SNA Displays proudly considers the concept of “people first” to be one of our core values. While our tangible product offering is top-tier LED video display technology, our real strength is the people who work at SNA Displays day in and day out, the ones who make the tag line Dreams Live Digitally® a reality.
In this spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Jacobson, a systems engineer for SNA Displays’ project management team who works out of our Knoxville office. Jessica joined the SNA family in 2022, having previously worked as a technician programmer for more than ten years.
Personal Background
Where did you grow up? Do you any favorite childhood memories you’d like to share?
I was born and raised in East Haven (pizza capital of the world) and Branford, Connecticut. I grew up in a log home that my parents built themselves. I lived close to the beach, so it wasn’t abnormal for me to be at the beach playing sand volleyball or out on a boat and Jet Skis. In the winter months, I would be out on the trails of Vermont or Maine snowmobiling or snowboarding.
I attended a technical high school (Platt Tech) in Milford, Connecticut, graduating from the Electronics program in 2003. While at Platt Tech, I played on the varsity girls basketball team, which went on to win the school’s first and only Girls Basketball CVTC Championship my senior year.
After high school I took a few years off from pursuing my education. During that time, I worked with my dad doing construction. Afterwards, I attended a technical college, the Connecticut School of Electronics (Porter & Chester), graduating in 2008 from the school’s Low Voltage/Live Sound Reinforcement program. I also did some modeling back in the day.
Do you have a personal motto or mantra?
“Live Life”
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to spend my free time playing on several co-ed softball teams. You can usually find me out on the field playing first base, catcher, or right field three days or more a week, sometimes double header games. If I’m not at one of my games, you can find me on the field coaching my son’s baseball team (Radioactive Sluggers). I also enjoy watching and attending sporting events like VOLS football, New York Yankees, and Tennessee Smokies baseball games with my family and friends. I love to spend a lot of time with my husband Kurt and our son Hunter outside, caring for our garden and taking care of the chickens and dogs. During the warm months I can be found outside in our pool or on the boat on the lake tubing. I also enjoy going to Anakeesta in the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood!
What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I am very competitive, hardworking, and I love to travel. From age 7 to 13 I played on an all-boys soccer team as the goalie. (When I played soccer, the girls’ teams weren’t very competitive for my age group in Connecticut.) I was ranked one of the top goalies for the state. During that time in my life, I was also on a swim team. As an 8-year-old I would compete with 10-year-olds and would wait for them to catch up to me before going fast and beating them – my coach didn’t like that cause he could never get an accurate time for how fast I really was!
After high school, I pursued a modeling career. My family always traveled, and one of my favorite places was the Azores. I have also been to Germany, Italy, and France (Paris).
Besides your job, what subject(s) are you interested in or have expertise in?
My expertise and interests are in programming, low voltage and construction.
Who’s had a significant influence on your life?
My parents. They taught me the importance of working towards a goal and striving for it. My mom and dad always showed “tough love” to my brother and me. Since becoming a parent myself, it all makes sense to me now. My overly rebellious husband (Kurt) as well for always pushing me into new adventures and getting me outside my comfort zone.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t take anything for granted. Nothing gets handed to you; if you want something you have to work for it!
Professional Background
What did you do professionally before joining SNA Displays?
After I graduated from CSE, I was hired on at North American Theatrix (NAT) in Connecticut as a systems tech. My uncle Jeff Mele was a partner in the company at the time. At NAT, I developed my love for rack building and a greater interest in low voltage and programming. I worked on AV at Mohegan Sun Casino and the Foxwoods MGM Grand Theatre along with Woodstock and Quinnipiac College. Once I moved to Tennessee I worked for a local AV company here in Knoxville for almost 11 years. During my time there I was a senior lead tech, a programmer, and a trainer for several new hires. Most of the work was done in high-end homes. I assisted in designing systems, pre-wiring, trim-out, lighting, audio, video, network, security systems, and programming.
What has been your favorite job (other than SNA Displays of course) and why?
My favorite job was working with my dad. Ever since I was old enough to hold a hammer, I would help him. He taught me a lot about construction. Working with my hands made me realize that a desk job was not where I wanted to be.
Experience at SNA Displays
What drew you to SNA Displays?
I loved the “Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Family First” mentality. I also wanted to develop my career further. And the LED spectaculars of course!
In your own words, how would you describe your current role?
Once the job is awarded and a bill of materials (BOM) is created then the job becomes mine. After I review the BOM, I procure the parts that are needed for the job, whether it is a parts-only gig needing just a diagnostic PC or full CMS racks. I receive the product and rack, stack, wire, and configure the equipment in our Knoxville office. Once that is done, I wrap and strap the racks and product to be shipped out to site. I also assist with service tickets.
How have your previous jobs been similar to working at SNA Displays? Different?
In my previous jobs, I built out racks and I continue to do the same at SNA. Our projects are different than at my previous job because the projects at SNA are much larger, commercial LED versus AV “smart homes.”
What is your typical workday like?
A typical workday for me is always changing. I usually get in early at 7 AM to the Knoxville office. I start my day with procurement and lining up my work for the day. From there, I wire racks out in the warehouse and get shipments ready to be shipped to site. I will also configure Diags and other pieces of CMS gear needed for projects.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is seeing the final product fired up. I take pride in my work and love it when I can say “I helped by being a part in that.”
What accomplishment at SNA are you most proud of?
When I first joined SNA Displays, TSX Broadway was already in the works and I came in towards the end of the project. It was the first big “LED Spectacular” I got to be a part of. I was able to go to New York City to help receive the CMS racks and finish landing the wire on-site in the racks and power everything up. Miracle Mile Shops was another large CMS project. I built it in-house in Knoxville and shipped it to Las Vegas. David Kile and I spent a week landing the field wiring into the racks, configuring, and powering everything up. I love seeing the final product.
How has your current role helped in your career development?
My current role has helped in my career development by getting to see how everything comes together from the sales, operations, install managers, and service teams. Working with them on a daily basis helps me to understand how it all flows together.
If you could switch jobs for a day with anyone else at SNA Displays, whose job would you want and why?
If I could switch jobs for a day with anyone at SNA Displays, it would probably be Dennis Hickey or Stew Ives. I look up to them both as hardworking men who have accomplished a lot here at SNA, and I would love to see everything from their side and how it operates.
Looking to the Future
Where is SNA Displays and/or the industry headed in the next 10 years?
The way the industry and technology in general are headed, over the next 10 years I see more and more AI becoming a thing. Also, higher-resolution displays. I see SNA Displays becoming the forefront of LED displays across the world!
What advice would you give a prospective SNA Displays employee in your field?
Buckle up, Buttercup! It’s one hell of a ride but very rewarding at the end! If you’re willing to put in the work and learn, the rest comes easy.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I appreciate the opportunity to grow in this outstanding company. I look forward to more major projects with SNA. Also, more projects with my uncle Jeff Mele, CCO at Metinteractive. Thank you for letting me partake in this Employee Spotlight!