Adam Jacobson • FENN/Torin

Name: Adam Jacobson

Nickname (if any): Pickles

Company name and city: FENN/Torin

Brief history of your company: FENN has been in the business of making precise, high-quality metal forming machinery in the U.S. since its founding in 1900, but the spring industry knows us best for our fantastic Torin coilers.

Job title: Technical Sales Manager.

Spring industry affiliations

(Names of organizations you’re active in and title of elected position, if any): Chair for the SMI Avante-Garde group and a member of the SMI board of directors.

Birthplace: Burlington, Wisconsin.

Current home: Bartlett, Illinois.

Family (spouse, children, pets, etc.): My lovely wife, Kate, plus our two wiener dogs, Frankurter Heinz and Piper.

What I like most about being a springmaker: While I am not a springmaker, working with FENN has allowed me to serve this wonderful industry. It has always amazed me to see how close this industry is and how it shares everything from raw materials to manufacturing information, all in the best interest of the customer.

Favorite food: Anything with rice.

Favorite movie: “Independence Day.”

Hobbies: I enjoy camping, golfing, traveling and fishing. I am also a proud Green Bay Packers fan.

Favorite places: Poolside, sporting events, or in the great state of Wisconsin.

Best times of my life: Are the nights we get home late.

A really great evening to me is: My wife and I enjoying dinner at Etta in Chicago with friends before doing some sort of activity.

The one thing I can’t stand is: People parked in the fire lane in front of the grocery store.

My most outstanding qualities are: A glass half-full mentality and a willingness to help.

People who knew me in school thought I was: That goofy kid.

I knew I was an “adult” when: I had to pay for my own health care.

If I weren’t working at FENN, I would like to: Be a weatherman.

The most difficult business decision I ever had to make was: To leave the industry I knew (plastics), for the one I didn’t (springs) that I now love.

I wonder what would have happened if: We did find intelligent life outside of earth.

Role models: Grandma Jacobson.

I would like to be remembered in the spring industry for: Creating a successful Avante-Garde group for the next generation of the spring industry.

But people will probably remember me for: Cruise Ship Adam.