I was born into a family that had a sense of adventure and a spirit of planning toward the future. At the age of 19, my father was flying P-38s from Italy over Germany during the last two years of World War II, and early Air Force F86 Sabre jets by the time I was born in a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Our family transferred to Arizona, then Florida, and, later, Vandenberg Air Force Base, where my dad did engineering work for the space program while still maintaining his pilot roles.

When I was in second grade, after my father’s military retirement, my family settled down in Santa Monica, where my mother was born and raised. While flying may have been in my DNA, my need for speed always focused around cars. In high school, I saved up $800 from boxing groceries to purchase a used 1965 Mustang convertible, which I still own to this day. At that time, I also attained the rank of Eagle Scout in a very active troop, where I later helped as an assistant scoutmaster. This period helped foster my love of camping and travel, as well as my leadership skills.

After initially attending UCLA studying pre-medicine, I shifted majors and decided to get into business. I transferred to UCSB and graduated with a Business Economics degree at age 21. Later that year, I began training as a financial advisor, and, by my mid-20s, had attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and managed a successful growing business advising primarily retirees and those close to retirement. I enjoy helping my clients succeed financially and seeing them achieve their goals.

I previously served on the board and as the President of the Ventura County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association as well as the Tri-Counties Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Ventura CPA/Law Forum, and the Estate Planning Council of Ventura County.  I enjoy helping our profession to grow, as well as educating the public to make better financial decisions.  I have appeared on CNBC as well as contributed to articles regarding finance in the Ventura County Star, the New York Times, Smart Money Magazine, Financial Advisor Magazine and Kiplinger's Retirement Report, among others.

As my business grew, so did my family. I married my wife, Sandy, and we raised my stepson, Andy, and our daughter, Jessy. I have always coached my clients not to spend everything today, and also not to save everything for tomorrow, but to lead a balanced financial life with my help and enjoy the journey.

I have endeavored to do that too, with hobbies ranging from camping and traveling with my family, to a long-standing winter skiing group with my buddies from around the country, to playing music (bass guitar and drums) and participating in vintage auto racing with my 1965 Mustang fast back.

I also believe in giving back to our community.  In additional to serving on professional society boards and donating to numerous charitable organizations, I have volunteered in various non-profit organizations over the past years.  I have served as Chairman of the Board for Food Share (Ventura County's Foodbank), as a referee and coach for AYSO (Youth Soccer League), on the board for the Ventura Music Festival, the Planned Giving Committee for the Ventura Botanical Gardens, the Vintage Drivers' Association Board and as a docent at the Woodland Automobile Collection.

I invite you on a financial journey with me and take advantage of a complimentary consultation at Skeels & Fox Wealth Management to determine if you too can benefit from my leadership and experience in planning toward your future financial success!

All the best. — Craig

Pam Grenier is our Vice President of Operations at Skeels & Fox Wealth Management.  She uses her strong leadership skills, organizational capabilities and ability to communicate with clients to ensure that they receive the highest quality of service. Pam oversees the day-to-day operations of our home office, all with a focus on client service.  Pam has more than 45 years of administrative experience, with the last 15+ years in the financial services industry with Skeels & Fox Wealth Management.

I started roller skating when I was 9 years old on the sidewalk and fell in love with it. So much so that I got a pair of used skates and my parents took me to the local roller skating rink for lessons.  That soon became my second home.

I met my husband Sonny when I was 16 years old.  We lived 90 miles apart and we both needed a dance skating partner.  We tried out together and decided we were a good match and became Roller Dance competitive skaters.  We went on to place in hundreds of competitions, including winning our Regional and USA National Champion multiple times. 

After our skating career, we got married and live in Ventura County. We have been married for over 40 years and have two sons: Chad and Cameron who are 9 years apart.  Chad is married to his wife Sarah and they have two beautiful girls: Alyx and Raeleigh.  You bet Grandma loves to spoil them since I raised two boys.  I am fortunate enough that I get to have them over for long weekends.  Cameron and his significant other Kayleen of 10 years live in Ventura.

When I am not in the office you will find me at Skating Plus where I have been teaching roller skating since 1978.  I am either teaching skating or working with my competitive skaters; one who is at a World Class level. It is the best thing in the world teaching someone and watching them grow as a person. I always say I have two families:  One is my family and the other is my skating family; I enjoy making life-long relationships.

At the age of 11, I started volunteering for charity work. My first fund raiser was the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I raised over $3,000 for the event. All the local roller skating rinks skated to Los Angeles to present our checks from our respective clubs on television to Jerry Lewis. It was a day I will never forget. From then on, I continued to do work to give back to others.

For over 20 years my husband and I have been involved with Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families located in Camarillo. This charity offers services for children of abuse and neglect, substance abuse, homelessness and other behavioral and mental health issues.  We volunteered to help with the Wine, Food & Brew Festival, and when we started, around 200 people came.  We took over the Chairmanship of the Committee, and with the help of many volunteers, attendance has grown to more than 5000 people! We have quadrupled the amount of money raised, and it is now voted Best Charity Event in Ventura County.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family or sewing for my granddaughters or knitting that special gift for someone.

Jayne Mansfield is a Client Relationship Manager at Skeels & Fox Wealth Management who works closely with the managing partners to make sure the clients' needs and goals are met on a very personalized level. Jayne has her FINRA series 7, 63, & 65 licenses, she is also insurance licensed (CA insurance Lic #: 0D42917). 

I moved to Ventura/Oxnard beach area in 1977 where I began my career here in Real Estate and then my pursuits led me to the Financial services sector. Ventura county was a fresh feeling after growing up in Los Angeles. Jayne’s long tenure in the financial services industry began at EF Hutton in 1982.

In January that year, I gave birth to my only child, a son who has now graced me with five beautiful grandchildren. I am lucky to have them all very close and treasure my time with them! I have been blessed to have traveled the world and have been so fortunate to experience many other cultures through my lifetime.