Jim DeFuria

Jim DeFuria was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. Jim loved the outdoors from the get go, exploring the woods and fields with his brother and cousins growing up. As an adult Jim attended Rowan University in New Jersey, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Jim then made the big move across the country to Seattle attending the University of Washington, graduating with a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering. While in grad school, Jim absolutely fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and its outdoor wonderland. Jim began working for Intel Corp as an intern in the Bay Area. But ultimately Jim returned to the PNW in taking a job role in Portland in 2002 and has been here ever since. Fulfilling their dream, Jim and his wife Madeline purchased a 10-acre property and home in unincorporated west Multnomah County in 2018. Jim is passionate about conservation and began collaborating with WMSWCD in 2021, before being appointed to fill a board vacancy in 2025. Jim has been hard at work taking acres of blackberry hedges down, turning fields back into forest, and restoring riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a stream, creek, river, or floodplain and beaver habitat. Jim’s enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids traveling, gardening, and sitting by the campfire.