In the 1964 state basketball championship, Huntington High School was in a tight contest against Lafayette Jeff. In the final moments, Huntington’s Jim Seneff missed two shots in a heartbreaking loss for the Vikings. Seneff blamed himself for the defeat and vowed to always be prepared for future opportunities. Although it took years for him to realize those missed shots didn’t solely cause the loss, Seneff’s commitment to preparedness remained. He built his CNL Financial Group into a multibillion-dollar business, ultimately providing countless opportunities for others through his philanthropic efforts in education, entrepreneurship, and the arts.

Seneff was born in Gary, Indiana, where his father, a World War II pilot, worked in a steel mill and ran a small construction company. The family, including Seneff’s mother and two sisters, lived in a modest two-bedroom duplex before moving into a house built by his father. By age seven, Seneff was already helping his father with construction projects, mowing lawns, and repairing bicycles. Before Seneff’s junior year of high school, the family moved to Huntington, where his father opened an insurance agency.

Seneff’s brief time in Huntington left a lasting impact. He credits Huntington High School basketball coach Bob Straight and football coach Jerry Young for instilling in him the values of character, integrity, and hard work. A three-sport star, Seneff embraced his new home, becoming an honor student and serving as student body vice president during his senior year, with his friend and teammate Mike Weaver serving as president.

After high school, Seneff attended Wheaton College near Chicago but later transferred to Florida State University to escape the harsh Midwest winters. There, he started a business out of his dorm room, buying cleaning products wholesale and selling them at a profit. His early success allowed him to hire a lawyer and a personal accountant.

Though accepted into FSU’s graduate business school, Seneff was drafted into the Army on January 2, 1969, ironically the same day Weaver was also drafted. Assigned to the military police, Seneff was initially sent to Washington, D.C., for riot control during a turbulent time in the U.S. Despite assurances he wouldn’t be deployed to Vietnam, six months into his service, he was sent overseas. Serving in a war zone amid such turmoil, Seneff created a 50-year life plan, envisioning where he wanted to be decades later and working backward to create a manageable timeline. This approach allowed him to progress cautiously, avoiding mistakes and staying confident in his long-term goals.

Returning from military service, Seneff settled in Orlando, Florida, where he borrowed $5,000 from his father to start his business in 1973. His first office was small and sparsely furnished, but Seneff’s determination never wavered. He read voraciously to stay informed about the world and invested wisely, focusing on Orlando’s downtown as it transitioned from a retail district to a financial center. His vision paid off, launching his business’s growth.

Seneff’s careful planning has helped him navigate difficult economic times. Anticipating the housing bubble’s burst, he sold properties in 2006 and 2007, ahead of the 2008 crash. CNL Financial Group has since diversified its investments into banking, restaurants, credit, hotels, resorts, residential housing, and private equity. Since its founding, CNL and its affiliates have formed or acquired companies with more than $36 billion in assets, making it one of the nation’s largest privately-held real estate investment and development firms.

The first half of Seneff’s 50-year plan focused on building his business; the second half has been about giving back. His philanthropy began in the 1990s, and since then, he has donated more than $50 million to various causes. Seneff emphasizes that his life plan wasn’t about making money but building a platform to make a difference. This philosophy has become the foundation of CNL, attracting top employees who share his values.

One of his most significant contributions was a transformative gift to the Florida State College of Business, establishing the James M. Seneff Honors Program. This program provides honor students with educational opportunities, volunteer experiences, and one-on-one mentorship with elite business leaders. Seneff’s philanthropy has impacted a wide array of organizations, including service groups, medical research, education, economic development, and the arts, earning him numerous accolades.

In 2010, Seneff received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, recognizing individuals who have achieved great success despite humble beginnings. Fellow recipients that year included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former U.S. Central Command Commander Tommy Franks. Seneff now serves on the executive committee of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and is president of its endowment fund, which, with a $400 million endowment, is the largest provider of need-based scholarships in the country, helping more than 35,000 students.

Seneff still resides in Central Florida with his wife, Martha. They have seven children and nine grandchildren. He continues to volunteer with various organizations, sharing his life story and experience with young people, emphasizing the importance of a life plan, lifelong learning, and lasting relationships.

The ambitious life plan Seneff crafted as a young man has now come to fruition. Reflecting on his journey, Seneff says, “I gave my mind a 50-year problem to solve. Most people overestimate what they can do in one year but underestimate what they can do in five or 50 years. Sometimes life is best viewed and lived through a telescope. There are no unrealistic goals, only unrealistic timelines.”