2025 Board of Director Candidate Bios

Note: All three of the below candidates are renewing for a second term

Don Linnertz: Shortly after moving to the Methow Valley in 2014, I began volunteering at TwispWorks and, nine months later, joined the staff. In my role, I was involved with the Methow Valley Long Term Recovery Organization (MVLTR), formed after the 2014 Carlton Complex fires. MVLTR identified four core priorities for building resiliency including disaster readiness, communication, economic vitality, and housing.

I served on the Steering Committee that helped create the Methow Housing Trust, and I’ve been passionate about this work ever since. After the MHT Board was formed in 2017, I continued to serve on the Advisory Board and in 2022, I was honored to be invited to join the Methow Housing Trust Board.

As the organization builds on its strong foundation, I look forward to contributing to strategic planning discussions, supporting an efficient and equitable approach to building homes, and engaging donors committed to long-term housing security for Methow Valley residents. I value making connections and finding ways to “get further faster” through collaboration with organizations addressing different facets of the housing challenge.

Katie Leuthauser: When I first moved to The Methow Valley full time in July of 2016, it was evident that rentals, and affordable housing was scarce, as I lived out of my car for a month.  Luckily, through my work as a teacher at Liberty Bell Highschool, and through other connections in the community, people began to look out for me on the rental front.  I found stable housing and was able to really settle in and connect more with this amazing community.  Knowing that The Methow was where I wanted to stay, I began thinking about buying a house.  Unfortunately, the lack of real estate in my price range became a huge barrier.  But after some encouragement from friends, I applied for a Methow Housing Trust home. I closed and moved into my lovely house in the Cascade Meadows neighborhood in May of 2022.  I love the opportunity to be a part of the board, so that I can support the many people who deserve stable, affordable housing.

Through my work as a teacher, as well as other jobs and volunteer opportunities I partake in, I have met many people in need of stable housing. I understand the incredibly important work that the Methow Housing Trust does, and am honored to help that cause.

Laura Grignon: I am honored to continue to serve on the Board of the Methow Housing Trust. The dedication, skills, vision, and can-do attitude of my fellow Board members and the Staff are truly impressive.  I love the richness and dynamism that a diverse population brings to a culture and believe that the work of the Trust helps the Methow Valley retain a diverse spectrum of people. My professional background is as a professional civil engineer and project manager and I enjoy contributing those skills to help the Trust make good decisions about our future neighborhoods.