John Tovey, FAICP
About Me
I'm a planner by education, an urban designer at heart, and someone who has always been fascinated by the relationship between people, culture, and the places we create.
Outside of work, I'm an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys exploring everything from great cities and historic neighborhoods to remote landscapes and small communities. I'm particularly drawn to places with a strong sense of identity, interesting architecture, great food, and a story to tell. I love experiencing how different cultures shape their built environments, although I'm equally happy spending time in the mountains and along the rivers of the Pacific Northwest.
I enjoy cooking, hosting dinners with friends and family, discovering new restaurants, and finding great live music, particularly jazz and electronic music. Travel is one of my favorite ways to recharge, learn something new, and occasionally get a little outside my comfort zone.
I'm also passionate about mentoring emerging planners, particularly Indigenous students and young professionals, and helping create opportunities for the next generation of leaders. I believe some of the most meaningful things we do in our careers come from the relationships we build, the knowledge we share, and the people we encourage along the way.
A lifelong advocate for Indigenous communities and cultural continuity, J.D. values time with family, friends, and community, and is passionate about mentoring future Indigenous planners and leaders. In his free time, he enjoys hosting dinners, exploring food and wine, live music, and spending time in the mountains and rivers of the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Biography
J.D. Tovey, FAICP, is the Executive Director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in northeastern Oregon, where he is also an enrolled Tribal member. His career has taken him from urban design practice in Florida to nearly a decade as CTUIR's Planning Director and now to leading Tribal government operations, programs, and strategic initiatives.
Throughout his career, J.D. has worked at the intersection of Indigenous planning, community development, and governance, with a particular interest in how Indigenous knowledge, cultural values, and sovereignty shape the way communities plan for their futures. His work reflects a belief that planning is not simply about land use or physical development, but about people, relationships, cultural continuity, and the responsibility we have to future generations.
J.D. holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho and a Master of Urban Planning and Certificate in Urban Design from the University of Washington, where he also completed doctoral coursework focused on Indigenous planning, land tenure, and knowledge transfer. He is the co-author of two books exploring Indigenous knowledge systems and decision-making and has been actively involved in advancing Indigenous planning practice, professional education, and leadership within the American Planning Association.
J.D. holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho and a Master of Urban Planning and Certificate in Urban Design from the University of Washington. He also completed doctoral coursework (ABD) focused on Indigenous planning practice, land tenure and knowledge transference. He is the co-author of two books exploring Indigenous Knowledge systems and Indigenous decision-making and has contributed extensively to advancing Indigenous planning within the profession.
Education
137464 | University of WashingtonGraduation Date:
Degree Level: PhD/J.D.
Planning Degree
137464 | University of Washington
Graduation Date: June, 2008
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
University of Idaho
Graduation Date: May, 2003
Degree Level:
Job History
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ReservationPlanning Director
March,2014 - September,2023
Pendleton, OR
97801
United States
Green Consulting Group, Inc.
Landscape Designer
March,2004 - August,2008
Mount Dora, FL
32757
United States
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Deputy Executive Director
October,2023 - January,2025
Pendleton, OR
97801
United States
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Executive Director
February,2025 - Present
Pendleton, OR
97801
United States