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Welcome to

Powers Advisory Group.

We are an independent Registered Investment Advisor committed to providing unbiased, straightforward financial advice.


Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

-Warren Buffett

Our Firm

Based in Highland, IL - with clientele nationwide - we work closely with individuals, businesses and institutions, to develop, execute and maintain their investment and savings strategies.


Fiduciary


We act as a fiduciary to all clients, uniquely we have a legal responsibility to put the needs of our clients above our own in everything we do.

Transparent


Our compensation is agreed to in writing, we have no back door arrangements and no hidden compensation.


Fee-Only


We don’t sell any products nor earn commissions from our recommendations, the only way we earn more from a client is for their respective accounts to grow.

Independent


Our independence allows us to advise you free from conflict of interest and in turn you have access to some of the best research and most reputable investment firms in the country.


Experienced


Our professionals have over 50 years of experience in various areas of the financial industry. We manage a large pool of assets for a small number of households, which allows us to provide high level service to all of our clients.

Team Approach


We take a team approach to working with clients which often includes outside professionals. This brings together various areas of expertise in a cohesive manner.




Contact Us To Learn More



Services



Your financial success is our priority. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, communicate transparently, and collaborate with you to achieve your financial goals.



We have learned - from years of experience - that complicating an investment portfolio only creates confusion and often times frustration. Simply put, we design investment portfolios tailored to your unique situation and manage them on an on-going basis.

Core Dividend Growth

Our Core Dividend Growth Strategy is designed for investors seeking total return through a reliable growing dividend income stream and long-term capital appreciation. We believe in the power of high-quality individual dividend-paying stocks to provide a steady income and growth potential over time.

Focus on Quality: Our strategy emphasizes investing in companies with a history of stable earnings, strong fundamentals, and a commitment to growing dividends. This focus on quality ensures that your portfolio is positioned for both income and capital appreciation.

Sector Diversification: While prioritizing dividend-paying stocks, our strategy maintains diversification across sectors to mitigate risks associated with industry-specific challenges - and takes advantage of opportunities in under valued sectors. 

Research-Driven Selection: We conduct in-depth research to identify companies with a track record of consistent dividend growth and the potential for future increases. 

ETF Portfolios

We manage a range of ETF  portfolios designed to meet the diverse needs and goals of investors. Our investment philosophy revolves around harnessing the benefits of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to provide cost-effectiveness, diversification, and market efficiencies.

Diversification: Our model portfolios are strategically diversified across various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. This diversification aims to reduce risk and enhance the potential for long-term returns.

Customization: We understand that every investor is unique. Our ETF Model Portfolios offer customization options to align with different risk tolerances, investment objectives, and time horizons. 

Cost Efficiency: We prioritize cost efficiency by primarily utilizing low-cost ETFs. This approach ensures that a significant portion of your investment returns stay in your pocket, allowing you to benefit from market growth without unnecessary expenses.

Dynamic Asset Allocation: We review market conditions and economic trends to adjust the asset allocation within each model portfolio. This dynamic approach aims to optimize performance and adapt to changing market environments.

High Yield Dividend

Our philosophy revolves around the belief that well-established companies with a history of strong dividend payments can offer stability and income potential. The primary objectives of our High-Yield Dividend Strategy include delivering a steady income stream and positioning your portfolio for long-term growth.

Investment Process: We meticulously analyze and select dividend-paying stocks based on factors such as historical dividend performance, sustainability, and the financial health of the companies.  Our investment process is designed to identify and capitalize on high-yield dividend opportunities.

Diversification: By spreading investments across different sectors and industries, we aim to minimize risk and enhance the stability of your income stream.

Tax Loss Harvesting: We take a proactive approach designed to enhance tax efficiency and minimize overall tax liability. We aim to mitigate your tax burden by strategically realizing losses to offset taxable gains.

Fixed INcome / Cash Management

Our Fixed Income Cash Management Strategy is tailored to provide stability, liquidity, and consistent returns by strategically investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities.

Capital Preservation: Our strategy prioritizes capital preservation, offering a conservative approach to investing. By focusing on high-quality fixed income securities, CDs, and Money Market Funds we aim to minimize the impact of market volatility and provide a secure foundation for your investments.

Liquidity Management: Our strategy includes a thoughtful approach to managing liquidity, ensuring that you have access to your funds when needed. 

Diversification: We believe in the power of diversification to spread risk and enhance stability. Our Fixed Income Cash Management Strategy includes a diversified mix of CD's, money market funds, government bonds, corporate bonds, and other fixed income instruments to optimize risk-adjusted returns.


Learn More

We take a team-based and client-involved approach to financial planning.  Our collaborative model puts you at the center of the planning process. We listen, understand, and actively involve you in shaping your financial future.  As fiduciary advisors, we uphold the highest standard of care, placing your interests ahead of everything else:  

Retirement Planning

We work with our clients to simplify the retirement planning process. This typically involves an ongoing discussion including hypothetical future values and cash flows, as well as the impact various “what if” scenarios may have on plans to retire.

