Member Since September 2023
Skills
About
I am a serial entrepreneur who thrives on bringing companies to life. Currently, I hold the position of COO and co-founder at Merit, a company that is dedicated to transforming large-scale government programs. My greatest joy comes from changing the lives of people in America; examples of this include responding to hurricanes in less than 48 hours or making it possible for families to support their children through statewide educational enrichment programs. At Merit, we deliver in just 8 weeks what would normally take 24 months (or never actually come to fruition), providing operational excellence for a growing network of 3,000+ organizations. One of my greatest sources of pride is my team’s commitment to our partners, achieving a 95% satisfaction score. Throughout my career, I have founded and grown other companies, including Quixey, where I secured major distribution partnerships with Microsoft, Nokia, and Vodafone. My expertise is in accelerating business growth that no one has thought possible by leading results-oriented sales, operational excellence, strategic marketing, and human resources. I bring an intense focus on execution while fostering a spirited culture of teamwork. Beyond my professional endeavors, I am a committed father of four, balancing the demands of both work and family life. With a nimble skill set, I am equally comfortable navigating boardroom meetings and playgrounds.
Jacob Orrin
Published content
expert panel
When the going gets tough, these leading experts have had the tenacity to keep it moving through each struggle. Taking on a leadership role in the workplace may seem like a daunting task if you don't have the right mindset. You'll need to address just as many challenges as the wins you celebrate—so it's not a position designed for the faint of heart. If you're feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or underappreciated, it's essential to prioritize what matters most, take a step back, and consider the bigger picture. There is usually a silver lining in most situations. Whether you decide to stay in the game for the long haul and find the best solution, or you're ready to take a risk and consider your next career move, the experts from Fast Company Executive Board describe how they've maintained their own positivity during a difficult time in their career. Below are 20 best practices to help other professionals do the same.
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This election year, the opportunities for those who dare to lead decisively are unprecedented.
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Here's how COOs can create and leverage powerful ecosystems to drive their companies forward.
expert panel
Be willing to keep less timely ideas on your radar for future consideration. As a manager, you're responsible for leading a team that can help the company thrive. That is why it's necessary to foster a work culture where everyone's voice matters and they feel heard. If you are seeking team feedback on innovation and new ideas to move the business forward, it can be hard at times to decide which ideas have potential and which ones deserve your attention and should be tested. Below, 10 members from Fast Company Executive Board share their best strategy for implementing their team's ideas diplomatically and in a timely manner.
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Six tips for working with government agencies to help improve your community.
expert panel
To avoid rising employee turnover rates, address your company's weaknesses head-on. If your company is having trouble holding on to some of its best talent in the workforce, then there may be a serious communication gap or issue that needs to be addressed regarding your work culture and a staff that may be feeling dissatisfied or misinformed about what they originally signed up for. Establishing a regular open-door policy that fosters psychological safety for employees to express their interests, career aspirations, or concerns about the organization's business practices is a first step. Proactively seeking feedback from current and outgoing employees is the smartest way to rebuild employee morale and strengthen team relationships. Here, 12 Fast Company Executive Board members weigh in on the exit interview process. They discuss how gathering feedback and analyzing turnover data are helping their companies identify trends and areas in need of improvement.
Company details
Merit
Company bio
Merit’s Software with a Service (SwaS) transforms large-scale government programs in weeks rather than years, contributing to a 95% customer satisfaction score. Our combined approach of technology and boots-on-the-ground support simplifies life-saving emergency response and recovery, initiatives to revitalize the workforce and connect people to quality jobs, and eligibility qualification for direct-to-beneficiary programs, including multi-million-dollar education grants in over 20 states. The Merit platform provides secure access and real-time verification for licenses, credentials, and eligibility status. A proud GovTech 100 company, Merit is venture-backed by firms such as Andreessen Horowitz, corporations including Experian, and family investors. Working at Merit We’re a team of mission-driven people who care about using technology to create more opportunities for people to thrive. If you have the same passion to make a difference, we’d love to meet you.