Jeff graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in journalism and began his career in Pittsburgh as a "cub reporter" for The Wall Street Journal. His career path led him to join The New York Times to manage sales for the groundbreaking New York Times Information Bank—one of the earliest systems to offer digital access to years of archived editorial content. Subscribers received a cathode ray tube (CRT) terminal, printer, and telecommunications equipment enabling access through a telephone line, marking an early milestone in digital information retrieval. 

In 1976, Jeff left The New York Times and, alongside his wife Jenne, founded ONLINE magazine. The publication helped librarians and information professionals navigate emerging online information systems across business, regulatory, legal, scientific, and medical fields. The venture grew to include DATABASE, EMedia, and eContent magazines, a conference division, and a book imprint.

The company Jeff founded, Online, Inc., and Information Today, Inc. were archrivals for over 20 years until the two companies merged in 2002.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jenne Pemberton of Wilton, CT, and by five children, Holly, Adam, Heather, Andy and Chris, twelve grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.