IHT Wealth Management’s Post

Meet Justine Ochoa, an inspiring financial advisor at IHT Wealth Management. During #HispanicHeritageMonth, she emphasizes the importance of representation and the impact of diverse perspectives in our field.

Congratulations to Riverwalk & IHT Wealth Management founder, Steven Dudash, for being the 2024 Illinois Wesleyan University Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year. Steve will receive this honor during IWU homecoming celebrations where he will also serve on a panel featuring other successful alumni innovators and entrepreneurs sharing their journeys and insights. This event promises to be an inspiring experience for all attendees! https://lnkd.in/da-waWwT

Explore how energy generation is becoming the backbone of AI development. 💻 https://lnkd.in/gMH55_SZ

This week's advisor spotlight is on 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗮, who has 𝟮𝟱 years of experience in the financial services industry. Peter holds the 𝗖𝗥𝗣𝗖® designation from the College of Financial Planning and the 𝗔𝗜𝗙® designation, reflecting his dedication to ethical and fiduciary practices. His career is driven by a passion for empowering individuals and small businesses to achieve their financial goals. Over the years, he has helped many clients transition into retirement, while also guiding small business owners through successful exit strategies to maximize the value of their businesses and secure a comfortable retirement. Peter's deep understanding of the financial landscape allows him to focus on wealth-building and holistic financial planning. His philosophy centers on creating personalized roadmaps to financial success, recognizing that each client’s situation, risk tolerance, and goals are unique. He believes in developing customized plans that include critical elements like tax planning. Peter works closely with clients' tax advisors (when applicable) to ensure financial strategies are tax-efficient and minimize potential tax burdens. A firm believer in risk management, Peter employs a research-driven approach that takes into account market conditions, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. By distributing investments across different asset classes, he mitigates the impact of market fluctuations. He prioritizes diversification to balance potential returns with the appropriate level of risk for each client. “Structured notes have been an excellent tool for incorporating downside buffers while keeping portfolios invested during periods of heightened volatility,” Peter notes. Clear and consistent communication is central to Peter’s practice. He schedules regular meetings to review client progress and make necessary adjustments, ensuring he’s always available to address concerns. Peter actively listens to his clients’ needs and explains the rationale behind their investment strategies. “We work together to adjust the plan when needed, always keeping your long-term goals in mind,” he says. Peter's passion for wealth management stems from his desire to empower individuals and businesses to achieve financial security. “The most rewarding aspect of my work is witnessing the positive impact it has on my clients' lives. Seeing them achieve their financial goals and build a secure future is incredibly motivating,” he adds. Peter Arboleda, CRPC® AIF®

This article emphasizes how the NIL landscape is reshaping the intersection of college sports and marketing. The rise of digital platforms and social media influencers challenges traditional advertising models and offers substantial growth opportunities for adaptable brands. A key takeaway is as the NIL market continues to evolve, companies that align with these new trends are likely to gain a competitive edge. https://lnkd.in/gTdmwNSD

This week's advisor spotlight highlights Kurt Yndestad a veteran investment professional with 30 years of experience. He began his career at American National in Chicago, which, after four mergers, became JP Morgan Private Bank. Kurt joined IHT Wealth Management five years ago, where he now works closely with business owners, corporate executives, and their families.   Kurt’s approach to financial planning is rooted in the belief that every client relationship is unique, requiring a customized approach to meet specific objectives. He works diligently to identify all aspects of each client’s financial picture through discussions, estate documents, planning sessions, and current investment holdings. This comprehensive process ensures that the plan is tailored to the client’s needs and stays on track over time.   Since joining IHT Wealth Management, Kurt has been able to offer a fully independent approach to portfolio construction. Free from affiliations with any fund companies, he can select investments that best align with each client’s objectives. His focus is on finding the best investments based on fees, performance, and the stability of the management team.   Kurt is supported by a top-tier team for administrative support, trading, research, and investment strategy. The quality of his colleagues at IHT was a key factor in his decision to join the firm. Together, they bring all these factors to achieve clients’ objectives, creating a customized approach with the flexibility to adjust over time. For Kurt, the most rewarding aspect of his work is seeing the plans come together and watching clients achieve their goals, often across multiple generations.

This week’s IHT Spotlight highlights David Wernli, CEP® based in El Dorado, KS. Every step of his professional journey has been taken with clients in mind, aiming to provide the tools and services needed to help them gain financial independence. David says: “During this time, I’ve been blessed to build a loyal client base while helping clients achieve their life and financial goals… the focus is to provide the tools and services needed to help them gain financial independence.” Can you share a brief overview of your professional journey?  My career began with Dean Witter Reynolds nearly 30 years ago, where I trained in New York and was then officed in Honolulu, HI. This experience gave me a solid foundation in financial services, client relationships, and investment strategies. Since 1997, I have been with LPL Financial, one of the largest independent broker-dealers in the country. LPL offers flexibility and autonomy, providing me with the tools needed to serve our clients. Transitioning from a wirehouse to an independent firm was significant as it allowed me to tailor solutions to my clients' needs, free from corporate constraints. I truly love the entrepreneurial spirit of independence! Along with two other advisors, I helped form our own RIA, which we ran for several years before deciding to join IHT Wealth Management out of Chicago. Transitioning to IHT Wealth Management in 2017 provided access to a broader range of services and support, including compliance assistance, technology, and administrative support. This allowed me to focus more on client relationships rather than operational tasks, leading to even greater freedom for ourselves and our clients. IHT Wealth Management also offers more opportunities for collaboration and professional development, enhancing overall service quality and client satisfaction. Every step of my professional journey has been taken with our clients in mind. Along the way, it has been a privilege and an honor to be a part of their journey as well. What qualifications and certifications do you hold? CEP, Certified Estate Planner. Series 65, 63, SIE, 31, 3, 7, and 24.

Jim Koliatsis, CFP®, has been advising clients for 25 years. He began his career at Merril Lynch before he was recruited to LaSalle Financial Services in 2001 building strong relationships with individuals and their families. In 2007, Jim and his partners, Ryan McCain and Gregory Tong, formed KMG Wealth Management before affiliating with IHT Wealth Management in 2017. KMG has come to be known in the Chicagoland area for helping families manage the risks associated with saving, investing, and managing their money. What is your philosophy when it comes to financial planning? Our philosophy of working with clients is taking a holistic approach and assuring that nothing is missing from their plan. From near-horizon to far-horizon planning, we seek to uncomplicate and reduce the stresses associated with managing money. How do you determine the best investment options for your clients? Every client is unique with their own set of goals and objectives, so we never take a cookie-cutter approach to our recommendations. Depending on a client’s situation, it could be a strategy on creating and growing wealth or protecting and preserving wealth. Whatever the strategy, tax considerations must be addressed before fully deploying the investments. Could you provide examples of how you’ve helped clients achieve their financial goals? Nothing brings more satisfaction to me as a Financial Advisor than experiencing clients living through the recommendations we have implemented over the years and watching them achieve their goals up to and into retirement. Whether that has been funding a 529 plan and using it for college or building a retirement nest egg and spending it down throughout retirement. To see this materialize throughout the years alongside my clients is what fulfills me as a true professional.