PINNACLE SERVICES
Wealth Management
Our Wealth Management service combines comprehensive financial planning and investment management services in one bundled fee.
Wealth Management
Our Wealth Management service combines comprehensive financial planning and investment management services in one bundled fee. Wealth Management services are for clients who want it all on an ongoing basis - encompassing investment management, tax reduction strategies, income and asset protection, retirement and social security planning, budgeting, college planning, and estate planning. We work with you to understand your goals, resources, and concerns, and create personalized recommendations and a detailed action plan. We help you implement and monitor the plan, and are on “on call” to provide financial guidance whenever you need it. Wealth Management clients receive regular updates to their comprehensive financial plans – including detailed Social Security analyses – and our ongoing investment management services.
Investment Management
Our stand alone Investment Management service provides ongoing portfolio management using our disciplined approach to dynamic asset allocation.
Investment Management
Our stand alone Investment Management service provides ongoing portfolio management using our disciplined approach to dynamic asset allocation. We will help you create an investment portfolio that addresses your financial goals while considering your cash flow, taxes, and your risk tolerance. We are not market timers; we follow a long-term disciplined approach to dynamic asset allocation and will monitor and adjust your holdings as needed based on the changing market environment. We emphasize broad diversification using low cost mutual funds and ETFs and regular tax-conscious rebalancing. We track your performance against traditional benchmarks, but your true benchmark for success is your progress toward achieving your goals. Your fee is based on a percentage of the assets under our management.
Comprehensive Financial Planning
Our financial plans can answer a multitude of your financial questions by providing a snapshot of your financial situation as of a given date.
Comprehensive Financial Planning
Our financial plans can answer a multitude of your financial questions by providing a snapshot of your financial situation as of a given date. We work to understand your areas of greatest concern, and then create a personalized analysis and detailed action plan. Your comprehensive financial plan might cover investment strategy, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, Social Security claiming strategies, estate planning and college planning. Each of these areas can also be reviewed independently with a more focused analysis. Financial planning fees are based on an hourly charge for our time.
Retirement and Social Security Planning
Wondering whether you have saved enough money to retire or when to begin taking Social Security? A targeted retirement plan analysis can help answer these questions.
Retirement and Social Security Planning
Wondering whether you have saved enough money to retire or when to begin taking Social Security? A targeted retirement plan analysis can help answer these questions. We work with you to create a retirement plan that assesses optimal retirement savings and withdrawal strategies, company retirement plan options, and potential long-term care requirements. We will help you identify your optimal claiming strategy to maximize your expected lifetime Social Security benefits. Our detailed Social Security analyses often find creative claiming strategies that allow for significantly greater lifetime Social Security benefits.
College Planning
Paying for college can pose a significant financial burden. We will help you estimate projected costs, determine the amount to save in order to fund this need, and recommend the most effective and tax efficient college savings strategies, such as 529 plans.
College Planning
Paying for college can pose a significant financial burden. We will help you estimate projected costs, determine the amount to save in order to fund this need, and recommend the most effective and tax efficient college savings strategies, such as 529 plans.
Divorcee Planning
The financial ramifications of divorce can be devastating. We help you make more informed decisions during this stressful and emotional time by helping you understand your potential financial settlement options and how they impact your financial future. With early entry into the process, our Certified Divorce Financial Analyst on staff will help you set priorities and provide you the financial guidance you need while hopefully reducing your legal costs and accelerating the settlement process. Your marriage may be over, but the rest of your life is still ahead.
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Pinnacle Team
Jim Stork
Principal
CFP®, CFA
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Jim Stork
Jim has spent his entire career analyzing investment opportunities for both institutional and retail investors. He began his investment management career in 1984 as an analyst with Duff & Phelps Corp., specializing in the telecom industry. Jim was a Sr. Vice President and member of the executive management team of Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. when he left in 2000 to establish Pinnacle Financial Group with Larry Uitermarkt.
