I had the opportunity to work with Jake on a number of member and community engagement initiatives as colleagues at the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. As a trade association representing an industry with high visibility in Colorado, establishing an approachable, knowledgeable and accessible brand was critical to the work we did on behalf of our members, whether it was social media strategy, industry events or direct engagement at large community gatherings. Jake was the ultimate team-player, taking time to gather background information, identify insights and observations, and lead team discussions with a common understanding of both the project goals and the larger context where we operate. Jake was collaborative in his approach, offering initial ideas to seed our brainstorming, while also creating space for other opinions and creative elements. Even when there were opposing perspectives in the room, Jake always maintained a respectful and inclusive tone that kept all stakeholders at the table and invested in the final outcome. One of the signature initiatives that I worked on with Jake was the launch of the Colorado Energy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing the oil and gas industry’s philanthropic goals in Colorado. It was an effort that was full of heart… but low on resources. Our early branding and communications were completed entirely in-house with Jake at the helm, helping us introduce our new foundation to community partners, nonprofits and other funders with credibility and authenticity. Jake is a terrific partner for any creative endeavor, listening with intention and leading with humor while still getting results. Whether it is assembling a community impact report, equipping stakeholders with tools to successfully share their message, or running the last few miles of the company relay race (true story) – Jake will get you across the finish line. Sara Reynolds Executive Director, Colorado Energy Foundation  Comments are closed.
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