Her career has taken her around the world, but Jami (Evans) McDermid’s roots are right here in Ortonville.
McDermid, the salutatorian for the Brandon High School class of 1979, is currently an owner and partner of Jep2 Consulting, a firm in San Diego that provides business strategies for consumer packaging companies.
Her primary clients are the Miller Brewing Company and the Margaritaville Import Company, and she is also on the board of a 501 3(c) foundation, Athletes for Education.
Before that, she spent 12 years at Seagrams Ltd., including five years at Seagrams Spirits and Wine, where she held two different vice president positions. In addition, she was picked up by Diageo as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for North America after Diageo (along with another company) bought out Seagram’s about three years ago.
In her business travels, McDermid has traveled to such places as Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, and China. However, she said she has fond memories of growing up in a smaller community like Ortonville.
‘Everyone knew each other and looked out for each other,? she said. ‘You had to work hard because there weren’t any handouts.?
After graduating from Brandon, McDermid earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing in packaging engineering. She later earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from California Polytechnic University of Pomona.
McDermid later went on to complete two other programs: an Advanced Management Certification from Peter Drucker Graduate School of Claremont Colleges, and the Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
Her first job out of college was with the Mead Corporation, which she said was a valuable experience. ‘I learned a lot and was exposed to a lot,? she said.
At the same time, she said it was not always easy taking the first step from college into the working world, an experience she is reliving with son Steven, a recent graduate of the University of San Diego.
‘He’s trying to figure out what he really wants to do,? McDermid said. ‘It’s tough to do when you’re 18, 22 years old. It depends on what choices and risks you’re willing to take.?
Later on, she became the first female superintendent of a manufacturing plant for Coca-Cola foods, which she said was important because it exposed her to both the operations and sales/marketing aspects of the business world.
In her business experiences, McDermid said she has lived in New York City and traveled by herself abroad to foreign countries. She said that was a drastic culture shock, coming from a farm in Ortonville.
‘It’s risky putting yourself out there,? she said.
Above all, McDermid is thankful for the chance to grow up and go to school in Ortonville. She was the president of the Wolverine Riders, a horse-based 4-H group, and was a cheerleader and member of the softball team.
Above all, she was mainly involved with the Student Council at Brandon, and took part in many activities that helped shape who she is today.
‘The faculty of Brandon schools were always there to guide and teach us how to continue to learn,? she said. ‘The grounding that was provided to me has served me well into my professional career. My husband and I enjoy coming back to Ortonville and seeing the new and familiar faces.?