Jay received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon. Since 1987, he has practiced in Hood River, focusing on real estate, small business, estate planning and bankruptcy. Jay has also worked extensively with local nonprofit organizations, advising them in formation, organization, tax exemption status, and ongoing operations.

Jay lives in Hood River with his teenage daughter. He is president of the board of Columbia Center for the Arts, and is an active member of the Hood River Crag Rats search and rescue organization. He also enjoys many of the outdoor sports in the area.