Jake’s love of aviation began as a child lying on the sand of Midway Island watching jets arrive and depart for faraway, unknown destinations. Upon his father’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, his family settled in Idaho where as a thirteen year old, Jake learned to fly a Cessna 140 and has been involved with aviation ever since.

Following his father, Jake also served in the U.S. Navy and remained in the U.S. Naval reserve.  Jake attended Boise State University and then began a career in law enforcement ultimately retiring from the United States Marshals Service as a Senior Inspector Deputy U.S. Marshal.  Since his retirement, Jake has served as a security consultant with clients including the North Dakota Supreme Court and State Court system.  It was during his duties as a consultant, Jake was able to fulfill the necessary North Dakota Passport Program gold level requirements and receive his “Flying Legacy” leather jacket.

Jake currently serves as a board member of the Fargo Air Museum and the Fargo AirSho Committee.  Jake is also involved with the Casselton Regional Airport Authority, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), North Dakota Pilots Association (NDPA), Idaho Aviation Association (IAA), Colorado Pilots Association (CPA), Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), Association of Naval Aviation (ANA), the Tailhook Association, and the National Aeronautical Association (NAA).