Objectives:

- Discuss elements of the “cultivating innovation” portion of Northwest FCS framework- Explore practical elements of bringing ingenuity and cultivating innovation in a day-to-day life- Highlight Jordan’s life of leadership via positive influence and successful outcomes

Participant Bios:

- Jordan Jonas grew up in the Idaho country, surrounded by the beautiful lakes of that vast state. Being surrounded by nature, he grew up spending his formative years in nature. As a young adult he came of age as he spent a year riding freight trains across the US - spending countless days and nights navigating both rural and urban environments. Soon after he left for Russia where he would spend the better part of the next ten years living in Siberia in villages, with fur trappers, and ultimately with traditional nomadic reindeer herders. Amongst these people Jordan would learn the art of survival - not as taught in classes, but as lived day in and day out by people whose existence depends on those skills. The skills acquired over his life were proven effective and reliable when Jordan won season 6 of History Channel's Alone show, spending 77 days in the Arctic while also successfully hunting a bull moose, a wolverine, dozens of rabbits, squirrels, grouse and numerous fish.

Jordan learned to hunt, trap, fish, survive, and even thrive in good times and bad. He learned to deal with adversity and value his family and friends. He learned that experience is valuable, but that the development of character and love are the most important aspects of life. He values where he came from, both his Assyrian and Danish heritage, and strives to be someone worthy of the incredible sacrifices those before him made to give him a good life. He hopes to do the same for his children. He is very blessed and thankful to have an opportunity to live, and live life to its fullest.

- Scott Linklater is a native of rural Washington having grown up in the heart of apple and cherry country in Okanogan.  Scott has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University, a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Idaho, and a doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.  

Scott is a learning and development practitioner with experience directing training efforts at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Red Lion Hotels Corporation. Currently, Scott is the Vice President – Learning Design at Northwest Farm Credit Services. 

Scott has published books and academic research with a focus on leadership, employment, organizational development and trust in business.