Joined Klaas Financial in 1998Stephanie has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry and holds her life and health insurance licenses. Together, Stephanie and her husband Jason have 4 children and 1 grandchild. She enjoys music, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.
Financial Advisors
Investment Adviser Representative
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Investment Adviser Representative
Director of Financial Planning
Investment Adviser Representative
President
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Investment Adviser Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
Director of Human Resources
Investment Adviser Representative
Portfolio Managers
Director of Portfolio Management
Portfolio Management Analyst
Portfolio Trading Analyst
Founder
Founder
Paraplanners
Paraplanner
Paraplanner
Paraplanner
Operations and Compliance
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Client Service Associates
Coordinator of Client & Site Services
Client Service Associate
Client Service Associate
Client Service Associate
Client Service Associate
Client Service Associate
Corporate Coordinator of Client & Site Services
Stephanie Mowers
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
815-877-8440 x123 (Northern Illinois)
608-442-5637 x123 (Southern Wisconsin)
608-442-5637 x123 (Southern Wisconsin)
Nate Breiby, CFP®, CRC®
Investment Adviser Representative
815-877-8440 x120
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Nate graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a BS in Business Finance. He earned his Certified Retirement Counselor® designation in 2015 and his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2018. In his free time Nate enjoys spending time with his wife and watching his two young children grow. In the summer months you will find Nate on the golf course standing on the wrong side of the ball. He is also an avid snow skier who takes an annual trip out to Colorado with friends.
Alli Acker
Coordinator of Client & Site Services
608-442-5637 x139
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Alli received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. She is a Madison native and enjoys attending Badger games and farmer’s markets on the weekends. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family outdoors. She is excited to build client relationships and greet you as you visit our Madison area office!
Maleeah Cuevas, MBA
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Investment Adviser Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
815-877-8440 x122 (Northern Illinois)
608-442-5637 x122 (Southern Wisconsin)
608-442-5637 x122 (Southern Wisconsin)
Joined Klaas Financial in 2006
Maleeah has her MBA from Judson University, a Master's Degree in International Business Management & Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University. Maleeah is married with four children and resides in Rockford. Originally from southern California, she has enjoyed living in the Midwest for the past two decades. Maleeah enjoys spending time with her family, playing piano and traveling. She loves her profession and developing relationships with her clients. Maleeah also founded and leads (WIM) Women in Motion. Maleeah has a membership interest in Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC.
Jenna Armbruster
Client Service Associate
815-877-8440 x125
Joined Klaas Financial in 2013Jenna was born and raised in Belvidere and continues to reside in the greater Rockford area. Jenna enjoys gardening and spending time with friends.
Teera Blevins
Client Service Associate
815-877-8440 x130
Joined Klaas Financial in 2018Teera is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies of Liberal Arts & Science. A native of Roscoe, IL, Teera enjoys spending time with her husband locally, and in Northern Wisconsin at their family cabin. Teera and her husband are avid Cubs fans which is why they named their Australian/Husky mix puppy “Ivy”. They also enjoy pontoon boating and snowmobiling in their free time.
Kyle Kite, MBA, CFP®
Director of Financial Planning
Investment Adviser Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
815-877-8440 x118
Joined Klaas Financial in 2014Kyle began his career in the financial industry in 2011. He received his MBA from NIU in 2015 and became a CFP® professional in 2016. Kyle was born and raised in Rockford and still resides there today with his wife Ashley. In their free time, they enjoy traveling and getting together with friends and family. Kyle has a membership interest in Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC.
Craig J. (C.J.) Klaas
President
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Investment Adviser Representative
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Investment Adviser Representative
608-442-5637 x137 (Southern Wisconsin)
815-877-8440 x127 (Northern Illinois)
815-877-8440 x127 (Northern Illinois)
Joined Klaas Financial in 2007C.J. graduated from the University of Washington with a BA degree in Economics. He married Blair Klaas in 2005 and they have 3 children (Grace, Paige and Landon). C.J.’s father, Craig M. Klaas, founded Klaas Financial in 1976. Prior to entering the retirement planning and investment world, C.J. used to play professional soccer for the Seattle Sounders in Seattle, WA. He was named to the "40 under 40" list of rising young business stars in the Greater Madison area for 2014 by InBusiness Magazine. C.J. has a membership interest in Klaas Financial Asset Advisors, LLC. [view article]
Eric Schwartz, CFP®
Investment Adviser Representative
608-442-5637 x142
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Eric is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Personal Finance. He is also a CFP® professional. Born and raised in Northeast Wisconsin, Eric has called Madison home for over ten years and currently lives on the city’s Near East Side with his fiancé, Spencer. In his free time, Eric enjoys cheering on the Badgers and all of Wisconsin’s professional sports teams, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Craig M. Klaas
Founder
Founded Klaas Financial in 1976Craig has a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois. Craig and his wife, Jan, have 3 adult children and 10 grandchildren with whom they love spending time. Craig is an avid outdoorsman and loves to be outside hunting and fishing. He also enjoys the time he and Jan spend hosting a weekly couple's Bible study in their home.
