Jeffrey was born the son of two schoolteachers in Mansfield, Ohio, on June 11, 1952. He was graduated from Malabar High School in 1970 as a Member of the National Honor Society and received the Michigan Honor Trophy for Outstanding Senior Boy.
In 1972, Jeff graduated from the University of Akron with an Associates Degree in Transportation with Distinction. During his time at Akron University, he was awarded a membership in Phi Eta Sigma, a National honors fraternity, and played in the university band.
With railroads in his blood, Jeff spent the next four years with the Erie Lackawanna Railway, first as a Chief Clerk in the Cincinnati Sales office and then moved to Cleveland in the same position. Before leaving the Erie, Jeff held the position of Sales Representative and then Assistant Division Sales Manager, in Cleveland.
As the Erie Lackawanna was being merged into Conrail, Jeff left for a position as Sales Representative for Rail-Van, Inc., in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1978, Jeff moved to Columbus and opened up Rail-Van of Columbus, Inc., and, in 1984, he and two partners, Bill Lee and Denis Bruncak, purchased the $18 million intermodal transportation company.
The owners expanded the company into a full logistics provider and in 1998, took on an additional partner, KDR, consisting of the late Dave Thomas, son Ken Thomas and Rick Richards. This followed closely with a joint venture with Maersk Logistics, a Division of A. P. Moeller.
In 2000, the $550 million company was purchased by Pacer International, a $1 billion provider of Supply Chain Services. Jeff recently retired as the Logistics Services Group President.
Charitable activities include: The Arthritis Foundation of Central Ohio; The Buick Heritage Alliance; Akron University; Children’s Hospital and Epworth United Methodist Church.
Jeff has four children: Margrit, Melissa, Jeffrey and Abigail.
