Jeff is a creative innovator and business strategist that has developed creative concepts and patented technologies into viable business enterprises on a worldwide scale.

Jeff is a veteran entrepreneur and producer who has created, developed, and marketed many complex projects in the areas of live entertainment, technology, and destination resorts. Jeff began his career with his father’s company as a principal contractor to Disney where he worked on their new theme park and entertainment projects. Jeff used experience he gained working with his father, Robert F. Jani (regarded as a Legend at Disney as well as the father of the special events industry) to start his own company directing many live events (the largest being the 25th Anniversary of Singapore, which operationally was on the scale of an Olympic Ceremony).

Jeff founded and sold an interactive technology company to Microsoft that generated nearly $100 million of revenue. He then developed a strategic facilitation process and executive conference center, with his wife Jill, to help market leading companies such as Daimler-Chrysler, Microsoft, Starbucks, and WellPoint accelerate their business strategies. As part of this venture, Jeff and Jill also applied their passion for leadership to create an immersive next generation leadership program for college students that was accredited by Pepperdine University. 120 leaders graduated from this intensive 4-6 week program, many of whom viewed it as a life changing experience.

Currently, Jeff operates NextGen Strategy as a business engineering firm that assists companies in the reengineering, or development, of their strategy, business model, or products and services. NextGen Strategy also provides the services of Jeff Jani in a hands-on executive role for select projects. Projects have ranged from the development of new operating divisions for WellPoint, the development and facilitation of a strategic visioneering process for a ministry organization that operates in 150 countries, the master planning of a destination family camp in California, the development of an online social community web services company, called MyLifeOnline, and the business model restructuring of an innovative green technology company.

Jeff and his wife, Jill, reside in Kirkland, Washington with their three children, Rachel, Parker, and Savanna.

Experiences that have shaped my career …

2005-Present
NextGen Strategy, Inc.
Chief Strategist

NextGen Strategy is a business engineering firm that assists companies in the reengineering, or development, of their strategy, business model, or products and services. NextGen Strategy also provides the services of Jeff Jani in a hands-on executive role for select projects. Projects have ranged from the development of new operating divisions for WellPoint, the development and facilitation of a strategic visioneering process for a ministry organization that operates in 150 countries, the development of an online social community web services company, called MyLifeOnline, and the business model restructuring of an innovative green technology company.

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1999-2004
Scimitar Ridge Ranch
Founder & Operator

Executive retreat center that developed an accelerated facilitation process that helped executive teams of major companies such as Boeing, Daimler Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Prudential Securities, REI, Shell Oil, Smith Barney, Starbucks, and WellPoint to achieve breakthrough performance. Scimitar Ridge provided both strategy and executive leadership services. Scimitar Ridge also operated a next generation immersive leadership program for college students.

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1997-1999
Aim High, Inc.
Co-Founder & Partner

Product development and business strategy company, that did product development work for Japanese based Omron, an entertainment project with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and advised several technology and entertainment companies interested in the convergence of technology and entertainment.

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1995-1997
Microsoft Corporation
Group Program Manager

Led the development team to develop and release over 30 products related to the Microsoft Actimates brand, generating $100 million of sales.

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1993-1995
Dare to Dream Intertainment, Inc.
Founder, Inventor, and CEO

Technology start-up company that created a revolutionary interactive toy platform (“Realmation”) that allowed toys to come to life and interact with the television and computer. The company was sold to Microsoft, and products were released under the Microsoft Actimates brand.

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1989-1992
Jani International, Inc.
Executive Producer and President

Jani International was an international special event production company and concept design firm for major theatrical and location based attractions. Major projects included conceiving and producing the 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Republic of Singapore, Kennedy Center Gala events, and the conceptualization of traveling exhibit based upon Incan treasures called “Treasures of Peru.”

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1984-1989
Robert F. Jani Productions, Inc.
Producer and Business Manager

RFJP was an international theatrical and special event production company founded by Jeff’s late father and industry legend, Robert F. Jani. Major projects included several Super Bowl halftime shows, Radio City Music Hall productions, and consulting work for Disney theme parks worldwide.