William R. Verhagen, CFP®, CPA, CFS®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®
Senior Advisor
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone:
Fax:
Primary Office: Florida
Phone:
Fax:
With a background in public accounting, William R. Verhagen provides financial, retirement, and estate planning services. His primary clients include those people aged 50 and older who desire to plan their retirement years and pass wealth to their heirs or favorite charities. Bill also works extensively with medical professionals and small business owners who desire to accumulate wealth in order to meet their personal and business goals.
Bill is a 1982 graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a BS in business with high distinction. He is a Certified Public Accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Certified Fund Specialist®, and a Chartered Life Underwriter®.
Bill is an active member of his community and is a member of several organizations, including the American Institute of CPAs, Florida CPA Society, Fun Coast Estate Planning Council, Financial Planning Association, and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Christopher N. Harmon, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®
Senior Advisor
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone:
Fax:
Chris started his career in the financial services industry in 1991. His primary clients are pre-retirees/retirees, educators, professionals, and business owners. Chris’s mission is to assist businesses, families, and individuals in planning for their financial success. He has a genuine interest in helping his clients achieve financial independence through comprehensive financial strategies and programs. He works with a dedicated team of highly trained professionals to tailor your strategy. Chris has built a clientele on long-term relationships and personal recommendations. Areas of focus include comprehensive investment strategies, retirement plan distribution strategies, risk management, and small business planning.
Chris is a 1991 graduate of Alma College, where he earned a BA in business. He has also earned his Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®) designations from The American College.
Chris is active in the community and is a member of several organizations, including past president of Society of Financial Services Professionals, Central Indiana Chapter; Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council; past member of the Board of Directors for Cardinal Stage Company; and is a Keystone of Heritage Society member with the Bloomington Hospital Foundation.
He holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations and holds life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses.
Ian G. Essling, CFP®
Senior Advisor
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone:
Fax:
Ian is a senior advisor and partner at IFS. He began his financial services career in 2002 and works with a select group of families to help them achieve their goals.
Ian is committed to the advancement of the financial services industry, having served as president of the Society of Financial Services Professionals - Central Indiana. In 2021 and 2022, he was honored as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor^. In 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019, he was awarded the Five Star Wealth Manager Award.*
Ian graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington with a BS in business administration. He obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2006.
Ian is actively involved in the community serving on the Indiana University Foundation Wells House Society Advisory board. Ian and his wife, Rachel, reside in Bloomington with their children. He enjoys live music, theater, traveling, running, and drinking wine, and is an avid Indiana University sports fan. During high school and college, Ian played drum sets and percussion professionally in rock, jazz, and steel drum bands.
^Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC., as of 6/30/21. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Overall, 34,925 advisors were considered, and 6,585 (18.8 percent of candidates) were recognized. This recognition and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisor's future performance. Your experience may vary. Winners are organized and ranked by state. Some states may have more advisors than others. You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings. The full methodology that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available here.
*Based on 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria, including a minimum of 5 years as an active credentialed financial professional, favorable regulatory and complaint history, accepts new clients, client retention rates, client assets administered, education, and professional designations. 1,650 Indianapolis area wealth managers were considered for the award, 142 (9 percent of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers. (The criteria provided reflect the most recent year for which the advisor received the award. The criteria used, the number of wealth managers considered for the award, and the percentage of those who receive the award may vary from year to year). These awards are not indicative of the wealth managers' future performance. Your experiences may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Steven S Meier, AAMS®, CRPC®
Senior Advisor
Primary Office: Carmel
Phone: 317-688-9500
Fax: 317-559-9257
Steve works with individuals, families, and business owners in the areas of financial planning, investment and portfolio management, and retirement services. His primary clients are those both saving for their retirement and their children’s education, as well as those in retirement working to both protect their investments and generate a consistent retirement income stream. Steve also works extensively with small business owners and their employees to design, implement and manage workplace retirement plans.
Steve is a 1986 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a BA in interpersonal and public communications. He also graduated from Wheaton College Graduate School in 1990 with a MA in international relations. His credentials from the American College for Financial Services include the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation.
Steve is passionate about international missions and has traveled to almost 30 countries, often in the role of providing aid and relief services. His past experience includes working with the International Red Cross and the US government response team for domestic disasters.
Steve resides in Fishers with his wife and together they have five children and a grandchild. Steve and Susan enjoy traveling and gardening and Steve is an avid hiker and adventurer, including summiting Kilimanjaro and hiking the width of the Grand Canyon.
Nancy Cooper Pitt, JD, CFP®, CDFA®, ADPA®
Senior Advisor
Primary Office: Carmel
Phone:
Fax:
Nancy has a BA from Butler University and a JD from the Frank McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. She has also been awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor designation by the College for Financial Planning.
Her professional interests have always revolved around a desire to help others. In 2000, after serving as a trust officer and heading up the retirement services division of a retirement services company, she had the opportunity to tie my financial skills together and learn the financial planning process. She loves to have the opportunity to help others reach their financial goals.
She loves learning and understanding clients' financial habits to show how changes can make a difference on a daily basis. Helping people to see what is possible, she provides a path and guidance to their financial future. Some clients call her their retirement coach.
