About Me

I have been in the investment and wealth management business since 1986 when I first began work as a commissioned mutual fund broker. In April of 1996 I began my career as a true fiduciary, a Trust Officer in the Trust Department at Citizens State Bank and Trust in Ellsworth, Kansas, a role I sincerely enjoy. Over time I have worked with many clients and businesses to help build and manage wealth for their own benefit, or the benefit of their families as well as the surrounding community. I often say to our staff that you can study trusts and investments and you can attend seminars on wealth management, but until you actually see a client enjoying a comfortable retirement, or an addition to a city park or library, or a college student receiving a scholarship, all of which were made possible through our firm, then it sinks in just how important and fulfilling this job is.

My wife and I still live on, and manage, the farm where I was raised. The challenges of farming in the 1980’s led me to pursue a career in finance. I feel very fortunate to have kept our third-generation family farm intact. I attained my Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1990 and Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation in 2007. Some of my industry and other leadership roles include:

·         Past member of the Kansas Bankers Association Trust Division Board and executive committee, one year as President of that body.
 

·         Past member of the Board of Directors of the Schools of Banking & Trust.
 

·         Member of Class I (1995-1997) of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program and current member of the Board of Directors for KARL.
 

·         Past President of both the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the National Association of  Wheat Growers.
 

·         Currently active in Ellsworth Kiwanis, having served several roles including club President.
 

·         Active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove, Kansas having served a variety of roles.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family, my wife Shelley, my daughter Rachel and son James; and the most wonderful, brilliant and talented grandchildren ever, Ben and his younger sister, Elsie. I enjoy working on my farm in my free time, I love shooting sports, Corvettes, classic rock (Led Zeppelin), playing the guitar and occasionally there will be some artwork in progress on an easel in my home office.

Please call me for an appointment, if you are not a client now, I hope you will be soon.