Positively Driven, Determinely Destined
“My passion is people. I didn’t realize how much I enjoy watching people and my interactions with them. That’s really what has made me pursue the interests that I have, and things that I may get involved in moving forward.”
Unscripted
By Keith Edmonds
Ink Spot Contributing Writer
As I continue to become more engaged in our community looking for my next interesting (hopefully) piece, I get the tremendous opportunity to meet people that touch my life in amazing ways. Whether it’s from what they do in our community, goals that they’ve set for themselves, or the innocent and amiable way that we talk, I always leave with a fresher perspective than I would have had we not met. In today’s UNSCRIPTED I had the opportunity to meet Jenee Johnson who is doing remarkable things in our community and has suddenly been thrust into the limelight for a very “unique” skill that was discovered almost by accident…
UNSCRIPTED: Welcome to Unscripted, Jenee and thank you for taking the time to meet with me today!
JENEE: Well, thank you. It’s an honor and pleasure to be a part of FWIS and the wonderful things that you’re doing in our community!
UNSCRIPTED: For me to even mention all of the things that you’re involved in, in this city would take more time than I’m allowed, but share some of what you’re doing now.
JENEE: “My main job is that I’m an In-School Program Manager for Junior Achievement. I’ve been doing this for 7 years, and it’s something that I really enjoy. I find volunteers, set-up programs and even teach the 4 JA classes on a consistent basis. In addition to that, I work with the Entrepreneurial program (as it is one of the pillars of JA along with Workforce Readiness and Financial Literacy). So, this keeps me pretty busy!”
UNSCRIPTED: Wow! You are very busy! Can you share with us what it’s like to work with the Tin Caps, Komets, and Mad Ants franchises as part of your Memorial Coliseum experiences?
JENEE: “Well let me back up a bit and share… I used to work for the Fort Wayne Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Fort Wayne). As I transitioned jobs, I became a substitute teacher in FWCS, and a friend mentioned to me that I should think about coming to work for the Tin Caps which is not something that I wanted to do. But after realizing that I would have a gap in my schedule and that additional income would be needed, I came onboard with the Tin Caps. In the midst of that, I was asked (once again) if I would be interested in working for the Coliseum which again, I was reluctant to do, but after interviewing, came onboard! (lol) These are 2 very similar positions but different as well. I had to understand the lay-out of Tin Cap stadium as well as the Coliseum which made the positions challenging for me.”
UNSCRIPTED: Working at the Coliseum on Komets game-day has to be a very unique experience, walk me through what that experience is like…
JENEE: “For me we’re sort of the eyes and ears of the arena. We don’t get involved in any on ice events that may be occurring, but we keep a close watch on fans and patrons. We’re looking for any health issues, people that may have had a couple of drinks too many and a huge piece is how are they getting home, if these types of issues come up. We have to know when to call security, medics and when to actually call the police if the situation warrants it.”
UNSCRIPTED: Tell me how all of your sporting experiences are intertwined in regards to the Tin Caps, Komets, and Mad Ants?
JENEE: “In all 3 franchises you get to know the players, families and fans that support them. Obviously, with the Komets since they have been around more than 70 years it’s a different type of vibe than the other franchises, but all make up a very rewarding experience for me as an usher for professional sports. Similar in many ways, but each uniquely different as well.”
UNSCRIPTED: You had a very interesting piece done on you by WANE TV’s “Positively Fort Wayne” that I held onto to finish our story today. Tell us about it…
JENEE: “Well, I had the good fortune (tongue in cheek) to have the opportunity to dance at a Komets game because the police “dance cam” wasn’t getting enough response. I held my breath, told myself it’s only 14 seconds, and did it! Now, unbeknownst to me a lot of people saw it and it took off. I was contacted by WANE to do the piece and a lot of people (including you) saw it! Wow! All of the experiences that I have had make me really enjoy the city of Fort Wayne and what we have to offer our families and community. To have a part of that and see the many doors of opportunity opening for me because of dancing that night and continuing is huge!”