Meet JESSIE SIMMONS

Olympia Master Builders' new Government Affairs Director

Jessie Simmons is a combat veteran turned local politico who comes to us by way of Fort Worth, Texas. He now lives with his wife and three children (all teenagers) in Lacey. Jessie is passionate about many of the issues surrounding the building industry, but especially the obstacles that make it consistently more expensive to build homes for members of our community. He brings with him a wealth of education and experience in many different areas.

Jessie spent his early years in the workforce in a variety of positions including time spent as a butcher’s assistant, a fish cutter, and a glass glazier that put in windows in high rise buildings. He signed up for the United States Army at 25 and spent the next 8 years serving in locations such as Kuwait, Iraq, South Korea, Hawaii, and Washington State. His family finally decided to permanently call Washington home in 2014. He and his wife now try to spend time in the community as much as possible and have even become involved heavily in local politics.

Jessie has accomplished several of his goals since leaving the military and settling here including attaining two master’s degrees in political science and political management, as well as running for political office just last year. Though his campaign for Port of Olympia Commissioner fell slightly short, he feels he has gained valuable experience and knowledge of the local political arena and how to navigate government. He brings with him not only the knowledge gained from political campaign work and management, but the relationships he has built along the way. In his free time, you might find him at a concert, at a game (baseball or football), or cooking some REAL Texas BBQ. Jessie has already been doing the work, but he looks forward to the task of taking on the next challenges the Government Affairs Director role may bring.