Five Questions with a C5er: Jake Burkett

The team here at Column Five is made up of some very special people. They come from all walks of life. They’re creative, and they work very hard. They’re also very interesting. One staff member a week will be profiled on our blog, from our oldest project manager to our newest designer, to introduce the people behind the infographics.

Jake Burkett
Hometown: Palo Cedro, CA
Started March 2011
Director, Business Development

In 144 characters or less, tell us about yourself.

I’m a music-loving, workaholic entrepreneur who is deeply spiritual (but not “religious”) and loves web-based software products.

What do you do when you're not in the office?

I tend to work and think about work a lot when I’m not at work. That said, I unwind by writing and playing music with Column Five developer Sean Parent and my brother Travis. I also play video games, and I can’t stop reading Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, a ridiculously well-written (and lengthy) fantasy literature epic.

What's your favorite thing about working at Column Five?

Two things:

1. My first day of working at Column Five, I walked into the office so excited that my new work “uniform” consisted of jeans, chucks, a T-shirt, and a hoodie, only to find the entire staff had dressed up in their finest business attire (slacks, ties, jackets, high heels, etc.) to make me feel more at home. The people here are smart, driven, creative, and thoughtful.

2. This company is going places. The unique cocktail that is our culture is one in which we’re not satisfied with only being one of the best agencies at what we do. We’re constantly expanding our capabilities and the ways we work with our clients. This translates to more interesting and meaningful opportunities and relationships. I absolutely love that.

What's your secret talent?

I love cards, poker in particular. Playing the “big game” is on my bucket list.

What's the coolest thing you've seen, done, or experienced?

I was a crewman on a commercial salmon vessel for five seasons in Bristol Bay, Alaska. This was one of the most intense, dangerous, and difficult experiences of my life. Everything seems tame compared to that.

I have to say that, hands down, the most amazing experience of my life was meeting my wife, Alissa. It was on a blind date that neither of us wanted to go to, and I knew almost immediately that I wanted to be her husband. It was magic.

We asked Jake to feature some of his favorite projects that he’s worked on:

Harvard—Harvard Law School by the Numbers