Jeff began playing the trumpet in 4th grade in a small Iowa farm town. During high school football home games, Jeff as the starting quarterback would sometimes stay on the field at halftime and march with the band. The jazz band traveled throughout the state, winning honors at numerous festivals, including the Iowa State Jazz Championships.

 

Jeff went on to Drake University, where he was member of the band program for four years. Following completion of his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing, Jeff pursued a career as a business leader with Fortune 50 corporations such as DuPont, Wells Fargo and GE Capital while playing trumpet on a semi-professional basis.

​

As a business leader, Jeff learned how to use traditional strategic planning principles and translate them into creative insights and growth strategies. Through his experience with top corporations and agencies, he became well-versed with consumer and business-to-business models, and gained expertise in digital and direct marketing, as well as brand management. Today, he practices enough business consulting to stay relevant and feed his ego.

​

As a performer, Jeff plays lead trumpet and serves as the Executive Director with the popular Evolution Big Band, as well as playing with various jazz groups in the Hilton Head, South Carolina area. He also plays in numerous groups such as the Deas Guyz Orchestra and musical productions throughout the Lowcountry, including the regional premieres of "Saturday Night Fever," "An American in Paris" and "Dr. Jeykell and Mr. Hyde," among others.

​

As an educator, Jeff has volunteered as a business mentor through the Don Ryan Center for Innovation and as an instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute as part of the University of South Carolina’s Bluffton campus.