Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain (JA) is proud to recognize Jeff Edoff as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Jeff’s first JA volunteer experience was in 2009, teaching JA Our Community to 2nd graders at Fremont Elementary School in Arvada, where his daughters had previously attended. This was Jeff’s only JA volunteer experience until 2019, when he made the decision to regularly and exclusively volunteer with the organization.
“Knowing the organization, the opportunity, and the people at JA sold me to come back,” said Jeff.
Since becoming a regular volunteer, Jeff has taught JA programming to more than 1,000 students across Metro Denver. While he has spent time in the classroom, much of his impact has come through JA’s experiential learning programs: JA Finance Park, presented by Transamerica, and the Daniels Fund JA Dream Accelerator.
“The programs are wonderful. You have to believe in the curriculum and think back to when you were growing up and ask, ‘Did I have anything like this taught to me?’”
Jeff did not have anything like JA offered when he was in school. He had to learn how to write a check, set up a savings account, and make financial mistakes on his own. Because of this, he understands the importance of exposing students to these lessons as early as possible.
“JA plants that seed into kids to help them think about the future,” explained Jeff. “The more literate people are with their money, the better off they can live, and the better they can teach the next generations about financial literacy. To be able to impart the information to the students so they take something with them throughout the years, that’s what’s important.”
Jeff has been at Beal Bank USA for almost 16 years, currently serving as Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager. Although he has a small staff, he recruited one of his team members, Melissa Britton, to volunteer with JA. Now, she herself is a regular volunteer with the organization. Jeff calls Beal the best company he’s ever worked for and appreciates its encouragement for volunteering and community involvement.
“If it weren’t for Beal, I’m not sure I would be teaching financial literacy programs,” added Jeff. “I’m very grateful to Beal for this opportunity to meet the people through JA.”
It’s been six years since Jeff started volunteering with JA regularly. So why does he keep coming back?
“It’s 1a and 1b. The programs and the kids. The students show the willingness and eagerness to learn and understand the importance of what they’re learning,” answered Jeff. “Whether they take away everything they learned like a sponge or just 1-2 things from the day, they show me that we are in good hands. That’s what keeps me coming back.”
