Jason 's Role: Chief Investment Officer, Financial Planner Professional Background: Jason Gunkel has been with Syverson Strege since 2004 when he started as a college intern and worked his way into his current roles as Chief Investment Officer and Financial Planner. He spent a short time at Principal Global Investors before realizing that his passion is working directly with individuals and families to help them achieve their goals. He leads the Investment Committee where he helps design and monitor the firm’s investment strategies. Jason grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and migrated south seeking nicer weather and a smaller-sized school in the Midwest with a good business program. Jason received a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Accounting from Drake University with summa cum laude honors. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation. Jason has a special interest in charitable giving strategies and has completed the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) program. Personal: I am passionate about enriching the lives of others through service. I serve on my church's missions board where we lead efforts to serve our community. I also volunteer for Lutheran Services in Iowa to prepare tax returns for refugees and lower-income households. I lead a young dad's support and Bible study group. I also have a passion for financial education to help people take control of their money and get out of debt by leading programs such as Financial Peace University. My favorite time is spent with my wife Liz, chasing around our kids Evan, Adalyn and Joslyn, and our Jack Russell terrier. We like to travel as much as possible and have been to every continent (besides Antarctica) between the two of us. I also enjoy my Tuesday night golf league while Liz has book club. Our international travel is now on hold until the kids are a little older, but we enjoy exploring new places to hike and ride bikes as a family. I enjoy a pickleball league and help coach our kids' soccer and baseball teams.