Jeff Hultman, 35

By Mary Erpenbach

“If you’re going to live somewhere,” says Jeff Hultman, “get involved.”

For Hultman, a senior vice president and division manager with JPMorgan Chase in Rockford, it really is that simple.

He has volunteered for community organizations for years and currently serves as treasurer of United Way of Rock River Valley and on the boards of the EIGERlab and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

As a natural leader, Hultman doesn’t hesitate, even when getting involved means creating entirely new opportunities to serve. He’s a founding member of several groups—but somebody has to do it, right? Why not a busy, married father who already serves on various committees?

“I got involved with ARTRA (Attracting and Retaining Talent to the Rockford Area) and Next Rockford because the city needed more involvement from the under-40 generation,” he explains. “I just feel that all the organizations I’min are making important contributions to the community.”

Growing up Hultman thought he would become “a doctor or an athlete.” But while an undergraduate at Bethel College, he studied to become a teacher. He remains only one student teaching class away from that degree. He discovered his affinity for finance while earning his MBA at Northern Illinois University and was recruited by financial institutions before he even graduated. His rise since has been straight up. Hultman’s first job, in 1997, was as a commercial credit analyst, and he worked his way to his present position in only six years.

Hultman is pleased by the encouragement he sees young leadership receiving from his fellow Rockfordians. “They are actively engaging the next group,” he says. “Kudos to them.”