About Us

I grew up in Northfield, Illinois, a quiet suburb outside Chicago. When I was eleven, my father died. That loss crystallized something fundamental in me: a sense of purpose rooted in responsibility and care for others.

After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with distinction in the Continental Color Guard of the 3rd U.S. Infantry ("The Old Guard") at Arlington National Cemetery. The military forged my discipline and integrity, and taught me that individual excellence exists to serve something larger than oneself.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Mason University and worked at Celera Genomics on the Human and Drosophila genome projects, contributing to the landmark mapping of human DNA. My work was published in Science magazine. But even in that prestigious role, I saw myself as part of a larger mission: to advance human knowledge in ways that could ultimately improve lives.

On September 11, 2001, while at home with my young children, I watched the plane strike the Pentagon. That moment prompted a decision to return to my roots near Chicago and seek work more directly connected to people's wellbeing and security. I joined Northwestern Mutual, beginning a 17-year career dedicated to helping families protect what mattered most to them.

I rose through the organization, first as a life-insurance underwriter in the home office, then as Director of Client Relations in Cincinnati. My expertise deepened with each role, but so did my understanding that technical knowledge alone was never enough. I pursued a Master of Science in Financial Services and earned 9 professional designations: CFP^®, CLU^®, ChFC^®, CASL^®, RICP^®, ChSNC^®, AEP^®, CAP^®, and CKA^®. Each one represented a commitment to understand a different dimension of my clients' lives so I could serve them more effectively.

In 2012, I founded Scheeler Financial Group as an independent wealth-management firm to create a place where financial planning became a gateway to a more purposeful life. In 2019, I partnered with Private Advisor Group, deepening our capabilities while maintaining complete independence and fiduciary alignment.

I remain an avid student of history, theology, science, business, and Scripture. I believe that wisdom about money and meaning cannot come from finance alone. I pursue intentional growth across seven key life dimensions: spiritual, intellectual, physical, relational, emotional, financial, and vocational. Real wealth flourishes only when a person's entire life is in balance, and this conviction shapes how I work with every client.

My wife, Ellie, and I have walked through both profound joy and deep sorrow. In 2018, we lost our oldest daughter, who had Down syndrome. That loss deepened our compassion for families navigating complexity, disability, and loss. Together, we helped found the Ken Anderson Alliance, supporting adults with intellectual and developmental differences. We remain active in prison re-entry, housing, and faith-based community initiatives. Our five living children, spread across the country, are a source of deep joy.

I lead Scheeler Financial Group with the conviction that has guided my entire life: 

Wealth is not the end—it's a means to live with purpose, generosity, and peace.

Designations/Certifications in order of attainment:

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU^®)
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC^®)
• Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL^®)
• Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP^®)
• Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC^®)
• Accredited Estate Planner (AEP^®)
• Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP^®)
• Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS)
• Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA^®)

CASL and RICP conferred by The American College.

Licenses:

• Series 6, 7, 63 registrations held through LPL Financial and 66 registration held through LPL and Private Advisor Group.
• Life & Health
• Licensed in AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, I joined Scheeler Financial Group in 2019 after graduating from Xavier University with a BS degree and a minor in Business. Shortly after graduating, I began working in the mortgage industry, where I specialized in improving clients' lives by guiding them step-by-step through the entire mortgage refinance process.

What I loved most about the mortgage industry was providing exceptional service and care for clients during important financial decisions. This passion for helping people with their finances led me to make the transition to Scheeler Financial, where I could bring the same energy and dedication to improving people's financial lives in a broader capacity.

As Director of Client Services, I'm responsible for case preparation, service, and underwriting, and various marketing initiatives within our practice. My role allows me to work directly with clients throughout their financial planning journey, helping coordinate the technical aspects of their plans while maintaining the high level of personal service that our clients expect and deserve.

The experience I gained in the mortgage industry taught me the importance of clear communication and careful attention to detail when handling significant financial matters. I bring this same approach to my work at Scheeler Financial, where I'm committed to making complex financial processes as smooth and understandable as possible for our clients.

I have been working with Scheeler Financial since 2006, serving as Client Relationship Manager and Chief Operations Manager. I am Life and Health licensed and function as Director of Special Operations, coordinating technical projects and providing comprehensive client support for investments, insurance, rollovers, and transfers. Having worked in all areas of our practice, I specialize in providing the care and attention that each client deserves, combining my operational expertise with my passion for helping people navigate complex financial processes.

Born in Boston and raised in an Army family, I spent my school years moving across the United States and Europe, living everywhere from Arizona to Kansas, Germany to Belgium. I graduated with my BA in Latin from Mount St. Mary's College and earned my MSBA from Boston University Brussels.

My first career was with the US Military Intelligence community, working at NATO HQ and SHAPE HQ in Belgium before relocating to work at DIA and other locations in the DC Metropolitan area. This background gave me strong analytical skills and attention to detail that serve me well in financial services.

Rick and I were married in 1997 and currently reside in Mason, Ohio, with our five children. In 2018, we experienced the devastating loss of our daughter Mary, who had Down syndrome and was known for her joy and ability to make people feel loved. While this loss will be with us forever, we are committed to using our experience to help others and making a positive impact in our community through our strong Catholic faith.

I bring over 20 years of management experience to Scheeler Financial Group through my various roles at Fifth Third Bank. As Operations Manager, I'm initially focused on helping streamline our processes through documentation review and development, along with conducting quality and compliance audits that maintain the high standards our clients expect.

My role encompasses leading project implementation, team leadership initiatives, and handling day-to-day operations that keep our practice running smoothly. The extensive experience I gained in banking operations has prepared me well for managing the complex requirements of a growing financial services practice.

As a Cincinnati native, I hold an AA in Liberal Arts from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Quality Management from the College of Mount Saint Joseph. This educational background in quality management, combined with my practical banking experience, allows me to bring a systematic approach to improving our operational efficiency while maintaining the personal service that defines our client relationships.

I'm excited to contribute to Scheeler Financial Group's continued growth and success by implementing processes that support both our team and our clients' needs.