Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Preekett
Hi Jon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Went to Cambridge-Isanti High School
Attended PSEO (college while in highschool)
Awarded a full-Ride Scholarship to the University of Minnesota by the Army ROTC program.
Completed my BA in Psychology and a minor in Joint Military Service Leadership.
Met my wife in my Jr year of college when she joined the ROTC program. She joined the color guard/drill team I was on. I was assigned to train her/keep her from hitting herself with the rifle, lol, I did my best. She must have hit herself too hard because here we are 12 years later married.
I commissioned into the Army Reserve as a logistics officer in the 367th Combat Engineer BN our of St Joseph MN.
My wife was already in the MN national guard as an enlisted soldier, she then commissioned into the regular Army and became a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. Due to her military service we moved around the country. Because I was a reserve soldier (federal) it made it much easier than if I went into the guard (state).
I was a year ahead of her in college so during her last year I worked at Gander Mountain as a Hunting/Camping Department Manager (similar to a bass pro or cabelas).
After we relocated to Alabama for her Army flight school I started at Allstate insurance as a catastrophic claims adjuster. I flew all over the country assessing damages for “catastrophes”.
Shortly after that still in our first year of marriage we became guardians of my 14/15 year old brother and sister. We then relocated to Fort Riley Kansas and purchased our first house.
Due to the attention and needs of my brother and sister as well as my wife being slotted to deploy to Afghanistan. I left my job at Allstate insurance because I could no longer be gone 10 days at a time out of state.
I began working odd jobs and even delivering pizza for pizza hut to help bring in money while looking for better employment. I eventually got hired locally as an assistant general manager at Quantico Tactical (firearms sales/police/military gear/contracts)
At that job I learned more about government contracts, sales, and custom orders from manufacturers. I even got to speak often to one of the reviewers/writers for guns and ammo magazine, since we were the shop that conducted their firearms transfers. This got me more interested in that side of the industry.
My wife 2 weeks prior to her deployment to Afghanistan was diagnosed with a very rare form of Leukemia typically found in senior citizens (CML). She was ultimately discharged from the Army due to the condition (very treatable). We fought it but the Army would not make any exceptions. This process took about 2 years.
During that time I got hired at Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and technologies in Kansas City. I was an engineering support specialist supporting about 50 engineers and manufacturing. At that facility we conduct engineering activities and manufacturing activities for ALL U.S. nuclear weapons systems.
For 1 year I was driving 2 hours 1 way to work, working 10 hours, then driving 2 hours home 5 days a week.
Once my wifes separation from the Army completed we moved to Kansas City. We lived there approx 2 years until both kids had moved out of the house. At that point we decided to move home to Minnesota.
Covid was starting at this time and we ended up finding a 15 acre hobby farm.
Shortly after we both found new jobs. She works at the University of Minnesota as a project manager, as a flight instructor, and is actively waiting to start at a major airline as a pilot. She also still flys helicopters.
I got hired on at Wells Fargo Corporate where I am now a Lead Process Engineer supporting all of Wells Fargo HR accross the world. In this role I help manage processes, services, and risk for the bank.
Since moving home I also created 2 campsites on Hipcamp here on my land. 2 years in a row it was the runner up as the best campground in Minnesota.
I also started my youtube channel “Lucky Loon Outdoors”. I have always been passionate about everything outdoors my entire life. So being able to share that and help other people makes me very happy. Especially helping people new to different outdoors activities. Whether its hunting, shooting, camping, paddling, hiking, fishing, ATVs, farm stuff, and so on.
My channel has been growing and this year I have achieved youtube partner status which is very exciting. I am putting the money back into the channel so that I can get better cameras, equipment and so on. One thing about my channel is because I have good employment and already own so much outdoor equipment from over the years and already do so many outdoor activities. I am not beholden to any companies. I say it how it is, and try to help people on their outdoor journey.
My main focuus right now for my channel is to grow it, and become more accessible to people. Especially those with questions or wanting to see certain content.
I cant scroll back up to put the following in the correct order:
In my military service, I was first a Platoon Leader for the distribution platoon of the forward support company of the 367 combat engineer BN out of St Joseph MN.
I was then an Executive Officer for the 425th Transportation Company in Salina Kansas.
I was then the Headquarters Company Commander for the 821st Transportation BN in Topeka Kansas.
I was then the Company Commander for the 425th Transportation Company in Salina Kansas
Then Finally an assistant support operations officer at the 821st transportation company in Topeka Kansas. before I went Inactive Ready Reserve.
During my army time I went to JROTC twice, NTC, South dakota golden coyote 3 times, Warex at Fort Mccoy WI twice, South Korea once (Key Resolve), Fort Hunter Legit CA, Seattle washington 3 times, Anchorage Alaska, Fort Ripley MN
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many, see write up
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
explained in my write up
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Focuus on you, your skills, abilities, proficiencys first. Become competent, then start looking to network. Never turn down an opportunity. Get out of your comfort zone (committees, clubs, volunteer).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckyloonoutdoors
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@luckyloonoutdoors
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/LuckyLoonOutdoors
