What we do with our money has the power to change the world. When managed sustainably, this tool of wealth can be a powerful catalyst for impact. I am more than a portfolio manager; I am the partner you need to help you redefine wealth for yourself and implement a plan to leave our world a little better than we found it. Ultimately, I strive to provide the right mix of emotional support, financial guidance, and sound solutions when you and your family need them most. Money should not be taboo; investment management should not be mysterious, and our financial security should not be shrouded with shame.
Wealth should become more synonymous with gratitude and abundance not just the word “more.” Net worth is both tangible and intangible and my process strives to capitalize on both. When we begin to talk about money, it can become emotional, behavioral, and sometimes irrational. More importantly, it places itself at the heart of our fears, values, insecurities, and successes. Someone once told me, money is a vehicle, and it serves a purpose. We are not its servant and it does not control us. It is a means to an end and helps us to meet our goals, but is should never be the goal.
Read More About SommerI have a special gift in my ability to gather scattered information and bring it all together in an organized, well researched and actionable way. For me, financial planning is the perfect balance to combine my creative right-brain vision to the more practical areas of knowledge, like numbers and goals. This creativity coupled with my experience as a CPA brings a comprehensive perspective to planning and helps create financial balance for my client.
My family really believes in working hard in pursuit of the American Dream, and as a first-generation graduate from the University of Alabama I appreciate their work ethic. I understand the power of education and realized very early I was ready to help clients take control of their financial lives. I am passionate about serving others and promoting financial literacy among the community,especially, advocating for female empowerment, and improving family dynamics around personal finance.
When I am not serving clients, I am lucky to spend my free time with a my supportive husband, Bert and a very active toddler, Ford. My goal with Ford is the same as with my clients: to provide him with the tools he needs to face any situation life brings with grace and integrity. I want my son to learn how to live creatively and confidently; find his purpose and pursue it passionately; and hopefully look back and see my actions as a bold example to lead his way.
Financial Advisor
Client Services Associate
(205) 413-4552
Chief Investment Officer
As a child, I remember watching my father come home from his full-time job, get a bite to eat and maybe play a little ball with us kids. Then, he would grab his old briefcase and head over to a neighbor’s house to do their income taxes. Eventually, as his business grew, he set up an office in our house. Watching my father help people with their taxes and their money drove my interest in financial planning.
Another value I learned from watching my father is to always keep Christ first, family second and business third. He also taught me to appreciate the opportunity to build relationships with the families we were blessed to work with.
My father’s example along with the support of my wife — who actually worked with me for the first eight years I was in business — drove me to pursue a career as a financial advisor. It was the path I was meant to take and today I am deeply rewarded by helping people plan for and achieve their lifelong financial and personal goals.
Susan and I have seven children and nine grandchildren. We adopted two of our children from China and they still live at home with us. I believe life is a blessing and that we should appreciate each day, love Jesus and go fishing.
After graduating high school, I went to bible college to become a pastor. But like it says in the popular Dr. Seuss book, the world is filled with possibilities and you’ll just never know the places you will go! While studying theology and pastoral care, I was introduced to financial planning.
Saving and investing money across the complexity of life can be easier to accomplish when you have a coach or mentor — someone who can listen to your story, understand your goals, create a plan and monitor your progress. Authentic relationships like these can be a powerful force to accomplish great things. Which is why the first – and possibly most important step — in my financial advising process is to get to know you.
Ultimately, my goal is to add value to your life. This idea was introduced to me by leadership author John Maxwell and has inspired me in my work and my own personal life.
When I am not at the office, you will find me enjoying one of my many passions. My wife and three children fuel my desire to be my best, and we have a lot of fun around food and traveling to Wichita or Kansas City for short adventures. On most Sundays, you can find me preaching in a local church as I love to reflect on the wisdom of the scriptures and the hope that faith in Jesus provides me. I love meeting new people, sharing a cup of coffee with friends and sitting down with a good book on theology or economics. One last piece of trivia is that metal is my preferred genre of music (that’s right, metal).
Nathan was born and raised in Salina and has been with the Billings Group since 2016. He graduated from Kansas State University and served for four years in the U.S. Army.
Nate enjoys helping his clients plan for and achieve their financial goals and considers it an “honor to be part of each client’s story.”
When he’s not working, he spends time with his wife Rachel and their three daughters, Delaney, Georgia and Faye. He enjoys ARMR-UP workouts, Mark Driscoll ministries and dance-offs with his wife and daughters. He supports Compassion International and Shepherd’s Field Children’s Village. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, and he is inspired by the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling.
Debbie Rahe is a seasoned Administrative Assistant with more than 20 years of experience. She is meticulous and task-driven and is able to tailor her skills to meet the needs of each individual client. She has been with the Billings Group since 1998 and oversees the administrative functions in the office.
Debbie was born and raised in Salina and has been married to her husband, Tim, for 30 years. Together, they enjoy spending time with their son, Colby, his fiancée and their two granddaughters. She’s also devoted to her two Goldendoodles and, when she’s not walking them, enjoys flower gardening, crafts, reading and puzzles.
Alyssa has been on Lance’s team since 2008. She says, “I take my work seriously and am committed to performing to the best of my ability. The company's success is my success, and I want the clients to feel comfortable and cared for.”
She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jack, and their son, Larry. She’s passionate about her health and exercise and teaches weekly fitness classes. The charities she supports include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tammy Walker Cancer Center and the Turkey Trot 5k Food Bank. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10.
Brenda has been with the Billings Group since 2017. Born and raised in Sterling, Brenda graduated from Hutchinson Community College in 1980 with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Emporia State University in 1983. Brenda spent 12 years preparing taxes at H&R Block before joining the Billings Group. She also worked at KG&E electrical company for eight years as an Accountant and Internal Auditor.
“I enjoy working with clients and putting their needs first. I listen to our clients' stories and needs and always try to put myself in their shoes. I respect our clients, am honest with them and am always available to help them.”
Brenda and her husband, Tom, have three children, Sara, Henry and Haley and two grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her grandkids, family, friends and her two dogs. Her hobbies include sewing, quilting, cross-stitching and reading. Her favorite Bible verses are Deuteronomy 31:6 and Phillipians 4:13.
Prior to joining RFG, Rick spent 12 years at Bain Capital Credit where he rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, Head of Fixed Income Consumer Investments and Assistant Portfolio Manager. Rick played an instrumental role in helping Bain grow to become a global investment powerhouse, serving client assets in excess of $30 billion.
Managing portfolios through the volatile markets of 2001 and 2008, Rick experienced firsthand the importance of portfolio diversification and the tradeoffs between risk and portfolio return. He applies those lessons learned to managing clients’ money today.
Rick graduated from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude, in Applied Mathematics & Economics. He is also a Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA and was awarded Henry Ford II Scholar for highest academic achievement in his MBA class.
As an independent advisor, we are empowered to serve our clients in-line with our values and our vision. So we’ve partnered with RFG, an innovative turnkey platform engineered specifically to support independent financial advisors like us. RFG handles much of the critical behind-the-scenes support required to run our successful business so that we can spend our time doing what we love — serving you, our clients.
Contact us today to learn more about our financial services, or to get started now developing a financial plan for your future.
