Zale and his wife, Kristen, have called Olympia home for nearly three decades. Married for more than 27 years, they’ve raised two sons, Sam and Charlie, who are now young adults carving out their own paths.
Sports have always been a big part of the Crawford family story - and a shared thread that’s shaped how they live, learn, and connect. Both Zale and Kristen were college athletes, earning scholarships - Zale in football at the University of Puget Sound and Kristen in basketball at Saint Martin’s College. That love of athletics carried into family life, with their boys competing in football, baseball, basketball, and cross country. Zale has coached many of their teams over the years, and values the lessons sports teach beyond competition: leadership, discipline, teamwork, and goal‑setting.
Outside of sports, the Crawford family spends as much time as possible outdoors. Spring and summer often find them out on the water fishing for salmon, crab, and shrimp - catches they love sharing with friends and family. Fall and winter bring hunting season, along with camping, hiking, and biking whenever schedules allow. For Zale, being outdoors is both grounding and energizing.
Professionally, Zale founded Pillar Financial Group in 2013 with a simple belief: many people prefer working with a local, independent financial advisor who truly knows their community. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Zale previously served as a senior financial planner and agency manager for two large national firms. He grew up in Elma, Washington, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from the University of Puget Sound in 1995.
Kristen has dedicated her career to education, teaching elementary school for more than 25 years. She has been part of the Tumwater School District, where she teaches reading to children in kindergarten through fourth grade - a role she continues to find deeply meaningful.
Giving back has always been important to Zale. In addition to coaching youth sports, he previously served two years as President of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, supporting their mission to inspire and enable young people to reach their full potential. He is still active on committees with the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Family, community, and both personal and professional long-term relationships, remain at the heart of everything Zale does.