Two-time international bestselling author, Jeff Barnes, is a former US Navy Nuclear Power Plant Operator on a submarine, Navy diver, risk management director, technology enthusiast, business growth expert, advisor, and management consultant. Mr. Barnes helps businesses develop systems and processes based on military principles to create exponential growth.
As a nuclear-trained mechanic and scuba diver on a US Navy submarine, Jeff Barnes traveled the world underwater at extreme depths, running a nuclear power plant and sleeping alongside torpedoes while mastering invaluable skills. His innate leadership abilities and understanding of complex systems allowed him to manage the largest division on his submarine and lead the ship’s quality control program.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Barnes joined Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) as a boiler inspector. His discipline and expertise rapidly advanced him through the ranks, making him one of the youngest managers in the company’s history. He was entrusted with managing the largest geographic region, spanning from Alaska and Hawaii to Colorado, and ultimately rose to become Director of Technology. In this role, he oversaw the deployment of mobile technology solutions across the globe, supporting more than 500 inspectors and claims investigators.
Following Munich Reinsurance Company’s acquisition of HSB in 2009, Mr. Barnes's responsibilities expanded further. He became a global innovation coach tasked with identifying cutting-edge technologies and opportunities for investment, partnership, or acquisition. Under his leadership, HSB spearheaded several eight- and nine-figure investments and acquisitions that significantly enhanced both the company’s operations and those of its clients. These investments ranged from crowdsourced insurance platforms and insurance technologies to Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, drones, Agritech businesses, and more. Many of these ventures achieved unicorn status, and some were later acquired into the Fortune 500 landscape for nine- and ten-figure sums, showcasing Mr. Barnes’s ability to identify and nurture high-value opportunities.
In 2018, Mr. Barnes made the decision to leave the corporate world and acquire Angel Investors Network, continuing his passion for advancing innovation and investment throughout the United States. As the CEO of Angel Investors Network, he now helps entrepreneurs bring their products, services, and technologies to market through advisory services, mentorship, and venture capital management. With over $10 million personally invested in digital marketing campaigns, more than 1,000 companies advised, and $1 billion raised in capital under his guidance, Mr. Barnes has developed a reputation for scaling high-growth companies at a rapid pace. His entrepreneurial journey includes building multiple seven- and eight-figure businesses, including an eCommerce company that skyrocketed from $0 to $17 million in just nine months.
Mr. Barnes is also the founder of Digital Evolution Marketing Group and the manager of the Angels & Heroes Venture Growth Fund, which focuses on identifying and managing high-return angel and private investment opportunities. His portfolio spans multiple sectors, including finance, insurance, real estate, health care, IoT, AR/VR, FinTech, eCommerce, and mobility.
In 2011, Mr. Barnes earned his Leadership MBA from the University of Washington. Outside of work, he mentors young professionals and entrepreneurs, coaches his two boys’ sports teams, enjoys the outdoors, travels extensively, and spends quality time with his wife, Amara. Driven by his passion for business growth, innovation, and investment, Mr. Barnes continues to empower others to build thriving enterprises and unlock groundbreaking opportunities.