Jon Isaacs serves as served as the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Portland Metro Chambers since January, 2019. With more than 30 years of experience, Jon has held senior positions, and achieved significant political and policy victories in campaigns, public affairs, and public policy at the national, state and local levels. Prior to joining the Chamber, he served as the public affairs manager for Uber Technologies representing the company in Oregon and most of the Western United States, and as the chief of communications and public affairs for Portland Public Schools (PPS) from 2012 to 2016. Prior to PPS, he spent more than 16 years working for and advising Democratic candidates, elected officials, and progressive nonprofit advocacy organizations in national, state, and local leadership roles. Recognized as one of the top political strategists in the Pacific Northwest, Jon served from 2004 to 2009 as senior policy advisor, campaign manager, and state director for House Minority Leader, House Speaker, and United States Senator Jeff Merkley. Jon served as executive director of the Oregon House Democrats’ Campaign Committee, he managed Jeff Merkley’s historic election to the U.S. Senate in 2008, and served as executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters from 2009 to 2011.
Jon graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1996, where he also served as Student Body President. He serves on several public advisory committees and task forces including the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Clean Industry Advisory Committee, the City of Portland Economic Opportunities Analysis Work Group, the City of Portland Industrial Land Readiness Advisory Committee, Portland Bureau of Transportation Central City in Motion Advisory Committee, and the Trimet Transit Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Transition Projects and the Fund for Portland Public Schools. Jon has coached in SE Portland Little League for the past 12 years and currently leads the 13-year-old intermediate program.