Jackson County's Best and Brightest Profile: Jason Cielen

For Jackson Magazine's Best and Brightest Young Adults June issue

Jason Cielen doesn’t see himself as just a public accountant, he’d like to think of himself as more of a dream enabler.

“Not being (someone’s) accountant they pay money to do things, but being their friend who they can get honest answers from is what I want to be,” said the 30-year old accountant who graduated from Hanover Horton High School. “There are a lot of really good, honest people around Jackson who I enjoy helping.”

Cielen currently is on staff at Gross, Puckey, Gruel & Roof, P.C. and he hopes to earn his CPA by this summer.

He said the accounting field is a good fit for him because when the economy is struggling he finds ways to alleviate fears and set budgets, and when the market is strong he helps people realize their biggest dreams.

Cielen also takes time out of his busy schedule, which includes raising a three-year old daughter with his wife, to give back to the less fortunate.

He has been active with St. Stan’s and St. Mary’s churches in helping with food drives and fundraisers, and he has also done some work with the Knights of Columbus.

“What drives me is I just want to see Jackson, I want to see all of Lower Michigan better,” he said. “I remember going to grandma and grandpa’s house on Chester Street growing up and I wouldn’t even want to drive past it anymore.”

He also has been the treasurer for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County, a non-profit that coordinates, plans and advocates for arts and cultural experiences.