VANTAGE FINANCIAL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Advisor, Planning Strategist
Adam Walter is excited to be part of the Vantage advising team. A graduate of South Dakota State University with dual degrees in Business Economics and Communication Studies, Adam has been working in the financial planning industry for almost three years. He opened his first business at the age of 19, a Bowfishing guide service, which he successfully owned and operated for six years.
Adam is committed to helping individuals and families figure out their financial puzzle by simplifying each piece. He will meet you wherever you are on your financial planning journey. Whether you are laying the foundation to achieve your financial goals or looking towards retirement, Adam enjoys getting to know people. Working with clients to understand their unique financial puzzle is what drives him.
Adam and his wife Alison wed this past June and have two dogs, Max and Luna. In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time in the outdoors hunting and fishing.
Alma Mater: South Dakota State University
Job Titles:
- Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor
Andy joined the team ten years ago after graduating from Concordia University of Wisconsin with degrees in Finance and Marketing. Whether you are a young growing family, small business owner, or approaching an important milestone in your financial life such as retirement, you can depend on Andy to be your consistent and transparent financial resource. "I truly believe that I have the best job in the world…every day I get to help people strategize, chase milestones and navigate all sorts of financial journeys. My goal is to help clients improve their financial world while giving them some of their time back."
He and his wife, Katie, reside in Elm Grove with their young son, Ollie, and golden retriever, Riggins. Andy is an active member of the community while supporting Leaders Who CARE (a Children's Hospital of Wisconsin affiliate), the HOPE Network (supporting single mothers of southeastern Wisconsin) and the Elmbrook Rotary. In his free time, Andy enjoys spending time with his family (Minnesota & Upper Peninsula roots) and friends, traveling, playing hockey and golf.
Alma Mater: Concordia University
Job Titles:
- June Student Athlete
- June Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- February Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- Office Manager - Client Service Specialist
Brittany is the first voice to greet you on the phone or in the office. She is responsible for scheduling appointments, maintaining client records, and streamlining office processes. Brittany enjoys interacting with clients and providing excellent client service to ensure all concerns and questions are thoroughly addressed.
When away from the office, Brittany looks forward to spending time with her husband, Michael, their cat, Pepper, and farm dog, Copper. Brittany and Mike are active members of Grace Lutheran Church participating in soup suppers, bible study, and fundraisers. A life-long resident of Iroquois, Brittany enjoys being outdoors on the farm and tagging along with her husband as they work on the next project. There is always plenty to do on the farm!
Alma Mater: Augustana University
Job Titles:
- January Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- November Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- September Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- Partner and Director of Financial Planning
Jeremy conducts financial analysis and recommends client investment portfolios according to individual financial goals. Jeremy works closely with all of the advisors to prepare and execute financial transactions. He is often your first point of contact to address your questions and needs.
Jeremy and his wife, Connie, reside in Brookfield with their blended family: Dean (18), Allie (17), Jake (16) and Erika (14). Life is busy with four active teenagers, 3 of whom are driving! In his free time, Jeremy enjoys hitting the links as often as he can.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor
Jesse is the Senior Wealth Advisor and owner of Vantage Financial. With over 20 years of experience, Jesse is committed to building fact-based, thorough financial plans that are focused on your financial goals, not product sales. He and his wife, Jamie, their three children, Tyler (17), AJ (6), and Julie (5), and their adorable Labradoodle, Dash, reside in Elm Grove. With sports, school activities, a graduating senior and long list of remodeling projects, life is full of adventure! Jesse and Jamie are integral members of the Elmbrook Community. They are active contributors to the Unity Lutheran Church, the Hope Center and the Elm Grove Junior Guild.
Job Titles:
- Client Service Specialist
Jessica is excited to be part of the Vantage team. You will often hear her friendly voice when you call Vantage. She enjoys interacting with clients to address their questions and requests. Jessica grew up in Huron and continued her education at Northern State University. She now resides in Huron with her husband, Bo, and enjoys gardening, reading, camping and fishing in her free time. Jessica and Bo are active members of the Bethesda Church of Huron.
Alma Mater: Northern State University
Job Titles:
- Advisor and Planning Strategist
Jessie graduated from The University of Cincinnati in 2012, with a BA in Pre-law and is currently obtaining her MBA at Northern Kentucky University. Jessie is excited for the opportunity to work more closely with clients in a more personalized setting. Future goals include moving to an advisory role. When away from the office Jessie looks forward to spending time with her dog, Sadie, her nieces and nephew. She also coaches dance part time at Revere Dance Studio to dancers of all ages and special abilities including autism, down syndrome, and spina bifida.
