Tackett is a native West Virginian who earned both her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Marshall University. For nearly a decade, Tackett worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as an alcohol/drug control and suicide prevention officer and a regional director. During this time, she developed training for soldiers and their families in the West Virginia Army National Guard. After leaving the National Guard, Jessica worked at Marshall Health as the director of Project Hope for Women and Children, a residential treatment facility for new and expecting mothers with substance use disorder and their children for almost 5 years. During her time there she helped create the Hope House a step-down center for graduates of Project Hope and served as the Director for the center. Currently Jessica is The Adult Crisis Director at Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery. She serves on the advisory board Anchor of Hope for the City Mission.