Born and raised in Napa, Jeff began his own education at Napa Valley College before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a double major in Political Science and History. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he was an editor for the McGeorge Law Review and clerked at the California Supreme Court for Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

Today, Jeff is a partner at Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP, where his practice focuses on environmental, water, and land use law throughout California. He counsels farmers, small businesses, and non-profits on land use, water, and other environmental issues.

Jeff was first elected to the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees in 2018 and is serving his second term. He was elected by his fellow trustees as President in 2022 and 2023, where he led various initiatives to open greater pathways to student success.

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Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Napa Valley College Foundation and the 25th District Agricultural Association after an appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2025. He also sits on the Napa advisory board for 10,000 Degrees, which supports low-income and first generation students get to and through college.

 

Over the years, he has served on the boards of various community and non-profit organizations: Connolly Ranch Education Center (2013-2019), Community Health Initiative (2018-2026), Napa County Parks & Open Space District Advisory Committee (2014-2016) and the Napa County Agricultural Protection Advisory Committee (2015).

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Jeff lives in Downtown Napa with his wife Kelly and three children Hal (7), Casey (5) and Betty (2).

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