Meet Jason Whalen

Personal: Jason is a longtime resident of Washington. He and Gael have been married for 22 years. They choose to make their home in Lakewood because they believe Lakewood is a great place to live and raise a family. They have three daughters, Olivia (15), Clare (10), and Alison (3). The Whalens are active in their community, schools, and church.

Education: Jason earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Economics and Speech Communication from Gonzaga University. After a four-year tour of military duty, Jason returned to Gonzaga University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor (law degree), also magna cum laude.

Occupation: Following law school, Jason was selected to serve as Law Clerk for former Chief Justice Richard P. Guy of the Washington State Supreme Court. In 1993, Jason joined the Tacoma law firm of Eisenhower & Carlson, PLLC. Jason, currently a partner with the Eisenhower firm, practices primarily in real estate, business, and tort-related litigation for businesses and individuals.

Military Service: Following his graduation from Gonzaga University, as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the Reserve Officer Training Program, Jason received a Regular Army Commission in the United States Army, Field Artillery. Jason served the majority of his active duty commitment in Bamberg, Germany. Following active duty and during law school, Jason served in the U.S. Army Reserves and later, in the Washington Army National Guard.

Community Involvement: Jason believes in giving back to the community. Jason’s community activities include: Elected Commissioner, 2006 Pierce County Charter Review Commission; Board Member, City of Lakewood Planning Advisory Board; Member, Lakewood Rotary; Past Board Member, Lakewood YMCA; Past Board Member, Tacoma-Pierce County American Red Cross; Past Member, Judicial Qualifications Committee, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association; Volunteer Mediator, Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution; Member, Worship Team (music ensemble), St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Fort Steilacoom Park Playground Project Volunteer; participant in “Lakewood University.”

Personal Views: Good local government must be responsive to the people it serves to be effective. In Lakewood, we must continue to make our neighborhoods safer while building and sustaining a solid business climate. Livable cities develop a broad tax base (not just residential property taxes!) to fund essential public services, including public safety and economic development. Lakewood needs leaders who can credibly work with business and community interests to make good decisions for the long term health and viability of our community.