Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff Niemeier

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Friday, 16 Jan 2026

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Image caption: Jeff Neimeier brings hands-on learning to life—helping students understand money, work, and the choices that shape their futures.

Jeff Niemeier believes financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give young people—and he’s passionate about helping students build those skills early.

An entrepreneur and real estate developer based in the Cedar Rapids–Iowa City corridor, Jeff has spent more than two decades building businesses and helping others work toward financial freedom. After leaving corporate life in 2002 to start his first technology company, he shifted into real estate investing and, in 2024, launched his own private equity real estate fund, JB Capital Management LLC. Along the way, Jeff has remained deeply committed to education, serving on the Board of Directors for Veridian Credit Union, hosting the Student of Money podcast, and volunteering with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa.

Jeff was drawn to Junior Achievement (JA) because the mission closely mirrors his own belief in the importance of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real-world decision-making. “Your financial statement becomes your adult report card once you leave school,” he often says—one of the reasons he felt compelled to get involved at the K–12 level.

Since beginning his JA volunteer journey in early 2024, Jeff has taught and supported multiple programs, including JA More Than Money®, sixth-grade classroom programs, JA BizTown® Mobile, and JA Finance Park® Mobile. What he enjoys most is seeing students’ engagement grow as money concepts begin to click—especially during hands-on simulations where students experience income, expenses, and profit firsthand.

“Stepping into a classroom is energizing,” Jeff shares. “Teaching these concepts deepens your own understanding too. The curiosity and engagement from students make every lesson rewarding.”

One of Jeff’s favorite lessons explores the history of money and global trade. From commodities like salt and spices to modern currencies and even Bitcoin, he enjoys helping students see how money connects both globally and locally—right down to Iowa farmers using the Mississippi River to trade with the world.

A standout moment for Jeff occurred during JA BizTown® Mobile, when students running a simulated grocery store recognized that their strategy wasn’t working. After lunch, they pivoted—entering real snacks into the point-of-sale system and selling them just like a real business. “Watching them identify a problem, adapt, and immediately see better results was a powerful example of learning in action,” he recalls.

Jeff sees Junior Achievement programs as a bridge between classroom learning and real life. Through simulations and gameplay, students build confidence, learn how to track money, understand cash flow, and recognize how decisions shape outcomes—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

One of the most unexpected lessons Jeff has learned from volunteering is that traditional academic performance doesn’t always predict entrepreneurial success. “Communication, confidence, and presentation skills matter,” he says. “It’s incredible to see students who may not always stand out academically thrive in these hands-on experiences.”

For anyone considering volunteering, Jeff’s advice is simple: jump in. “You don’t need teaching experience—JA provides everything you need. Volunteering is a meaningful way to give back, grow personally, and make a real impact.”

We are grateful to Jeff for sharing his time, expertise, and passion with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa—and for helping students build the financial confidence and skills they’ll carry into the future.