Nancy and her husband of more than 40 years, Jerry, met in law school. Jerry is a mediator and arbitrator. They love to travel and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Mark Kraus, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®
Financial Advisor
Primary Office: Florida
Phone:
Fax:
Mark is a consummate professional with years of experience in the complex and ever-changing financial services industry. He is passionate about building long-term relationships with his clients, helping them to attain their financial goals and objectives. Mark believes in the importance of fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
Mark received a BS in business administration from the University of Missouri and has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations from the American College.
Giving back to the community is one of Mark’s greatest passions. He is currently a member of the Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida and the Professional Advisory Committee, where Mark previously served as chair. He was also involved as a board member for the former Jewish Community Foundation of NE Florida and as a member of its Investment Oversight Committee.
He holds his Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses and Life, Health, Property & Casualty and Long-Term Care insurance licenses.
Ed Wildermuth, CFP®, ChFC®, CPA
Financial Advisor
Primary Office: Carmel
Phone:
Fax:
Ed began his financial services career in 2012. Prior to that, he spent 10 years in various roles in corporate accounting and finance. His focus on clients is comprehensive financial planning, which includes investment management, benefits consulting, risk management, and long-term strategies. His clients are typically the working affluent, those who have a high level of income while their assets continue to catch up with that income.
Ed is a graduate of Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. While there, he earned degrees with honors in both accounting and business administration. In 2008, he obtained the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. In 2019, he also obtained the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certifications.
A regular blood donor (5 gallons and counting), Ed decided to partner with the Red Cross and a local craft brewery to host a community blood drive. Since 2017, he has served as a blood drive coordinator for this event, collecting more than 100 units to date.
Ed currently resides with his wife and two daughters in Westfield, IN. His loyalty still lies with the Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. He enjoys golfing, powerlifting, and home brewing. And if you ask nicely, he might even share one of his home brews with you!
Tyler Mattox, WMCP®
Financial Advisor
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone: (812) 337-1999 ext 226
Fax: (812) 336-5542
Tyler began working in the financial services industry after his graduation from Indiana State University in 2013 with a degree in management and a minor in marketing. Tyler's focus once beginning his career has been to work with young individuals and families as they grow and begin to take their first steps into planning their financial future. He works within a dedicated team to help each client achieve their goals.
Tyler holds his FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 securities registrations as well as life, health, and long-term care/partnership insurance license.
Tyler and his wife, Merideth, are a young family with their first child. They enjoy activities together such as playing music and tennis and spending time out on the lake.
Dave Moon, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Primary Office: Florida
Phone: (386) 597-2856, x140
Fax: (386) 597-2854
David has held several positions in the retail banking, broker/dealer, and investment advisory space since beginning his career in 2008. David’s passion throughout his career has always been the people that he’s had the opportunity to work with. He is happiest when helping people and is thrilled to bring that passion to our clients and the IFS team.
Besides helping people, David’s biggest interests include deep and engaging conversations, human physiology, and psychology, playing sports and games, statistics, and probability (risk), and doing anything outdoors. He has volunteered as the head coach of his local youth wrestling program and assistant coach to his local pop warner program. He loves learning and spends a lot of time reading, listening to podcasts, and writing. One day, David hopes to become a great dad.
David is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He has successfully completed his series 7 (FINRA General Securities Representative), series 24 (FINRA General Principal Registration), 66 (NASAA Uniform Combined State Registration), 52 (MSRB Representative), and 53 (MSRB principal) examinations.
Like all associates at IFS, David’s focus is on you! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Jodie R. Fishel, CFP®
Para Planner
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone: (812) 337-1999, ext. 246
Fax: (812) 336-5542
Jodie joined the IFS team in January 2000. Her primary duties include helping advisors build financial strategies, client reports, and other forms of analysis for clients. In addition, Jodie handles the bookkeeping for IFS.
Jodie obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification in August 2005. She is a 1997 graduate of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business with a BS in business. Jodie is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Greater Indiana.
Jodie is a Bloomington native. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Kristie Demmary
New Business Analyst
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone: (812) 337-1999, ext. 225
Fax: (812) 336-5542
Kristie joined the IFS team in fall 2005.
Kristie is a graduate of Ivy Tech with an associate's degree in applied science in computer programming technology. She compiles and processes investment and insurance applications.
Outside of work, Kristie enjoys spending time with her family and is very active in her local congregation.
Melanie Leon
Executive Assistant
Primary Office: Florida
Phone: (386) 597-2856 x100
Fax: (386) 597-2854
Ann J. Flynn
Executive Assistant
Primary Office: Supporting Indiana and Florida
Phone: (812) 337-1999, ext. 247
Fax: (812) 336-5542
Kathy Haney
Receptionist
Primary Office: Indiana
Phone: (812) 337-1999, ext. 221
Fax: (812) 336-5542
Heather Good
Executive Assistant
Primary Office: Carmel
Phone:
Fax:
Heather joined the Carmel office with Steve and Nancy in March of 2020 to lead its operations and marketing. While her unlikely career path from being a hairdresser and small business owner to office manager and executive assistant isn't a straight line, Heather's skills in client communication and customer service have made the transition seamless. She is a relational leader with a strong focus on communication, customer service, and philanthropy.
Heather lives in Westfield with her husband, Michael, and their three children. Avery is a student at Purdue, Jake is finishing high school, and Josie is in middle school. Heather loves football, coffee, reading, and spending quality time with her family and friends. She serves on as president of the Westfield's football parent group, The Rocks Huddle; as a vice president for Westfield Athletic Booster Club; and in the women's ministry at Northview: Westfield campus.