Jacks is selected as one of only 40 2009 Henry Toll Fellows

Vancouver lawmaker tapped to join elite group of nation’s emerging legislative leaders

May 22, 2009

VANCOUVER – State Rep. Jim Jacks is one of 40 state leaders from across the nation selected for membership in the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program, which is sponsored by the Council of State Governments (CSG).

Named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado legislator who founded CSG in 1933, the program seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government.

Jacks, D-Vancouver, said that the 2009 Toll Fellowship Program will be held this coming September in Kentucky. The program will focus on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations, and leadership and institutional changes.

“It is a tremendous honor to represent our region and Washington state in this program,” said Jacks. “I will have an opportunity to learn from leaders from around the country about how they have solved problems in their communities and in their states.”

Jacks was selected by a committee of state leaders as one of the most promising emerging leaders of state government. This year’s applicant pool included state leaders from all three government branches, and represented 40 states and two United States territories. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, United States senators and representatives, and leaders in state government.

The first-term lawmaker was nominated by state Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon. He was endorsed by state Reps. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, and Larry Springer, D-Kirkland.

Jacks is an Assistant House Majority Whip. He is also a member of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, the House Capital Budget Committee, and the House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee.

A former citizen advocate for the City of Vancouver, Jacks also served as Gov. Chris Gregoire’s representative in southwestern Washington. He established the Clark County Juvenile Court’s Victim-Offender Mediation program, and he currently works in business development for the engineering, surveying and planning firm of MacKay & Sposito.

Jacks earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, and a master’s degree from the University of Bradford in England. He and his wife, Brenda, have two children.

The Council of State Governments is the premier multi-branch organization forecasting policy trends on a national and regional basis for the community of states, commonwealths and territories. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state-policy responses to rapidly changing conditions, and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. The organization promotes excellence in decision-making and leadership skills, and champions state sovereignty.