2025 Fortunaire Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the 22 Fortunaire Foundation 2025 scholarship winners!
Students were selected for scholarships totaling $31,000. One of the Fortunaire Foundation’s objectives is to provide college scholarship support to deserving young adults in our advisor’s/team’s local communities.
We appreciate the Fortunaire Foundation and scholarship committee for making these scholarships possible. Thank you to all CFG advisors and team members who submitted a nomination to help local students further their educational goals!
CFG Fortunaire Foundation: “People helping people in their local communities.”
https://www.cfgpro.com/fortunaire-foundation
CFG Advisor Spotlight: Seth Fulton | Fulton Financial | Johnston, IA
CFG Advisor Spotlight: Seth Fulton | Fulton Financial | Johnston, IA
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU GOT INTO THE INDUSTRY.
I was recruited by Bill Bertran and Larry Dawson in 2011. The entire Dawson group, including Eric Dawson, Tyler Dawson, and Andy Hejlik, were tremendous resources and mentors when making the career change and learning the ropes of being an all-around financial advisor. I was sold on the vision of building your own business, having flexibility of your own schedule, work as hard as you want, while serving and helping others with their financial goals and challenges.
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FIRM’S HISTORY.
I started in 2012 working around the Des Moines metro, with a focus on life insurance sales and just hoping to come across a retirement plan to rollover every once in a while! As my business grew, my focus switched towards advisory business and retirement planning. I now live and have an office in Johnston, IA. I have been with the Dawson & Bertran agency since starting with Transamerica/CFG in 2012. I have one assistant, Kimber, who I hired in 2019 – she helps with appointment scheduling, meeting prep, customer service, etc.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction when you can serve others in a way that provides them great appreciation and loyalty to what we do for a living. I look forward to Mondays just as much as I do Fridays and I never feel like I am “working.” People will always want and need our services, and if you treat clients right and take care of them and their families, they will continue to take care of you.
HOW HAS CFG IMPACTED YOUR PRACTICE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
I appreciate the camaraderie that is built amongst the various offices and advisors in CFG. We have great meetings throughout the year at the National Sales Conference, spring meetings in Cedar Rapids, winter incentive trips, etc. I love the connections that I’ve made with so many like-minded advisors and staff who share common goals. There’s always someone to lean on for advice and idea-sharing.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST DAY AS AN ADVISOR?
I can’t pick out just one day – this career has been so rewarding to me in so many ways, every day feels like a blessing to be able to do what I do!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
My “outside of work life” is completely dominated by family life! I love watching my kids’ activities, helping coach their sports teams, playing board games, and getting outside for warm weather activities. We take lots of walks/bike rides around local trails, hang out at my folks’ farm with the animals, go to the lake for boating & water time…and more!
#AdvisorSpotlight #FinancialProfessionals #CollectiveFinancialGroup
https://www.cfgpro.com/our-culture
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc.. Collective Financial Group is independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. 52411
Keith Meyers – Cannon Falls, MN – 2023 Community Service Award Recipient
Keith was recognized during the awards ceremony at the 2024 Leaders Conference trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. He is the epitome of what a Community Service Award winner represents. His intentions for community involvement are done with the purest objectives – to make his community a better place to live and to bring members in the community together. Keith is not in it for the recognition or to pad his resume, he is truly one of the most genuine people you will meet.
Keith is a mentor not only in his local community, but to his team members at Advanced Financial Consultants and to many people within the Collective Financial Group family as well. He is always willing to listen, give advice or pitch in and lend a hand. You never have to ask him twice.
Here’s just a few of the many organizations Keith has been involved with:
- Vice President of the Cannon Falls Economic Initiative
- Board Member of the Cannon Falls Youth Athletics
- Junior High Football Coach
- Confirmation Volunteer at the local Lutheran church
- Former Sunday School Superintendent
- Former Board Member/Treasurer of United Way
- President of the Cannon Falls Baseball Association
- Former Chair of the Advisor Group NexGen Advisory Board
Keith is supported by his wife of 20+ years, Tammy, and has been a wonderful role model for their 3 children.
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
CFG Advisor Spotlight: Chase Felchle | Financial Decisions Group | Waterloo, IA
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU GOT INTO THE INDUSTRY.
I grew up on a farm in central North Dakota. My brother runs the farm and discussions with him around markets gave me an early interest in business and how markets work. I moved to Iowa for graduate school at the University of Northern Iowa. While there I met my wife, Kelley. I also decided that a master’s degree in history was not for me and went to work at CUNA Mutual and then Principal Financial with the intention of eventually becoming an advisor. When dropping some books off at Financial Decisions Group for an attorney, I spoke with Jesse Meehan, and this led me to joining Financial Decisions Group.
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FIRM’S HISTORY.
FDG was started in 1960 as the Kneeland Agency of Life Investors. When I joined 10 years ago, Pete Meehan was our President and now his son Jesse is.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
Helping clients establish goals that are important to them and over time seeing them take the necessary steps to attain those goals.
AS A YOUNG ADVISOR PARTNERING WITH A SENIOR ADVISOR, WHAT HAS THAT DONE FOR YOU EARLY IN YOUR CAREER?
As I’m not originally from Iowa and was 23 years old when I became licensed, partnering with senior advisors accelerated the learning curve and introduced me to people I probably would not have otherwise met. Since then, it has allowed me to pick and choose the things I want to implement in my own practice and has given me the opportunity to take over a retiring advisor’s practice.
HOW HAS CFG IMPACTED YOUR PRACTICE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
During my short time in this industry there have been a lot of changes and consolidation. CFG has provided a consistent network so the advisors under its umbrella can share experiences, ideas, and tools to use in our practices.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST DAY AS AN ADVISOR?
It’s hard to pick out a “best” day. The most rewarding moments of being an advisor are when you receive a thank you for giving a client confidence during big changes like retirement or assisting them in getting through the minutia of paperwork and claims after the loss of a loved one.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I like hunting and fishing with my brother, nephews, and friends. I like yardwork too, I’m a bit of a lawn guy.
#AdvisorSpotlight #FinancialProfessionals #CollectiveFinancialGroup
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc.. Collective Financial Group is independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. 52411
2021 Fortunaire Foundation Community Service Award Winner
Tim Strellner, Marion, Iowa – 2021 Community Service Award Recipient
Tim has been in the financial services industry since 1986 and has always had a passion for helping others, especially the local youth in his community. For over 15 years, Tim has made a huge impact across the state of Iowa by coaching youth baseball, softball, basketball and football. He is not only respected by the players, but by other coaches and parents as well. Tim’s leadership skills and dedication to youth sports were instrumental in the founding of Prospect Meadows, a baseball/softball complex in Marion, Iowa. For more than 12 years, Tim has led the charge on fundraising and getting buy-in from the local communities. The complex has now hosted well over 40,000 visitors to Linn County which has brought a substantial revenue stream to local businesses.
In addition to coaching, Tim is also active in numerous local organizations that he supports not only financially, but also by volunteering his time and talents. He has the ability to create a culture that encourages inclusiveness, team work and camaraderie. We know that he has inspired so many people who will continue his mission of building a solid foundation for youth sports within the community.
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc.. Collective Financial Group is independent ofOsaic Wealth, Inc. 52411