Jeff Severs began his professional career as an officer in the United States Air Force, ultimately reaching the rank of full Colonel. He led a variety of operations ranging from the development and fielding of GPS to managing a $1 Billion program to develop precision-guide weapons. He also served on the staff of the Secretary of the Air Force in a congressional liaison role.
In 2001, Mr. Severs left the Air Force to join SprayCool, a venture-funded technology company with 7 offices across the country. As President and CEO, he oversaw the company’s rapid expansion ($3 to $50 million) and subsequent recognition on the 2005 “Inc. 500” list as one of the US’s 500 fastest growing companies. In 2007, Mr. Severs joined Greater Spokane Incorporated, a 30-person chamber / economic development organization as their Chief Operating Officer, focused on promoting business growth in the Inland Northwest. In 2009, Mr. Severs teamed with his financial advisor, Paul Hanson, to manage Northwestern Mutual operations for the Idaho Panhandle, a partnership that expanded to an operation with nine offices ranging from the Cascades to the Montana border with total assets under management of $2.5 billion.
Mr. Severs is a graduate of the University of Georgia, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Defense Systems Management College, and the Stanford Executive Program. He was also selected as a Congressional Fellow, subsequently graduating from the Brookings Institute’s Legislative Fellows program and a position in the U.S. Senate, and as a Ford Foundation Fellow. Mr. Severs currently serves on a variety of private company and not-for-profit boards.