

Laurie has been with ORFH since 1987 and is an invaluable member of the ORFH team. As Fiscal Manager, she oversees ORFH’s annual budget, prepares for our audits and prepares all financial reports for our funders. She is also responsible for administration of the ORFH Revolving Loan Fund.

Laurie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Calgary. 

Nancy King

Housing Development Specialist

Nancy worked as a Housing Development Specialist for the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing from 1984 until 2000. During that time, she assisted with the creation of agricultural worker housing developments in a number of central Washington communities.

After leaving ORFH to work in an administrative and management capacity for the Sunnyside Housing Authority, Nancy returned to ORFH in 2006 to work part-time in the development of affordable housing. She brings over 25 years of experience in the development of affordable housing to ORFH. 

Nancy holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Portland State University.

Susan Wilson

Housing Development Specialist

Susan grew up in the Yakima Valley and after more than 10 years, moved back to join the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing in 2007 and became a Housing  Development Specialist with ORFH in 2008.  Her experience includes volunteer work with the Bellingham Housing Authority, an internship with the city of Portland’s Homeless Housing Team and working for the Portland Housing Authority’s Asset Management Department.  On the side, Susan helps to manage a small family farm with her husband in the Lower Yakima Valley. 

Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Portland State University.

Jacob Heitzman

Housing Development Specialist

Jacob joined the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing as a Housing Development Specialist in 2010. Raised in the Yakima Valley, Jacob returned to Central Washington from London, England where he completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies. In London, Jacob worked as a commercial space planner for a leading UK retail conglomerate.  Jacob is a welcome addition to ORFH bringing a breadth of experience in architectural design and planning.

Jacob holds a Master's Degree in Urban Regeneration from the University of Westminster, London.

Debra Whitefoot

Housing Development Intern

Debra has been attending Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington since 2008 and is currently a senior, majoring in Business Administration. Debra and her daughter, who is also attending Heritage University, will be the first in their family to graduate from college.  Debra has worked as a Student/Community Liaison for the Heritage University Dream Catchers Initiative Program, which is a Native American retention program.  She has helped to coordinate many campus and community events that have helped to build bridges from the community to the University.   Debra has also served on the Yakama Reservation Leadership Program and is a McNair Scholar.   Debra has worked as Secretary for the Heritage University Native American Club and as a mentor for new and returning students.

Debra plans to attend graduate school in Tribal and Public Policy and would like to work with the Yakama Nation in helping to develop housing for the Tribe and hopes to continue working with the agricultural community of the Yakima Valley in helping to develop better farmworker housing.