Friday Apr 16, 2021

“Rainier Scholars: Where hope and hard work meet access and opportunity”

Roderick "Rod" Jones

Founder & Managing Partner / Board member and Treasurer Infinitas Ventures / Rainier Scholars

Introduced by: John Martinka

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Rainier Scholars is an admired Seattle organization that  over the last 20 years has offered a successful 12-year pathway to college success for hard-working, low-income students of color.

At a time when a bright light is being shone on issues of equality, access and opportunity, Rainier Scholars remains a beacon.  We identify students in 4th grade and begin to develop their learning and leadership skills in our Academic Enrichment Phase (AEP).  As students grow, they earn access to some of the most selective middle/high schools and programs in the country, putting them on the path to top universities.  Throughout high school, college and beyond, Rainier Scholars supports our students from personal development to internships and fulltime jobs, exposing them to a world of opportunities. To learn more, see  Introduction to the Rainier Scholars Experience (8 min video).

About the Speaker

Rod Jones has spent over twenty-five years managing diversified industrial businesses including automotive, heavy duty truck components, medical devices, industrial test & measurement and embedded software concerns.

Previously, Rod was President of Luminator Technology Group, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity and global manufacturer of digital display, infotainment, and mobile video surveillance products to the global mass transit marketplace.

Prior to Luminator, Rod founded Infinitas Ventures, a private investment firm focused on manufacturing and industrial service businesses. Following the acquisition of Battery Power Systems LLC, a Seattle, WA based provider of mission-critical services to the wireless telecom and utility industries, Rod served as principal owner, President & CEO.

Previously, Rod was President at Fluke Corporation, a multi-national unit of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR). Prior to Danaher, Rod also served in leadership roles at Eaton Corporation and Ford Motor Company.

Rod earned degrees from The University of Michigan (B.S. Mechanical Engineering), Stanford University (M.S. Mechanical Engineering) and MIT Sloan School (MBA).

Rod currently serves on the board as treasurer of Rainier Scholars, a Seattle non-profit focused on educational access and college pathways for hard-working, low-income students of color.