Meet the Team

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Jason Harness, Founder and Principal of Harness Financial, is an advocate for his clients, working with them to produce a more fulfilling retirement. He asks his clients the hard questions about their financial strategies and challenges them to discover what is most important. He empowers, educates and helps his clients move towards those important financial goals.

Jason believes that a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ financial lives and periodic reviews leads to better results. He encourages his clients to think about how their priorities could evolve and helps them create strategies that respond to their changing needs. Jason delivers thorough meeting notes, after client meetings and workshops, that serve as a roadmap to help create and monitor their financial progress.

Jason’s services are especially valuable to business owners, corporate executives, as well as high-income and high-net-worth individuals, and their families. Practicing for the better part of two decades, Jason has the knowledge and experience to help his clients prepare for a successful exit, protect what they’ve sacrificed for, enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding retirement, and leave the legacy they care for to their family and community. He views the financial process as a team sport and regularly collaborates with his clients’ other advisors and can offer introductions if his client’s need to expand their team.

Jason is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree. He began his career in the finance industry in 2002. Jason earned his Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) designation in 2018 and his Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation in 2019.

Jason resides in Saint Louis with his wife, Jill, and their son, Henry. He enjoys hiking with his family, being on the water, playing the occasional sand volleyball game and traveling. During the fall football season, you can find Jason back in Columbia rooting on the Mizzou Tigers!

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I started in the financial world after a 22-year career in IT, where I wore many different hats. I first started working in IT at a small, local computer store and internet provider. I held many different roles over the years beginning from the help desk, working up to a senior engineer and manager. I worked on implementation, ongoing support, and decommissions of several integrated systems which affected thousands of users, and sites all over the country.

Many of the projects that I oversaw had no margin of error when it came to downtime. Having a solid plan, built on experience, collaboration, and testing was key to ensuring success. 

I joined Harness Financial in 2019, where I work with my brother, Jason Harness. We have a team of administrative professionals who make sure we are delivering top notch service. Our total scope of work includes Insurance Strategies, Portfolio Analysis, Retirement Planning, Financial Planning, and Business Exit Planning. 

I was always learning when I was in IT and I brought that passion to the finance world, where I continue my education. In 2019 and 2020, I passed the Securities Industry Essentials, Series 6, and Series 63, Series 65, and Series 7 exams. In 2021 I earned the  Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation. I completed my Property and Causality license in 2021. I also earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation in 2021. I continue to take courses and add to my knowledge.

When I am not focused on my clients, I am spending time with my family. I have two daughters named Mia and Evelyn, as well as a son named Cruz. We live in Ballwin, Missouri. As the head coach to a softball team, and father to another softball player, you can usually catch us at a ball field around the area. I also CrossFit in the mornings. I received my scuba diving certification in 2022. My family loves to hike and explore new places. We are also avid foodies and can find us trying out a new restaurant. If all else fails, you can find me running the trails around the area or competing in obstacle course races such as Spartan Races. 

I am a big believer in team sports and what benefits they bring to our kids, and I bring that passion to the Sports Commission Associates, a 501(c)(3) organization, as a board member. I co-chair our annual trivia night and I volunteer for our other events. I love giving back to our community and I am a member of the West County Chamber of Commerce.

Rachel is the most recent addition to the Harness team. She brings 10 years of customer service and client experience with her. You will recognize her by the bubbly personality, and she is likely the first voice you will hear when you call into our office to schedule your appointment. Rachel loves to help people and is passionate about providing the best possible client experience.

Rachel is the lead of special event planning and client outreach for our organization. She strives to make scheduling your appointment seamless and pleasant.

She is a graduate of Truman State University with a BA in German. She is a St. Louis native and knows the unwritten rule of asking which high school you went to. She currently lives with her husband and dog, Kosmo. She also enjoys going to the lake and kayaking as well as enjoying the company of her friends and family.