Your Team

Ben joined Northwestern Mutual as an intern in 1999. In 2001, Ben graduated from Miami University and began full-time at Northwestern Mutual.

As an advisor, Ben works mainly with physicians, business owners, and executives who are primarily entering or currently in retirement.

Areas of expertise include:

• Planning with executive stock options & RSU's
• Charitable giving techniques and strategy
• Portfolio construction
• Distribution and tax strategies in retirement
• Business planning for closely held businesses

Ben has been honored as one of the top 20 advisors with Northwestern Mutual in America. And was also a qualifying member of MDRT from 2002 to 2011, and a qualifying/life member from 2012-2016.

Ben and his wife Lindsey reside in Indian Hill, with their two children Logan and Campbell and their dog, Mac.

In his spare-time he enjoys spending his time coaching his kid's sports teams or playing basketball and tennis.

Andy joined Northwestern Mutual in 2009. Prior to Northwestern, Andy held roles as a risk analyst for a Fortune 500 financial services company, and a financial analyst for a local investment bank that focused on mid-market mergers and acquisitions.

Andy graduated from Miami University in 2002 with a degree in finance, and minor in economics. He also earned a masters degree in business administration, with finance focus, from Xavier University in 2005

As an advisor, Andy focuses on helping Fortune 100 executives with complex compensation packages, physicians, and highly-compensated professionals prepare for major life events like retirement and funding children's education.

Areas of expertise include:

• Planning with executive stock options and RSUs
• Portfolio construction and management
• Tax-efficient asset accumulation strategies
• Income distribution strategies in retirement
• Risk management strategies

Andy and his wife reside in Hyde Park with three children. They have been active in the Hyde Park community through various civic and philanthropic organizations. The family keeps busy with the kids' activities, sports, and they love to frequent local parks, the Cincinnati Zoo and the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Andy enjoys winter sports, traveling, food, and wine. And, during the summer, enjoys spending time with the kids at the pool.

David joined Northwestern Mutual in May of 1996.  He is a Life and Qualifying Member of The Million Dollar Roundtable, including 2 Court of the Table and a Top of the Table qualification.

As a Wealth Management Advisor, David primarily works with business owners, real estate developers, affluent families, executives and entrepreneurs.  Areas of expertise include:

• Asset allocation and portfolio construction
• Financial Planning
• Estate and Life Insurance planning
• Distribution and tax strategies in retirement
• Executive benefits and non-qualified deferred compensation plans

David has been an 11 time Northwestern Mutual Forum member, the company’s most prestigious production level.

He lives with his wife Stacey in Cincinnati and has 2 children, Adam (23) and Carly (20).

In his spare time, David enjoys golf, skiing, spending time with family and friends, and serving on several charitable boards.

Brad joined Northwestern Mutual as a financial representative in November of 2006, after beginning his career in information technology. The thought that changed his life then was the idea that every day he wanted to have the opportunity to impact the lives of others. Brad felt called to do that by helping families protect what is most important to them and to work with those families to achieve their dreams.

As a Wealth Management Advisor, Brad provides clients with customized recommendations that will help you plan for your financial future. Brad specializes in assisting clients with:

• Wealth Management
• Executive Compensation Planning
• Retirement Income Planning

Personally, Brad has two children; Jonathan, who is an avid athlete and enjoys playing soccer and baseball, and Diana who loves volleyball. The family has a passion for snowboarding together, going on hikes, and following all our favorite Ohio sports teams.

Tim joined Northwestern Mutual 1983 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati.

As an advisor, Tim works mainly business owners and those entering or currently in retirement.

Tim helps clients take control of their future. Together he works with clients to identify their most important goals and dreams, resulting in building and implementing a financial plan to help them achieve them. He works with clients to continually monitor progress on a regular basis to ensure the plan evolves as client’s needs and the situation around them changes.

His areas of expertise include:

• Risk Planning
• Business Planning
• Executive Benefits
• Retirement Planning

Tim and his wife Vickie reside in Anderson and are proud parents of Jeff and Ali. When Tim’s not helping clients, he’s honing his golf game or  volunteering at his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tim is also a member of the Planned Giving Council at the Ronald McDonald House.

John Brannon joined LiveWell Capital in 2014 as Portfolio Advisor and Chief Operations Officer. John grew up in Cincinnati and is a graduate of Miami University’s Richard T. Farmer School of Business. He began his career in Stamford, Connecticut working for a multinational paper company and then to Chicago for his MBA where he also began work in the mutual fund industry.

John returned to Cincinnati in 2004 managing brokerage and treasury operations within two insurance companies. His expertise includes portfolio analysis, brokerage operations, treasury operations, and investment analysis. John is passionate about building the infrastructure to support clients’ lifetime and generational goals. This includes directing daily portfolio management and integrating portfolios with the tax system, trusts and other estate planning tools for future generations of a client’s family.

John resides in Oakley with his wife Kimberly where the two of them are outside as much as possible. John is a life-long learner and most enjoys volunteer-based vacations with Kimberly.