Education funding

We provide advice on savings and/or cash flow strategies to pay for current and future education costs.

Life Insurance Reivew

Collectively we have extensive knowledge regarding life insurance products. We have relationships with outside vendors who work with us to step our clients through designing and building life insurance strategies and provide the most cost effective solution.

Charitable giving

We work with you to create a charitable giving strategy that is not only aligned with your financial goals, but your mission and vision for your life and legacy.

Investment Planning

In addition to managing your investment accounts, often we provide guidance on outside accounts and 401(k)s that must remain with the current provider. We will review investment allocations to make sure they "fit" with your goals, both short and long-term.

Tax strategies

We continuously look for opportunities to reduce investment related tax exposure. We are not tax professionals nor do we give tax advice, however if necessary, we have relationships with a network of CPAs and tax professionals that we recommend.

Estate Planning

We partner with your legal team to simplify and assist with the estate planning process.


Let's Discuss Your Plan

Our Business Retirement Plan Services are designed to offer a range of tailored solutions, ensuring that your business's retirement strategy aligns with your financial goals.  We provide consulting, planning, and investment management services to businesses both small and large.

 

Customized Retirement Plans

We specialize in creating customized retirement plans tailored to the unique needs and goals of your business.  We consider factors such as executive demographics, corporate goals, and tax implications to create a plan that aligns with your company's unique circumstances.

 

Profit Sharing Plans

We assist in structuring and managing profit-sharing arrangements that benefit both employers and employees. The benefits of profit-sharing plans designed to reward employees and align their interests with the success of the business.

 

401(K) PLAN SERVICES

Our team provides comprehensive 401(k) plan services, helping you establish, manage, and optimize your company's retirement savings plan. We guide you through plan design, investment selection, and ongoing administration.

 

SEP and simple IRAs

For small businesses, we offer simplified retirement plan options such as Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRAs for tax deferral and participant retirement savings.


Contact Us To Learn More

Our Team

Matt Powers Photo Matt Powers Hover Photo

Matt Powers

Managing Partner
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Matt Powers

Managing Partner | matt@powersinvest.com


Matt is the President, Founder, and Managing Partner of Powers Advisory Group.

Over a decade ago, Matt made the choice to transition his practice to full independence so that he could bring an institutional style of investment management to his local clientele as well as provide advice on an objective basis free from conflict of interest.

He holds over 20 years of experience as a financial advisor for some of the largest investment firms in the industry - including Smith Barney/Citigroup, Edward Jones, and NFP Securities. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University.

He is actively involved in his local community, serving as a past board member for the St. Paul School Advisory Board, the Highland School District Foundation, Highland Boys Basketball Association, Highland Business Education Alliance, and was the 2011 General Chairman of the St. Paul Kirchenfest.   Matt is currently the Chairman and has organized the Highland Optimist Basketball Shootout for 16 years - the largest one day high school basketball event in the Midwest.   He is a member of the Highland Optimist, and the St. Louis Sports Commission.  He has coached youth basketball at all levels for many years. 

Matt and his wife Cathy reside in Highland, IL along with their four children - Logan, Layna, Brynn, and Beau,  and 2 dogs - Elbe and Teddy. 

Rick Ringwald Photo Rick Ringwald Hover Photo

Rick Ringwald

Partner
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Rick Ringwald

Partner | rick@powersinvest.com


Rick joined Powers Advisory Group in 2017 and has over 19 years of experience in the financial industry. Most recently he was a Vice President of Commercial Banking at Commerce Bank in Belleville, IL. Prior to this, Rick held positions in various roles with Stifel Nicolaus, Regions Bank and Wells Fargo. He previously held his Series 7 and 66 while working for Stifel Nicolaus and has held various insurance licenses over the years. Rick earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from McKendree University and a Masters of Business Administration from St. Louis University.

He is actively involved in his local community, serving as Co-Chairman of the Highland Optimist Shootout, Board Member of the Highland Area Community Foundation, St. Paul Educational Foundation Board Member  and coaching youth sports. Previously, he served as the President of the Highland Chamber of Commerce, as a Highland Police Commissioner and was active in the Highland Entrepreneurial Program.

Rick and his wife Mandy reside in Highland, IL along with with their three children, Addison, Noah and Elliott.

Nic Rutz Photo Nic Rutz Hover Photo

Nic Rutz

Investment Advisor
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Nic Rutz

Investment Advisor | NIC@POWERSINVEST.COM


Nic earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  He has over 16 years of experience in owning and operating small businesses, most notably Popeye's Chop House in St. Rose, IL. During his tenure he helped establish the reputation it has today as one of the most successful restaurants in the St. Louis area.   Ten years ago, he and his wife purchased a collection of Early Childhood Learning Centers and grew the business to 65 employees, caring for 260 children.  In 2011, he and a partner established a Real Estate Investment business that now includes a portfolio of commercial, multi-family, and self-storage properties.

 He lives in Breese, IL with his wife Anne along with their 3 children Zander, Breck, and Cali.

