Our Team People first. Finances second.

Jason is CEO, wealth advisor and founding partner of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. He has been in the financial services industry since 1999.

Jason was born in Dayton, Ohio but grew up in Eastern North Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1999 with a BS in finance and an MBA in 2003. Rob Penn, Jason’s business partner, hired him in 1999 and the two began a successful business relationship, highlighted by the formation of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting in 2005.

Jason’s passion for the business begins with helping clients, working with select families to accomplish their personal and business goals. Jason’s role as CEO includes providing strategic direction for the firm, managing the team, leading growth initiatives, and enhancing operations.

Jason resides in Wilmington with his wife, Ashley, and their daughter, Merritt. Their family also includes a Labrador, Jedi. Ashley is a Speech Language Pathologist and owns Therapy Connections, Inc., a pediatric speech therapy company. Jason spends his free time with his family and their endless activities. He plays average golf as often as possible, coaches youth sports teams to minimal success, waits patiently for his invitation to Jedi training and hopes that maybe this year he will have more time for surfing, boating, fishing and all the water activities that the family loves. Jason considers himself a lifelong learner and is always ready to try a new activity, travel to a new spot or delve into a new subject.

Professional Certifications, Licenses, and Designations:

• Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
• Chartered Financial Consultant®
• Chartered Life Underwriter®
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary®
• North Carolina Life Insurance Agent
• North Carolina Accident & Health or Sickness Agent
• North Carolina Medicare Supplement & Long-Term Care Agent

Professional Affiliations:

• Financial Planning Association, Member
• Financial Services Institute, Member
• Commonwealth Advisory Council, Past Member (2013-2014)
• Commonwealth National Conference Speaker and Guest Panelist (2015-2020)

Community Affiliations:

• New Horizons Elementary School Board, Chair (2021-Present)
• Wilmington Economic Scorecard Committee (2017-Present)
• Cameron School of Business Executive Advisory Board, Chair (2015-Present)
• UNCW Foundation Board, Chair (2011-2018)
• Cape Fear Community College Foundation, Board Member (2012-2018)
• Economics and Finance Dept. Advisory Board, Past Chair (2015-2017)
• Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2012-2017)
• Cape Fear Literacy Council, Finance Committee Member (2013-2015)
• Adjunct Faculty, Corporate Finance (2008-2011)
• Leadership Wilmington Alumnus (2011)
• UNCW Professional MBA Strategic Planning Committee (2009)
• UNCW Alumni Association Board of Directors, Past Chair (2003-2009)
• UNCW MBA Association President (2002-2003)

Awards & Recognition:

• 2018 – 2023 Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. The 2023 award was presented in April 2023 based on data gathered from June 2020 to June 2021.  22,243 were considered, 7,321 advisors were recognized. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.
• 2014 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. Presented in August 2014 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 6,776 advisors were considered, 409 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
• 2012 Cameron School of Business Alumnus of the Year, created by Cameron School of Business University of North Carolina Wilmington. This award is based on academics, volunteer efforts, success in business and is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. Click here for more information.
• 2011 Leadership Wilmington Outstanding Class Member, created by Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Leadership Wilmington. This award is based on peer voting and is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. Click here for more information.
• 2004 University of North Carolina Wilmington Young Alumnus of the Year, created by University of North Carolina Wilmington Alumni Association. This award is based on academics, volunteer efforts, success in business and is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. Click here for more information.
• 2003 Outstanding MBA Student University of North Carolina Wilmington, created by Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina Wilmington MBA Program. This award is based on academics and is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. Click here for more information.