“The team tackles each challenge and job with a creativity that is amazing to see” Our Employee...
Meet Jesse McLaughlin - from his debut with Mills James in April 2022, to becoming a linchpin of our hospitality magic. With a rich history in AV tech and a lifelong love of music, Jesse turns technical challenges into extraordinary experiences. When not orchestrating flawless events, he is crafting an album and savoring newlywed life. Driven by a passion for innovation and artistry, Jesse is shaping the future at Mills James.
How long have you been at Mills James?
I have been with Mills James since April 2022. So almost 2.5 years.
What did your life look like before MJ?
Since graduating high school, I have always worked a lot, for better or worse. So, when COVID happened and all my jobs closed, it was a shock and I wound up having to come up with another plan. I had previously worked in food service, retail, arts theater box office, etc. and had been doing AV work at the Milwaukee Public Museum since 2018 (where I still work every so often). I knew I wanted to get back into AV around the time Mills James reached out to me. The biggest change for me was coming in as a manager and having a team to support.
What led you to a career in this industry?
I have been into music my entire life; seeing, playing, and having anything to do with it. I went to my first big concert when I was 10 years old. I spent all my disposable income on concerts and trips to concerts as well as starting a band, playing shows and self-recording and producing an album in my house. This was before I had any proper knowledge of audio, I just knew how to make things sound good. So as soon as there was an Audio Production/Engineering program available in town here, I signed up and graduated, which led to occasional help with minor stagehand work, and a year later my museum gig. It was at the museum that I first learned about videos and projectors. I have also always worked in hospitality in some form or another; customer service comes naturally to me, and I enjoy interacting with people. This position has been a great fit.
What is a project that you have worked on that sticks out to you?
I would say anytime I can help set up a visually amazing show, beyond just the AV work. I love seeing how it all comes together to form something greater than its parts. That is the producer in me. I have done quite a lot of events here with Mills James already in my 2+ years at this hotel, but my favorites have been the ones where we have enough time/labor/client budget to really make it extravagant. I have really enjoyed learning about lighting and seeing where and how to light the different areas of our event spaces to create an experience for our clients. It’s very gratifying when a bride of a wedding comes up before, with a big smile, and tells you the dozen uplights you just improvised last minute for them are “EVERYTHING”.
What is your favorite part of being on the Hospitality team?
I’ve worked in the service/retail industry my entire adult life. This is the first time I am also on the management & sales side of it. My favorite part is still the interactions with clients and guests, while solving problems and getting things done. Even though I am in Milwaukee, the “team” aspect often can only go as far since we have a smaller team here, but the broader team has always been a great resource and point of contact to help me feel connected to the rest of the organization.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
A recent setup for a client with the largest amount of AV I’ve ever had, but nothing seemed to go according to plan I thought “oh what a disaster.” We worked around it, made some changes and it all wound up working out in the end. The client was happy, so I was happy.
Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.
As I have mentioned, I love music. I am currently in the process of writing and recording an album and putting together a band to play live. Again, the producer mindset is that I am always thinking of ideas for not just myself, but the overall picture musically and beyond. The sound, the art, the colors, the general mood. I also got married about a year ago, and my wife is very crafty and helped me turn some ideas I had into reality.
What are you looking forward to in your future?
I am looking forward to continuing to get better and better in my position here with Mills James and expressing myself with my personal artistic projects. My wife and I are also finally going on a honeymoon this upcoming January!
