Meet Jason Sheard – Leadership Team

At Punch Through, we encourage everyone to proudly be themselves and want you to know the people behind the work that we’re so proud of. That’s why we launched our “Meet the Team” series, where we introduce you to one of our team members each month. 

Meet Jason, VP of Engineering at Punch Through, who oversees the engineering team. Jason enjoys running year-round outside, taking pictures of his kids playing soccer or tennis, and spending time either playing or fixing pinball machines.

What were you doing before working at Punch Through?

I’ve spent over 20 years in product development, working alongside fabulous teams of engineers, software developers, and scientists. For most of my career, I’ve led engineering teams doing product development for various clients, many in the medical device space. It’s through those experiences that I’ve been able to learn about all kinds of cool technologies, and I’ve kind of “grown up” during the explosion of embedded systems, IoT, and connected devices. Most recently, I worked for a start-up catalyst company where I helped a team of engineers and scientists develop software applications for medtech and biotech start-up companies, which then led me here. Actually, Matt led me here. I was involved in hiring Matt, Mike, and Colin at a past employer, and we’d stayed in touch. The opportunity presented itself, and this time, they were the ones who hired me! 

What is your favorite thing about Punch Through culture?

There are so many things about our Punch Through culture that resonate with me. If I had to pick one favorite thing, it would be that we can all comfortably be ourselves. We’re all here to learn from one another and support each other. Learning and growing comes easy if you don’t have to try to be someone or something you’re not. Asking questions is encouraged, and explaining why is expected. I’ve been a part of various companies with positive cultures, and I’ve never felt quite this comfortable just being myself. It’s refreshing to work in such a positive, supportive culture.

Tell me a story about your most memorable moment while working at Punch Through

My first day at Punch Through was Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Do you remember that day? Many people do because it was the day that the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and all of our lives began to change. I only had one day in the office plus a couple days on our company trip before we all began working from home the following Monday. Admittedly, I was looking forward to seeing everyone in the office each day, finding time to get to know people over lunch, and even playing a quick game of pool every so often, but it didn’t happen that way. 

In spite of that, a few months later I could confidently report that the Punch Through experience was even better than I expected it to be. We made the necessary adjustments as a company, found creative ways to work together, and made sure to connect with our clients in meaningful ways, too. Now, we’re even stronger because of the experience, and I’m glad I was a part of this team through all of it. It fits one of our values: Be great today and even better tomorrow.

What cool or rewarding things do you get to do on a regular basis?

I spend a lot of my time supporting team members, and I love it. I truly do care about people and their successes.  I find joy in seeing teams of engineers solve tough problems and develop products that make a difference in the world. We get to do that at Punch Through. We’re intentional about helping each and every team member find ways to learn and grow, which is a real testament to our mix of leadership styles. I also enjoy building long-term relationships with our clients. We have a mix of projects going on at any given time, and I have the privilege of helping our team start up new projects, get to know those clients, and then work together to develop connected medical devices.

What is the most valuable part of your work to you on a personal level?

For me, the most valuable part of my job  is the relationships with the people. We have a curious team, and we’re interested in learning about each other personally as we solve engineering problems together. I think we all do better work when we truly know our colleagues. My life is richer because I’ve invested in these friendships throughout the years.

What is different about Punch Through versus other places you have worked?

More than any other place I’ve worked, I think Punch Through culture is about enjoying the journey. It’s not about a pie-in-the-sky destination. Our values and our actions are about learning, growing, and finding joy together as a team. There’s an incredible amount of support in this place. It’s very common that team members encourage each other to do things that support mental and physical well-being. Working too much is discouraged. Being there for my family’s biggest milestones is expected. Taking time off to rest or experience something new is celebrated. This is, indeed, a different and special place to work.