Savant Capital Management Continues to Grow in the Rockford Region
Savant Capital Management, an independent, nationally-recognized fee-only wealth management firm, is pleased to announce it has added a team of new employees to its headquarters located in Rockford. The firm employs more than 150 team members throughout the Midwest and Washington, D.C. area, with 103 working from its Rockford headquarters.
Ronda Barkley joined Savant as a client services assistant. She supports client services representatives who work closely with clients, their advisors, and financial custodians to ensure the day-to-day ongoing needs of clients are met. Barkley has been involved in the administrative services industry since 2008.
Jessica Grunzke joined Savant as an administrator and is a member of the Retirement Plan Services Team. She provides support to plan sponsors and participants and serves as a resource for financial advisors. She works closely with plan recordkeepers and third-party administrators to ensure a high level of service to Savant’s retirement plan clients.
Grunzke has been involved in the retirement plan services industry since 2013. She has experience with various types of retirement plans including 401(k), profit sharing, cross tested, safe harbor, and multi-employer plans. Grunzke earned a bachelor of science degree in management with an emphasis in human resources and a minor in business administration from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is a Qualified 401(k) Administrator and a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries and Women in Pensions Network.
Emily Keilback joined Savant as the program manager for talent development and is a member of the Administrative Team. She is responsible for creating and implementing strategies for Savant team members to utilize their strengths, meet their professional goals, and grow their careers. She develops and facilitates training, learning, and skill-building opportunities for staff.
Keilback earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication and English from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, and a master of arts degree in communication from Washington State University. She holds an Associate Professional of Talent Development certification and is a member of the Association for Talent Development.
Douglas Moffitt joined Savant as the chief advisory and development officer. He is a member of the Executive Team, has a membership interest in the firm, and has oversight responsibility for the Advisory Team.
Moffitt has been involved in the financial services industry since 1985. Prior to joining Savant, he served as director of wealth management for a private bank near Miami, Florida, and led the New York investment department for one of the largest trust companies in the country. He earned a bachelor of science degree in communication from Northwestern University and a master of business administration degree in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Sherri Nelson joined Savant as a retirement plan services assistant. She is responsible for performing a multitude of tasks to support the servicing of retirement plan clients. Nelson has been involved in the financial services industry since 1998. She has extensive administrative experience, previously serving as an account coordinator for a worldwide commercial insurance and employee benefits corporation. Nelson earned an associate of arts degree from Rock Valley College.
James Simonovich joined Savant as an associate in the firm’s Accelerated Career Development Program. This advisor training program allows employees to gain broad exposure to the foundational areas of Savant while acquiring valuable knowledge and experience for a successful transition to a financial advisor.
Simonovich has been involved in the financial services industry since 2016. Prior to joining Savant, he worked for a multi-national professional services network, providing consulting, deal modeling and structuring, tax compliance and planning services to private equity firms, hedge funds, and family offices. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in accountancy from North Central College and a master of accounting science and leadership degree from Northern Illinois University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.
John Tejeck joined Savant as the business development manager for the firm’s Retirement Plan Services Team. He is responsible for managing the needs of Savant’s retirement plan clients, including initial plan design and ongoing plan consultation and service. He works with clients, advisors, strategic partners, and portfolio managers to coordinate effective retirement plans and strategies.
Tejeck has been involved in the retirement plan services industry since 2007. Prior to joining Savant, he was a vice president and account executive for Aspire, the retirement plan service provider that partners with Savant. He is a former professional baseball player with the Seattle Mariners organization. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.
Donna Thompson joined Savant as the risk management analyst and is a member of the Administrative Team. She is responsible for analyzing and auditing business processes to identify and mitigate risks throughout the company. She also maintains auditing policies and procedures and assists with Savant’s cybersecurity program.
Thompson has been involved in the financial compliance industry since 2001 and is a Certified BSA/AML Officer.