Biography

Representative Jeff Morris is a fourth-generation native of the San Juan Islands. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1996 where he serves as Speaker Pro Tempore. In addition to his leadership role, he continues to serve as a member of the Technology, Energy, and Communications Committee after many years as chair, Transportation, Ecology and Parks, Audit Review and Oversight, and the House Rules Committee.

As CEO of Energy Horizon LLC, Jeff directs the Pacific Northwest Economic Region’s bi-national aggregated energy resource planning, as well as developing distributive generation energy projects. He is a co-founder of Northwest Energy Angels, the first North American angel investing group investing exclusively in new energy technologies. He is also a Trustee of the Washington State Life Science Fund.

Jeff is a past director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC), headquartered at the Washington Technology Center (WTC). Jeff and his team at WTC worked to accelerate growth of the energy-technology industry in the region. The U.S. Department of Energy recognized his achievements by naming him a "West Coast Power Player." The Northwest and Intermountain Power Producers Coalition awarded Jeff this year’s recipient of the “Vito Stagliano Excellence in Electricity Policy Award.” NIPPC established the award in 2006 to recognize individuals who have helped advanced innovative public policy within the electricity sector.

He is a past Chair of the Council of State Governments West, a past President of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, and previously served as Political Director for U.S. Representative Al Swift. His legislative contributions were internationally recognized by the Canadian Consulate for eliminating commerce barriers between the two countries. Jeff also graduated as a Toll Fellow from the Council of State Governments Distinguished Leadership Program.