Jeff Gattas is Executive Director of University Communications & Public Affairs (UCPA) for UC San Diego.  Jeff directs the University’s media relations, communications, marketing, advocacy and state and local government relations as well as manages the business operations.  He previously served as Senior Director for UCPA Public Outreach for just over two years building the advocacy and state and local government relations program.  He ran an issues management team and worked on special projects for the university.

Jeff has over fifteen years of experience in communications, government and public affairs.  Prior to working at UC San Diego, he served as San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders’ director of City Council Affairs acting as liaison between the City Council and the Mayor’s office.  In addition he served as Chief of Staff to San Diego City Councilmember and Acting Mayor Toni Atkins and District Director and Press Secretary for California Assemblymember Denise Moreno Ducheny.  He has managed and advised on several national, state and local political campaigns.

Before entering the public sector Jeff worked in public relations and marketing, assisting organizations in meeting their strategic communication, community outreach and product development and placement needs.  He represented a broad client base from Fortune 200 companies to entrepreneurial ventures to snowboarding and skateboarding magazines.

Jeff has a BS in Business Administration – Finance and MS in Mass Communications both from San Diego State University.  He completed Harvard University’s Senior Executive program in State and Local Government at John F Kennedy School of Government.