Jason Yager is an experienced leader with a background in industry, academia, and nonprofits. He earned a Master’s degree in Physics from Montana State University. Currently, he serves as the executive director of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance, which is dedicated to advancing the Photonics and Quantum Ecosystem in Montana. With 30 years of experience in Montana’s photonics community, Jason is actively involved in several boards, including the Montana Headwaters Tech Hub steering committee.

Jason Yager was born in Missoula, Montana, and graduated from Big Sky High School in 1993. During his senior year, physics teacher Jim Harkins instilled in him a curiosity and passion for learning and photonics. Jim Harkins once said, “If someone can leave high school appreciating that the universe is different than they perceive it, then they have learned something valuable.” This passion for learning and science has been a pivotal aspect of Jason’s career.

Jason and his identical twin brother, Kevin Yager, started a roofing company, Yager Construction, as sophomores in high school. While working full-time in the summers, Jason was able to attend Montana State University and graduated with a BS in physics in 1997. During the summer of 1996, Jason worked on a NASA grant in Dr. John Carlson’s lab, gaining hands-on and real-world experience with laser systems and photonics. This experience was pivotal as Dr. John Carlson was able to help place Jason in an internship with Big Sky Laser Technology during his final semester at MSU, where he began working full-time the following Monday after graduation as a Laser Engineer. After several years designing high-power laser systems used in defense, industrial applications, and medical systems, he returned to MSU to pursue a graduate degree while working part-time in the industry. He graduated with an MS in Physics in 2022 and then transitioned from working on technical challenges to finding a passion for systems and team management as Operations Manager.  Jason has worked in the Montana Photonics Community for nearly 30 years for publicly traded companies, startups, and foreign international companies in many roles, including Sr. Eng Manager, Product Line Manager, General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, and most recently, the Executive Director of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance.

In 2016, Larry Johnson, the Founder of ILX Lightwave, a photonics company in Bozeman, MT, recruited Jason to join the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance board. Here, Jason began the next phase of his career focused on ecosystem development. For instance, he helped create the MSU Gallatin College Laser and Photonics Technician program. Jason was also responsible for hiring one-third of the first graduating cohort, and in 2020, he taught Laser Systems and Applications.

As the Executive Director, Jason has played a pivotal role in the growth of Montana’s high-tech industry. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his participation in Governor Gianforte’s first international trade mission to Taiwan in 2023. During this mission, Jason signed multiple MOUs and was honored to meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. His instrumental role in securing a $ 41 million grant for the MT Headwaters Tech Hub in July 2024 is a testament to his commitment to the industry’s growth.

Jason is deeply committed to giving back to his community, and his dedication is truly inspiring. He has been involved in various boards, including the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board, the Montana Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Montana State University Gallatin Community College Advisory Board, and the Industry Advisory Board for the Photonics & Laser Technology program at Gallatin Community College. His involvement extends to the Montana Headwaters Tech Hub Steering Committee, the American Youth Soccer Organization, Love Inc., the Manhattan Bible Church Elder Board, and the Settlement Homeowners Association.

As a native of Montana, Jason is an avid outdoorsman who competes in mountain bike races and enjoys singing in the Bozeman Symphonic Choir. Jason lives in Churchill, MT, with his wife and three daughters.

Jason Yager, born in Missoula, Montana, graduated from Big Sky High School in 1993, where physics teacher Jim Harkins inspired his passion for learning and photonics. This early interest shaped Jason’s career.

In high school, Jason and his twin brother, Kevin, started Yager Construction. Jason worked full-time during summers, which allowed him to attend Montana State University and earn a BS in Physics in 1997. In 1996, he gained hands-on experience with laser systems and photonics through a NASA grant in Dr. John Carlson’s lab. This led to an internship with Big Sky Laser Technology, where Jason began working as a Laser Engineer immediately after graduation. He later pursued a graduate degree, earning an MS in Physics in 2022, and transitioned to roles in systems and team management as Operations Manager.

Over nearly 30 years in the Montana Photonics Community, Jason has held roles including Sr. Engineering Manager, Product Line Manager, General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Director of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance. In 2016, Larry Johnson of ILX Lightwave recruited him to the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance board, where Jason contributed to ecosystem development, including the MSU Gallatin College Laser and Photonics Technician program.

As Executive Director, Jason has significantly contributed to Montana’s high-tech industry growth. His achievements include participating in Governor Gianforte’s 2023 trade mission to Taiwan, where he signed multiple MOUs and met President Tsai Ing-wen, and securing a $41 million grant for the MT Headwaters Tech Hub in July 2024.

Jason is also dedicated to community service, participating in various boards and committees, including the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board and the Gallatin Community College Advisory Board. An avid outdoorsman, he competes in mountain bike races and sings in the Bozeman Symphonic Choir. Jason lives in Churchill, MT, with his wife and three daughters.