Jon Isaacs joined the Chamber as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs in January 2019. With more than 29 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, leading the company’s Government, Public Policy and Community Relations work in Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming.
Prior to joining Uber in 2016, Jon served 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 now United States Senator Jeff Merkley. As executive director of the Oregon House Democrats’ Campaign Committee, Jon engineered the first Democratic majority in the Oregon house in nearly two decades in 2006. Following this milestone, he managed Jeff Merkley’s historic election to the U.S. Senate in 2008. After the successful Merkley campaign, Jon served as executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters from 2009 to 2011.
He serves on several public advisory committees and task forces including the ODOT Regional Tolling Advisory Committee, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Clean Industry Advisory Committee, Portland Bureau of Transportation Central City in Motion Advisory Committee, and the Trimet Transit Advisory Committee.
Jon graduated from Oregon State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Transition Projects. Jon is an active volunteer and coach for Portland youth futsal, Atkinson Youth Basketball, and SE Portland Little League. Jon lives in Portland, OR with his two active sons, Jay and Sam.