Jesse Beason

Jesse serves as Executive Director of Proud Ground (formerly Portland Community Land Trust), helping low-income families own their first home. He chairs the board of the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center and is a member of the steering committee of JustPortland. Previously, Jesse worked for then Commissioner Sam Adams on issues and policy relating to housing, arts & culture and planning. Prior to that, he worked at Metro regional government in public affairs, Oregon Public Broadcasting and managed publicity for community nonprofit fundraisers. Jesse moved from Denver to Portland to attend Lewis & Clark College in 1999 and has not thought of living elsewhere since.