Jeffrey Essakow | Partner

Jeffrey has served as Chairman of the Board and President of Protea Properties since its inception in 1997. Since its founding, Jeffrey and his partner Yehudi Gaffen have been responsible for developing over $600M of commercial projects with 1.3M SF under management.

Protea's portfolio includes retail, office, industrial, multi-family and mixed-use properties. Recent Protea projects include the development and management of $120M Veterans Administration Clinic in Kearny Mesa, providing care for up to 600 patients daily; along with the development and management of a 127-unit mixed use development in National City. Protea also lead the successful repositioning of Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar.

Jeffrey is also a partner with the Jacobs family in the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. The resort has been named the #1 Best Resort in California, #4 Best in the United States, and #37 in the world.

Prior to his involvement with Protea and Rancho Valencia, Jeffrey created and operated a successful athletic apparel company and sold it to Reebok in 1992. While with Reebok, he was appointed Vice President and led its U.S. sports apparel division.

Jeffrey is the co-founder and has served for the last 25 years as Chairman of the Board and President of the 
​Challenged Athletes Foundation, a charity providing grants to athletes with physical challenges so they can lead active lifestyles. Since its inception in 1997, the foundation has raised an excess of $145M and issued more than 42,000 grants worldwide.

Jeffrey earned his accounting degree from Natal University in South Africa before relocating to the U.S. in 1986. Jeffrey is married with three children and four grandchildren.  He is a keen athlete and has completed the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii three times.

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