Leah Halstead
President
Leah knows affordable housing in the Pacific Northwest Region. She has worked at Vancouver Housing Authority and previously, she worked as a private consultant assisting nonprofit, for-profit, and public agencies, including Sammy's Place, to develop strategic plans and affordable housing throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. The consulting work allowed Leah to use skills she developed while serving as an executive director of Affordable Community Environments, a small nonprofit housing agency in Vancouver, and the housing policy manager for Portland's urban renewal agency. Leah spent her childhood years watching her father run a nonprofit serving adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. With nearly 30 years in community development work, Leah's passion is affordable housing and the role it plays in vibrant, healthy communities, families, and individuals.
Chantelle Brown
Vice President
Chantelle spent her early years exploring the west including Utah and Alaska before settling on the Oregon Coast where she and her husband love living with their children. They run a successful and busy local service business that allows them to see most parts of the north Oregon Coast regularly. When the boys were diagnosed with autism, early on, she became absorbed by everything autism, including supporting individuals experiencing disability, advocacy, and inclusion work. Chantelle works hard throughout the community to open doors to important and necessary human connections for their boys and others like them, and never looks away from a challenge if it means improving someone's life. She enjoys being a Girl Scout troop leader, reading, cooking, crafting, downhill skiing, and hiking our coastal forested trails.
Kevin Schluka
Secretary
Kevin Schluka is an artist, developer, and community builder whose work brings together creativity, thoughtful design, and community development. A longtime sculptor with a background in art and design, Kevin and his wife, Katie, developed the 23-unit Kingfisher Apartments in Pacific City, creating much-needed workforce housing for South Tillamook County. Building on that work, Kevin is now a vital member of the Thompson Springs development team, and focused on expanding housing opportunities in the community. He and Katie are also the owners and principal sponsors of the Beaver School Project, guiding the transformation of the former Beaver Middle School into a mixed-use community that brings together housing, recreation, community services, and local businesses. Kevin brings an artist's perspective and a commitment to creating thoughtful spaces where people and communities can thrive.
Teri Fladstol
Treasurer
Teri is the owner of Jigsaw Consulting Services and an adviser and instructor with the Tillamook Bay Small Business Development Center. With extensive experience supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations, Teri brings expertise in business operations, financial management, and organizational development. A longtime Tillamook County community leader and volunteer, she is passionate about helping people and organizations turn ideas into action and build stronger, more connected communities.
Jaimie Rhodes
Executive Director
Joining Sammy's Place in January 2026, Jaimie brings nearly a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and a professional background spanning healthcare technology, business management, and community service. A Tillamook County resident and native Oregonian, Jaimie holds community centered values, and strong operational expertise. She is passionate about building inclusive communities, strengthening organizations, and creating opportunities that respond to the needs of individuals and families throughout rural Oregon.
Kathy Jean Hrywnak
Founder, Board member
Kathy Jean brings years of experience working with people who experience disabilities. She and friends founded Sammy's Place in 2006, through which she continued to serve individual families. Already a willing learner and compassionate person, she has learned to use those innate abilities even more skillfully in her years of doing the work which she is thrilled to be doing. After working with the Chick family, she and Julie realized that they could expand the mission of Sammy's Place to include a larger community that will meet even more people's needs. Committed to bringing the vision to fruition, Kathy Jean is excited by the challenge and eagerly anticipating the chapters to come.
Frank Purdue
Board member with lived experience
Frank Purdue is a disability advocate, community leader, and board member of Sammy's Place who brings the power of lived experience to his work. A longtime Newport resident, he recently relocated to Nehalem, Oregon to follow his dreams, as an advocate and dedicated volunteer. Frank is an active voice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocates for greater inclusion, independence, and accessible housing. Through community service, public testimony, and advocacy, Frank encourages people with disabilities to make their voices heard and helps communities understand what it means to create places where everyone belongs.
Watch Frank's video
David Richmond
Board member
Joining the Sammy's Place board in August 2026, David is the Developmental Disabilities Program Manager at Tillamook Family Counseling Center. With more than 15 years of experience in Oregon's developmental disabilities service system, David is committed to advancing inclusion, safety, and meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He leads a team serving individuals and families throughout Tillamook County and works closely with community partners to strengthen person-centered supports and help people with disabilities participate fully in their communities.
Jeanne Sprague
Board member
Jeanne joined the board in August 2026, and is the Parks & Recreation Director for the City of McMinnville, bringing decades of experience in community recreation, parks, and public service. Previously, she served as Director of Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, where she championed accessible and inclusive recreation and helped lead the development of new parks, programs, and community amenities. Jeanne holds a master's degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management and is passionate about creating welcoming outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities that connect and serve people of all ages and abilities.
