Kevin Merling, AIF®, CFP®, CPFA
Founder, Wealth Advisor
After graduating from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Finance in 2007, Kevin was recruited by Fidelity Investments where he spent the first nine years of his career. Beginning his career in the midst of a financial crisis taught him valuable lessons about the importance of having a financial plan. Since then he’s had the opportunity to work with thousands of clients during the best and worst market cycles, providing an in-depth understanding of how to prepare for both.
Kevin specializes in working with small businesses and pre-retirement individuals developing strategies for saving, investing, tax efficiency, college planning, and charitable giving. He believes everyone should have a comprehensive and customized financial plan to help them pursue their goals, avoid pitfalls, and leave behind the legacy they intend.
The driver behind all Kevin does is building deep, long-lasting relationships with all his clients and their families. Throughout his career, he has worked hard to ensure that his clients know that no other advisor cares for their personal and financial well-being more than he does.
Kevin holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations through LPL Financial, as well as Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Licenses. He earned the AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) in 2018 and the CPFA (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor) in 2020. In 2021, he also completed the extensive coursework and comprehensive examination to become a CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM) professional. All CFP® professionals are held to rigorous education, training and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients’ best interests as fiduciaries.
Kevin and his wife Katie wrangle their two crazy kids and Bruce the Great Dane in Naperville, Illinois where they love doing outdoor activities with each other. When not occupied with kid-herding, Kevin can be found honing his impressive DIY skills, “wowing” his family with his home remodeling successes, or working up to his next Triathlon