Just over a month after losing its longtime leader, the Home Builders Association of the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla has found a successor.

The association’s board has named Bailee Butcher to serve as the organization’s executive officer.

Butcher, who most recently worked as communications director for the Master Builders Association of Pierce County, started her new role on Aug. 3 and will work remotely until she relocates to the Tri-Cities with her family.

Jen Schneider, HBA Tri-Cities’ board chair, said Butcher impressed the board with her background in the building industry, as well as her vision for the future that respects the foundation laid by her predecessor, Jeff Losey, who left in June for a new role in Washington, D.C.

“Bailee brings a combination of industry knowledge, association leadership experience and a genuine passion for serving members that made her a natural fit for the Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities,” Schneider said in a statement to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. “She understands the important role local builders associations play in advocating for housing, supporting businesses and strengthening our communities.”

Butcher said though she has family connections to the Tri-Cities, she was immediately drawn by the opportunity to join HBA Tri-Cities given her knowledge of its community involvement and commitment to housing.

“The chance to combine my passion for advancing homeownership and improving housing affordability with an organization deeply rooted in the communities here makes this role especially exciting for me,” she told the Journal in an email.

Butcher has spent her entire professional career working in the homebuilding industry. Her first role after college was as a writer and editor for the Building Industry Association of Washington’s monthly publications. 

She worked her way up to the BIAW’s communications manager before joining the Pierce County organization in March 2022. Last year, she briefly served as interim executive officer during a leadership transition.

Butcher anticipates spending her first months in HBA Tri-Cities building relationships and developing a shared vision for the organization.

“My goals are not to come in and change everything,” she said. “It would be to build on the strong foundation that is already here while looking for opportunities to strengthen member value, continue to grow our membership and further elevate HBATC’s voice throughout the community.”