John Tovey, FAICP
About Me
Outside of his professional work, J.D. enjoys travel, adventures, cooking, and exploring the relationship between culture, landscape, and community. He is particularly drawn to places that balance strong cultural identity with thoughtful urban design, and he enjoys both vibrant cities and remote natural landscapes throughout the American West and abroad.
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 Executive Director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), where he also serves as an enrolled tribal member. He previously served nearly a decade as CTUIR Planning Director and earlier worked as a Senior Urban Designer in Florida. His work focuses on Indigenous planning practice, sovereignty, community development, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into planning and governance.
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 and urbanism. 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
University of Idaho
Graduation Date: May, 2003
Degree Level:
WA_Seattle_Univ of Washington Master of Urban Planning Sept 1941 - Present
Graduation Date: June, 2008
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
University of Washington
Graduation Date: June, 2017
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
University of Idaho
Graduation Date: May, 2003
Degree Level:
WA_Seattle_Univ of Washington Master of Urban Planning Sept 1941 - Present
Graduation Date: June, 2008
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
University of Idaho
Graduation Date: May, 2003
Degree Level: Undergraduate
137464 | University of Washington
Graduation Date: June, 2008
Degree Level: Graduate
Planning Degree
WA_Seattle_Univ of Washington Master of Urban Planning Sept 1941 - Present
Graduation Date: June, 2013
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
University of Washington
Graduation Date: June, 2008
Degree Level:
Planning Degree
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