Jacobs
Center Media Contact: Liz Faris, Communications Manager, (619) 527-6161 ext. 376, lfaris@jacobscenter.org
SAN DIEGO – January 19, 2016 — The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is pleased to welcome well-respected attorney Omar Passons as its Vice President, Community Development and Policy. Mr. Passons will lead the organization’s work in economic development, community ownership, and Public-Philanthropic Partnerships to support the revitalization of Southeastern San Diego’s Diamond Neighborhoods.
In his role, Mr. Passons will oversee policy to drive economic equity for residents and develop policy for Market Creek Plaza owner benefit. He will also work to further the organization’s Public-Philanthropic Partnership efforts to foster policy, agreements and funding that advance community prosperity in land use and development, economic development, education to career pathways, and workforce development.
Mr. Passons spent the previous decade practicing law, specializing in construction, land-use planning, real estate, and commercial litigation with an emphasis on public agency-related matters. Throughout his career, he has worked with a blend of public and private sector clients. Among his previous positions, Mr. Passons served as the Deputy Attorney for the State of California Department of Transportation and, most recently, as Senior Counsel at Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz, APC. In the private arena, Mr. Passons has defended national clients in tort and employment litigation.
A dedicated community servant, Mr. Passons serves on the Board of Directors for the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation, United Way of San Diego County, Voices for Children, CDC Small Business Finance, and the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Workforce Development Board. He received a Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Arizona.