Description

You are invited to the Master Builders Pierce County 2025 Housing Summit. Come join us May 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. at the Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup to hear the 2025 housing overview, economic forecast, and more. 

Meet your 2025 Panelists:

Rep. Andrew Barkis has served in the state House of Representatives since 2016, representing the 2nd Legislative District. As the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee since 2019, he advocates for fiscal responsibility, cost control, and prioritizing existing revenue for infrastructure projects. A strong proponent of increasing housing supply, he works to remove barriers that hinder affordable housing development across Washington. Barkis is also committed to addressing the state's drug crisis, supporting policies that equip law enforcement with resources to combat opioid and heroin addiction. As a local business owner, his firsthand experience informs his legislative efforts to improve housing and homelessness policies.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck has served as Washington’s 17th Lieutenant Governor since 2020, presiding over the State Senate and chairing the Senate Rules Committee. He previously represented Washington’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House, where he served on the House Financial Services Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. Heck has been a strong advocate for economic development and housing policy, supporting efforts to expand affordable housing and streamline development. Earlier in his career, he was elected to five terms in the Washington State House of Representatives, where he played a key role in drafting the state's Basic Education Act. He later served as Chief of Staff to Governor Booth Gardner. Heck also co-founded TVW, Washington’s public affairs network, to enhance government transparency.

Rep. Michelle Caldier has been a strong advocate for healthcare access, successfully lobbying to restore Medicaid funding for adult dental care in 2013. As a state representative, she prioritizes affordability, education, public safety, and government accountability. She has worked to improve access to care, streamline government services, and ensure responsible fiscal policies. With a background in healthcare, she brings expertise to legislative efforts addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Michelle continues to push for policies that reduce barriers to essential services and improve efficiency in state government.

Council Member John Hines has been a strong advocate for housing and economic development in Tacoma since his election in 2019 and re-election in 2023. As Chair of the Government Performance and Finance Committee and a member of the Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee, he focuses on policies that promote housing affordability, smart growth, and sustainable development. He also serves on the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors and as a Pierce Transit Commissioner, working to advance infrastructure investments that support housing accessibility. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding housing options, streamlining development processes, and fostering public-private partnerships to address Tacoma’s housing challenges. With a background in education and civic leadership, he emphasizes workforce housing and sustainable urban planning to support the city’s growth. Hines is committed to ensuring Tacoma remains an affordable and livable community for families and businesses alike.

Meet your Keynote Speaker: Matthew Gardner

Matthew Gardner is widely recognized as being one of the foremost real estate economists in the country and speaks to more than 75 groups per year where he offers his opinions regarding economic and housing markets condition. In addition to his speaking engagements, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors where he advises the Governor on housing policy, is a member of the Association of Washington Businesses Council of Economic Advisors and is also a Board Member at the Runstad Department of Real Estate at the University of Washington where he lectures in real estate economics. Matthew’s economic forecasts are used by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and his housing forecasts are used by Reuters (Roy-turz) in their U.S. Housing Market forecast and by Fannie Mae in their National Home Price Expectation Survey. Matthew received his undergraduate degree in economics from St. Johns College, Oxford, and he holds graduate degrees in economics and econometrics from the London School of Economics. Recognitions include being chosen as the 2022 Partner of the Year by the Seattle-King County Realtors Association and as the 2023 Partner of the Year by the Washington Realtors Association. He was also voted Industry MVP by the readers of the Seattle Agents Magazine.