The Lowdown: Jared Powers
Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers. Lean in to hear some off-the-cuff remarks about what makes Jared Powers, CEO of the Marcus JCC, tick.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers, some bent on creativity, others on empire building, activism and/or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some off-the-cuff remarks about what makes Jared Powers, CEO of the Marcus JCC, tick.
Powers began his career at the MJCCA as the assistant sports and camp director in 2005. He successfully added to those responsibilities, becoming chief program officer overseeing all of the agency’s programs and services. He was promoted to CEO in 2016.
Under Powers’ management, the MJCCA greatly expanded its day camps and is touted as having the largest JCC day camp in the country. The MJCCA won the Atlanta Jewish Times 2016 and 2017 Best of Jewish Atlanta reader survey for best local nonprofit and best sleepaway camp. The community center also has been heralded as a top workplace by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2012.
Powers was born in Toronto, but was raised here and attended Riverwood High School and Camp Barney Medintz. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in finance from the University of Florida, a Master of Business Administration in finance from Georgia State University, and a teaching certificate from Mercer University.
In addition to completing the Jewish Community Center Association’s management training program, Power received the Marilyn Shubin Professional Staff Development Award for his outstanding contribution as a professional within the Atlanta Jewish community, the MJCCA’s Leadership Award, and the MJCCA’s Best New Program Award for implementing the agency’s summer inclusion camp program for children with special needs.
He lives in Sandy Springs with his family: wife Jennifer and two sons, Jake, 16, and Jackson, 10.
Find out what he does in Vegas and what a circuitous career path he took to land at the MJCCA.
When I was a camper, I got in trouble for…
Asking too many questions. My nickname was “Quest.”
My ideal dinner out is …
Eating at Moe’s with the family.
My worst habit is:
Not being able to shut off my thoughts at night to fall asleep easily.
The last time I cried …
At the movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon” about a Down’s syndrome young man and his adventure with actor Shia LaBeouf’s character.
I’m reading …
I usually dive into fiction like Coben and Grisham, but now reading “The Tattooist of Auschwitz.”
Biggest Anxiety:
The country’s political divisiveness.
Most unusual job:
I waited tables at the Buckhead Diner. Then I was a financial analyst and a middle school math teacher. With that skill set, one can do practically anything!
My mother advised me to never take a job for money and to find the enjoyable career I have now.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Playing poker and blackjack in Vegas (does anyone ever win?) and eating chocolate desserts, … maybe both at the same time.
My biggest pet peeve is?
People being rude having side conversations while someone is speaking or making a presentation. That’s the teacher in me.
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