The Action Network team helps to build and maintain the technology you use every day to mobilize and organize. We are on the other end of your email when you have questions and need support. We’re there to help you learn more about unique approaches to partnerships. We’re there to help you adopt and utilize our tools through training and help documentation. 

Action Network is comprised of a diverse group of change agents dedicated to helping progressives build power and win campaigns.

In 2024, we’re continuing our effort to bring you behind the Action Network logo with our staff profile series. This month, in celebration of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting members of the team from the BIPOC community. Meet Jarrod Freeman, Senior Design Technologist at Action Network & Action Builder.

5 Questions for Jarrod

Senior Design Technologist

Question 1: What’s your Action Network origin story?

Well, I was fairly content as the owner of a small design firm that served mostly smallish/medium-sized companies and nonprofits in Tennessee. And then 2016 happened. I felt compelled to do more for the movement and jumped headfirst into voter registration and engagement. But, as people who have worked in that world can tell you, the accumulation and organization of data begins to take a huge priority over anything design or code-related, and the work… NEVER… stops. Work-life balance? Ha! Funny.

Anyway, I needed something new, but still closely aligned with the movement, my skill set, and my ideals. Action Network provided an amazing opportunity that ticked each of those boxes. 😊

Question 2: What is your favorite thing about working at Action Network?

I don’t think I’ve ever worked for an organization where such a large percentage of the team seems to genuinely make a conscious effort to be the best version of themselves. No one is perfect of course, but we all do an admirable job of being kind, helpful, understanding, and bullshit-free imo.

Question 3: How would you describe what you do to your friends and family?

I’ve started simplifying it to something really basic like: “So… you know all those websites and apps you interact with on the internet (Facebook, Instagram, CNN, etc)? And you know how some of them are more visually attractive and user-friendly than others? My job is to make our website(s) visually attractive and user-friendly for the company I work for.”

I’ve gotten fewer looks of confusion with this explanation, but it could probably still use some work.

Question 4: What sea creature does the original Action Network logo look most like?

It’s kind of like if a starfish were descended from a 5-headed sea monster. But… not necessarily in a bad way?

Question 5: In which order did you see Barbie and Oppenheimer?

Barbie in theaters, then Oppenheimer on Prime. Both were fantastic in their own right, but Oppy isn’t the type of film I’d think to re-watch. I’m… shocked and perplexed to admit that I kind of want to see the musical numbers in Barbie again. What the heck is happening to me?

A little more about Jarrod:

Jarrod lives in Chattanooga with his lovely wife, Laura, and their relentlessly cute and frequently annoying cat, Zoey. Jarrod and Laura are avid gamers and absolutely love traveling and trying new and delicious recipes.