Jeff grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fourth of eight children, and near a large extended family. He attended Coe College where he earned his BA in Business Administration in 1978. He started in the financial services industry that autumn and has worked in a variety of settings ever since. In 1989, along with his wife Jean, he incorporated Prime Financial Strategies so he could become “a financial advisor”, a term not in use when he first considered that goal as a new college graduate. It was in 1992 that he set upon his dream of working in PFS full-time, and as an entrepreneur he built a solid financial advisory firm with clients in 20+ states across the country. He loves to educate and problem solve with his clients and their families.
Jeff has always strived to simplify complex financial concepts and make them memorable. Jeff acts as a translator and guide when discussing the various tools available to our clients, and current economic circumstances, helping people sort through the conflicting information provided in the media. He currently holds the Series 63, 7 and 24 securities registrations (previously held the Series 1 and 22) as well as Life, Health, Disability, Annuities and LTC insurance licenses. Jeff has also pursued further education in these fields and holds the ChFC®, CLU®, AIF®, and AEP® designations demonstrating his dedication to education.
While he has been the senior “life-long” and multi-generational financial advisor in the firm, Jeff is now taking a step back from actively engaging with new clients, focusing on maintaining long term relationships with those he has shepherded over the years. He doesn’t see himself ever being a full-time retired person; instead, he is keeping his office and adjacent retreat space as a place of camaraderie with clients and staff, and peaceful enjoyment of his extraordinary view of Pikes Peak. He’ll be developing his role as Brand Ambassador, greeting and keeping up with the many families he has helped attain comfortable retirements.
Helping the financial industry community, Jeff has been a member of and served on the Boards of several business and professional organizations in Colorado Springs and elsewhere.
He and Jean are pleased to have their two adult, married children as well as their daughter-in-law working in the firm. Leah re-joined the firm in 2021 when she moved back to Colorado Springs, bringing her husband Mike along. Neil, now the primary advisor, and his wife Kendra, also involved in the day-to-day operations of the firm, live here with their children Nolan and Naomi. Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, especially the two grandchildren, staying involved with their activities and keeping an eye on their development, hoping one day they too might join “Your Family Financial Firm.”