Jason grew up in South DeKalb as an only child to a single mother. A proud Georgia public school graduate, Jason went on to graduate from Denison University with a degree in education and history. He spent several summers as a forklift driver before joining the U.S. Army as an officer, where he served our country for six years. Jason earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal resulting from his service as a reconnaissance officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Jason is a proud combat veteran who remains active in several veterans groups including the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After honorably leaving the Army, Jason returned to Atlanta to continue his education and begin a new career. He earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Georgia while taking on a leadership role at Hire Heroes USA, a national non-profit that empowers U.S. military members, veterans and their spouses to succeed in the workforce through transition workshops, personalized career coaching and employment counseling.
Jason has also earned a Master of Science in Real Estate from Georgia State University, and as a result, is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, the International City/County Management Association, and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Millennial Advisory Panel.
Jason and his wife, Claire, are proud homeowners in Mechanicsville, where the couple is very active in their community.
Jason has been a committed community advocate in the neighborhoods making up south Atlanta. Jason served on the Steering Committee for the Turner Field Community Benefits Coalition currently and serves as Vice President for the Mechanicsville Civic Association. Jason currently serves on the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Neighborhood Planning Unit V Resident Advisory Board and has worked hand-in-hand with ECO-Action and NPU-V to advocate for green stormwater infrastructure in the communities surrounding Turner Field.
Jason’s advocacy has resulted in multiple editorials published in Saporta Report, and he has been quoted in several key Atlanta publications including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CBS Channel 46, WSB Channel 2, NPR station 90.1 WABE, Creative Loafing, and several others. In addition to his professional work with military veterans, Jason is a 2015 alumnus of LEAD Atlanta, a 2016 Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, a 2016 New Leaders Council Fellow, and a 2016 Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40 honoree.