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Get to know Jason Whalen
Lakewood Deputy Mayor Jason Whalen has been married to his wife, Gael, for 34 years. They have three daughters, Olivia, Clare, and Alison. He's a veteran, small business owner, and community leader.
Jason fishing with his Dad
Jason in a college debate competition at Gonzaga
Jason was the 1980 Washington State Debate Champion and represented the State at the national debate tournament two years in a row. Jason was able to fund his college education from a two-year debate scholarship and three-year ROTC scholarship.
Jason with his friend Patrick
They go way back. Patrick was Jason's college roommate, ROTC military buddy, and best man at his wedding.
College Sweethearts Jason and Gael
This photo was taken before their engagement, attending Jason's graduation from Gonzaga University.
Distinguished Military Graduate from Gonzaga’s ROTC program
Jason was commissioned as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army, Field Artillery. Following his Officer Basic Training at Ft. Sill, OK, and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA, Jason served 4 years of active service (mostly in Germany), and 4 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and WA National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain.
Serving in Germany during the Cold War
Jason was Field Artillery officer with 1-75 Field Artillery, a nuclear capable artillery battalion attached to a German Panzer division. This was “pre-Berlin Wall” coming down and very much part of the Cold War. He was one of the Battalion’s nuclear weapons officers. He also served as a Fire Direction Officer, a Platoon Leader for one of the three 203mm nuclear capable artillery batteries, and later, as the Battalion S-1 (Staff Office in Charge of Personnel and Finance services for the Battalion of approximately 300 soldiers).
Jason and Gael got married in Spokane in 1987
Jason and Gael attending a formal military function while stationed in Bamberg, Germany.
Graduating from Gonzaga Law School
Jason with Bob Good (attorney in Oregon), and Bob Battles (General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs for Association of Washington Business)
Olivia Whalen is born
Grandpa and Grandma Whalen welcome Olivia while Jason holds her.
Jason and Olivia at 2 years old.
Jason holding Clare
Clare is Jason and Gael's second daughter. Time flies, she will soon be graduate of Oregon State University.
Jason fighting for his constituents
Jason in Washington, D.C. with other Pierce County and Lakewood leaders advocating for their constituents. As Lakewood City Councilmember, Jason has helped secure federal funding for critical transportation projects.
Jason with his youngest daughter Alison
Here we have the obligatory photo before the annual Father – Daughter Dance. Those who know Jason know he can really cut a rug.
Jason doesn't just run for office
Jason after finishing a half marathon with local businessmen, Dan Durr –First Western Properties; Dave Durr—OneDurr, Inc.; and James Guerrero, James Guerrero Architects
Hosting Downton Abbey-style Rotary Fundraiser
Jason, Gael, and Alison with Tom and Fae Crabill help raise funds for Lakewood Rotary, hosting Downton Abbey style dinner at Thornwood Castle Lakewood, Summer 2015. Playing the role of servant (leader)!
A Whalen Family Coffee Tasting
The Whalens enjoyed a coffee tasting while on vacation in Maui. With two of the daughters away from home in 2018, it was great to all spend time together again.
Representing the Filipino Community
Throughout his legal career, Jason has served a number of individuals and organizations seeking justice. Here, Jason represented the Filipino Community of Seattle to resolve a dispute over the organization’s bylaws and internal function.
Family Vacation
The Whalens are a very active family and enjoy a lot of time in the outdoors. Daughters Olivia, Clare, and Alison chase their Dad to a waterfall vista in Hawaii.
Advocating for Lakewood
Jason joined Mayor Don Anderson and Councilmember Mary Moss in Washington D.C. to advocate for issues of importance to the City of Lakewood.
Lakewood’s Sprint Triathlon
Growing up in Spokane and enjoying annual Bloomsday runs, Jason worked with the Council and staff to create a signature event to encourage residents and newcomers alike to join together as a community for health and fitness. Jason set the example by teaming with others to promote and run Lakewood’s Sprint Triathlon. Building community requires teamwork.
Delivering results for the community
As a Lakewood Council Member, Jason has worked hard to build a greater sense of community for all of us. Working with Lakewood Rotary leadership, Jason played a key role in getting Lakewood’s Pavilion at the Park (in Fort Steilacoom Park) up and running. The Pavilion is a wonderful community gathering place that hosts the Summer Concert Series and many other community activities.
Jason receives the Community Service Award
Known for working collaboratively with Council, staff, and community partners, Jason is recognized as a leader who brings people together to achieve real results. In 2017, Jason received a Community Service Award for Lakewood’s Springbrook Park.
Jason building relationships of trust and collaboration
Working to attract new aerospace business to Pierce County as part of Washington’s delegation to the Farnborough Air Show, Jason teams with other economic development professionals to run the British 10k.
