Headquarters:
2001 Butterfield Rd., Suite 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Year founded:
1984
Number of employees:
95
Phone:
630 571 5252
Email:
yonhee@jmgfin.com
Website:
jmgfinancial.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/jmg-financial-group-ltd
“We encourage folks to get education and never stop. Just because you graduated college and got your CFP, it doesn’t mean you have to be done. Everyone at the firm has a personalized professional development plan that’s formally checked in on quarterly”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
Anthony D. Cecchini, CFP™
Principal and CEO
Yonhee Choi Gordon, CFP™
Principal, COO and CMO
Jason O’Hallen, CFP™
Principal and President
Leadership
Anthony D. Cecchini joined the firm in 1997. In addition to his current role as CEO, he provides financial counseling to senior corporate executives, professionals, and other high-net-worth individuals. A Certified Financial Planner professional, he holds both JD and MBA degrees in Finance from DePaul University and BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He currently serves as chair of the Investment Committee for The United Way of Lake County.
Principal and CEO
Anthony D. Cecchini, CFP™
Since starting at JMG in 1986, Yonhee has served in many roles as the firm has evolved since its founding. She has presented at various industry conferences on topics ranging from career development to business management strategies, in addition to being featured in various industry publications. She is a Certified Financial Planner professional and was named as one of the 2018 Women to Watch by InvestmentNews. She serves on a number of non-profit boards, including the Foundation for Financial Planning.
Principal, COO and CMO
Yonhee Choi Gordon, CFP™
In addition to his management role, Jason O’Hallen serves as a financial advisor specializing in working with entrepreneurs and business owners. He has extensive knowledge in income tax planning, advanced estate planning, retirement planning, and investment portfolio design. He has spent his career in financial consulting, joining JMG in 1999, and has been instrumental in the firm’s adoption of new technology. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and holds a BS in Economics from Michigan Technological University.
Principal and President
Jason O’Hallen, CFP™
“We encourage folks to get education and never stop. Just because you graduated college and got your CFP, it doesn’t mean you have to be done. Everyone at the firm has a personalized professional development plan that’s formally checked in on quarterly”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
“We spend a lot of time, energy, and money on our firm culture. We put as much emphasis on our team member experience as we do on our client experience. All team members have a say in our firm vision and goals”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
Leadership
“We spend a lot of time, energy, and money on our firm culture. We put as much emphasis on our team member experience as we do on our client experience. All team members have a say in our firm vision and goals”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
“We encourage folks to get education and never stop. Just because you graduated college and got your CFP, it doesn’t mean you have to be done. Everyone at the firm has a personalized professional development plan that’s formally checked in on quarterly”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
Leadership
William Waight, CFP™
Principal and Co-CIO
Bill Waight originally joined JMG in 1991 for four years and then rejoined the firm in 1999 after relocating back to Chicago. He has served as chief investment officer since 2018 and also serves as a financial advisor, specializing in tax and investment planning with extensive experience advising his corporate clients on retirement and estate planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and holds an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University and a BS in Management and Finance from Purdue University. He has also served on the Board of Advisors of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Principal and Co-CIO
William Waight, CFP™
Kate Kammes
Principal and Chief Talent Officer
Before joining JMG, Kate Kammes spent her career in human resources, developing and deploying leadership development initiatives and training managers to effectively lead and build strong teams. In her current role, she takes the time to speak with the employees to understand their needs and desires so that leadership can build and clearly define career paths that are structured and motivating. Kammes holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation.
Principal and Chief Talent Officer
Kate Kammes
For 40 years, JMG Financial Group has been an employee-owned wealth management firm that serves clients in over 35 states. JMG Financial’s fee-only approach allows it to make objective and independent decisions based on each client’s financial objectives.
In addition to building lifelong relationships with its clients, the company also builds meaningful relationships with its employees. The tenured team of more than 90 professionals shares a unique blend of expertise, experience, and success, as well as an equally profound commitment to their clients, communities, and one another.
Succession planning for JMG Financial is just as important as succession planning for its clients. The focus on employees’ professional and personal development is a critical component of the firm’s business strategy and overall success.
“We spend a lot of time, energy, and money on our firm culture. We put as much emphasis on our team member experience as we do on our client experience. All team members have a say in our firm vision and goals”
Lauren Adams
Center for Financial Planning
Nick Defenthaler, CFP, RICP
Partner and Certified Financial Planner
Angela Palacios, CFP, AIF
Partner and Director of Investments
Matt Trujillo, CFP
Partner and Certified Financial Planner
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Nick Defenthaler, CFP, RICP, is a partner and Certified Financial Planner professional at the Center for Financial Planning. In addition to working closely with clients as a Senior Financial Planner, he is a frequent speaker for the firm and has a passion for educating individuals and families on important and timely financial planning concepts.
