Jake has a passion for education and seeks opportunities to serve and give back. His life was positively shaped by the outstanding programs, faculty and staff of the Carmel Unified School District (CUSD).

Growing up in Carmel, Jake was fortunate enough to live alongside multiple generations of Odellos that have been a fixture in the Carmel area since the 1920’s.  Most of the Odello family is still living in the local area. 

As a student at Carmel High School, class of 2009, Jake, was entrenched in school wide governance working with board members, administrators, faculty, and staff on behalf of students. Jake was also chosen as the student representative on multiple school wide committees, most notably the Carmel High School principal hiring committee in 2009. Jake completed his Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture Science, at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). Jake continued his service to the students, and participated in school wide governance. Jake received numerous accolades and awards for his work on behalf of students and representing the student voice. Jake continued his education and earned a Masters of Science degree in Food Safety from Michigan State University, while also working as the Director of Food Safety in the local agriculture industry. 

In his professional life, Jake chose to pursue a career path that would give him the opportunity to continue his service to others. Today, as the Director of Food and Industrial Safety for a local agriculture company Jake develops and implements policies and procedures that keep our community safe. He loves his work and feels honored to be a part of the rich agricultural tradition on the Monterey Peninsula.

In 2017, Jake was asked to return to Cal Poly and serve the students, faculty, and staff as a member of the industry advisory council for the Agriculture Education and Communication Department.  Jake was soon elected chair of the group and served a three year term, and is now a past-chair member. In 2018 the Carmel Unified School District superintendent asked Jake to be a member on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which was going to be a stakeholder group for the CUSD Facility Master Plan.  Jake has participated in developing multiple campus master plans since 2014.

In 2020 Jake was appointed to the Monterey County Community Action Commission, which deals with issues related to poverty in Monterey County. Jake also serves on the executive committee for that commission.

Jake partnered with Hartnell Community College to advise on the current food safety curriculum. He now serves as an adjunct faculty, teaching an introduction class, and soon microbiology within the Ag Business and Technology area.

Jake now lives in the beautiful Carmel Valley Village and appreciates any and all opportunities to serve his community.