Communications veteran joins leadership team to guide communication & engagement strategy
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Ortega as the new Public Information Officer. Ortega, a respected civic leader and award-winning newspaper reporter, brings more than 15 years of leadership and experience in the communications field.
In this role, Jeff will contribute to the agency’s strategic communications, media & public relations, and public engagement efforts. Jeff will lead initiatives that amplify organizational goals, execute impact-driven campaigns, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate brand visibility.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to our MORPC team. “His knowledge in communications and public service will be instrumental in driving our mission forward and ensuring we continue to meet the highest standards of effective and impactful communication.”
While most recently serving in the private sector and in business development, Ortega joins the MORPC team with a long history and extensive background of service in the public sector. He’s held various leadership positions at the City of Columbus, including Deputy Director of Communications for the Columbus City Council President, along with Assistant Director of the Columbus Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities.
Ortega has also served as the Director of Public Affairs for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, in which he played a key role not only in public relations but also in federal and state government affairs. In addition, he worked as the Chief Media Liaison for the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
Early on in his professional life, Ortega was a newspaper reporter and editor covering politics and government, most notably with The Columbus Dispatch. Jeff also served as Chief Ohio Politics Reporter for the Youngstown Vindicator and the Dix Newspaper chain, writing for newspapers in Ashland, Cambridge, Defiance, Kent-Ravenna and Wooster, Ohio.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Ohio State University.
