Campaign for Mayor of Traverse City:
My name is Jared – a native Michigander. Born in the USA, I moved to Northern Illinois at a young age and went to public high school. Upon graduation, I attended Eckerd College in FL and received a Bachelor's of Arts Degree. Afterwards, I decided to work in a field I was passionate about - being agriculture.
After getting experience in the field, I decided to go back to school in 2019 and possessed a Master’s Transcript from the University of Amsterdam (in the Netherlands) for a class titled “The Circular City: Towards a Sustainable Urban Ecosystem.” The course consisted of students from countries across the world and looked at ways of operating a sustainable city – in the manner of how goods and services flow through the downtown population of Amsterdam. The following year, I decided to move home to Michigan and ultimately moved to Traverse City to apply what I had learned at working within the Farm-to-Table Movement.
More specifically, I accepted a few grant-funded jobs at Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, where I was administering TEFAP or [USDA & Michigan Department of Education's] The Emergency Food Assistance Program) across 10 counties in Northern Lower Michigan, coordinating the efforts of the Northwest Food Coalition - a team of 70+ regional food pantries and free meal-sites and working within NMCAA to account for and accommodate best practices.
In total, I have 14 years of experience in multiple industries, spanning from agriculture/culinary, maritime, 501(c)(3)s, professional soccer, as well as self-employment in the realm of photography (Jmo's LLC). You can also read more about these experiences on my CV in the tab above.
Currently, I reside in TC’s 9th Precinct (Base of Old Mission Peninsula) with family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are Jared's core values?
Core values are what drive a person into action.
He primarily values faith, work ethic, family & governance.
Which advocacy issues does he support?
Jared supports access to affordable housing, environmental education, a raised minimum wage, improved infrastructure (sewer, roads, street signage & lighting), frequent public transportation options, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and job opportunities (in all sectors of the economy).
What skills does Jared possess?
He maintains a skillset in program coordination, environmental education, urban planning, (graphic) design, community outreach, business logistics, communication, statistical analysis, & management.
What is his (political) affiliation?
Jared is an Independent Moderate. He does not fully identify with any official party, though combines philosophies from parties into his strategic plan - such as the Working Class Party of Michigan, which aims to "put an end to unemployment."
How has Jared been involved with the community in Traverse City?
He has worked with local 501(c)(3)s like Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), & SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers along with numerous culinary businesses. He brings an approach to work that focuses on advocacy and implementing solutions for complicated issues.
