JA Names Ryan Deckert as President

Portland, OR – Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington (JA) announced that Ryan Deckert, former president of the Oregon Business Association and Oregon State Senator has been named president. As President of Junior Achievement, Deckert will manage the organization’s work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programs that currently reach over 45,000 K-12 students annually in the area.

“We are excited about the appointment of Deckert,” stated Ronan Eggleston, Chairman of the Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington Board of Directors. “Ryan is a well-rounded leader with deep connections in Oregon who has assembled and led teams of internal staff and external partners to deliver results.” “Ryan brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm for our work, and strong management skills to JA,” said Eggleston. 

Ryan began his career in 1997 as a State Legislator, serving as a State Representative until 2001 when he was elected the youngest state senator in Oregon history. He was appointed by the Senate President to chair the prestigious Oregon Senate Finance & Revenue Committee as a first-term senator. Ryan lead the Oregon Business Association from 2007 through July 2017. Ryan served on the boards of the Oregon Zoo, Habitat for Humanity, Community Action and the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education. He was also named by the Portland Business Journal as one of the 40 most influential Oregonians under 40. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Oregon, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

“I am proud and honored to join a prominent organization like Junior Achievement with such an important mission,” commented Deckert.  “JA provides students with a practical foundation in personal finance, entrepreneurship and career skills.  I will work hard to ensure students continue to experience JA’s high-quality programs so they can gain the skills relevant to success in their future careers and in their lives.”

Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington

Junior Achievement inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through hands-on programs that promote work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Established locally in 1950, JA is an affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, which has worked for nearly a century to provide economic and financial education for K-12 students. This year, more than 4,500 volunteers will help deliver JA programs for over 45,700 students in Oregon and SW Washington. Visit www.jaorswwa.org for more information.