Staff

Richard McIver - Interim Executive Director
Phone: (206) 722-5280, x101 Show/Hide Bio

McIver uniquely fulfills the first priority of providing the CDF with knowledgeable and effective executive leadership.  Born in Seattle, McIver holds a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University, is a graduate of Garfield High School, and is a fifth-generation Seattleite. He was first appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council in early 1997, and was subsequently elected to full four-year terms in November, 1997, 2001, and 2005.

His experience on the Council includes time as chair of the Finance & Budget and Budget Committees, vice-chair of the Economic Development & Neighborhoods Committee, and a member of the Housing, Human Services & Health Committee.

He also served on the board of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, an agency working to increase housing affordability and access through the promotion of homeownership and the development of non-profit low income housing.

Councilmember McIver served on the Sound Transit Board for eleven years (1997-2007), including service as vice chair of the agency's Finance Committee. Over the years he made recommendations on annual capital and operating budgets, financial plans, and monitored the progress of the adopted budgets and investments.

Charleete M. Black - Business Development Loan/Program Officer
Phone: (206) 722-5280, x105
Cell: (206) 920-2234 Show/Hide Bio

Charleete M. Black is the RCVDF’s Business and Retention Program Officer. In this role she works with existing Rainier Valley businesses to help them assess their needs and barriers. She then works with the businesses to address the issues identified to ensure their survival or growth. Prior to assuming this role at the RVCDF, Charleete worked with the Supplemental Mitigation Grant program and was instrumental in processing over $15 million in grant funds to local businesses impacted by light rail construction.

Prior to the RVCDF, Charleete held various positions with Westinghouse Credit Corporation -- Commercial Division, Bank of America and First Interstate Bank. Charleete is also an entrepreneur and has experience in real estate sales, residential and commercial property appraisals. She is a long-time Seattle resident and active member of the Rainier Valley community. Charleete holds a BA in Business Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA.

David Essig - Director of Community Development
Phone: (206) 722-5280, x112
Cell: (206) 816-4607 Show/Hide Bio

Dave Essig is responsible for all of the organization’s commercial real estate lending activities.

Dave has extensive experience in commercial construction/real estate finance, planning, development, brokerage and consulting throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. He has been affiliated with major institutional investors, private developers, government agencies and start-up development and construction companies. Dave has been responsible for underwriting, valuation, project management and marketing of commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality and multi-family projects in various stages of the product life cycle.

Dave holds a BA in Economics from Washington & Lee University and an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University. He also obtained his real estate sales and mortgage broker licenses in the state of Florida.