Meet Jackson Marketon, Jackson joined Alley in 2014 and now focuses on interactive data initiatives and visual experiences as a Senior Software Developer. (You’ve seen his work on projects like the Kaiser Family Foundation Data Center and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting.) Jackson is based in St. Paul, Minnesota and is Alley’s only South Dakota native. Here he shares with us a few pictures of his workspace and gives us insight into his background.
Do you have a pet?
I have three, all lizards. Tex is a bearded dragon, super lazy, and a bit of an adorable jerk. (The) Pope is an adult leopard gecko. He’s a horrid hunter, but super friendly. Our adolescent leopard gecko is named Maybe Penelope, since we were not sure if it was a he or a she at first… it is a he.
List two pet peeves
First, I can’t stand other people in the kitchen while I’m cooking, especially ones that don’t seem to be doing anything but getting in my way.
Second, empty water glasses bother me. I have this thing where a water glass must always have some water in it.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
No one can escape cooking duty during holidays at home. Everyone must make one component of the meal. It leads to such amazing organized chaos, especially when you have people like me who refuse to do “traditional” food. Lobster for Christmas in South Dakota? You betcha.
What was your first job?
Picking rocks out of a lawn. I made a whopping $2 an hour. Have I mentioned I grew up in the boonies?