BCHA Board of Commissioners and Staff
BCHA is governed by a seven member Board of Commissioners. Each Commissioner serves a five-year term.
Sarah Michael, CHAIR | Represents the City of Sun Valley
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Sarah Michael is an acknowledged Idaho community leader elected to three terms as a Blaine County, Idaho, County Commissioner (2001-2008). Under her leadership, Blaine County enacted stronger land use protections for water quality, wildlife, agricultural lands, and ordinances that reduced urban sprawl. Blaine County’s community housing overlay district was adopted during her tenure. Sarah spearheaded the creation of the county’s first regional public transportation system, Mountain Rides, one of Idaho’s most successful transit systems. Sarah currently serves as a North Blaine County Rural Fire Commissioner; one of the Fire District’s goals is to develop more fire fighter housing in the Wood River Valley.
Active on environmental issues, Sarah founded Winter Wildlands Alliance, a national organization representing Nordic and backcountry skiers and she serves as the community chair of the Wood River Wolf Project. While not engaged in public policy, Sarah has worked as a wilderness guide in Idaho, Yellowstone, in Southern Utah, and Alaska and has led treks in Nepal and Bhutan. In 2015, Sarah Michael was recognized as one of Idaho’s Women of the Year. |
Sabina Gilbert, Vice CHAIR | Represents Blaine County
Sabina Gilbert is one of two Blaine County representatives on the Housing Authority Board, appointed in September 2014. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Sabina visited the Wood River Valley each summer and winter from 1989 until 2013, at which time she moved to Sun Valley and became a full-time resident. With degrees in economics and law, Sabina specialized in municipal law for over 30 years, advising elected and appointed officials and staff of various local government jurisdictions on all aspects of municipal law. She is delighted to serve on the BCHA Board and to share her experience in affordable housing, land use, and local government.
Mason Fredrickson, Treasurer | Represents Blaine County
Mason joined the Blaine County Housing Authority as one of the Blaine County Commissioners in 2018. He feels that Blaine County is made up of a diverse mix of full- and part-time residences resulting in a unique housing environment. Born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, ID, Mason has been visiting the Wood River Valley his whole life. He graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Idaho and moved to Ketchum in 2011 to work for a Biotechnology company. After five years in biotech, Mason transitioned to the banking industry in 2016.
In his free time, Mason can be found on a ski hill, a mountain bike trail, or a river.
In his free time, Mason can be found on a ski hill, a mountain bike trail, or a river.
Nate Hart | represents the city of Hailey
Nate Hart arrived in the Wood River Valley in first week of December 2009, spending cold nights in his car before beginning work and moving in to the Sun Valley dorms. Nate’s varied housing experiences from the dorms to his purchase of a home in Hailey are similar to the paths that many others who come to the community experience when they want to make Blaine County their home. Nate wants to see the community thrive and knows that it will require a path forward for those who, like him, emigrate into Blaine County in hopes for a better life and environment for their families. He believes that new people, new perspectives, and new opportunities for the community go hand in hand—housing being the major first component. Nate is excited for the opportunity to serve his community and to work to find real and lasting solutions to the local housing need for Blaine County.
Tara Bell | Represents the City of Bellevue
Tara is the fourth generation of her family to be born and raised in the Wood River Valley. Her long-term connection to the area gives her a unique and vital perspective of the rewards and struggles of making a life in this community. Through her business, she teaches others self-reliance and survival skills by taking them into the wild places of Idaho. Tara works to impact the greater community and make the Wood River Valley a place where her daughter, Bella Scout, will also come to appreciate all that this amazing valley has to offer.
The mission of BCHA is very important and real to Tara and she enthusiastically serves on the Board with great passion.
The mission of BCHA is very important and real to Tara and she enthusiastically serves on the Board with great passion.
Becky Lopez | Community representative At-large
Becky A Lopez is the Executive Director for the Alliance of Idaho, which works to protect the human rights of immigrants. She is currently the only Latina Executive director in Blaine County. Prior to this position, she worked for Power Engineers for 15 years in the accounting department. Becky was born in California and has lived in Blaine County for 30 years. She attended Blaine County Public Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has an Associate Degree in Accounting, went to College of Southern Idaho, and is bilingual. She is married and has two beautiful children, and an English bulldog.
city of ketchum commissioner
Seat Vacant
Sarah Michael | interim Executive Director
Contact Sarah BCHAchair@bcoha.org (208) 721-1593
Sarah Michael has served as Chair of the BCHA and welcomes the opportunity to lead as Interim Executive Director during this important time of transition. Sarah is an acknowledged Idaho community leader elected to three terms as a Blaine County, Idaho, County Commissioner (2001-2008). Under her leadership, Blaine County enacted stronger land use protections for water quality, wildlife, agricultural lands, and ordinances that reduced urban sprawl. Blaine County’s community housing overlay district was adopted during her tenure. Sarah spearheaded the creation of the county’s first regional public transportation system, Mountain Rides, one of Idaho’s most successful transit systems. Sarah currently serves as a North Blaine County Rural Fire Commissioner; one of the Fire District’s goals is to develop more fire fighter housing in the Wood River Valley.
