The JT team had the honor of advancing President Carter one final time as the nation laid to rest our 39th President
JT co-founders Rick Jasculca and Jim Terman advanced President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale during their administration 1977-1981. After decades remaining in good touch, including advancing international trips and managing other projects for The Carter Center, last week, the JT team had the honor of advancing President Carter one final time as the nation laid to rest our 39th President.
For more than two decades, current and former JT’ers have worked behind the scenes representing the Carter family in coordination with the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), the lead government agency that plans State Funerals, to coordinate President Carter’s final send off.
Last week, Rick Jasculca, along with JT Chief Operating Officer Lauren Foley served as co-leads on behalf of the Carter family, coordinating between JTF-NCR, U.S. Secret Service and other entities to ensure that the Carter family was able to celebrate and mourn the life of their father along with the rest of the nation.
JT’s Senior Vice President Jessica Smith led a ticket and seating operation on behalf of Carter family and friends, including current and former heads of state, Carter White House alumni, Carter Center partners and many more. She was supported by JT’s Director of Technology Erik Stein, who over the last several years created a customized database to invite and process RSVP’s, JT alumni who helped manage VIPs and volunteers who provided support at ticket pick-up.
JT Vice President of Events Karla Bailey, supported by JT alum, ran all hotel operations for our make-shift staff office and coordinated VIP transportation in partnership with the military.
JT alumni Andrew Jasculca navigated the complexities of Capitol Hill to ensure a smooth welcome ceremony as President Carter and his family arrived and so that over a 24-hour period special guests were able to gather together and pay their respects as President Carter laid in state.
President Carter set the gold standard for what a post-presidency could be … a humanitarian who through the work of the Carter Center has nearly eradicated Guinea Worm … a fierce champion of democracy and peace, monitoring free and fair elections across the globe … true man of faith, who loved his family and country.
The JT team is grateful to have been part of this moment in history.
Discover more about JT’s work with President Carter in the links below.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago group worked on planning Jimmy Carter's state funeral for decades
ABC 7 Chicago: Local family reflects on Habitat for Humanity work, decades-long relationship with Jimmy Carter