Jefferson Ward EQ Spotlight

Rob Hakes

(Elders Quorum President)

- Describe yourself in one or two paragraphs:

    My name is Robert Matthew Hakes (Usually go by Rob, unless you knew me before I was 20 then it is Robbie).  A Hake is a fish so I assume that my ancestors were avid fisherman.  This is good because whenever I want to go fishing I can say that I am doing my family history by getting in touch with my family roots.
   I work as a Salesman/Project Manager at American Fence and primarily am responsible for all of the temporary fence panels that you see around construction sites.
  I have a beautiful wife, Jill and two boys Caleb and Colton.
  I don't like reading, watching movies or sitting of any kind.  I need to be on the move in the outdoors, playing sports, or building something.  My most common pastimes are fishing, playing ice hockey, weightlifting, and camping.  I get most of my education and info from podcasts and books on tape.

- How long have you lived in the ward?
  15 years.  3 years in the Condos (building J) and 12 years in our house

- Where did you grow up?
  Sandy Utah.  Graduated as a Jordan Beetdigger

-What is something unique about you?
  Similar to bro Hankins I am ambidextrous, but opposite of him I write with my right hand and play sports with my left hand.

-What is your favorite book?

Good to Great & 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I always finding myself referring back
to the principles in those books.  I also love listening to talks by Jim Rohn (though old school
and cheesy).

-Who is somebody from history that you look up to and why?

Nephi.  He was a stud in all aspects.  Faith, Resilience, Ingenuity, and general
awsomeness.

-Who is your favorite person from church history and why?
Heber J Grant. He was a man that learned how to overcome and embrace weakness.  

-What do you like most about our ward?

Everybody seems really down to earth and real.  Im not the most outgoing and friendly guy but
have still managed to get to know some really cool people that live here.

-What do you like most about church?
It gives me an opportunity to serve and be charitable.  Otherwise I think I would be a hermit that
spent all of my days doing my own thing and staying away from people.

-What is your most embarrassing moment?
There are many moments that have come about when I am in public with my boys when they
 were young.  They would say whatever came to mind and often made some really awkward
 moments.

-What are some foods that you hate?

I really struggle with deep fried foods and really sweet sugary foods.  

What is your most favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving.  Time off with family without all of the fanfare and preparation of Christmas.

What is your least favorite holiday and why?
Halloween.  Most things about this holiday are painful and they don't really mean anything.  

What is your most memorable vacation?
Hawaii with the Family

What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
Social situations, though I haven't really overcome it yet.  I grew up as a severe introvert and
 have had to continue to work on handling myself socially over and over again. As many other
introverts can attest, being an introvert is really quite awesome, it just makes the important task
of socializing all the more awkward.