Network Leader: Jake Eitzen

When Jake Eitzen (marketing, 2014) and his wife Alise moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 2016 from Colorado, they didn’t know anyone outside of his family. 

“I knew that using the Wyoming bond in Tucson would be a great way to meet people,” he says. 

That bond runs strong. Eitzen and his brother, mother and father all attended UW.

“I spent four years on the wrestling team and made some of my best friends during that time,” he says. “Wyoming instills hard work, honesty and pride in its students, and I take that with me every day when working with my clients.”

Eitzen works as a financial adviser at Oppenheimer & Company Inc. Upon relocating to Arizona, he decided to build a Tucson Alumni Group. 

“I used an old Wyoming alumni directory and started cold calling and emailing alumni people, and there was strong interest right away,” he says. He connected with additional alumni on LinkedIn.

Eitzen began organizing football watch parties, happy hours and other get-togethers, sometimes attracting 100 alumni. This dedication earned him the UWAA Network Leader Award. 

“I really enjoy meeting new people and introducing those people to other alumni,” Eitzen says. “I have a sense of pride in coordinating events that people enjoy. Through this process, we’ve seen many people become close friends who otherwise may not have met. People are proud of their Wyoming roots.”

Eitzen encourages other alumni to start chapters in their areas. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with Alise and their young son Brody.