Jake McGaha
Economist • Security Analyst • Builder
Economics degree. Security mindset. A bias toward building things that work. Looking for the next challenge worth solving.
Where Economics Meets Security
I’m Jake — an economist with a minor in Information Security & Intelligence from Ferris State University’s College of Business. Dean’s List every semester. I study how markets, people, and technology collide — especially when the stakes are high.
In college I served as Student Government President and interned on innovation strategy at a major insurance holding company. Outside of work, I’m drawn to modeling and the creative side of brand-building — and I’m always looking for ways to build something new, whether it’s a system, a strategy, or an experience.
If it involves economics, security, technology, or getting in front of a camera — I’m interested.
What I bring to the table
Markets & Finance
- Economics & Econometrics
- DCF & Financial Modeling
- Algorithmic Trading
- Market Microstructure
- Risk Analysis
Technology
- Python & JavaScript
- React & Vite
- Data Analysis & Tableau
- Full-Stack Development
- Automation & Scripting
Security & Intelligence
- Network Security
- Digital Forensics
- OSINT & Threat Analysis
- Fraud Examination
- Cryptographic Systems
What drives me outside work
Modeling
Commercial, editorial, brand work — I enjoy the creative process and the discipline it takes to present well in front of a camera. Always open to new opportunities.
Building
I like making things — tools, systems, strategies, websites. If there’s a problem and a way to build a solution, that’s where I want to be. The best ideas are the ones that actually ship.
Fitness
The gym isn’t optional — it’s where I reset. Discipline in training carries over to everything else. Consistency beats motivation, in the gym and everywhere else.
Where I’ve put in the work
Chief executive of SGA, directing a 12-member cabinet representing 9,000+ students and overseeing a $100K student activity budget. Provided oversight to 220+ registered student organizations and implemented 15 new strategic initiatives. Led high-level negotiations with senior university leadership, securing improved services and resources for the entire student body.
Managed 20 student staff day-to-day — 10 Resident Advisors and 10 Desk Staff Associates — across a 220+ resident hall community. Served as the escalation point for building emergencies, coordinating with Housing, Public Safety, and facilities to resolve incidents. Planned and executed community-building programs, driving resident engagement and a stronger hall culture.
Built a vendor comparison matrix evaluating 100+ external vendors, accelerating team review cycles and standardizing value-prop analysis. Designed a SharePoint webpage and visual relationship ecosystem mapping 20+ team connections, increasing visibility across a 5,000+ person organization. Led an intern community project for Carefree Medical, improving donor engagement and business continuity.
Negotiated managed IT service contracts totaling $100K+, upgrading infrastructure for over 100 small and mid-size businesses. Oversee team training, client onboarding, and cross-functional communications between technical operations and business stakeholders.
Captained teams in national-level finance competitions, structuring commercial loan proposals and presenting investment strategies to panels of industry professionals. Covered credit analysis, real estate collateral valuation, and interest rate modeling.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn
Follow along for insights on economics, security, and what I’m building next — or reach out directly if you’re hiring, collaborating, or just want to talk shop.
Let’s talk
Whether it’s about a job, a project, modeling work, or you just want to connect — I’d love to hear from you.