Jason Mellow

Jason Mellow, who graduated with a BA in Economics in 2001, is president of Croptracker(opens in new window), Inc., a farm management software system for some 500 growers on 5 continents.  After graduation Jason went to work for the Salinas Police Department(opens in new window) (SPD) as a crime scene investigator.  In 2004 SPD promoted Jason to field training officer. 

In 2005 Jason moved back to Chico to become a street crimes investigator for the Chico Police Department (CPD).  On his LinkedIn page Jason described his job: “I often investigated complex crimes involving burglary rings, fraud rings, drug trafficking organizations, child sex trafficking organizations and gangs. I worked in conjunction with other local, state and federal agencies conducting criminal investigations.”  Later he continued working for CPD as an officer on horseback pursuing fleeing suspects and managing crowds.

In 2008 Jason moved back to Salinas where he accepted a position as a gang intelligence officer with the SPD.  Jason states on his Janson's Linkedin(opens in new window) page, “I completed gang investigations and assisted the Monterey County District Attorney's Office with gang investigations and successful prosecution of gangs and gang members. I provided patrol personnel and Investigation personnel with intelligence information regarding gang members and gang activity.” 

In 2011 Jason made a radical career move to become a songwriter, topliner and singer(opens in new window) in Aromas, California.  In 2012 he completed an extended play number for the rock band, SAVO as lead singer and lyricist.  The following year he produced a Studio recording of The Beast with guitarist Robert Machado.  In 2014 he worked with George Pajon Jr. on two singles as the lead singer, lyricist, and songwriter.  Jason and Anthony Parker wrote and performed Self Inflicted Salvation.  He recorded other music(opens in new window) including, Requiem, Heart of the Beast, Down There, Melancholy Mary, and Dirty Little Secret.  In 2015 while a singer and songwriter for the rock band "Not This Day" and he managed Fanciful Company, Inc. a harvesting company that operates in California and Arizona. 

In early 2019 Jason accepted a position as president of Croptracker, Inc., a firm that “helps growers and shippers of fruits and vegetables around the world keep accurate records, measure performance, and track labor and production costs,” Jason explained in a recent email.

“As president I am responsible for providing strategic leadership for the company by working with the management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies.  I plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization's fiscal function and performance.”

Jason still pursues his musical interests. “I still write music and topline for Not This Day too.” 

 “I believe the best thing about obtaining an Economics degree is the diversity of opportunity this degree unlocks. The Economics Department at CSU Chico has profoundly impacted my personal and professional life, from personal budgeting and investing, to business strategy and economic trend foresight. This is the field of study I endorse when I am speaking with youngsters who are planning on attending college,” Jason concluded in his recent email.  (Last Updated 4/30/19)