Title: Project Manager

Start date: 06/05/2005  

Tell us “your story.” How did you end up at Avalon?

After graduating with a graphic design degree, I started looking for a job in that field, and Jon Denney [Avalon’s founder] reached out to me. There were no positions open in the graphics department, but there was one in the imaging department (I didn’t even know that was a thing at that point!). I figured I would take the imaging job, and then I could move over to graphics when a position opened up there. Needless to say, I never made that move.

What’s your favorite thing about Avalon?

My teammates! We really have a great group of people here.

What’s your favorite thing about your position at Avalon?

That I get to solve problems and learn new things every day.

What is your proudest moment at Avalon?

Getting the Team Member of the Year award.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

That is a tough one for me as they are all a bit different. Typically, my days consist of some combination of:

• Client calls
• Calls with other Team Members to help troubleshoot client/internal issues
• Reporting and billing work
• Testing/Documenting/Templating for various applications (Relativity, Message Crawler, Etc.)

What’s your favorite workplace memory?

Having the Buffalo office award named  after me! [It's officially called "The Frederick J. Haag Jason of all Trades Award.") JP completely had me fooled that he was naming it after another teammate, so it was a huge surprise.

What are you listening to right now (music/podcast/audio book)?

“Jason’s Station” on Apple Music. Currently, playing “Mad Hatter” by Melanie Martinez, but the next song could be anything from Tool to Red Sovine.

What’s a must-read blog or book that you’ve read recently and why?

Currently listening to (a.k.a. reading) Atomic Habits by James Clear.

What’s your favorite motivational quote?

I am not a motivational quote kind of person. I am more of a sarcastic quote kind of person.

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be and why?

Monaco for the Formula 1 race because I really want to go to an F1 race, and Monaco in the 60s was my favorite track to play on “Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed.”

If you were stuck on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

Do I need these things to survive or to thrive?

Survive:

• Water filter or desalinator
• Flint
• Knife

Thrive:

• Eyeglasses
• Books
• Tent

What do you do for fun?

Race radio control cars, sim race, walk my dog.