JEFFREY McMORRIS NAMED HUD REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR ALASKA, IDAHO, OREGON & WASHINGTON STATE

SEATTLE - The Trump Administration today named Jeffrey McMorris of Issaquah, Washington as Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Region X Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. He assumed his new duties today.

For the past 12 years Mr. McMorris, 45, has served as Chief of Staff to King County, Washington, Councilmember Kathy Lambert who represents its 3rd District, the largest of its districts. As Chief of Staff, he was Ms. Lambert's senior budget advisor for the County's $11 billion biennial budget and managed the office's policy analysis and communications. He also was her liaison to local governments, community stakeholders and various boards and commissions.

"I thank President Trump and his Administration for their confidence in me and I greatly look forward to working with Secretary Carson, Deputy Secretary Patenaude and HUD's 8,000 dedicated, hardworking employees," said Regional Administrator McMorris. "Every day HUD touches the lives and improves the prospects of hundreds of thousands of people across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. As stewards of taxpayers' dollars and their trust, every day we must strive to do that vital work even more efficiently and effectively. It is a great challenge but the rewards of meeting it are even greater."

As Regional Administrator, Mr. McMorris will serve as HUD's principal representative in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. In a typical fiscal year, HUD provides $1.4 billion in resources in formula and competitive grants to 59 state, county and city governments, 270 Federally-recognized Tribes and Native villages, 67 public housing authorities, 17 Continuums of Care, 10 fair housing organizations and 55 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. This funding includes rental assistance to some 180,000 income-eligible households in public housing or almost 1,000 privately-owned apartment complexes. In addition, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of HUD, currently has a portfolio of some 300,000 active, FHA-insured single-family mortgages as well as nearly 1,000 insured multifamily properties.

Prior to working for King County, Jeff was a manager with Versent, a consultant on numerous political campaigns, a staff member for State Senator Bob Morton, and Vice Chair of the Washington State Republican Party.

An avid world traveler who enjoys experiencing other cultures, Mr. McMorris has spent time in over 40 countries. He taught math and computer science in Guam, studied Spanish in Guatemala, and worked at the U.S. Embassy in San José, Costa Rica while completing his study abroad at INCAE Business School as part of his International MBA program.

Jeff received his Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida.

Involved in his local community, Jeff has volunteered as a Big Brother and with Habitat for Humanity. He also worked to engage and educate future leaders about policy issues as a Washington Policy Center Young Professionals Board member. Jeff and his wife Sarah live in Issaquah with their four children. He was born in Salem, Oregon.

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