The most gratifying aspect of working with individuals and couples is helping clients overcome their financial challenges to meet their financial dreams. Whether helping them recover from the emotional and financial shock of losing a spouse, or simply providing clients with the confidence that they are financially ready for retirement, our advice provides peace of mind during some of the most stressful times in anyone’s life. In addition to personal financial planning and investment management, while at Pinnacle Financial Group, Jim has developed specific expertise in establishing and managing charitable trusts and advising families in the use of Family LLCs to manage their business activities and minimize estate taxes.
Jim has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times and has appeared on the Nightly Business Report and CNN. He has spoken before numerous civic organizations on the topics of financial planning and investment management. Jim has been named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago magazine every year since 2012, an honor awarded to less than 7% of the financial advisors in the Chicagoland area.
Jim received his BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Chicago, the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the FPA-Illinois.
An avid Notre Dame fan, Jim also enjoys reading, sports, boating, and staying physically active. He and his wife have six children, two still at home with them in La Grange. Jim has been a resident of Western Springs/La Grange for 30 years and can often be found running - slowly - through the streets of these communities. Jim also cherishes quiet times spent at his lake home in Michigan, relaxing with family and friends.
Jim can be reached at jim@mypinnaclefinancial.com
Bio
Larry Uitermarkt
Principal
CFP®
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Larry Uitermarkt
Larry began his financial planning and investment management career in 1984, as an Associate with Independent Advisors of Itasca, IL. Independent Advisors provided financial planning and investment management services to high net worth individuals, with a particular emphasis on meeting the financial planning needs of medical professionals.
In 1989, Larry founded Uitermarkt & Associates, the predecessor to Pinnacle Financial Group. Uitermarkt and Associates offered independent financial planning and investment management services. With the advent of discount brokerage firms such as Charles Schwab, Uitermarkt & Associates was one of the pioneering Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) that offered investment management services for a percentage of the assets under management. The RIA model eliminates many of the conflicts of interest inherent in being compensated by commission.
Larry operated Uitermarkt & Associates until it was merged into Pinnacle Financial Group in 2000. In addition to personal financial planning and investment management, Larry has developed specific expertise in working with small businesses to implement qualified retirement plans and other employee benefit programs. Additionally, he has worked with a number of endowment funds for private educational institutions.
Larry studied at Hope College and attained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in 1987. Larry and his wife are both pilots and enjoy flying their single engine planes whenever presented the opportunity. Larry’s other passions include opera, travel, and a good cigar. Recently, Larry bought an RV and hopes to use it to explore the United States in the years ahead.
Larry can be reached at larry@pfglc.net.
Bio
Lauren Hunt
Wealth Advisor
CFP®
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Lauren Hunt
Lauren specializes in helping families feel more confident about their financial future. With over ten years of financial services experience, Lauren uses her knowledge to help her clients make educated financial decisions and investment choices at all phases of life. She believes that broad-based financial planning is the key to providing optimal investment advice. Lauren firmly believes a sold financial foundation can help to provide long term financial security.
Lauren has an extensive background in financial services. She transitioned to Pinnacle after working for Citadel, a large multi-strategy hedge fund based in Chicago that currently manages over $24 billion in investment capital. While at Citadel, Lauren managed a variety of special projects related to market data. She was also responsible for understanding how data costs were allocated and managed.
Lauren graduated from the University of Illinois in 2005 with a B.S. in Finance. In addition to her previous work and academic achievements, Lauren is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Lauren is a resident of Western Springs, along with her husband and three young children. She and her family love playing outside and can often be found at the Forest Hills ‘Red’ park or riding bikes around her neighborhood. Every day with her little kids is a new and fun adventure. Lauren is an avid sports fan who will forever and always bleed Orange and Blue. She was lucky enough to attend the 2005 NCAA National Championship game, and can’t wait for her team to get back to the top. ILL….
Lauren can be reached at lauren@mypinnaclefinancial.com
Bio
Dan Fitzgerald
Wealth Advisor
CFP®
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Dan Fitzgerald
Dan worked with the Northern Trust Company from 2003-2014. He started his career on the institutional side of their business where he audited retirement plans for large companies across the country. He transitioned to the personal side of the business in 2007 after a thirteen month stint in London, England working on a corporate merger. In his expat role, he gained valuable experience working directly with clients on resolving their problems. “I enjoyed working with people directly instead of larger corporations so much that I knew a career in personal financial planning would be my career path when I returned home."
