Meet Kevin Schilling: RHAWA’s New Government Affairs Director (and Resident Policy Powerhouse)

If you have ever wondered what happens when you combine a fourth-generation Washingtonian, a global traveler, a policy expert, a former mayor, and someone who once washed dishes at Mick Kelley’s Irish Pub, you get Kevin Schilling, RHAWA’s brand new Government Affairs Director.

Kevin brings a rare mix of hometown roots, academic firepower, and real-world experience that makes him uniquely equipped to champion the needs of rental housing providers across Washington. And yes, he is just as energetic in person as his résumé suggests.

Born & Raised in the Northwest

Kevin’s family has been in Washington longer than most of us have been in the rental housing business. His grandfather and father each put in 35 years at Boeing, one as a machinist and one as an engineer, while his mom balanced work and raising twins.

Kevin grew up in Burien, graduated from Aviation High School and St. Francis of Assisi, and started working at 13. If there was a job to do, bussing tables, washing dishes, running lights at the Highline Performing Arts Center, Kevin was there with sleeves rolled up.

A World Traveler with a Policy Brain

Before he became a familiar face in Olympia, Kevin took a detour to rural western Nepal to teach English and backpacked across India. That global perspective stuck with him and shaped how he thinks about communities, opportunities, and the systems that support them.

Back home, he worked for State Representative Kathy Haigh and later as a legislative aide to the Governor. Then came Washington State University, where he graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and as a Top Ten Senior, all while working three jobs.

Not one to slow down, Kevin went on to earn dual master’s degrees from Columbia University and the London School of Economics and later completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Program. We are still trying to figure out when he slept.

Policy Leadership Meets Housing Reality

Most recently, Kevin served as the Advocacy Director for the Washington State Dental Association, where he navigated complex statewide policy issues and built coalitions. These skills translate directly into the rental housing world.

His time in Burien city government gave him a front row seat to the challenges facing housing providers, including zoning, permitting, economic development, homelessness response, and the ever-shifting landscape of local regulations. He has been in the room where decisions are made, and he knows how to make sure housing providers are not left out of the conversation.

A Public Servant at Heart

Kevin was elected to the Burien City Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. During the pandemic, he helped expand internet access for low-income families, opposed tax increases during the crisis, joined AmeriCorps to deliver meals, and pushed for more housing and economic development.

He continues to focus on commercial growth, housing supply, regional partnerships, and accountability in homelessness and behavioral health systems, all issues that directly affect the rental housing ecosystem.

He has also stepped forward as a candidate for the Washington State House of Representatives in the 33rd Legislative District, reflecting his ongoing commitment to public service.

Why We Are Excited

Kevin’s journey, from local kid to global scholar to policy leader, gives him a unique lens on the issues that matter most to RHAWA members. He understands how legislation is crafted, how cities operate, and how policies land on the ground for small housing providers.

He is ready to lead our government affairs team with energy, insight, and a deep respect for the people who make rental housing possible.

Say Hello

Kevin is eager to meet RHAWA members and hear directly from the people he will be representing in Olympia and beyond. Feel free to reach out, introduce yourself, and share what matters most to you as a housing provider.

You can contact him at kschilling@RHAwa.org or by phone at (206) 905-0603.

You can also meet Kevin on all of our social media platforms! Kevin is shaping up to be a real star in the rental housing world already. Watch, make sure to hit the like button, and don’t forget to SHARE!

Please join us in giving Kevin Schilling a warm RHAWA welcome. We are thrilled to have him on board, and we cannot wait to see the impact he will make.