Natalie Jo Merkley

Jacob Ahlbrand, CPFA® Regional Director Jacob graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a degree in Finance. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 65, and 24 registrations, state insurance licenses, and has earned the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation. Jacob is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions with confidence. His planning-first approach allows him to develop personalized strategies that align with each client’s goals, whether they are building wealth, preparing for retirement, protecting their families, or planning for future generations. His areas of focus include wealth management, retirement planning, insurance strategies, estate planning, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends, Jacob works to provide thoughtful guidance in an ever-changing financial landscape. He believes lasting relationships are built on trust, transparency, and delivering personalized advice that evolves alongside his clients’ lives. Jacob has been recognized for his outstanding performance and commitment to excellence throughout his career. His most recent honors include: * Best of Dubois County – Financial Advisor * #1 Wealth Management Advisor – DSF Mid America Complex Outside the office, Jacob enjoys spending time with his wife, Kennedy, staying active, and making memories with family and friends. He also enjoys finding meaningful ways to give back and make a positive impact.

Lisa Clark is a financial advisor at Champion Financial Inc. in Velpen, Indiana, with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Champion Financial since 2011. Champion Financial, Inc. is an independent registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients through financial coaching, investment, and financial planning. The firm emphasizes broad diversification based on Modern Portfolio Theory and the Efficient Market Philosophy, providing asset allocation recommendations and monitoring while outsourcing portfolio management and custody to a third party.

Zachary Gordon is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Fifth Third Securities since 2023 and Fifth Third Bank since 2022. Prior to his financial career, he was involved with Christmas Lake Golf Club for 17 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is a musician in the group Five Under in Jasper, Indiana. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs that combine third-party portfolio managers, strategist portfolios, and advisor-managed sleeves, with features including direct indexing and a tax-overlay service.

Derek Budd is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at Commonwealth since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-owner of Eagle Crest Financial Services Inc. and owns an S-Corp for personal tax purposes. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and hundreds of thousands of individual and institutional clients, managing roughly $212.7 billion in assets. The firm provides a broad adviser-support platform including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement consulting, and custody services.

Eric Kieffner is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Commonwealth since 2016. He is co-owner of Eagle Crest Financial Services Inc. and owner of Kieffner Advising, LLC, entities involved in securities, advisory, and insurance activities. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 affiliated advisors and managing about $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm provides a broad adviser-support platform including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement and plan consulting, and custody and clearing services.

Ethan Beckman is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Jasper, IN, holding a Series 66 designation. He has one year of industry experience, with prior roles including positions at Arthur J. Gallagher and entrepreneurial ventures such as Plaid and Timber Axe Throwing Company. Outside of finance, he has been involved with local businesses and organizations like Parlor Doughnuts and the Dubois County Bombers. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of investment advisory programs and strategies. The firm is notable for its extensive retail advisor network, affiliated mutual funds, and trustee services.