Kimberly Keller
Client Service Associate
815-877-8440 x115
Joined Klaas Financial in 2019Kim and her husband Joe reside in Machesney Park. They have 2 children Linzy and Mason. Prior to working with Klaas, Kim spent over 25 years in the insurance industry as a Licensed Customer Service Representative. She enjoys watching their kids play basketball and baseball. In the summer, they enjoy spending time together with family and friends water skiing and surfing.
Rita Rhodes, IACCP®
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
815-900-2202 (office)
312-218-4004 (cell)
312-218-4004 (cell)
Rita acts as Chief Compliance Officer and provides compliance support to Klaas Financial through her consulting business, Adroit Compliance. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Phoenix, and over 15 years of experience in regulatory compliance. She also has earned the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP®) designation from the National Regulatory Services/Investment Adviser Association. She and her husband Neal have three adult daughters. In her spare time, Rita enjoys gardening, bicycling, photography, and travel.
Brandi
Client Service Associate
608-442-5637 x141
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Brandi moved to Wisconsin from Denver, Colorado, in May 2018 and loves it! She spends her free time with her wildly curious daughter painting, exploring, and having the occasional impromptu dance party. She loves cooking creative new dishes, shopping for things to fill her recently purchased first home and making new memories with friends and family.
Matthew Weiss, CFP®
Paraplanner
608-442-5637 x138
Joined Klaas Financial in 2017Matthew is a recent recipient of his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification! He received a Bachelor's Degree in Personal Finance with a certificate in Sustainability from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. He has been involved in the financial industry through various organizations, including time spent working as a peer educator in UW-Madison's Financial Life Skills programs. Matthew is a native of the Madison area and has three siblings. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, partaking in Madison's thriving restaurant scene, and spending time with his friends and family.
Melissa Wenger, MBA, SHRM-CP®
Director of Human Resources
Investment Adviser Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
815-877-8440 x114
Joined Klaas Financial in 2016Melissa received her MBA with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Ashford University in 2014, and completed her SHRM-CP® certification in 2021. Melissa has 3 children (Mikayla, Marissa, and Jaxon) and resides in Machesney Park, IL. Prior to working with Klaas, Melissa spent 15 years in management in the banking and finance industry. In her free time Melissa enjoys spending time with family or out riding her motorcycle.
Cheryl Rice
Client Service Associate
Corporate Coordinator of Client & Site Services
Corporate Coordinator of Client & Site Services
815-877-8440 x110
Joined Klaas Financial in 2012Cheryl graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science. She and her husband, Mark, have lived in Rockford since 1983. Cheryl’s greatest joy is spending time with her adult children and three grandchildren. She also enjoys baking, traveling and horseback riding.
Alyssa Ebert
Paraplanner
815-877-8440 x113
Joined Klaas Financial in 2019Alyssa graduated with a BA degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Alyssa has called Poplar Grove home for the last several years. She has one son, named Brennan, who shares in her love for animals. In her free time, she can be found horseback riding, gardening, or attempting a new DIY project!
Todd Eklund, CFA®, CAIA®
Director of Portfolio Management
608-442-5637 x135
Joined Klaas Financial in 2019Todd began his career in the financial services industry in 2008. Prior to joining Klaas Financial, he held investment research and portfolio management positions at other registered investment advisor (RIA) firms within the wealth management industry. Todd is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BA in Economics, and a Political Science minor. Todd holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations. Originally from California, Todd currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin where he enjoys the outdoors, exercising, and doing volunteer work with Toastmasters; a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.
Josh Stirling
Portfolio Management Analyst
608-442-5637 x136
Joined Klaas Financial in 2017Josh graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Business Administration Finance in December 2016. He has passed level 1 of the CFA program in June of 2019 and is now a Level 2 Candidate. Josh and his wife, Kathryn, are both from Plymouth, WI and have family throughout Wisconsin. He enjoys spending time with family and friends going hiking, enjoying both the beer & food scene in Madison, having game nights and going to local farmer's markets on weekends.
Nate Winslow
Portfolio Trading Analyst
608-442-5637 x112
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Nate has nearly 20 years of experience in financial services with a primary focus on securities trading. He is originally from Salt Lake City, but in 2005 he relocated to San Diego where he started his family. Nate is married with two children and moved to Wisconsin — where his wife is from — in June of 2019. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, going to concerts, motorcycling, snowboarding, and playing golf.
Melissa McCrea
Paraplanner
815-877-8440 x111
Joined Klaas Financial in 2020Melissa lives in Rockford with her husband, Ryan, and their two boys, Riley and Reed. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Business in 2006. Before joining Klaas, Melissa worked in the newspaper industry for almost 12 years. Outside of work, Melissa loves watching her boys play sports and enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, and boating in the summer.