PALOUSE HABITAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Palouse Habitat for Humanity has a community-based volunteer board of directors. The current Palouse Habitat Board of Directors includes community members from business, faith, and service organizations.
The board meets once a month. Standing committees are Construction, Development, Faith Relations, Homeowner Selection, Homeowner Support and Site Selection.
Palouse Habitat for Humanity is an independent organization overseen by a board of directors and governed by its own policies. If you have a complaint, please contact us to discuss the issue or concern.
If you believe your concern cannot be adequately addressed or resolved by the affiliate, or if your concern relates to Palouse Habitat for Humanity leadership (board president or executive director), notify Habitat for Humanity International by following the process outlined on Habitat.org.
2026 Board Members
Rebecca Nida, President
Rebecca Nida is an Idaho-native who recently returned to Idaho after living in Portland, Oregon for several years. She lives in Moscow with her daughter and enjoys being part of our vibrant Palouse communities.
She has worked for Cambia Health Solutions since 2008, holding a variety of human resources and leadership roles. She now serves as Cambia’s Director of Ethics where she directs and manages the development, implementation, and administration of a corporate business ethics program. She is excited to bring her blend of leadership, human resources and business ethics expertise to the Palouse Habitat Board and support its mission of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Rebecca enjoys exploring the beautiful areas our region has to offer and can frequently be found skiing, hiking, paddleboarding and spending time with family and friends.
Barb Sheffler, Vice President
Barb is a mother of 15 children and Grammy to 15 grandchildren. She joined the Board in October 2021. She lives in Latah County and has worked for 32 years in Whitman County in Child Welfare. She has firsthand seen the blessing of a Habitat home in a family’s life and the number of children they were able to serve due to having the home. She is excited to be a part of the board and learn all the aspects of Habitat for Humanity. Her dream one day would be to go to an International site and assist with a home. Her interest is in working with families that Habitat serves and supporting the board and all committees in any way possible.
Alanna Ellis, Secretary
Mark Watson, Treasurer
Mark Watson is a Certified Public Accountant who has worked at Hayden Ross, PLLC in Moscow, Idaho for 20 years. Mark grew up on a farm in Craigmont, Idaho, and has been married to his wife since 1996, in which time they have raised three children together. Before joining Hayden Ross, PLLC, Mark served as a Financial Officer for the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council in Moscow, Idaho. At Hayden Ross, he specializes in individual tax, governmental compliance auditing, and accounting services. Mark received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Idaho in 1993 and specializes in agricultural taxation. He is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Idaho Society of Public Accountants, as well as serving and has served on the board of several nonprofit organizations besides Palouse Habitat for Humanity.
Evan Ellis
Evan Ellis arrived at the Palouse in 1997 to attend Washington State University. He graduated from WSU with a bachelor’s in communications in 1999 and began working at local radio stations. Ellis has been the News Director at KQQQ Pullman Radio Newstalk For The Palouse for 24 years. He spent several years working for the University of Idaho Vandal Radio Network. Ellis worked seven seasons as the play-by-play radio voice for Vandal Men’s Basketball and 3 seasons calling UI Women’s Basketball. He worked as the color commentator on the radio for Vandal Football for eleven seasons.
Evan and Alanna Ellis have been married since 2006. They live in the Pullman area with their teenage son Ethan. Ellis was born in Clearwater Florida and spent most of his youth growing up in Vancouver Washington.
Renee Ellsworth
Renee Ellsworth is a lifelong resident of Latah County, ID, where she was born and raised in the small community of Deary. Deeply rooted in her local community, Renee has built both her personal and professional life around connection, creativity, and service. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Interior Design, complemented by minors in Art and Architecture, reflecting her passion for both aesthetics and functional design.
For the past 27 years, Renee has dedicated her career to Columbia Bank, where she has developed extensive expertise while building meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike. Her commitment to excellence and community engagement has been a defining element of her professional journey.
Outside of work, Renee enjoys a wide range of hobbies that reflect her love of creativity and the outdoors, including quilting, crocheting, horseback riding, UTV adventures, camping, boating, and traveling. She especially appreciates good food and shared experiences with family and friends.
Renee’s proudest accomplishment is her daughter, a senior at the University of Idaho majoring in Agricultural Education. Renee is happily married, and together they continue to enjoy a life rooted in family, community, and the Idaho landscape they call home.
Kris Finch
Kris Finch is excited to join the Palouse Habitat for Humanity Board to help improve housing options for her community. Finch is a long-time resident of the Palouse who has taken a strong interest in improving the community for those in need of housing and assistance. For almost two decades, she has built a successful career as a full-time Realtor with RE/MAX Home and Land, serving both Washington & Idaho. She is a long-time resident of the Palouse and a WSU Murrow School of Communication graduate. Currently, she serves as president of the Whitman County Association of Realtors and sits on a housing committee with the City of Pullman. Recently she served two consecutive terms with the United Way of Whitman County. She is enthusiastic about joining the Board and helping buyers who are “priced out of the market” find options that are presently not available. Married for 30 years to Rick Finch, they have four third generation Coug kids and three grandchildren. The entire family helps with the family beef cattle business. Kris & Rick raise an occasional litter of Brittany Spaniels and open their home as an American Brittany rescue site. She is an avid fly fisherman, photographer, gardener and loves to travel.
Aimee Hennrich
Aimee Hennrich is an AICP-certified city planner with years of municipal planning experience and a strong background in community development, affordable housing, and zoning policy. She served the City of Moscow, Idaho, where she led efforts in land use planning, ordinance development, and floodplain management. Aimee has extensive experience coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies and acting as a liaison to boards and commissions. Her previous service as liaison to the Fair and Affordable Housing Commission supported the development of policies that promote housing equity. Aimee also brings a background in the mortgage industry and currently serves on the board of the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Mike Heston
Mike came to the Palouse in 1979, attending Washington State University (WSU), earning a Bachelor's and Master's in Political Science. During that time, he joined the WSU Fire Department in 1983, serving for over 11 years. In 1996, he was hired by the City of Pullman Fire Department for the next 29 years, serving as the fire chief for the last 12 years, retiring in February of 2025. Mike continues to volunteer in Scouting America as the Appaloosa District Chair and is an active member of the Pullman Lions Club.
Chrisi Kincaid
Derek McGuckin
The Reverend Derek McGuckin, Pastor at Moscow First United Methodist Church, loves to work with others in living out the Kingdom of God. He is passionate about relationships with God, his family, the church, and the community.
Before coming to Moscow First UMC, Pastor Derek served as pastor to several United Methodist churches in Washington beginning in 2000. The son of missionaries, Pastor Derek, grew up in Costa Rica and Argentina before returning to the United States. He is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and has a master's degree in divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Travis Morscheck
Travis Morscheck grew up in Pullman and after spending the last 20 years in Oregon he is excited to be returning home with his wife and three children.
Travis is currently the Executive Vice President at DABCO Property Management and is excited to help provide the local communities with quality rental property management services. Prior to DABCO, Travis spent 16 years working in Beaverton, Oregon at Nike Inc. Travis held a variety of positions during his time at Nike primarily focused on Product Creation for sports equipment and accessories.
Travis and his wife Nicole – also of Pullman, have three sons and spend much of their spare time watching youth sports. When time allows – Travis loves to travel, try new foods, and being outdoors.
Travis is looking forward to being a part of Habitat For Humanity and contributing to the improvement of our local communities, one house at a time.
