person About

Built by someone wholived it.

Driftless Logic was founded by Jake Zebell—Navy veteran, former USDA executive, and 20-year federal IT leader who managed agile at a scale most people only read about.

The Founder Story

I spent 14 years at USDA, the last several as a GS-15 leading 550 staff across 5 agile release trains. I ran PI planning for teams spread across the country. I watched talented developers burn hours in estimation sessions that predicted nothing. I saw critical work blocked for weeks because it didn't fit the sprint boundary.

I didn't leave because agile failed. I left because I saw what's coming next—and I wanted to build it.

Credentials

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Military Service

Navy veteran. Service-connected disability qualifies Driftless Logic as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

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Federal Leadership

GS-15 at USDA Farm Production and Conservation. Managed enterprise-scale software delivery for programs that touch every farmer in America.

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Recognition

USDA Abraham Lincoln Honor Award recipient—the department's highest recognition for exceptional service.

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Certifications

SAFe 6.0 SPC (Scaled Program Consultant). PMP. The credentials that prove I understand what we're evolving beyond.

The Company

Driftless Logic LLC is a Wisconsin-based small business pursuing federal contracting opportunities. We're SDVOSB-qualified and currently completing SAM.gov registration and VetCert certification.

The name comes from the Driftless Region—a unique geological area that glaciers never flattened. While everything around it was homogenized, the Driftless retained its natural complexity and diversity.

That's the philosophy behind our methodology: development that follows natural patterns, not imposed uniformity.

Interested in partnership or licensing?

Or just want to have a conversation about where software development is headed? I'd like to hear from you.

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