Q&A with new CEO, Jake Beaty
A Q&A with new CEO, Jake Beaty
What excites you about joining as our CEO in the 15th Anniversary year?
I am so excited to join the team of Rebuild in this 15th Anniversary year. This organization has done an amazing job helping be part of the solution with many others to make sure our community’s affordable housing needs are met. I am most excited to see the vision of helping our neighbors through home preservation continue to be implemented and realized.
What is one thing that has impressed you most about our program in your first 2 weeks?
This team! The staff has been so welcoming to me and they genuinely support and care for each other. The culture of this team is special. I have also already met so many amazing volunteers that faithfully serve and support the mission of Rebuild Upstate and make this a special organization to be a part of.
What other community organizations or initiatives are you involved in?
I have spent 20 years in the nonprofit world helping build and working for NewSpring Church. In that time I have had the opportunity to partner with many local and foreign nonprofit organizations. I have been privileged to partner and serve with some great local organizations like the Haven of Rest, and the Lot Project in Anderson. I have also been privileged to spend time serving with a program called Radical Mentoring, which equips men to be better husbands and fathers. Overseas I have partnered with the 4:10 Bridge and Care for Aids in Kenya. Engadi Ministries Intl., Iglesia Del Camino, Fuente de Vida, Tree Ministries, and Compassion International in Guatemala. I have also been able to work with several ministries and organizations in Uganda, Cambodia, England, Wales, Belgium, and Brazil.
What do you do for fun? Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
I love to hike and camp and spend time with my family and friends. I also love to read, especially about American and ancient history, and also love to watch documentaries. I love sports, especially basketball, and love watching or attending any Clemson sporting event. My guilty pleasure is listening to sports talk radio.
What do you want our audience to know about you?
I have lived in the Upstate my whole life, and I love it here. I was born and raised in Seneca. I went to Anderson College(University now), where I played basketball. I met my wife, Suzanne, there and we graduated together and got married a week later in May of 2000. We have lived and worked in the Upstate ever since and raised two amazing children, Peyton (19) and Lauren (17).
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was I’ve Seen the End of You, by W. Lee Warren M.D. He is a neurosurgeon who talks through the challenges of treating patients with brain cancer and is very honest and vulnerable in his personal journey with faith and doubt as he practices medicine and deals with challenges in his own personal life. It was extremely challenging and I would recommend it to anyone who has or is dealing with challenging circumstances in their life.
What is the last vacation you took?
A few months back, my family and I went to Colorado Springs. We hiked as many trails as we could and enjoyed the Rocky Mountains together. My son and I also spent some time at the Airforce Academy and hiked an amazingly beautiful but very challenging trail that we may or may not have gotten lost on several times.
This or That: Jake chooses his favorites
Tigers or Gamecocks?
Tigers.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee.
Trivia Night or Board Game Night?
Trivia Night.
Pancakes or Waffles?
Waffles.
Beach or Mountains?
Mountains.
Ice Cream or Cake?
Cake. Cheesecake is my weakness.
Fruit or Vegetables?
Vegetables. I’m a good southern boy and never pass up a meat and 3.
Want to learn more about Jake? Schedule an intro meeting by emailing him at [email protected].