It’s easy to see why Geneva Jackson can be considered a people person when talking to her.
The bright smile she flashes at coworkers and customers at Horizons Edge isn’t for show.
In fact, that smile and contagious personality she often embodies a staple of who she is.
“I just like meeting new people,” Jackson said. “I like living and working in engaged communities, and I like helping to solve problems. Customer Service is one of the most direct ways to do all that.”
Growing up in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa., in a family that originated from New York City, Jackson had an ill-fated attempt at soccer and a memorable try with basketball before finding her athletic niche.
In softball, she thrived as a first baseman, and she threw the javelin and discus in track and field.
Around her, her brothers played soccer, baseball, football, and track. Her dad was constantly watching ESPN, and her love for the outdoors, in general, grew as she got older and created more hobbies.
She eventually attended Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied social and political history and was active in a number of clubs and activities, including the student theater group at the school.
It wasn’t until 2018 that Jackson arrived in Harrisonburg to become a customer service representative for Camp Horizons — a sister company of Horizons Edge. But once The Edge opened up, it presented a unique opportunity for Jackson to take what she had learned and progress it within the company.
I have always worked in people-facing roles, doing a lot of retail and info desk work throughout high school and college, and working with various ages and backgrounds is something I really enjoy,” Jackson said. “I always wanted to work in a summer camp environment, so I did that as a camp counselor and later an office manager when I finished college, and so moving out to Camp Horizons was a natural extension of that journey to be outside and get people outside.”
Since coming to The Edge, it’s been a perfect fit for Jackson, who said she sees a number of different people from different backgrounds, works with folks that come from a number of different backgrounds, and now finds herself in the sports field despite that not being her original intention.
“Career fields like sports and outdoor recreation, as the Horizons Companies hinge on, are all about connecting people together,” Jackson said about the benefits of working at The Edge. “In an increasingly online world, making spaces for people to do physical activities together, outside if possible, but more importantly, all year round, is more vital than ever. I’m sure everyone has heard about the health benefits of getting active, but I’ve always been more interested in the social and emotional benefits of trying things that are uncomfortable or new and working with others toward a common goal. I always talk with my coworkers and guests about how their sports outlet helps them be better friends, more engaged partners and employees, and more balanced versions of themselves.”
Although The Edge has grown — and continues to — since Jackson first arrived in October of 2020, the community feel that comes from the facility is something that Jackson said makes it special.
“Horizons Edge may be a large building, but like many of the best places in Harrisonburg, it is a small, local business,” Jackson said about The Edge. “We bring people from around the country to this corner of the Valley for various events, but the soul of our programs during the week is the Harrisonburg and Rockingham communities. Our first value pillar is a community for a reason – our staff lives and works locally, our guests live and work locally, and our owner and investors live and work locally, and we all want to see the community that we see reflected around this area on our courts and fields.”
Jackson noted how appreciative she is of the guests at Horizons Edge for making it such an encouraging and respectful environment and said getting to know various families has been fun.
That friendliness and care for others isn’t just an act from Jackson she’s putting on for customers.
It’s a character trait she’s had since she was a child and is contagious to those around her.
“My whole thing is making everything easier at all times,” Jackson said. “That sounds silly, but it’s true. … I hope it has been clear over the last year and a half that normal — well-run programs for all ages, smooth events facilitation, unique and simple birthday and climbing activities — is just the beginning of what we want to do here at the Edge. We want every season and set of programs to be easier, smoother, and better than the one before.”