About me
Jeff was appointed to the Chief Executive Officer position in April 2020 but is no stranger to leadership or public service.
He graduated from Boston College in 2001 with his BA in Political Science and Theology. After college, Jeff was commissioned as an officer in the US Army where he completed training as a Ranger. While in the Army, Jeff completed his Master’s in Human Development and Leadership at Murray State University and finished multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, leading hundreds of combat missions without loss of life.
After active duty, the call to service remained; Jeff entered the Florida Army National Guard as a Field Artillery officer and graduated with his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. Jeff has had a distinguished career with the Guard, currently serving as Lieutenant Colonel as the Deputy Commander of the 164th Air Defense Brigade, responsible for State Emergency Response, and defense of the airspace over the National Capitol He has an MBA through American Military University and a Masters in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College.
Following a period in private practice, Jeff returned to service coming to CLS as the Director of Operations in 2015, progressing to the Chief Program Officer. During his tenure, he has led the firm successfully through growth, leadership, and organizational changes. Where most recently as CEO, the firm has been recognized as one of the Best Place to Work by the national publication, The Nonprofit Times in 2020, by the Orlando Business Journal in 2021 and the Orlando Sentinel in 2022. He has also been recognized as a Veteran of Influence, CEO of the Year, and one of the Most Influential Leaders in Central Florida by the Orlando Business Journal. He also is co-host of WFTV’s Law Talk.
