Our Team
Jeff Hudson
Co-Founder and Principal
My dad taught me at a young age to love others and treat everyone with compassion and empathy. Sometimes, I would go
with him to work at his family medicine office, and I observed how he would talk to his patients. The biggest thing that stood
out to me was how loving and concerned he was with each of his patients. He truly cared about them and their health.
Watching my dad talk to people made me realize I would want to own my own business one day—because like my dad, I had
a love for people, and I wanted to help them improve their lives in some way. I wasn’t sure what that business would be until
I experienced a life-changing event on May 3rd, 1980. My mom was killed by a drunk driver who veered across the road. She
was only 34. She had done no financial planning and had no will—and to make matters worse, she had no life insurance. So in
addition to our grief, my dad, sisters, and I experienced a lot of extra problems and unneeded stress.
That’s what sparked my interest in the advisory business. I was determined to learn a process that would prevent people
from having to face what my family faced. On April 1st, 1999, I began my advising career with nothing more than a pen, legal
pad, and a small office in downtown Columbus, Georgia. I started from scratch with zero clients. In those early years of calling
on family-owned businesses, I was surprised at how many businesspeople lacked any sort of written financial plan—so I
focused on that niche. Being so busy building their own businesses, these people were stuck, and their lack of organization or
planning regarding taxes, retirement, and succession planning was affecting their profitability.
Today, my goal is to treat my clients the way my dad treated his patients: with empathy, trust, and compassion as I improve
their quality of life. Whether we’re finding creative ways to retain and reward your top executives, helping you transition
your company to the next generation, or planning your retirement and exit strategy, my team and I can work with your
current advisors to create a well-thought-out plan and get you “unstuck”—so you can move from where you are today to
where you really want to be.
Who I help
I specialize in working with business owners and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, ranging from film producers to
electrical and commercial contractors. I love the challenge of helping hardworking business owners navigate their complex
financial worlds and being an accountability partner to ensure things get done.
Education & Background
I have a bachelor's degree from the College of Business and Industry at Mississippi State University, where I played collegiate golf for the Bulldogs, persevering until I secured a spot on the team my senior year. After college, I worked as a golf teaching professional before launching my career as an advisor in 1999.
Comunity Involvement
I enjoy being involved in the community and making a positive impact wherever I can. I serve on the board of the Boys and
Girls Club, where I also chair the Resource Development Committee. At my church, St. Paul United Methodist, I play an active role on the board. I’m also a member of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) and have previously
served as the president of our local chapter.
Personal Life
My wife Libby and I live in Columbus, Georgia, where I grew up. We’ve been happily married since 1997 and have three kids:
our daughter Ridley, who is currently completing a photojournalism internship in Michigan; our daughter Carter, a film major
at Montana State University; and our son Mercer, a high-school student who is (in my totally unbiased opinion) a superstar in
both baseball and football.
When I’m not in the office, you can likely find me:
- Traveling to Montana with Libby to hang out with our daughters.
- Watching Mercer play baseball and football.
- Advocating for films in Columbus and acting in some local productions.
- Riding in my truck singing 80’s hip hop music.
- Trying to hang with Nolan on the golf course and keep the ball inbounds.
- Chasing fish in the Gulf with friends, family, and clients.
- Working with local charitable organizations to encourage and help youth.
Fun Facts
If you could choose any superpower to have, what would it be?
Oh wow, I would love to fly! With gas prices these days and traffic, this would be very helpful. I could also put in my earbuds and listen to some good 80’s music while I’m gliding around.
What’s your favorite quote or saying?
I have several, but one that comes to mind is Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what age would you choose and what would you say?
At age 18, on the way to college I would have told myself two things…”the road to perfection is always under construction” and “the people you meet in life and the books you read will determine the person you will become”.
Co-Founder and Principal
I have enjoyed jigsaw puzzles for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would spend hours at a time working on them with my father. It’s something that we enjoyed doing together, but I know that my puzzle building technique drove him a bit crazy. I would simply begin wherever my eyes were drawn, which was usually in the middle where the more attention-grabbing parts of the pictures were. Each time my Dad would try to explain to me that beginning with the edges was not only an easier place to start, but that is also made a simpler task of ordering and positioning everything in between. He just couldn’t understand the lack of logic and efficiency.
What do jigsaw puzzles have to do with financial planning? Everything.