Defenthaler especially enjoys helping clients through the financial and emotional challenges of transitioning into retirement. Clients often come to him seeking guidance on “how to put it all together” in retirement. As a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), he thrives when helping clients construct their retirement income “puzzle”.
Partner and Certified Financial Planner
Nick Defenthaler, CFP, RICP
Angela Palacios, CFP, AIF, is a partner and director of investments at Center for Financial Planning. Active in the financial planning industry since 1999, she joined the Center team in 2008. She specializes in investment and macroeconomic research and oversees the management of client portfolios.
Palacios also provides leadership to the firm’s investment, technology, and compliance departments. In addition to writing a quarterly investment commentary for the Center, she heads up the firm's investment committee. Palacios also serves as a financial planner with a particular interest in helping members of corporate leadership navigate complicated employer benefits packages.
Partner and Director of Investments
Angela Palacios, CFP, AIF
Matt Trujillo, CFP, is a partner and a Certified Financial Planner professional at the Center for Financial Planning. A team member since 2013 and a partner since 2021, he meets with clients as a Senior Financial Planner, serves on the Center’s investment committee, and frequently writes about financial planning and investment topics for the Center’s Money Centered blog.
Trujillo has more than a decade of industry experience. He has also been named to the 2022 Forbes list of Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors, which recognizes advisors from national, regional, and independent firms.
Partner and Certified Financial Planner
Matt Trujillo, CFP
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
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BDM support
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Overall service level
BDM support
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Medal
Overall service level
Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
Medal
Overall service level
Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
1. presenting a compelling sphere of investments through the Destiny Alternative Fund and unique access to direct and co-investment opportunities for UHNW families seeking opportunities for greater returns
2. creating a niche focus on high-end collectors: Tom Ruggie’s unique insights and perspectives, based on his own lifelong passion for collecting, have resulted in his expertise and thought leadership on this subject, as well as on alternative investments as a whole
3. private trust capabilities: becoming a trust representative office for the nation’s largest trust company
“We encourage folks to get education and never stop. Just because you graduated college and got your CFP, it doesn’t mean you have to be done,” says Adams. “Everyone at the firm has a personalized professional development plan that’s formally checked in on quarterly.”
The Center for Financial Planning also stands out for its history of equal leadership. This is illustrated by women being:
54 percent of the firm’s historical owners
42 percent of the firm’s financial planners
three of the eight current partners
To create meaningful programs and incentives for employees, the firm places high importance on feedback, gathering team members’ ideas through regular surveys and company-wide visioning.
“Our entire firm participated in a 10-year+ visioning process – creating a vision together of what our firm would look like in 2030.”
Team members’ ideas and feedback have resulted in the creation of several employee-led groups, including health and wellness and charitable committees.
“We spend a lot of time, energy, and money on our firm culture,” says Adams. “We put as much emphasis on our team member experience as we do on our client experience. All team members have a say in our firm vision and goals.”
Forbes/Shook Research Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (6x)
Forbes/Shook Research 250 Top RIA Firms (2023)
Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors (11x)
Financial Advisor Top RIA Firms (11x)
USA Today/Statista 500 Best Financial Advisory Firms in the US (2023)
Family Wealth Report Awards Finalist in the category up to and including $2.5 billion in AUM (2022–23)
As Ruggie reflects on all he and his team have accomplished thus far with and for the clients they serve, he remains focused on the ever-evolving needs of clients and how he can best serve them. There are plans to expand the firm’s family office offerings, pursue select M&A opportunities, and launch GenNext, an initiative targeting the younger client demographic.
Ruggie says, “Simply put, we have a growth mindset. We set big goals and have big expectations for ourselves in many areas, starting with the delivery of an exceptional client experience, the desire to continually innovate, and a commitment to invest in ourselves, in best-in-class strategic partnerships, and in the capabilities and services we provide.”
Clients experience deep strategic thinking tailored to their situations, needs, and goals, such as:
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2022, Developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 3/31/21 to 3/31/22 and was released on 8/3/22. 35,465 nominations were received and 1,000 won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: [https://go.rjf.com/42xzx0E] ( Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/#37b154e025ae )
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.
Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2022, Developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 3/31/21 to 3/31/22 and was released on 8/3/22. 35,465 nominations were received and 1,000 won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: [https://go.rjf.com/42xzx0E] ( Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/#37b154e025ae )