I grew up in Ithaca, Michigan, a small rural town where hard work, community, and common sense were simply part of everyday life. Some of my earliest and most meaningful memories were made on my grandparents’ dairy farm. It was the kind of place where people worked hard, trusted their word, and gathered around the kitchen table to talk about the things that mattered.

That kitchen table is also where my interest in financial planning began.

When I was about 12 years old, my grandparents’ financial advisor would come to the farm to meet with them. Every now and then, I was allowed to sit in on those conversations. I did not know it at the time, but those moments left a lasting mark on me. What I saw was about far more than money. I saw trust. I saw guidance. I saw the confidence that comes when someone helps you make sense of important decisions and plan for the future.

That early experience shaped the way I see this work to this day.

Now, as an independent investment advisor representative, I have the privilege of helping people pursue the goals that matter most to them—the ones connected to their values, their family, and the life they truly want to live. For me, financial planning has never been just about numbers on a page. It is about understanding who people are, what matters most to them, and helping them build a plan that reflects those priorities. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is watching that plan unfold over time because it was built with care, intention, and a real understanding of the person behind it.

Growing up in a small town also taught me something else: people want to feel known. They want to feel safe. They want to know the person sitting across the table understands them and genuinely wants what is best for them. That belief continues to guide both my work and my life.

Outside of the office, aviation has been one of my lifelong passions. I hold a private pilot certificate, and I am currently working toward an instrument rating and a commercial pilot certificate. I also hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate. Aviation has shaped the way I think about planning in every area of life. Many people see flying as risky, but pilots know the real objective is not to eliminate risk altogether—that simply is not possible. The objective is to understand the risks, prepare carefully, and make sound decisions as conditions change. Flying demands discipline, awareness, and a plan long before takeoff. Financial planning works much the same way. While we cannot remove every uncertainty in life, we can prepare for it, make thoughtful adjustments, and move forward with greater confidence.

I also love being outdoors. Whether it is mountain biking, running, camping, hiking, motorcycling, or skiing, I enjoy being active and spending time in places that remind me to slow down and appreciate what matters most. Some of my favorite memories have come from spending time with my family, especially exploring our National Parks together.

My wife, LaDawn, and I have been married for 37 years, and together we have three children. Along with our two grown children, we were grateful to welcome our youngest son into our family through adoption two years ago. He is now two years old and has brought a whole new kind of joy, energy, and perspective into our lives. Life has a way of surprising you with blessings, and he has certainly been one of ours.

Serving others has also always been important to me. Over the years, I have served Ithaca Public Schools as a member of the Board of Education, including in the roles of Board President and Secretary, and I am also a past member of Rotary International. I value being part of organizations that encourage service, growth, and professionalism, including the Financial Services Institute, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the North American Trainer Association, and the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association.

At the end of the day, I believe the best financial planning begins the same way the best conversations do—by sitting down, listening well, and understanding what matters most. That belief started for me at a kitchen table on a dairy farm, and it still shapes the way I serve today.

Born in Albany, Georgia, I moved to Amelia Island with my family as a young boy. After graduating from Fernandina Beach High School, I returned to my home state to attend Mercer University and the University of Georgia, earning a B.A. in Finance and a Master of Education, respectively.

I have now been an independent investment advisor representative and financial planner for over two decades. Time flies when you are having fun! It has been an absolute pleasure assisting clients achieve their goals and to be a part of their lives is incredibly rewarding. When I got into this business, I never dreamed it would lead to some of my most cherished relationships.

Back home on Amelia Island, I have been blessed with an amazing family: my wife, Katie, and son Jacob, and I am thankful for them each and every day.

I love sports, live music, reading, and teaching. My mother was an elementary school teacher for over three decades, so teaching is in my blood. Over the years, I have been a professor at the University of North Florida, an instructor of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM curriculum, and taught courses on CFP® Ethics. I’ve also conducted benefits training seminars for various federal agencies including Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Forest Service.

I am active in the Northeast Florida community through volunteer work with Memorial United Methodist Church. I am also currently a member of both the Northeast Florida Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association. I combine my love of baseball and family by coaching my son’s Babe Ruth t-ball team.

One last thing… I was recently reminded that my high school yearbook quote was, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that’s the stuff life is made of,” which is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Time. It has always fascinated me. My hope is that you invest yours wisely.

I have been working for 168 Wealth Strategists full-time since June 2001. I bring my experience and training in media and communications from Specs Howard School of Media Arts (formerly Broadcast Arts) to my role at 168 Wealth. I enjoy the movie experience and like to create when I have free time. As a key contact at 168 Wealth for a subset of clients, I not only work closely with the advisors but am an advocate for the best possible client experience. I am a non-registered administrative associate of J.W. Cole.

What I enjoy most about my job is helping clients resolve their issues. It gives me a sense of satisfaction when I can do that. I try to be a friend, guide, teacher, and problem-solver when I work with clients. I was born and raised in southeast Michigan and still live fairly local to where I grew up. My husband is Will and he supports me in everything I do. Many of the clients know him well and even ask about him at meetings/phone calls.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, creating videos, writing, watching movies/TV, volunteering with the deaf community, learning new things, gardening, playing pickleball, and traveling. I am trilingual (English, Spanish & American Sign Language) and I am passionate about using my language skills to help and connect with others.

I am a Relationship Manager as well as the IT and Operations Administrator of 168 Wealth Strategists, Inc. where I have been working for 23 years. My role includes providing service to clients and support to advisors, as well as administrating the technical infrastructure of the company. My goal is to ensure that our clients have confidence in placing their financial concerns with us so that they can achieve their lifestyle goals with values that are important to them.

I am also an administrative professional with experience in office management, legal and insurance environments, the health & fitness field, and industrial technology. I rejoined 168 Wealth Strategists in 2004 after working for them from 1998 to 2001.

I was born and raised in Walled Lake, Michigan, and currently live in Palm Beach County, Florida. I love the beaches here and the gorgeous weather that goes with them. I got involved in the Palm Beach theater scene back in the 80’s and 90’s, and appeared in about a dozen shows. My husband, Rick, who I met during my years in theater, recently retired as a teacher and we are now enjoying traveling both. I have three sons. In my free time, I enjoy the beach, spending time with my family, cooking, fitness training, and volunteer work.