Jake has more than 24 years of experience in journalism, global consumer brands, nonprofit healthcare and agencies, all focusing on two key strengths: storytelling and community building. Jake’s specialties include public relations, corporate communications, social media management, crisis communications, civic engagement and public speaking.

Early in his career at The Kansas City Star, Jake led a copy desk of 20+ editors with a focus on deadlines, details, mutual respect and collaboration. Then at Garmin, he enjoyed forging relationships with national journalists in the outdoor, fitness and consumer tech industries, and building a highly engaged online community by launching and growing Garmin’s social media channels, where he loved converting curious customers into loyal brand advocates. His passion for translating complex, technical topics into relatable, memorable stories paved the way for his next chapter at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation. There he led a lean PR team that shared stories of inspirational patients and innovative caregivers, securing national media coverage that consistently outpaced peer hospitals across the country, including features in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, TODAY, Good Morning America, NPR, The New York Times, CNN, CBS News, TIME, People Magazine and Popular Science. And as a keynote speaker at Mayo Clinic, Microsoft, NPR headquarters, Disney World and other national communications conferences, Jake taught audiences how to combine traditional PR practices and emerging social media strategies to achieve their business objectives. Before joining Parris, Jake led new business at Native Digital as VP of Growth & Partnerships for the digital marketing agency.

Jake currently serves on the boards of Nonprofit Connect, Kansas City Campus for Animal Care (home of KC Pet Project), WIN for KC, BikeWalkKC and the University of Kansas’ Integrated Marketing Communications master’s program. In his spare time, you can often find him on a microphone announcing races, emceeing nonprofit galas or leading on-air pledge drives for Kansas City PBS. He has gone the extra mile – or 26.2 of them – running Chicago Marathon three times for Ronald McDonald House Charities, including in 2018, when he personally raised more than $10,000 and was the fifth-highest fundraiser in the nation. And in 2017, Jake raised more than $35,000 for Noah’s Bandage Project and BMA Foundation through Dine & Dance With The Stars, capping his campaign with a ballroom dance in front of the sold-out gala crowd.

Jake’s professional accomplishments and personal contributions have been honored by various organizations, including Synergy Services (2021 Kindest Kansas Citian Awards), Starlight Theatre (2021 All-Stars), PRSA of Greater KC (2017 PR Team of the Year), Nonprofit Connect (2017 Emerging Volunteer of the Year), The Independent Magazine (2017 Rising Stars), Kansas City Business Journal (2016 NextGen Leaders), Gillis/Cornerstones of Care (2015 Spirit Award), Social Media Club of Kansas City (2015 Trailblazer of the Year), Arthritis Foundation (2013 Volunteer of the Year) and Ingram’s Magazine (40 Under Forty in 2013). Jake was also elected Steering Chair for his 2013 Centurions class, an immersive two-year civic program through the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and honored as Centurion of the Year.