Bringing aerospace jobs to Pierce County
Selected for his strong business and public elected experience, Jason works with other Pierce County leaders at Farnborough Air Show to bring aerospace jobs to Pierce County.
Jason represents the Tigrean Association
Jason represented the Tigrean Association (Ethiopian community) in Court, fighting to defend their organization’s leadership, culture, and internal structure.
Family time
Jason and Gael spending time with their daughter Clare during Oregon State University Weekend.
Lakewood’s Pavilion at the Park Ribbon Cutting
Jason joins Rotary and other community leaders at the ribbon cutting for Lakewood’s Pavilion at the Park venue—a tremendous community asset that will host music and cultural events for all to enjoy.
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Jason partaking in the Spartan Warrior Challenge.
In Jason's spare time after serving the public, practicing law, and spending time with his family, he likes to get in some crazy physical activity. Is the bucket empty? We don’t know.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Jason with Council Members Barth and Moss at the Lakewood’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which has become an annual tradition serving Lakewood’s culturally rich and diverse families with music, food, and activities for kids of all ages.
Jason is Chair of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County
Jason, as Chair of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB), leads the annual meeting of over 500 business leaders with Tacoma Mayor Woodards, EDB President Bruce Kendall, and invited speaker, futurist and author Rebecca Ryan.
Welcome King Louie IV
After the death of the family’s Boston Terrier, Jason surprises (literally) the family with the arrival of King Louie IV (4th pet in the family), a rambunctious French Bulldog. Louie joins Ruby, the Dachshund, Pearl, the cat, and about 5 fish (depending on the day) to the Whalen zoo.
Bringing jobs to Pierce County
Jason and Gael with members of Pierce County Economic Development Board at the Paris Airshow to attract new aerospace related business into Pierce County. Jason has served on this delegation for the past two years.
Accepting ShowCase Magazine’s Readers’ Poll award
Jason and Clemencia Castro-Woolery accepting ShowCase Magazine’s Readers’ Poll award for their firm, Ledger Square Law, as one of the best law firms in 2018 and again, in 2019.
Jason and Gael's oldest daughter Olivia gets married.
Jason and Gael with their daughter Olivia on her wedding day. They're happy to welcome their son-in-law Jerry Castro, especially Jason who is thrilled to have another guy in the family.
Celebrating Councilmember Mary Moss' Birthday!
Jason and Mary serve together on the Lakewood City Council and share a dance during her birthday celebration. Remember, Jason can cut a rug!
Celebrating the Grand Opening
Jason was an early and vocal advocate for new gathering spaces for Lakewood residents, including the Pavilion at the Park and Lakewood’s Colonial Plaza project. Jason was involved from beginning conception, to stake holder meetings, to the very end with input into design and final finishes.
Jason with local leaders
Jason enjoys warm and positive relationships with many local leaders, including those at the State (Senator Steve O'Ban), City (Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson), and County (Council Chair Doug Richardson). Jason knows how to work with others to get things done.
Army Veteran and Lakewood City Councilmember Jason Whalen will run for re-election to the Lakewood City Council.
“I am excited to apply my community and professional service to continue Lakewood’s progress in creating more and better jobs for our community, improved infrastructure to address growth, and regional leadership to address our housing and mental health challenges in our community.”
Elected to his third term in 2017, Deputy Mayor Jason Whalen has served on the City Council in Position 3 since 2010. Whalen represents Lakewood on the Pierce County Regional Council, on the City’s Arts Commission, and formerly Chaired the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County.
Whalen was born in Whitefish, Montana. After family moves throughout the West, he spent the majority of his young adult life in Spokane. He obtained his Honors Bachelors of Arts in Economics and Speech Communication from Gonzaga University in 1985 and his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1992.
Whalen was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Gonzaga’s Army ROTC Program. He served as a field artillery officer in Bamberg, Germany, from 1986 to 1989, returning to Gonzaga for law school. Following graduation from law school, he clerked for Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard P. Guy from 1992 to 1993. Since 1993, Whalen has been in private law practice, focusing on real estate, business, and employment-related litigation. In 2015, Whalen co-founded Ledger Square Law, P.S., areal estate, business, and litigation law firm serving the South Puget Sound.
Leading up to his election as a City Councilmember, Whalen served as an elected member of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission in 2006 and on Lakewood’s Planning Advisory Board (Planning Commission) from 2006 to 2009.
He is active in Lakewood Rotary, serves on the board of the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, and is a board member-elect for Lakewold Gardens, starting in 2020. Whalen previously served as a board member for the Pierce College Foundation, the Northwest Sinfonietta, and held various leadership positions with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Lakewood Family YMCA and the Tacoma Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Whalen is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum (Class 19) and continues his service as a mediator for private litigants in his areas of expertise through OnPoint Dispute Resolution, a mediation firm he co-founded.
Whalen has been married to his wife, Gael, for 34 years. They have three daughters, Olivia, Clare, and Alison.