See what we learned about Jesse…

1. What did you want to be when you were a kid?  Originally wanted to work as a Geneticist focusing on gene therapy.
2. Where’d you grow up? School?  Grew up in the Manitowoc area, initially went to Lakeshore Technical College and attended the Police Academy.  Did most of my “growing up” during that time.
3. Favorite podcast?  I’m a big space nerd, so I love listening to Houston We Have a Podcast.
4. Biggest pet peeve?  People scraping silverware against their teeth.  Drives me nuts.
5. Favorite piece of technology you own and why?  Have a virtual reality set.  Wish I had more room in my place so that I could keep it set up.  I just personally see a lot of opportunity with virtual reality, whether its recreational or business related.
6. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?  Worked as a mental health counselor while I was in College and worked as a Police Officer.  Can’t say the jobs were weird but definitely lead to weird situations.
7. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?  The guys would probably call me out on this is if I didn’t answer this truthfully.  Probably Elon Musk.
8. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?  Go on a year long trip.
9. What is the first concert you attended?  Disturbed concert, along with Lacuna Coil and Killswitch Engage.
10. What music is on your iPhone/Android phone?  Ice Cube, Imagine Dragons, Korn, Johnny Cash, Hollywood Undead, Queen, Tom Waits, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Theory of a Dead Man, Trace Adkins.  I’m too lazy to branch out and add more artists.
11. What chore do you absolutely hate doing?  I need to teach Midas to clean his own litter box.
12. What are some of your pet peeves?  Scraping of metal.  Chewing loudly.  Repeating myself multiple times.
13. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?  Learn how to draw without it looking like a small child was the artist.
14. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?  Went back to school full-time after having been out for a several years.  Taught me not to fear making a significant change in my life.
15. At what age did you become an adult?  Twenty, moved out and was working a full-time job.  Experienced a few things during that time that made me grow up rather quick.
16. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?  Pipe dream is to work in the space industry.
17. What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?  Take more STEM courses, volunteer in the community sooner, be more confident in your decisions.
18. How do you define success?  Everyone is breathing and nothing is irreparably broken.
19. If you could switch your job with anyone else within ASI, whose job would you want?  Rocky’s
20. What do you like most about ASI?  It’s a unique group of people at ASI.  The group works well together and the dynamic is just very different as compared to my other jobs.
21. Are you messy or organized?  Depends on what it is and if someone is going to see it or not.
22. Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?  Not really embarrassing, but it was definitely awkward to be a part of a pizza party for Andrew’s birthday immediately following my first interview.
23. If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?  My dad.  He passed away when I was seven months old.  Out of anyone, would rather meet him.
24. What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?  Document; Understand your worth; Be a team player, not the problem.
25. What celebrity do people think you look like?  When I was younger people said I looked like Mac Miller.  Now people say I look like Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson), no idea why.
26. What do you always want to try and never did?  Scuba diving
27. What does true leadership mean to you?  Leader is side by side with the people that they lead.  Treats the role more so as a mentor rather than a supervisor.  Believe that they’re not infallible.
28. What is on your bucket list?  Fly on a plane; visit Australia; see a rocket launch
29. What is your favorite movie and book?  Don’t really have a favorite movie.  My go to book growing up was “The Hobbit”, I’ve read that on numerous occasions.
30. What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?  Covid has thrown a wrench into this, but I want to get my pilot’s license to be able to fly drones.  Kayak when I’m able to.  Looking to start gardening this year now that I live on the ground level.
31. What phobias do you have?  Ophidiophobia & Athazagoraphobia  (we cheated and looked these up – fear of snakes, and fear of forgetting or being forgotten)
32. What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?  I’ll still watch kid shows from time to time.  Recently watched “Camp Cretaceous”, couldn’t resist a Jurassic Park show.
33. What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child?  Had a T-Rex toy growing up.  Absolutely loved it, not sure what happened to it.
34. Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?  Without a doubt, Moon Cities.  Aspire to be a space janitor one day.

Thanks, Jesse, for continuing to inspire us to expand our skills every day; AND for introducing us to Athazagoraphobia today!