One of Tacoma's Business Gems: Jesse Engineering
Dec 08, 2016
Jeff Gellert
One of Tacoma's Business Gems: Jesse Engineering

Jeff Gellert is the retired President of Jesse Engineering Company, a metal fabrication business located in the Tacoma Tideflats.  Jesse Engineering employs 140 skilled craftsmen who cut, shape, weld, and assemble steel and other metals into diverse projects such as Washington State ferry terminals, USAF rocket launch pads, and even a machine to make cookies!

Jeff graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a degree in Civil (Structural) Engineering in 1970. During that period, Pittsburgh was in its heyday as the steel producing capital of the world, so it is no surprise that Jeff pursued a career in that industry.  For 10 years, Jeff traveled around the United States as jobsite project manager for the American Bridge Company, supervising the erection of large structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings. After relocating to the Tacoma area, Jeff joined Jesse Engineering, a fledgling steel fabrication business founded by Darrell Jesse in 1976.  Jeff soon assumed the role of General Manager of the company. Growth was rapid during the 1980’s, and shortly after completing the Executive Management Program at UW in 1998, Jeff became the company President.  Today, Jesse Engineering routinely ships its products to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and across the world.

Jeff lives in Browns Point with his wife. They have two grown sons who live in the area.  Jeff and his wife can often be found exploring remote corners of the world.