When you meet Mark, one word can describe him: passionate. It’s true when it comes to his family, his love for fitness and his work. But it wasn’t number crunching that drove him to start Wealth Advisors Group. It was his desire to help individuals and families.

After graduating from Wabash College with an Economics degree, he briefly went into banking and then a family-owned business. Neither got his heart racing. But when he realized he could open his own, independent firm that operated as a fiduciary, he knew that was the course he had to follow.

Now, some 30 years later, as a Certified Financial Planner® and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, he’s seen generations of clients benefitting from the professional expertise Wealth Advisors Group has provided them. He’s also had the joy of hiring some of the most talented individuals in the region—and then watching them grow even more. All the while, he has refined the firm’s processes to deliver optimal results and cultivated a culture of people who have a heart to serve.

Mark is active in several Fort Wayne non-profit organizations, including Erin’s House for Grieving Children, Ronald McDonald House and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Quote he lives by: “Nunc coepi.” (Latin for “Now I begin.”)

In some ways, Joe didn’t find this business. It found him. A conversation several years into his professional career changed his life, and gave him a passion he’s never lost.

Joe actually majored in Computer Science at Purdue University, and then worked in that field for a while. While having his own initial consultation with Wealth Advisors Group in the mid-1990s, he realized everything he heard was what he wanted to do. So on the spot, he asked, “How do I get into this business?” What was it that rang so true with him? He saw that this industry—and Wealth Advisors Group especially—is all about helping people. He felt he could have more of an impact serving people than servicing processors and so took the leap and joined Wealth Advisors Group three years later.

Today, as a Certified Financial Planner ® and a Certified Estate Planner ®, he continues to be inspired by the challenge of figuring out the best solutions for his clients. Because he spent years in the non-finance world of business, he has a true understanding of it. He can also relate to people who decide—or are forced—to change careers midway through life and can give reliable advice in those situations.

Joe volunteers his time for several local groups, including Junior Achievement, Community Harvest Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Church and Bishop Luers High School. He’s also a past board member of ITT Technical Institute.

Quote he lives by: “Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.”

Patrick graduated from Valparaiso University with a Finance degree in 2005, and he’s been a fixture of Wealth Advisors Group ever since. That means as a Certified Financial Planner®, he’s helped clients navigate through many major economic events, including the sub-prime housing bubble that led to the collapse of the major investment banks and the Great Recession. Seeing his clients successfully come out on the other side of these crises gave him confidence in what Wealth Advisors Group could do for them—no matter what would arise.

Even though he’s had opportunities to join different companies, Patrick continually chooses Wealth Advisors Group as the firm he wants to be with, especially because of our Culture of Caring. He loves being part of a team that truly puts the clients first and is there to help them invest in life’s moments—whether it’s weathering the storms or celebrating the successes.

Patrick is involved in several local organizations, including Kingdom Advisors, Aboite Baptist Church and the Lighthouse Biblical Life Recovery Center.

Quote he lives by: “’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest command. The second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

When you have Alex as your Certified Financial Planner®, you get experience as well as a youthful perspective. Not only has he helped clients get a plan in place to set themselves up for the future, he’s also had the satisfaction of already seeing many of them achieve their goals.

As one of the younger advisors at Wealth Advisors Group, Alex brings many assets that benefit our multi-generational clients. For example, he plays a key role in evaluating technology opportunities and determining what apps and suites would be best for our clientele and firm.

An early interest in finances led him to pursue a Finance & Management Information Systems degree at Butler University. Then, a college internship focused his specialization into wealth management. He joined the Wealth Advisors family in 2013.

In 2015, Alex was named a “Top 20 Millennial Making a Difference” by The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly for his community involvement. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Mad Anthony’s Children Foundation and is on the steering committee of the Fort Wayne Butler Alumni Association.

Quote he lives by: The “Anyway” poem, often attributed to Mother Teresa. Written as the “Paradoxical Commandments” by Kent Keith.

Chris brings his multi-faceted experience in financial services to Wealth Advisors Group. With more than two decades in the industry, he has specialized in insurance and annuities and now wealth management as a Certified Financial Planner®. That broad range of expertise really benefits the Integrative Advising he practices at our firm.

At Purdue University, Chris majored in Marketing & minored in Psychology. While that combination may sound unique, it lends itself perfectly to the help he offers his clients. After all, marketing is getting to the heart of what customers (or clients) really want and psychology is understanding people’s thoughts and emotions. Really, both fields tie in perfectly to how people handle their financial lives.

In addition to his CFP® designation, Chris also holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) certification. As a CDFA® professional, he is qualified to assist people going through a divorce, including analyzing the short and long-term impacts of proposed settlements and working through the division of all types of assets.

Chris is a member of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council.

Quote he lives by: "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value." ~Albert Einstein

Austin Thoms is a committed Certified Financial Planner® with a passion for helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. After graduating from Taylor University in 2010, Austin enjoyed an 8 year career as a college and high school basketball coach. Austin understands the value of teamwork, discipline, and strategic planning in both sports and financial planning.

In 2018, Austin gave up the scouting reports for financial plans and hasn’t looked back. Since then, Austin has built a successful career in the financial services industry, leveraging his expertise to provide personalized financial planning advice and strategies to each client’s unique situation. Austin’s passions center around retirement income planning, investment asset bucketing, tax strategies, charitable strategies, and risk management.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Austin is a devoted family man, happily married, and the proud father of three young daughters. Austin also serves as an Airbnb host, sharing his hospitality with guest from all over the world. In addition, Austin is a podcast host of 2300 Reasons Why where he helps bridge the gap between faith and finances. Furthermore, Austin is deeply involved as the Deacon of Stewardship at Northeast Christian Church, where he helps guide and support the congregation in matters of financial stewardship and charitable giving.

