James F. Jacobs (Jeff) was born and reared in Clinton, NC. On June 20, 1981, Jeff married Carolyn Bledsoe and they now reside in Chesterfield, VA. They have a daughter, Cristin Barfield, and a granddaughter Savannah Barfield. Jeff is a retired military chaplain endorsed by the National Association of Congregation Churches. 

Jeff obtained a degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in 1977, M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, in 1981, M.S. in counseling psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of Central Texas in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Human Services with a specialization in Psychology in 2004, from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN.

Since 1987, Jeff has been in private practice as a marriage and family therapist, pastoral counseling and as an employee assistance professional. He works part-time as a substance abuse counselor at District 19 CSB in Petersburg and teaches psychology at Central Texas College at Fort Lee. He is a member of the American for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Association of Pastoral Counselors, American Association of Professional Hypnotherapist, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors and Employee Assistance Professional Association.

Jeff was a member of The Killeen Heights Rotary Club, Killeen, TX from 1999 – 2003 and has been a member of  The Rotary Club, Colonial Heights, VA and served as President in 2005 – 2006. He is currently serving District 7600 area 6 as its Rotary Foundation Advocate. He attended the International convention in Chicago, IL in 2004 – 2005. He is a Paul Harris Fellow.

In other civic activities, Jeff serves on the Anti-Racism Task Force for racial injustice of the Potomac Association, United Church of Church. He is an active member of the First Congregational Christian United Church of Christ, Chesterfield, VA.