The Unstoppable Drive of Jason Menden

Sitting at his desk in the Powered Vehicles Group at Fox Factory, you'll find Jason Menden, an Applications Engineer with an appetite for optimization and pushing the limits of performance. His journey hasn't been a straight shot – it's been a winding path fueled by curiosity, determination, and a refusal to settle.

It all started when Jason was just a kid, piecing together elaborate Lego masterpieces and using math and science to bring his mechanical visions to life. That early knack for engineering led him to an automotive company in Wisconsin after college. For five years, he honed his skills in delivering meticulously tuned, high-performance solutions. But the Midwest roots that had nurtured him could only contain his adventurous spirit for so long.

When the opportunity at Fox came knocking, Jason didn't hesitate. He saw it as his chance to combine his expertise with a company that embodied the relentless pursuit of innovation he craved. Trading the familiarity of Wisconsin for the uncharted West Coast was a major move, but one that's paid dividends.

Not only has Jason thrived professionally surrounded by Fox's nurturing environment, he's also discovered an unlikely yet incredible personal passion: ultra-distance running. What started as a casual hobby snowballed into a passion with self-improvement and shattering perceived limitations. Before he knew it, Jason was checking off feats he once thought impossible – like completing the iconic Boston Marathon and claiming first place in a grueling 100K trail race.

"If I can force myself to tackle the hard things, then the next difficult challenge won't seem so daunting because I've already been through something tough," Jason explains. It's a mindset that's become ingrained in how he operates at work, allowing him to charge headfirst into demanding projects and tight deadlines with a been-there-done-that fortitude.

One recent endeavor epitomizes Jason's ability to thrive amidst intensity: developing a cutting-edge performance solution for a customer within an aggressive six-to-eight-month window – a process that normally takes two years. Before that he had been the primary contact for an off-road customer and also supported several aftermarket launches of FOX’s aftermarket UTV product line. By fostering seamless communication across teams, keeping laser-focus on the target, and leaning into his optimization prowess, Jason consistently knocks customer expectations out of the park. 

As for what lies ahead, Jason's sights are set on cementing his legacy as the driving force behind some of Fox Factory's biggest, baddest, highest-performing machines yet to grace the powersports world. It's an ambition fueled by a relentless commitment to optimization, a fearlessness to take calculated risks, and an insatiable hunger to redefine possible.

In an industry that's all about pushing boundaries, Jason is the embodiment of the Fox ethos. He's the relentless pursuer, fueled by a personal journey that intersects seamlessly with the company's mission and values. With elite problem-solving skills, athletic performance, and a steadfast refusal to settle for anything short of exceptional, Jason is crafting a legacy that'll resonate through Fox's halls for years to come.