About Jeff
Originally from Florida, Jeff moved to Portland in 1992. He and his wife, Lisa Pellegrino, fell in love with Multnomah County’s natural beauty and strong sense of community. Jeff and Lisa live in northeast Portland with their two children, 7-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Johanna.
Social responsibility has been a guiding ethic in Jeff’s professional life. When he founded the Portland Pretzel Company, he built strong relationships with local vendors and used recycled building materials for the company’s downtown store. The Portland Pretzel Company was the first certified organic bakery in Portland, and when the time came to hire a few full-time employees, the company paid for their health care.
Jeff’s advocacy for the well-being of local families led him to the Multnomah Commission on Children and Families, where he served as communications director. He later joined the board of the nonprofit volunteer group Hands On Portland, and was soon elected board president. Under Jeff’s leadership, Hands On Portland became a strong, thriving organization that continues to do vitally important work for our community.
Jeff has worked for former County Chair Bev Stein, and for City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Jeff played key roles in creating the Children's Investment Fund, and the plan to build a new Ball Elementary School in North Portland. Jeff also helped create the City's Green Investment Fund, which has positioned Portland as the international leader of the green building movement.
Jeff was elected to the Multnomah County Commission in November of 2006 for a four year term and is actively championing policies to make Multnomah County more accountable and sustainable.
Posted on June 20, 2007