Prior to becoming a financial planner, I was in banking for nearly a decade. I cut my teeth making calls for a stockbroker and learning about the world of investments. I transitioned to mortgage lending and later to commercial lending. As a lender, my job was to have a thorough understanding of the customer’s finances to ensure they would have the means to repay the loan. In reviewing their finances, I found the overwhelming majority of people’s financial picture had no semblance of order. They had numerous assets and multiple products (and even advisors) but no logical or efficient plan that coordinated everything. They had started with the middle puzzle pieces. I found that the process of ordering their finances and educating on them on how to best do so was what I was truly passionate about. My father’s lesson had finally taken hold; I was starting with the edge pieces.
I left banking in 2012 to become a financial advisor. In 2015, I earned my CFP® designation and became a partner at Hudson Pendleton Financial Group. I am in the fortunate and trusted position of educating and helping people in all aspects of their financial lives. The magnitude of that responsibility is never lost on me. Combining the work of crafting and implementing a comprehensive plan, the relationships I develop with my clients and the sense of accomplishment we share as their goals are realized is what makes me love my job.
What does the picture on your puzzle box look like? Whether you started in the middle or already have your edges in place, I would love to help you piece together your financial picture.
When I’m not in the office, I can be found:
- With my wife Kelly, trying to corral our three young children
- Asleep (three young children, remember??!!)
- Beating Jeff on the golf course
- Coaching whatever sport(s) my kids are currently playing
Kristin Bourgeois
Kristin joined the Hudson Pendleton Financial Group in 2022 as a licensed service assistant to Jeff and Nolan. She is an experienced and knowledgeable professional, ready to work with you and provide excellent service and support. She earned a B.A. of Business Administration at the University of Georgia and also holds her life and Health insurance license. Prior to the finance world, Kristin worked in banking and property management for 10 years where she was successful with property of the year, 4 years in a row as well as property manager of the year for all the Southeast in 2018.
In her spare time, you can find her taking multiple trips a year to Disney World or being lazy back home on the beach with her son. She especially loves cheering on her Georgia Bulldogs.
Leslie Kaiser
Leslie Kaiser joined the Hudson Pendleton Financial Group team in early 2018. After taking a few years off in 2019 to take care of her twins, she re-joined the team in late 2022. Leslie assists Jeff and Nolan with our wealth management clients. She sets up our new clients and helps them with any of their service requests in their wealth accounts. Leslie has been in the finance industry for over 7 years. She graduated from college with a B.A. in Finance with an emphasis on Financial Planning.
Leslie has re-joined the team remotely due to living in Washington state with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not working, you’ll find her chasing toddlers and spending time outdoors.
Lee Woolbright
Lee joined the Hudson Pendleton team in August 2022. Lee is usually the first person you see smiling when you walk in the office. Lee assists Jeff and Nolan with administrative duties, client interaction and client events.
Before joining Hudson Pendleton, Lee was home raising kids. Prior to that she worked for the Woodruff Property Management for 13 years managing properties and residents. She earned a B.B.A. in Management at Mercer University.
When Lee is not in the office, you’ll see her spending time with her husband, John and three kids, Jack, Amanda and Joshua. She loves walking her dog, Dixie and cheering on her Auburn Tigers!
Our Strategic Resources
As a Member Agent of The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company, Jeff Hudson works hand-in-hand with Nautilus specialists experienced in taxes, estate law, life insurance, accounting, and charitable giving. This relationship helps ensure you benefit from some of the most sound thinking when it comes to your estate.
The Nautilus Group® is an exclusive resource accessible to Member Agents working with affluent, high net worth and business owner clients. Nautilus provides a range of consultative services and technical case design to support its Member Agents in presenting estate, business, charitable, insurance and retirement strategies to their clients and their clients' advisors in these key areas: Family Protection, Estate and Legacy Planning, Business Succession and Exit Planning, Executive Benefits, and Philanthropy.
Since every client has unique requirements, The Nautilus Group® staff and its Member Agents employ an individualized case development strategy, working on a team basis with the clients' professional advisors.
Member Agents of The Nautilus Group®, through their expertise and commitment to this team approach, can provide resources, services and solutions that help their clients work with their own professional advisors to attain clarity on their financial situation and also help achieve their business and estate planning objectives.
This consultative process fosters an understanding between the client, the Nautilus Member Agent, and the client's circle of advisors. Working hand in hand with the Nautilus staff, Member Agents present their clients with state-of-the-art planning strategies and customized case analyses designed to meet the clients' complex objectives. The one-on-one case design process used by Nautilus is tailored to the unique requirements of each client, achieving a better understanding of the complex needs and goals of each individual.
The Nautilus Group® is located in Dallas, TX and is staffed by an elite team of professionals experienced in law, taxation, accounting, business, insurance, finance and philanthropic planning. This team provides dedicated support for Nautilus Member Agents, an elite group of experienced insurance and financial industry leaders, firmly committed to a team planning concept.
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