Mike joined the team in 2016. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. His career in financial services operations began in 2008, in which he has experience in client support, financial, and analytical roles. Mike is skilled at process development and improvement, having played significant roles in numerous organizational wide projects and initiatives.

Mike and his wife Becky reside in Cincinnati. They enjoy traveling, running, hiking, and constantly staying active.

Christine joined the team in 2018. She graduated from The University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in financial services and financial planning. She has been in the financial services industry since 2011, with previous roles of Financial Advisor and Paraplanner.

Christine currently lives in Hyde Park with her husband Justin. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling and outdoor activities.

Professional:

Kertsze began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2011, and has been with the team since 2012.

Kertsze is a fully credentialed CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, holds the Series 6, 63, 65, and 7 investment registrations, and is Accident & Health, Life, and Variable licensed for insurance. Kertsze also earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) professional designation and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) level II candidate.

Kertsze assists clients in the following areas:

• Financial plan presentation and analysis
• Investment concepts and savings strategies
• Risk management concepts and strategies
• Facilitate rollovers and investment account transfers

Personal:

Kertsze grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During his free time, Kertsze enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. Kertsze is also a member of the St. Xavier High School Healy Society and a volunteer with the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education (CISE) Fund.   

Fun fact: Kertsze ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain

Kelsey joined the team in 2015 as the Director of Marketing & Client Services.  She graduated from College of Charleston in South Carolina, and started her career in retail helping open a boutique store in the center of downtown Charleston.  With over 11 years in the customer service industry, her mission is to create a unique concierge experience putting you and your family at the center of all that we do.

Kelsey is a native of Cincinnati, residing in Mt. Lookout with her husband, Roo, their two children, Teddy & Vivie, and two dogs.  She loves spending every minute with her family, traveling & taking the kids on new adventures.

Professional:

I have spent nearly 20 years with Northwestern Mutual, currently as the Director of Insurance Operations for LiveWell Capital.  My passion for helping our clients and my team members, with a caring heart and warm smile is my daily goal.  

Personal:

I was born in Oxford, England and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio.  I currently live in Northern Kentucky with my husband, Danny.  We have 5 children, Taylor (25), Michael (20), Alivia (16), Emerson (11) and Valarie (2), a dog, Bentley and a rabbit, Bun Bun, all of which keep us very busy and on our toes!!  My free time is spent with my family along with exercising, cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals, working in our yard and traveling to the beautiful state of Maine with my family or Nashville, when Danny and I are able to steal a weekend away!

Professional:

I started with Northwestern Mutual in December of 2018 in the Grand Rapids Michigan office before joining LiveWell Capital. I attended Albion College in Albion Michigan where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Economics & Management.

Personal:

I moved to Cincinnati in August of 2020 to follow my girlfriend as she attends Xavier University for her master’s degree in IO Psychology. I have a black lab named Elli and I enjoy cooking and taking walks with Elli. Since moving to Cincinnati, I have learned to love Skyline Chili and FC Cincinnati!

Professional:

Vanessa joined the team in 2015. In her role as financial planning assistant, Vanessa supports Ben Beshear, Andy Scarpitti, David Schimberg, Brad Weeks, Tim Miller, Marty Geiger, and Jared Nickoli in the development and implementation of financial plans.

Vanessa is the main point of contact for insurance for the team, and assists clients in the following areas:

• Insurance questions
• New account submissions and underwriting
• Claims
• Client summary snapshot reports
• NM Connect website assistance

Personal:

Vanessa grew up in Brown County, Ohio and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an Associate of Science degree. Vanessa currently resides in Mason, OH with here family. When, Vanessa is not in the office, she enjoys spending her time as assistant treasurer at BSA Troop 750 and 1750. Also, she is active in the Eastern Star and volunteers her time to Toys for Tots and Camp Joy. She loves hiking, camping, riding her motorcycle, traveling and most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Cassidy Carr is a sergeant in the Army National Guard & has been serving for 7 years, including one tour to Guantanamo Bay. This experience has developed strong leadership and communication skills, as well as her drive to succeed. She is a fourth year business student at UC’s Lindner College of Business, where she is majoring in Marketing & minoring in Psychology & Military Science. She comes from a Human Resources background and looks forward to the growth in her new role.

Cassidy resides in Northern Kentucky with her boyfriend, Grayson, two cats & her dog. She enjoys spending time at the lake with her dog, Juice, in the warm months, and snowboarding, baking or crafting during the winter.

Professional:

Lisa has many years of insurance experience in life, health and property and casualty insurance.  Working in small aircraft insurance sales was a professional highlight.  She has worked with Northwestern Mutual in 3 different states over the past 20+ years.  Lisa has worked with Tim since 2015 and currently assists him with scheduling, preparing for meetings and special projects. 

Personal:

Lisa resides in Waverly GA with her husband, Dirk, and dog, Vince.  She enjoys spending family time at the beach, boating, cooking and traveling.