Jacobs “Jake” Payne, Events Coordinator for Athletics, was selected as the July 2022 Employee of the Month.
One of Jake’s primary duties is in-game operations. He coordinates with game officials, visiting teams, and additional stakeholders leading up to the game or event. Then, on game day, he will arrive several hours early to set up the facility as well as coordinate with the ticket office, concessions, parking, UPD, ushers, and custodial to ensure they are ready and have everything they need. In addition, Jake is in charge of coordinating facilities both internally and externally, which involves scheduling, providing tours of spaces, meeting with each constituent to discuss needs, set-up and clean-up, audio-visual requests, and much more. These events primarily occur after typical working hours and on weekends. Jake handles these responsibilities while also taking the time to train and develop another employee to assume some of his previous roles.
Jake is the embodiment of a dedicated employee and sets a great example to others on how an exceptional staff member operates. He goes above and beyond to provide the best quality and customer service to not only our internal staff but our external customers as well. Jake is a team player, always willing to lend a hand, and finds a way to get tasks done. In fact, he never says no, instead he says, we will find a way. He is a tireless worker who helps his fellow team members achieve goals and tasks. Communication is such a vital aspect of his role and Jake embraces this trait. He makes sure to talk through logistics, and goes above and beyond to communicate with customers, thus making daily operations a breeze.
He follows up promptly and works as a solution-oriented staff member. Additionally, his enthusiasm to learn and be a sounding board for any issue is valued. Jake is open to suggestions and willing to give recommendations, ensuring that working with him is always a positive experience.
Thank you, Jake, for your hard work and dedication. Congratulations on being selected as the July 2022 Employee of the Month!