October 17, 2017 • Smart Resources

Getting Smarter with Jake Whitlow

At Smart Resources, we aren’t just a big group of IT consultants or tech minds. We’re a family. Our team is not only one of the most skilled in the country, but also one of the most interesting. Each month, we feature a conversation with one of our great consultants so that you can get to know us better. This month, say hello to Senior Consultant Jake Whitlow!
Name: Jake Whitlow

Position: Senior Consultant

Years with Smart Resources: 2

Professional Background in one sentence:

18 years as a Business Systems Analyst, Project, and Resource Manager in the IT field, with particular emphasis on systems development.

Describe your typical day.

In my current role as a Program Manager, I oversee a portfolio of 6-10 concurrent projects. One of the great things about this role is that I really don’t have a typical day. Each day brings new challenges that require me to communicate, coordinate, collaborate, and to be creative.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I think that getting to work with talented professionals to deliver solutions that actually make a difference is the most rewarding part of my job. I particularly enjoy working on initiatives that improve productivity or user experience.

Tell us about the most memorable moment of your career.

This is a tough question because my career in IT has come with a wide range of memorable moments. I remember the things that worked perfectly the first time we tried them, and the other things that didn’t work at all. Tack in the occasional server room fire, or major hack, and I have lots of stories to tell!

What career advice do you have for someone just starting out in IT?

Never lose your eagerness to learn new things, and absorb everything you can. This is a rapidly changing field, and you will need to adapt quickly.

What will be the biggest tech trend of the next 5 years?

As more and more businesses take to the cloud for application hosting and data storage, the IT community must focus on improving cloud infrastructure in general and security in particular. I also expect to see lots of growth in data analytics as companies take greater advantage of the availability of big data to research customer trends and market conditions.

Do you have a favorite software program?

Not really, but I am drawn to process engineering and technical drafting applications.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the Richmond area?

Richmond is a great city for outdoor living. I really enjoy spending time outside with my wife and three daughters, going to the area parks to hike or fish. And there’s almost always a festival or two to go to on the weekends.

Describe your favorite meal.

My homemade barbeque. It’s all about the smoke!

What’s your favorite song?

To pick just one would be unfair to all the great songs out there!

Do you have a hidden talent?

I have a bachelor’s degree in music and I’ve performed as a classical, jazz, and rock saxophonist. But I also secretly play the guitar…

What’s your favorite thing to drink in the morning?

Coffee

The best movie you’ve ever seen is:

I think it would be easier for me to tell you the worst movie I’ve ever seen… and it’s a tie between anything in the “Fast and Furious” franchise! And they’re still coming out with new ones!

What’s your most prized possession?

My family, although my three little girls possess me more than the other way around, I think.