Jeff is a learning and developmental disabilities specialist with a master’s degree in special education. Jeff joined First Place® AZ as executive director in 2014, focusing on the start-up of the First Place Transition Academy. Prior to joining First Place, Jeff served as director of student support services for 40 years at Taft College, a community college in California. In 1995, he founded and created the nationally and internationally recognized Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Jeff currently serves as a consultant to and member of the First Place Global Leadership Institute faculty and advisory board. He is also working to help expand the First Place Transition Academy model in communities across the U.S. and beyond.