10 Questions with Jeff Logan, Firm Ambassador and Managing Director, Columbus

Outside of financial planning, Jeff is best known as a former Ohio State star running back.  He played for the Buckeyes from 1974-1977, co-captained the 1977 football team, and was instrumental in leading Ohio State to four consecutive Big Ten Championships and four bowl games during his illustrious career. Following a short career in professional football with the Baltimore Colts, Jeff returned to Columbus.

In the latest of our “Making It Personal” Q&A series, we discover a little more about Jeff Logan, veteran financial planner, Firm Ambassador, and Managing Director at Skylight Financial Group.

What’s your fondest memory of your Ohio State football days?

By far the best memories are the life-long relationships I established with teammates.  I had the great honor of playing for legendary Coach Woody Hayes and this relationship taught me far more about success in life and service to others than it ever did about the Xs and Os of football.

Winning four Big 10 titles and being elected as Co-Captain in my senior year remains an important legacy.

How did you find the transition to “real life” after football?

Right after my career in football ended with the Colts in the NFL, I was able to stay in touch with the game doing TV and Radio broadcasting of games.

You’ve been in the financial services industry now for nearly 35 years.  Tell us about your journey to becoming a financial planner?

I was NEVER going to be a Life Insurance Agent – that was a career for losers who couldn’t get a real job, so I joined a guy who was helping young doctors with the transition from training into practice – kind of a business consultant (this seemed cool).

What I found out was that he was in the life insurance business and this target marketing of helping doctors was a differentiator.  I became okay with that and quickly understood the value and importance of protecting life and income for these clients.  I was doing “financial planning” before it was called this.  I involved myself with young doctors helping them with the bank, the lawyer, CPA, etc. and became a trusted advisor.

What similarities do you see between being a college athlete and your career in the financial services industry?

No one ever gave me anything in athletics.  It was always earned in direct proportion to my commitment to improving.  This business is the same.  When I started out I had to learn that lesson.  At the time I was failing on a new rep financing agreement and I came to the realization that no one could be blamed but me for my pending failure.  I turned things around when I stopped blaming, complaining and demanding.

What do you like most about Columbus?

Columbus is home and feels like home.  This is a very giving community and resilient during good times and bad.

Where do you like to grab a bite to eat in Columbus?

My wife is of Greek descent.  We were married in the Greek church and with this came her love of cooking and Greek pastries.  So, my favorite place to eat is at home with her great cooking and baking.  She is a master cake decorator (though only for fun, not business) and has passed this trait on to both of our children.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

Golf would be my main interest and hobby outside of day-to-day career commitments and I have been fortunate to play at Jack Nicklaus’s Muirfield Village Golf Club for more than 30 years.  My thirst for competing when football ended, moved to the golf course where I have enjoyed club championships as well as local titles.  I belong to an international group of over 55 scratch golfers that have competitions staged all over the country.  I love to grind and let the results show exactly how well you prepared and executed.

Who do you admire the most and why?

I lost my father Richard Logan nearly two years ago – and today he remains as my mentor.

Any unknown or little-known fact about you

I like being by myself.

Tell us something you are passionate about

By far my passion for serving others is most important.  I rarely say no to helping others with missions that will improve the lives of others.  Along with my siblings, we founded the Logan Family Foundation 15 years ago and we have raised and delivered in excess of $500,000 to children and family charities in the community where we were raised (Stark County) and where we reside today (Columbus and Ashland, OH).

Thanks for sharing, Jeff!

Jeffrey Logan is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory, and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC.  Member SIPC OSJ: 5455 Rings Road, Suite 125, Dublin, OH 43017. 614.790.9800.