Team Profiles

Jeff Jacobberger, Planner

Jeff Jacobberger received his Master of Planning degree, with a concentration in Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, from the University of Southern California in May 2009, and was awarded honors for his Comprehensive Examination.  He has worked for CEA since May 2008, with a focus on developing innovative neighborhood parking programs that both promote economic development and preserve quality of life for area residents.  This work, which combines rigorous analysis with extensive public outreach, includes projects for the City of West Hollywood and Los Angeles’ Eagle Rock and Atwater Village neighborhoods.  While at USC, Jeff also focused on bicycle planning, working with the City of Los Angeles Planning Department to create a model for neighborhood-level bicycle networks, developing bicycle and pedestrian policies for the update of USC’s Master Plan, and designing a bike facility connecting Union Station and Exposition Park. 

Jeff entered the planning profession after 15 years of practicing law in the public and private sectors, where he managed complex commercial litigation and advised clients on regulatory compliance matters.  He received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) and his A.B. in Government and History from Georgetown University.  Jeff is actively involved in Los Angeles’ neighborhood council movement; he sits on the Mid City West Community Council, founded the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition, and was appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa to serve on the Neighborhood Council Review Commission.

Jela Ellefson, Planner

Jela Ellefson joined CEA while pursuing her master's degree in Urban Planning at the University of Southern California, where she has since graduated with a concentration in Transportation and Land Use and was awarded honors for her Comprehensive Examination. 

Her recent work with CEA includes parking and development feasibility analyses for the City of West Hollywood, CA and for the West Third Street Pedestrian Improvements/Parking Study in West Los Angeles, CA, including research, planning and coordination in the areas of public funding, zoning and community outreach.  While at USC, Jela worked as a research assistant, held internships with CRA/LA and MTA, as well as volunteered for the City of LA Planning Department, and participated in update of the bicycle and pedestrian section of the University Master Plan.