JSA Financial Group

Jeffrey A. Scales, CFP^®, AIF^®, MBA
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM practitioner
Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®
Managing Principal

We live in a fast-paced, constantly changing world. One of my responsibilities is to help my clients maintain their financial focus, so that they can pursue the things that are important to them and their families. My staff and I work diligently to provide a high level of quality in financial planning, guidance, and service.

I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of New Mexico. Later, I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM certification and most recently my Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designation. I am also a member of the Social Investment Forum and the First Affirmative Financial Network which offer terrific support for pursuing environmental, social & corporate governance issues for client investment policies.

In addition, I stay involved in local community organizations. Previously, I volunteered as a driver for the Meals On Wheels program in Northern Dutchess County, and ran a weekly evening men's basketball program for the Rhinebeck PTSO, until finally passing the ball to a younger (more nimble) player. I served as a panel participant in the Poughkeepsie Journal free financial question & answer session to help readers with the economic downturn.(8/20/2008). Currently, I am a member and past president of both the Alzheimer's Association of the Hudson Valley and the Rhinebeck Rotary Club where I serve as the International Committee Chair.

I live in Tivoli, New York, on the Hudson River waterfront, with my wonderful wife Barbara. Our four young men Will, Max, Ian, and Zach are in college or starting their careers, but periodically make their way back to recharge with a great home cooked meal. I enjoy yoga, basketball, biking, movies, listening to jazz and especially kayaking the Hudson River.

Jason Lipka, CRPS^®
Retirement & Employee Benefit Consultant

I joined JSA Financial Group in 2008 to help Jeff oversee the growth of the retirement plan division. Having worked in the financial service industry since 1996, I am now in charge of managing the consulting, design, implementation, ongoing education and investment guidance for retirement plans for JSA Financial Group. I specialize in qualified plans: 401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing, money purchase and defined benefits, as well as non qualified and small-employer plans. I received B.S. in finance and marketing from the University of Maryland at College Park. While at Maryland I played soccer on scholarship for the Terrapins NCAA division I program. I hold FINRA securities registrations including Series 7 (general securities representative) and 66 (uniform combined state law exam). Currently, I am a member of NYS ASBO, Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-Hudson Human Resource Association.

Before joining JSA Financial Group, I worked for the Vanguard Group. I held several positions in my 11 year tenure including: risk management & credit associate, senior trade liaison, financial planner, and for the last several years, relationship manager in the institutional financial planning group. In this role I provided educational seminars and advice to some of the nation's largest retirement plans.

I believe a company sponsored retirement plan is one of the most valuable benefits a company can offer their employees. In today's world, employees often want to align their personal values with their retirement savings by having choice. A component of this choice is for socially responsible investments to be available in retirement plans. In my position at JSA Financial Group I have the ability to help companies, schools (both public and private k-12), nonprofits, hospitals and universities pursue the right strategies for their employees.

Although I have lived in Arizona for the last 11 years, I am a Hudson Valley native. I grew up in LaGrange and am once again a resident. In my spare time I hike, run, travel and am an active yoga student and teacher with my fiancée, Woodley Humphreys (our wedding plans are in the works). I am a member of Germania of Poughkeepsie, a German/American club which is very active in the community. Within the club I play for the Germania Blue and White soccer team which continues to do very well in the Hudson Valley league.

Debbie Stanton
Operations Manager

I have lived in the Hudson Valley all my life and bring a wide variety of life experiences to Jeff's practice. I attended the Wappingers Central School District and I graduated from Marist College with a BS in Business Administration concentrating in Finance. I have worked in many different fields since then. I began my career as an intern at IBM in their financial department until my first permanent job at a pharmaceutical company where I did everything from finance to marketing. Years later I found employment with a local real estate company where our department maintained and sold foreclosure homes.

I took a break from the workplace to enter the toughest and most rewarding career of my life, starting a family with my husband Doug. Once my daughter Jamie and son Brandon became school aged, I returned to work as a part time assistant to Jeff. Over the years my hours increased, the knowledge of Jeff's business expanded and I studied and passed my Series 7 & 63 exams to reach the point I'm at today. Feel free to contact me on anything from opening a new account, placing trades on current accounts, setting up online access, financial questions, etc.

My life away from the office consists of time with the family going EVERYWHERE, volunteering as a soccer coach, listening to alternative rock and watching or going to NASCAR races....GO KYLE!

Woodley Humphreys
Financial Assistant

In 2008, I joined JSA Financial Group as a Financial Assistant. I work closely with Jeffrey Scales and our clients to provide the highest level of personal customer service. Currently, I provide administrative and technical support to our team and assist with identifying appropriate investment and insurance solutions for our clients.

Prior to joining JSA Financial Group, I spent 7 years working for the The Vanguard Group. During my tenure at Vanguard, I had the opportunity to work in several different roles. For Vanguard's mutual fund division I educated clients, helping them find the right investments to meet their financial goals. I spent the majority of my time there working for Vanguard Brokerage Services trade management team. In this role I oversaw and provided technical support to traders involved in equity, option and mutual fund trading.

To further diversify my experience I moved to the Institutional division as a Recordkeeping Administrator for qualified retirement plans. I managed retirement plan administration, developing and maintaining relationships with over 30 different retirement plan clients with over $227 million in assets.

I have a FINRA Series 7 registration (general securities representative) and a Series 66 registration (uniformed combined state law exam for securities agents and investment advisors).

I received my undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Economics and Sociology.

I have recently relocated to the Hudson Valley from Scottsdale, Arizona. I like to spend my free time exploring this beautiful area with my fiancé Jason Lipka. I enjoy hiking and cooking. Additionally, I have been an active yoga practitioner since 1999 and more recently became a yoga instructor.

Gail Decker
Customer Service Assistant

In the summer of 2003 I began working for JSA Financial part time as a customer service assistant. In that position the duties include scheduling and confirming appointments, client check ins and every day office duties.

Prior to this position I was employed for Germantown Telephone Co. as a customer service manager. In that position the responsibilities covered a wide range of duties covering telephone, cable TV, internet and cellular.

I have been a resident of Columbia County all my life. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling and following the NY Mets.