With a strong work ethic, a heart for service, and a diverse range of interest, Austin has a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

Quote He Lives By: “Do your Best, Don’t Compare, and Don’t Make Excuses”

Tyler graduated from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and a Corporate & Commercial Law Graduate Certificate in 2021. During law school, Tyler was placed on the Dean's list, received the IU McKinney Law Alumni Association Scholarship, and he served as the President of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Law Student Division & as the Vice President of the Business Law Association. Prior to graduate school, Tyler graduated with High Distinction Honors from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology/Pre-Law and Minors in Business, Marketing, and Financial Literacy in 2016. During his undergraduate studies, Tyler was placed on the Dean's list, named a University Scholar of Distinction, received the Varsity Club Scholastic Achievement Award, served as the Vice President of Communications for the Indiana University Student Athletic Board, and was a founder of the Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity chapter at Indiana University.

After completing his educational studies, Tyler worked as a Graduate Law Clerk at a law firm in downtown Fort Wayne. During his time as a law clerk, Tyler worked in estate planning, contracts, and business law. He really enjoyed the limited time he was able to spend with clients and he craved that personal interaction in his next career. Tyler then worked as a Commercial Account Manager at a Tier-1 Automotive Supplier in the Fort Wayne area. While working as a Commercial Account Manager, Tyler was experiencing rapid career success. However, when an opportunity presented itself for him to pursue a career in the financial services industry, it was too good for him to pass up. Joining Wealth Advisors Group was a dream opportunity for Tyler. In his own words, he "could not have created a more perfect career opportunity himself." His love for personal finance, investing, asset preservation, networking, and serving others naturally led him to begin the journey of becoming a Financial Advisor. Tyler especially wanted to join a firm that always acts as a fiduciary to its clients and on a fee-based basis.

In his personal life, Tyler loves spending quality time with his wife (Stephanie) and their Australian Shepherd dog (Theo). You can find the three of them frequenting dog parks, walking paths, and hiking trails around Fort Wayne. Tyler also has a passion for traveling, IU athletics, cars, and enjoying the company of his family and friends.

Tyler serves as the Director-at-Large, Leadership Development for the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana. He is also a proud member of Pathway Community Church and the Indiana University Alumni Association Northeast Indiana Chapter.

Quote he lives by: "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

Rachael is an integral part of making sure our clients get the service they deserve. She opens accounts, processes distributions and handles account maintenance. She also coordinates and conducts new client reviews. Really, Rachael is responsible for many of the behind-the-scenes matters that make each Wealth Advisors experience exceptional.

She joined our firm fulltime after working with us on a temporary basis. The work and the culture that existed—not just between coworkers, but also between employees and clients—convinced her this was where she wanted to stay permanently. In fact, she is now studying to obtain her CFP® certification.

Quote she lives by: “You can do anything that you put your mind to.”

Maranda provides many valuable services for our business and clients, acting as the in-house licensed CPA. Internally, she handles various accounting duties, such as keeping the books and billing. But she also interacts with clients to give them a professional accountant’s opinion on tax preparation and planning. This is a fairly unique feature offered by Wealth Advisors Group, as most firms refer clients to outside CPAs.

After graduating with dual degrees in accounting and business administration, Maranda went on to get her MBA and then brought her extensive knowledge to Wealth Advisors Group. Representing the “other side” of personal finances, she appreciates our Integrative Advising—which really considers every aspect of our clients’ worlds—and enjoys playing a part.

Quote she lives by: "God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile."

His desire to serve is what drew Tavis to Wealth Advisors Group. Originally, he planned to go into biomedical engineering after graduating from Purdue. But as he neared the end of college, he got an opportunity to be a financial advisor for 20-30 year olds, and he realized he preferred a field that was directly focused on people.

In his day-to-day at Wealth Advisors Group, he does research and analysis and assists in client portfolio trades. His overall vision is to become a financial advisor and use the skills he’s learning to help people across the socioeconomic sphere—both the advantaged and even more so the disadvantaged.

Quote he lives by: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Kiersten is a dedicated and highly skilled financial professional with a strong academic background and a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences. With a degree in Business Administration from Penn State University, she has consistently demonstrated expertise and commitment in the financial industry, contributing to the success of Wealth Advisors Group since 2023.

With over 8 years of experience in the financial sector, Kiersten has become a trusted specialist to clients seeking exceptional client experience when working with Wealth Advisors Group. Her role involves opening accounts, processing distributions, and handling account maintenance with precision and attention to detail. However, what truly sets Kiersten apart is her unwavering commitment to client engagement. She goes above and beyond to ensure that each client receives personalized care and comprehensive support in achieving their financial goals.

Outside of her professional life, Kiersten is a dedicated mother, wife, and fitness enthusiast. She shares her life with her high school sweetheart husband, Derek, and their two beautiful daughters. Together, they enjoy exploring new destinations, experiencing diverse cultures, and savoring the rich tapestry of global cuisine. Kiersten is an avid animal lover, and her family is completed by their beloved dog, Butters.

Through her multifaceted interests and experiences, Kiersten embodies a well-rounded approach to life and a commitment to excellence in both her professional and personal endeavors. She continues to leverage her financial expertise to help clients, while creating lasting memories and enjoying the finer aspects of life with her family.

With a solid foundation in the financial services industry, Stephanie embarked on her professional journey with the goal of making a positive impact on clients' financial well-being. After gaining valuable experience working independently, she recognized the unique opportunity that awaited her at Wealth Advisors Group. Here, Stephanie has found the ideal platform to not only continue assisting clients but also to further enrich her industry knowledge. She appreciates our client-focused culture and dedication to achieving financial goals.

Quote she lives by: “Life is short, and every moment is precious”