Jack Jamgochian ’08 is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a strong passion for developing and commercializing innovative products. As the founder of Rugged Jack’s Hot Sauce (a hot sauce brand crafted for those with an insatiable appetite for adventure!), Jack enjoys driving product development and improvement, streamlining processes, and managing all aspects of production, from inception to delivery. Jack also works as a manufacturing engineer for Bioventus, a global medical device company focusing on developing and commercializing products that allow patients to return to active lives. As a mechanical engineer, Jack possesses a deep understanding of product design, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance, allowing him to oversee large-scale production with precision and efficiency.
Currently pursuing certification in Lean Six Sigma and working towards becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP), Jack is committed to staying at the forefront of industry standards and practices. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Farmingdale State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Scranton, solidifying his foundation in both technical and business disciplines. Jack resides in Huntington Station with his wife and daughter. In his leisure time, he finds immense joy in recreating the memorable moments of his high school soccer days and continues to play for the Long Island Soccer Football League.
What inspired you to pursue a career in product development?
I have always had a fascination with creating new things and fixing/maintaining existing ones. A lot of my inspiration and curiosity comes from reading about past inventors like Henry Ford, The Wright Brothers, Nikola Tesla, etc. Designing new products that fulfill a need is extremely rewarding because those inventions in essence are a gift to humanity.
How do you think your time at Kellenberg Memorial helped to prepare you for your success in your academic and professional pursuits?
Kellenberg provided me with a place to explore, challenged me to think differently, and provided opportunities for experimentation. The collective education and extracurricular activities that I participated in helped me to realize my strengths and weaknesses as well as identify my interests. After-school programs like Science Olympiad nurtured my interest in the sciences from robotics to chemistry. The bridge-building project in Physics piqued my interest in construction. Overall, I think I received a very well-rounded education at Kellenberg which gave me the tools needed to be successful both academically and professionally.
Do you have any advice for current students or young alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in product development?
Be curious, build a solid technical foundation, learn how to apply engineering concepts to new designs, and never stop learning.
Do you have any favorite teachers, coaches, or club moderators from your time at Kellenberg Memorial?
Yes! My favorite soccer coach was Coach Masiulis. I played defense but one time he let me go up top to score so I could get my name in the paper, which I did! One of my favorite teachers is Mrs. Frem because of Food Chemistry Fridays and getting to make and eat ice cream in class. Others include Mr. Alfalla, Mr. Cioffi, Mrs. (Quinn) Zabala, and Bro. Micahel Gillen, S.M.!
