Meet John L. Harrell, Jr.
Founder & CEO, J-Ventures LLC | Fractional CFO | Business Advisor
"Helping small and emerging mid-size companies navigate the path to financial success."
About
25+ Years of Financial Leadership. Now Working for Your Business.
John L. Harrell, Jr. is a strategic financial executive whose career spans community banking, multi-subsidiary holding companies, and fractional CFO services for small and emerging mid-size businesses across multiple industries. From Junior Accountant to bank CFO — and ultimately to building J-Ventures LLC — his career reflects a consistent commitment to financial clarity, strategic leadership, and the success of the businesses he serves.
THE STORY
From Bank CFO to Fractional CFO — A Deliberate Choice
John L. Harrell, Jr. is a University of Alabama accounting graduate whose career in finance began in community banking. Over more than 20 years, he rose from Junior Accountant to CFO — serving banks across Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee, and leading multi-subsidiary bank holding companies through periods of significant growth.
His most defining achievement came during his tenure at Florida Bank Group, Inc., where he served as Director, EVP, and CFO. He was an integral member of the executive leadership team that transformed the organization from a single-bank institution with $90 million in assets into a multi-bank, multi-city holding company exceeding $500 million in assets — a milestone achieved in under four years.
In 2015, John made a deliberate pivot. He recognized that the most meaningful contribution he could make was not simply managing large institutional finances — it was equipping small and startup businesses with the financial knowledge and strategic leadership they need to build profitable, sustainable companies. Rather than writing a check and hoping things worked out, he wanted to be actively engaged in helping founders turn their vision into reality.
That decision is the foundation of J-Ventures LLC today. Every client engagement is shaped by the same philosophy: financial clarity leads to better decisions, and better decisions build stronger businesses.
Education
B.S. in Accounting
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL | December 1989
Executive Credentials
Executive Certificate, Transformational Nonprofit Leadership
University of Notre Dame | August 2015
Executive Certificate, Bank Financial Management
Vanderbilt University / Bank Administration Institute | June 1998
Honors & Recognition
2001 American Marshall Memorial Fellowship
Graduate — Leadership Tampa, Leadership Montgomery, Leadership Memphis
Former Advisory Board Member — Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Former Board Member — Boys and Girls Club of America, Montgomery, AL
EXPERIENCE
A Career Built on Financial Leadership
More than 25 years of progressive experience across banking, financial management, and strategic consulting.
2015 – Present Founder & CEO | J-Ventures LLC, Tampa, FL
Jan – Sep 2025 Partner, CFO Services | Seaton Hill Partners, LP, Dallas, TX
2009 – 2012 Vice President & Lead Analyst | Citigroup, Inc., Tampa, FL
2004 – 2008 Director, EVP & CFO | Florida Bank Group, Inc., Tampa, FL
2002 – 2004 VP & Finance Director | Black Diamond Financial Group, Tampa, FL
1999 – 2002 Director, SVP & CFO | First Tuskegee Bank, Montgomery, AL
1998 – 1999 SVP & Controller | Memphis First Bank, Memphis, TN
1994 – 1998 VP & Controller | First Tuskegee Bank, Montgomery, AL
1991 – 1994 Staff Accountant | Colonial BancGroup, Inc., Montgomery, AL
Integrity
Non-negotiable in every client engagement.
Honesty
Transparent communica-tion, always.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
The Values Behind Every Engagement
Fairness
Consistent and equitable in all dealings.
Respect
For the ideas, vision, and goals of every client.
Value-Oriented
Committed to delivering meaningful, measurable results.
Ready to bring executive-level financial leadership to your business?
Connect with John L. Harrell, Jr. to discuss where your business stands and what strategic financial leadership can do for your growth.