Dan values his role as a steady, trusted advisor who can help clients through the various twists and turns that life throws their way. “Life is definitely not always in a straight line. I enjoy partnering with my clients and creating strategies to accomplish their life goals.” Dan has found that clients who choose to work with him are either going through a life transition or have found they do not have enough time or interest to stay on top of their personal finances and want an expert to help guide them along the way.
Dan received his BA in Management from Indiana University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Naperville Sun and AARP Magazine.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Colleen, and their three young boys in Naperville. He enjoys bike-riding, exploring local parks and swimming at the neighborhood pool. He can also be found tinkering in the garage while listening to Cubs and Bears games!
Schedule a Meeting: www.calendly.com/pinnacle-danfitzgerald
Dan can be reached at dan@mypinnaclefinancial.com.
Bio
Karen O’Donnell
Client Relationship Manager
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Karen O’Donnell
As a Client Relationship Manager, Karen works closely with Pinnacle’s most important asset, their clients. Her role is to provide prompt, positive, client experiences by addressing clients’ needs and providing operational and administrative support. For example, Karen assists our clients with all required paperwork so that the process is as quick and painless as possible. Karen also manages account transfers, client cash management requests, and quarterly performance reporting. Karen truly enjoys getting to know our clients on a personal level and they in turn love working with her.
Prior to joining Pinnacle Financial Group in 2012, Karen worked in Chicago with Heitman Real Estate Investment Management in the Public Real Estate Securities group. During her 16 years at Heitman, her responsibilities ranged from client account management, account and trade reconciliation, execution and allocation of trades and assisting in the development of the Operations Group with her most recent title as Assistant Vice-President, Trading Administrator. In this capacity, she was a liaison between clients, brokerage firms, custodians and their global operations team.
Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University. She and her husband are residents of Western Springs, along with her three beautiful daughters. Her passions include spending time with her family and friends, taking care of her two dogs, traveling, and occasionally finding time to enjoy good food and wine!
Karen can be reached at karen@mypinnaclefinancial.com
Bio
Jeanne Nortier
Client Relationship Manager & Office Manager
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Jeanne Nortier
As Office Manager of Pinnacle Financial Group, Jeanne is our Client Contact, Custodial Coordinator and Office Organizer. With 25+ years of business experience, she has a versatile background including customer service, accounting, management, marketing and finance. Jeanne’s resume includes experience in accounting firms, investment firms and also a medical not-for-profit society. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Elmhurst College and currently holds a Life/Health Insurance license.
Jeanne has an entrepreneurial spirit as well. She holds the position of Team Manager for Tastefully Simple – a gourmet food direct sales company – which she has built since 1999, prior to joining Pinnacle in 2009. And recently, since 2012, Jeanne became a Consultant with Isagenix – a health, wealth and nutrition company. Through these entrepreneurial businesses, she has built teams and a large client database using her skills in sales, marketing, accounting and most of all, customer service.
Jeanne grew up in Countryside, and currently resides in Darien with her 2 favorite men – her husband and teen age son. She’s known best by her bubbly, positive personality, and people even comment on her bright, smiling face (at least most of the time). Jeanne enjoys traveling, socializing and planning events with her two boys, family and friends. Quite often, at events, Jeanne can be found in a group on the dance floor, if the music moves her!
Jeanne can be reached at Jeanne@mypinnaclefinancial.com
Bio
Sandi Wanat
Administrative Assistant
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Sandi Wanat
As Administrative Assistant, Sandi will be your first contact with Pinnacle, if you call or come in. She works closely with our Advisors and both Client Relations Managers to ensure a smooth beginning to your relationship with Pinnacle.
Sandi’s resume defines over 30 years of customer service experience. She has had her real estate license, executive assistant experience and worked in the airline industry (ATA). Most recently, prior to joining Pinnacle in 2017, she owned and managed a small business franchise restaurant.
She resides in Chicago with her two adult sons and two favorite pitbull rescue dogs, Calvin & Pitunia. Her passions are spending time with family in Disneyworld, concerts and travelling.
Sandi can be reached at Sandi@mypinnaclefinancial.com
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