JTech Week: Working Hard, Playing Hard, and Growing Together
Coming Together in Bozeman
For a company that operates remotely most of the year, having everyone in the same space is electric. Conversations flow faster. Ideas spark easier. Solutions come together with more creativity and precision. This year, we tackled a range of internal initiatives—refining workflows, streamlining development processes, improving our tools, and exploring new ways to deliver even greater value to our clients.
It’s an intense week—long hours, lots of coffee—but it’s also a reminder of how powerful it is to work shoulder-to-shoulder with your teammates.
Building More Than Just Websites
Outside of work hours, we made time to simply enjoy being together—sharing meals, playing computer games, board games, and card games, and relaxing after a full day of collaboration. These moments let us connect as people, not just coworkers.
Those shared experiences reminded us that our strength as a team comes not just from our skills, but from how well we connect and trust each other. It’s the kind of bond that can’t be built in chat messages—and it’s what makes our work together more creative, efficient, and fun.
Birds of a Feather: A Morning in the Wild
Maybe it was the crisp Montana air or the excitement of spotting something rare, but this simple outing turned into a highlight of the week. We scanned the treetops and riverbanks, pointing out everything from yellow warblers and ospreys to bald eagles—and yes, a few inside jokes were born.
Did We Mention Birds?
Heron whiteboard artwork, courtesy of Felix
- Max – The Curious Owl: Our performance marketer with a sharp eye for data, messaging, and the finer points of grammar. Always observing, always learning, and never missing a detail.
- Chris – The Falcon: Fast, precise, and strategic. Leads our content and copywriting, coordinates projects, and oversees 3rd-party CMS development—all while keeping us on target.
- Kari & Felix – The Fairy Wren and the Heron: A creative duo whose combined vision elevates every project. Together, they refine UX to be clear, engaging, and accessible — turning great ideas into experiences that feel effortless for the user.
- Patrick, Zach & Robin – The Arctic Terns: Our development crew, constantly fine-tuning performance and load scripts to keep every project running smoothly and efficiently.
- Chelsey – The Hummingbird: Quick-thinking and endlessly adaptable, she keeps our marketing in motion—bringing energy, clarity, and a cohesive voice to everything we share.
- Clarence – The Bald Eagle: Confident, watchful, and approachable. Guides our sales and customer relationships with a sharp eye for opportunities and a steady commitment to client success.
- Josh & Nikki – The Kingfishers: Leading the work, inspiring the fun, and guiding the flock forward with sharp vision and steady direction.
It was a lighthearted moment, but it reflected something real—our team’s diverse skills, unique personalities, and shared commitment to doing great work together.
A River Day to Remember
After four straight days of focused, high-energy work, we capped off JTech Week with our now-traditional float trip down the Yellowstone River.
The weather was perfect, the scenery stunning, and the pace just right. Some of us took in the views quietly; others kept the conversation (and jokes) flowing. A few keen-eyed teammates even continued the bird theme by spotting ospreys and sandhill cranes along the banks.
It was the perfect way to close out an exhausting, inspiring week—reminding us that the same energy we put into our work can also be poured into celebrating our successes and enjoying time together.
The Takeaway
JTech Week is proof that when we combine hard work, focused collaboration, and genuine connection, we’re not just improving our processes—we’re building a stronger, more united team. And that unity is what makes it possible for us to keep delivering creative, effective solutions for our clients year after year.
Here’s to another year of soaring together—both in the office and out on the river.
About Chelsey Collimore
Chelsey, JTech’s Marketing Manager, holds a Master’s in Information Systems Management from the University of Arizona, specializing in Business Intelligence. With over 20 years of marketing experience, she crafts data-driven, impactful content that resonates with audiences. A lifelong learner, Chelsey stays ahead of industry trends through podcasts and online courses. Outside work, she enjoys hiking, Dragon Boat racing, concerts, and adventures with her dogs, Skogar and Thicket.
About Chris Pontin
Chris is JTech’s Production Project Coordinator with over 15 years of experience in web development and design. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and is CompTIA A+ certified, blending technical expertise with creative problem-solving. An adept writer as well, Chris contributes to content creation alongside leading project coordination and overseeing platform maintenance—helping deliver thoughtful, user-focused digital solutions.