Meet the Harman Luxury Audio Team
Name: Donald Jacobs Position/Job Title: Field Support Engineer With Harman Since: January 2020
Welcome to our new newsletter feature, Meet The Harman Luxury Team. Our goal is, quite simply, for you to get to know us better. Each edition we’ll be featuring a different member of the team. This month it's Donald Jacobs, Field Support Engineer.
How would you describe what you do in your current role?
Assist dealers, integrators, and end users with all things Harman Luxury. Provide detailed, tailored solutions for all incoming cases. Whether it be essential setup or necessary spare parts for repair, we are here to help via phone or email.
What did you study in school? Did you always imagine yourself doing something like what you’re doing now or did the fates just take you in that direction?
My focus in school was always Business, as my parents owned several businesses growing up. I always saw myself taking over, allowing them to retire knowing the things they built would still thrive.
Never really saw myself working in electronics, until my early twenties. Now that it’s my career I have no regrets.
Share with us a little about your career arc?
My start in consumer electronics came when I opened a DirecTV sales and service office in Prescott, Arizona. After AT&T acquired DirecTV, I started with Best Buy as the Home Theater Supervisor. My love for all things A/V grew from there, and eventually led me to Magnolia Home Theater. My background was primarily sales related, but providing an amazing customer experience was the thing I enjoyed the most.
What is the most important thing you have learned over your career?
It sounds cliché, but I've learned to be a better listener.
Any other advice you would offer people just starting out in this industry?
Close your mouth, open your ears, and your customer will provide all the answers to their test.
When did you first realize you had a passion for music or audio? Was there any one song, band or movie that did it for you?
I think it was when my father first played Van Morrison in the car. It was an “Aha!” moment for me.
What gear are you rocking at home these days?
Not much, sharing multiple walls with your neighbors, means I listen to music on headphones for the most part. I do however have several networked audio devices through the house, we tend to listen to music at a neighbor-friendly volume while doing things at home.
What current technology impresses you the most?
eARC
Favorite music genre?
It changes with my mood, but I find myself listening to “desert rock” when I’m unsure. Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal…
The desert island question, of course. If you were marooned for eternity and could only listen to three albums, what would they be?
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain, Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf, and 2pac – All Eyez on Me.
In closing, please tell us anything else you want us to know to about yourself.
After some professional trials and tribulations, I am overjoyed to be a part of Harman. Looking forward to growing with the company!