Melissa Nehrt Photo Melissa Nehrt Hover Photo

Melissa Nehrt

Director of Operations
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Melissa Nehrt

Director of Operations | melissa@powersinvest.com


Melissa is the Director of Operations for Powers Advisory Group.

She is instrumental in the coordination, planning and organization of all operational functions within the firm.

Melissa’s nearly 20 years of financial industry experience is a perfect complement to Powers Advisory Group’s existing strengths. Her knowledge of estate and financial planning, accounting, tax practices, and life insurance are extremely valuable to the firm as well as their clients. Prior to joining the firm, Melissa was a portfolio design analyst for a local NFP Securities firm, and served as a senior accountant at Scheffel & Company, a Certified Public Accounting firm in Illinois. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.

Melissa spent her childhood in Highland and still lives there today with her husband Aaron and their children, Walker and Wade. Melissa is very active in her local community. She and her husband are well known for volunteering to coach many of the youth sports in the community and also volunteers her time at her children's school. Melissa is a mentor of the Young Women's Breast Cancer Program peer support group of Siteman Cancer Center and proud supporter of the local Relay For Life.

Amy Munie Photo Amy Munie Hover Photo

Amy Munie

Client Operations Specialist
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Amy Munie

Client Operations Specialist


Amy has over 30 years of executive level administration experience in the legal field.  She spent 26 years as a Legal Assistant with the insurance defense firm of Moser & Marsalek, P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by 4 years at a railroad and personal injury plaintiff firm in O’Fallon, Illinois.  Her years supporting principals and partners, as well as their clients, in legal administration, firm operations and special events complement her Client Operations Specialist role at Powers Advisory Group.  With her keen attention to detail, Amy ensures client accounts are accurately established and maintained to support their investment advisory experience with the professionals at Powers Advisory Group.  She also is a key coordinator in creating special events for our clients.      

Amy is originally from Trenton, Illinois, and has lived in Highland over 26 years.  She and her husband Greg have a son, Adam, and Amy’s adult daughter, Brooke, resides in Santa Monica, California.  Throughout the years, Amy has always enjoyed being actively involved in coordinating events associated with her children’s various sports and activities.  When Amy isn’t busy attending Adam’s sporting events, she enjoys hosting and creating special memories for her family and friends.   

Courtney Branson Photo Courtney Branson Hover Photo

Courtney Branson

Client Service Specialist
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Courtney Branson

Client Service Specialist


Courtney is the Client Service Specialist for Powers Advisory Group.  

Courtney’s nearly 20 years of hospitality management and administrative experience is a wonderful addition to Powers Advisory Group.  In addition, Courtney also brings experience in the insurance and financial industry.  Most recently she served as a Branch Office Administrator for Edward Jones. 

Her attention to detail, excellent client service, and administrative background will be a great asset to our clients.  Courtney spent her childhood in Marine and currently lives in Highland with her husband Rich and their children Trey, Reid and Hattie.  If Courtney isn’t attending a sporting event or dance competition with her children, she is busy planning the next family vacation and enjoying family time. 

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FAQ

 

WHAT DOES FIDUCIARY MEAN?

 

Most “financial advisors” are not required to do what’s in your best interest. Powers Advisory Group is a fiduciary, which means we are legally bound to make decisions in your best interest at all times with every decision we make.

 

ARE THERE ANY FEES FOR AN INITIAL MEETING?

 
 

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

 

Our office is located just outside of St. Louis in Highland, IL however we have clients throughout the country. We’re happy to come to you or host a virtual / phone meeting if need be.

 

How will you communicate with me?

 

We communicate in various ways from face-to-face meetings, phone discussions, and email correspondence based on your personal preferences. We provide periodic market commentary and interesting investment and financial planning articles via email and our website.

 

How are you different from other financial advisors?

 

We employ a team approach and have a legal responsibility to act as a fiduciary to all clients. Our fee-only structure differentiates us from the typical brokerage firm and puts us on the same side of the table as our clients.

 

WHAT IS FEE-ONLY?

 

It means the only way Powers Advisory Group is compensated is through a fee that we negotiate with you ahead of time. No commission, no third-party payments, 100% independent. This puts us on the same side of the table as our clients.

 

DO YOU HAVE ACCOUNT MINIMUMS?

 
 

Where do you get your investment research?

 

As an independent firm, we can obtain our market research from any number of sources. We selected to partner with industry leaders - Morningstar and Charles Schwab, for our primary research information.

 

How often do you review my investments?

We review your investment holdings globally on a on-going basis and will periodically re-balance your accounts throughout the year to maintain your established asset allocation in accordance to your risk profile.

 


How much money do I need to retire?

 

We utilize innovative financial planning software to help provide a vision for what retirement looks like and guide you through the decision-making process on the best time to retire factoring in lifestyle, expected sources of retirement income, longevity, etc.


More Questions? - Contact Us

Contact

Office

2603 Plaza Drive 
Highland, IL 62249

Phone

(618) 654-6262

Email

info@powersinvest.com


Client Access




EPIC REtirement



MOst 529

TRPC

Fidelity Net Benefits