Active on environmental issues, Sarah founded Winter Wildlands Alliance, a national organization representing Nordic and backcountry skiers and she serves as the community chair of the Wood River Wolf Project. While not engaged in public policy, Sarah has worked as a wilderness guide in Idaho, Yellowstone, in Southern Utah, and Alaska and has led treks in Nepal and Bhutan. In 2015, Sarah Michael was recognized as one of Idaho’s Women of the Year.
Sarah Michael has served as Chair of the BCHA and welcomes the opportunity to lead as Interim Executive Director during this important time of transition. Sarah is an acknowledged Idaho community leader elected to three terms as a Blaine County, Idaho, County Commissioner (2001-2008). Under her leadership, Blaine County enacted stronger land use protections for water quality, wildlife, agricultural lands, and ordinances that reduced urban sprawl. Blaine County’s community housing overlay district was adopted during her tenure. Sarah spearheaded the creation of the county’s first regional public transportation system, Mountain Rides, one of Idaho’s most successful transit systems. Sarah currently serves as a North Blaine County Rural Fire Commissioner; one of the Fire District’s goals is to develop more fire fighter housing in the Wood River Valley.
Active on environmental issues, Sarah founded Winter Wildlands Alliance, a national organization representing Nordic and backcountry skiers and she serves as the community chair of the Wood River Wolf Project. While not engaged in public policy, Sarah has worked as a wilderness guide in Idaho, Yellowstone, in Southern Utah, and Alaska and has led treks in Nepal and Bhutan. In 2015, Sarah Michael was recognized as one of Idaho’s Women of the Year.
Silvia I. Romero | BILINGUAL Program Administrator
Contact Silvia: sromero@bcoha.org
Silvia came to Idaho 20 years ago and couldn’t resist with the natural beauty of Sun Valley, and decided to establish in the valley as her second home. She earned her first degree in International Business in Peru, and a Bachelor degree of Science in Psychology with the University of Phoenix. She also holds a State Certification as a Behavioral Specialist which has given the privilege to work with kids with special needs assisting the Latino community too since her native language is Spanish. She has worked very closely with clients’ families, guiding them to find the best available programs for their children. Also, as part of her professional career, she has 12 years of experience as a General Manager Assistant, and Supervisor for International companies in Peru, in the food and textile field. Silvia spent her last 8 years with Progressive Behavior Systems, a Developmental Disabilities Agency, where she was the Clinical Supervisor and Program Manager.
Blaine County is made of a diverse community. The COVID-19 Pandemic has played a tremendously part in the lack of housing. As part of BCHA, Silvia is excited to assist the community in finding affordable housing. She believes that without a home there is no community. She is bringing to the table a breadth of experience, versatility, insight, as well as the knowledge that she have gained through her years working in the business, administration, education, and community support fields.
When Silvia is not working, you can find her spending time with her son Alessandro, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or dining with her friends.
Silvia came to Idaho 20 years ago and couldn’t resist with the natural beauty of Sun Valley, and decided to establish in the valley as her second home. She earned her first degree in International Business in Peru, and a Bachelor degree of Science in Psychology with the University of Phoenix. She also holds a State Certification as a Behavioral Specialist which has given the privilege to work with kids with special needs assisting the Latino community too since her native language is Spanish. She has worked very closely with clients’ families, guiding them to find the best available programs for their children. Also, as part of her professional career, she has 12 years of experience as a General Manager Assistant, and Supervisor for International companies in Peru, in the food and textile field. Silvia spent her last 8 years with Progressive Behavior Systems, a Developmental Disabilities Agency, where she was the Clinical Supervisor and Program Manager.
Blaine County is made of a diverse community. The COVID-19 Pandemic has played a tremendously part in the lack of housing. As part of BCHA, Silvia is excited to assist the community in finding affordable housing. She believes that without a home there is no community. She is bringing to the table a breadth of experience, versatility, insight, as well as the knowledge that she have gained through her years working in the business, administration, education, and community support fields.
When Silvia is not working, you can find her spending time with her son Alessandro, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or dining with her friends.