Jeff Achen

Experience

• 

  US Navy

  Jul 1993 - Apr 1997

  Petty Officer Third Class (Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist)

  I served on the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51) homeported in Norfolk, Va. from 1993 to 1997, first in the deck department as a seaman, then advanced to the role of payroll clerk. I was honorably discharged in 1997 at the rank of E-4.

• 

  The Times Newspaper

  May 2000 - Aug 2000

  News Reporter | Photographer

  I was a news and feature reporter/photographer for The Times weekly newspaper in Thief River Falls for this paid summer internship.

• 

  Peace Corps

  Feb 2002 - Apr 2003

  Peace Corps Volunteer

  I volunteered as an English Language Teacher in Ilam, Nepal.

• 

  Forum Communications

  Jun 2003 - May 2004

  TV News Reporter | Photographer

  On-air television news reporter/photographer for WDAZ television in Grand Forks, ND.

• 

  ECM Publishers, Inc.

  Sept 2005 - Dec 2009

  I oversaw the daily activity on Thisweeklive.com, a news website for Thisweek Newspapers and the Dakota County Tribune. I wrote and edited stories, edited photos and uploaded them to the site, shot, edited and uploaded video, and produced four weekly audio podcasts and one television show/video podcast in partnership with Burnsville Community Television. I was the Apple Valley editor for Thisweek Newspapers until taking over as online editor/multimedia producer for the paper's web site in 2008.

  • Online Editor | Multimedia Producer

    Jan 2008 - Dec 2009

  • City Editor

    Sept 2005 - Jan 2008
• 

  Jeff Achen Videography & Photography, LLC

  Feb 2006 - now

  Event/Portrait Photographer & Videographer

  We specialize in event video production and photography in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. We work with individuals, offering services such as family portraiture, home movie editing, wedding video production and photography.

• 

  GiveMN

  Jan 2010 - Apr 2014

  Digital Strategist

  I managed the day-to-day communication efforts and social media strategy for GiveMN. I served as the primary voice for @givemn on Twitter and administered GiveMN’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages. Additionally, I produced photos, videos, online graphics and print materials as part of GiveMN's content marketing strategy.

• 

  Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation

  Jan 2010 - Jun 2012

  Interactive Media Strategist

  I served as a strategist and content creator for the Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation. As part of the marketing and communication department I was responsible for video production, photography and social media strategy and execution.

• 

  CallSign51

  May 2014 - now

  Business Owner

  At CallSign51, we specialize in creative services, specifically video production; event and portrait photography; drone video and photography; and motion graphic design serving for-profit and nonprofit organizations and individuals. Jeff Achen Videography d.b.a. CallSign51 has been in business since 2006.

• 

  The UpTake

  Nov 2014 - Oct 2017

  Executive Director

  As executive director of The UpTake, Jeff was responsible for strategic planning, fundraising and leadership of the citizen-journalism-fueled news organization. Jeff worked to maintain and strengthen The UpTake’s live video coverage of news events and public meetings. He also helped to empower citizen journalists to harness the power of mobile technology, video and social media to seek the truth and report on the issues, events and conflicts in their communities, state and nation.

• 

  Jeff Achen and Associates

  Jan 2025 - now

  Professional Speaker

  Jeff is a former reporter and editor. He is a passionate advocate for journalists as valued third parties in the conflicts they cover. Drawing on his research of conflict resolution and the media; and his experiences as a working television, print, and multimedia reporter/editor, Jeff now speaks on the topic of service, conflict resolution and the future of journalism.