Alma Mater: University of Cincinnati
Job Titles:
- Client Service Specialist
Jill is often the first person to greet you on the phone at Vantage Financial. Jill works out of our Watertown office and enjoys interacting with clients to address their questions and service needs. She and her husband Chris reside in Watertown, SD and have two grown sons, Travis and Joshua. In her free time Jill enjoys photography, playing games, baking, and traveling with her husband. They especially enjoy exploring National Parks. Jill and Chris are active members of Hosanna Lutheran Church.
Alma Mater: Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Job Titles:
- Trader and Portfolio Analyst
Josh graduated from UW-Whitewater in May 2019 with a BA in Business Administration with Finance and Financial Planning. After graduation, he worked for UMB Fund Services performing a wide variety of shareholder service functions including account services, trading, and operations. Josh is excited for the opportunity to work more closely with clients in a more personalized setting.
Future goals include acquiring his CFP certification and moving to an advisory role. Josh resides in Mount Pleasant with his partner, Kyle. In his spare time, Josh is an avid gamer and enjoys attending car shows of all kinds.
Job Titles:
- April Student Athlete
- April Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- June Student Athlete of the Month
Kris manages everything "behind the scenes" and is committed to assisting the advisors to promote an incredible client experience. She works closely with the team to seek opportunities for business growth and to assist with client needs and transactions.
Kris, her husband, Chuck, and son, Thomas (20), reside in Menomonee Falls. Now that Thomas is a junior at UW-Whitewater, the house is a lot quieter. Kris and Chuck are enjoying rooting for the Warhawks, rediscovering movies, and visiting wineries and local microbreweries. Kris is the Vice-President on the Board of Directors for The Northwest Lutheran School Association in Milwaukee.
Job Titles:
- CFP®Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor
- Senior Wealth Advisor
Matt is a Senior Wealth Advisor and partner of Vantage Financial. He earned his Certified Financial Planner™ designation in January of 2008. With over 17 years of experience, Matt is committed to providing holistic financial planning to clients to meet their goals and needs. He and his wife Cindy, daughter Belle(11) and sons Jonah(9) and Mauer(5) reside in Huron, South Dakota. During his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his children's many activities. Matt and Cindy are active volunteers and supporters of the James Valley Christian School, where Cindy is the High School Principal and their children attend school. The family is actively involved at Mt. Olivet Church in Huron.
Alma Mater: South Dakota State University, South Dakota
Michael Franks is a Senior Wealth Advisor coming to us from Edward Jones where he had been helping clients for the last 6+ years. Previously, Michael served over 9 years as an infantryman in the U.S. Army with two combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and currently serves in the Army Reserves. Michael is passionate about helping clients pursue the most excellent versions of themselves and understands building a sound financial plan is a valuable tool in that process. He believes that saving for an uncertain future should be tempered with enjoying experiences and living the time you have now.
Michael is married to his wife Emily (15 years) and has three children (Caden 14, Ryanne 10, Piper 4). The Franks family is active at "The Gathering" church (founding member) and their children's school, Mars Hill Academy, where Emily serves as the Athletic Director. When not recovering from two surgeries for a torn bicep, you can find Michael at the gym lifting weights in his free time. An avid reader, Michael always is on the lookout for a new book recommendation. Michael is currently working on his CFP certification and completing his MBA in leadership.
Alma Mater: Excelsior College
Job Titles:
- May Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- December Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- Client Service Specialist
Samantha enjoys working with our clients to assist with scheduling and address their questions and service needs. Samantha graduated from Miami University in 2017 with a BS in Business Management and Leadership. She has spent the last 9 years at Hobby Lobby where she was a Department Lead. Samantha and her husband, Brandon, have been married since 2020 and they are parents to a beautiful little boy, Mason! When she isn't at the office helping the team, Samantha enjoys spending time with family, boating, watching movies, bowling, and crafting.
Alma Mater: Miami University
Job Titles:
- March Student Athlete of the Month
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Client Relations
Sharie manages the daily operations of the office and provides marketing support to Vantage Financial. She is responsible for scheduling and ensures that client service is running smoothly and efficiently. Sharie is passionate about creating a professional and inviting office environment and providing high-level service to you, our clients and friends. She and her husband, Grant, have resided in Elm Grove for 19 years and have three children: Beth (17), Eric (21) and Alex (23, Trinity College Class of 2020). When Sharie is not in the office, she can be found traveling across the country and Canada to cheer on her son who plays college hockey and her youngest daughter who plays U19 hockey on the east coast.
Alma Mater: Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, UPENN