JD holds an undergrad degree in Finance and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Wright State University. He holds both the CFA Charter and Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designations. He spent time at UBS, Morgan Stanley, and as a research analyst before starting Aptus. With experience in developing systematic strategies, he saw the opportunity to help navigate the current environment with efficiencies found in the ETF structure.

He lives in L.A. (of course that means Lower Alabama) in Fairhope with his wife Mallory and their 4 kids (JJ, Luke, Mims, & Silas).