After starting his career at a wirehouse in 1995, Aaron found a proper home a year later at an independent RIA in his hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. Compass Wealth Advisors was a solo firm of Paul Reasoner, an experienced and capable CFP certificant. As Compass grew, so did Aaron, into a highly technical planner handling the most complex client situations. As Compass added advisors, Aaron was promoted to partner and CIO.

Following his CFP Certification in 2000, Paul encouraged Aaron to attend FPA Retreat 2003. Impassioned by meaningful connections with professional icons, yet discouraged by the lack of young attendees, Aaron approached Ben Coombs (who would become a mentor) about Ben’s plan to train pioneers to mentor younger planners. At 2004’s Retreat, Aaron persuaded Michael Kitces and two other planners to form a related group of younger planners that would become FPA NexGen, which Aaron led for the first few years. In 2006, attempting to recreate the feel and affordability of Retreat’s earliest years, Aaron chaired NexGen’s first conference. The significant growth and impact of NexGen are thanks to the long list of talented and tenacious leaders that followed and the unwavering support and investment of FPA.

Aaron left Compass in 2008, with a dream to create a planning centered firm, just as Elkhart’s economy gained national infamy for its economic disaster with unemployment going from two to 19 percent in six months. Bruised, but not quite broken, in 2009 Aaron accepted an offer to join a more traditional RIA, working remotely. An arduous experience resulted in Aaron reprioritizing his family over professional and financial goals, acquiring new competencies, and advocating for judicial reforms while supporting many who faced or were facing injustice.

Since 2015 Aaron has continued to serve his clients, many for more than two decades, in a boutique practice allowing flexibility to offer high-touch service at a moment’s notice, and to have meaningful conversations within two days when needed.

He lives in the Elkhart area with Kim, his beautiful wife of 26 years. They have four amazing children, with the youngest twins still at home, who thankfully waited a few weeks after that 2006 NexGen conference to be born. The family continues to actively serve and support RETA, a local pregnancy center that is nationally recognized for its growth, talented staff, and the comprehensive and growing services being offered to the community. Kim, a social worker, began as a case manager, then in 1999, Kim and Aaron served as live-in house parents in the teen maternity home, while Aaron studied for his CFP certification, worked full-time, and they welcomed their first child. Aaron currently serves as RETA’s Board Chair.

Aaron has received numerous professional awards and recognitions, has written articles, co-authored a book on retirement income planning, and presented to national and local chapters of planners all over the country on various topics. Aaron is grateful to have discovered his professional calling, humbled to have contributed to passing on the legacy of those pioneers, and thankful for the deep friendships that have resulted.