Our Team

The desire to be a financial planner was planted in me at an early age. My parents instilled in me, while very young, the value of hard work. I started my first paper route while in elementary school, and could often be seen in the neighborhood mowing lawns or shoveling driveways. As I earned money, my parents had the foresight to include me in a meeting with their financial advisor. I was convinced to start investing a small amount of my earnings each month.  This early start to investing, coupled with the fact that my mother and grandmother also shared my interest in finance, ultimately convinced me that I would eventually like to help others with their financial needs.

After graduating from Wheaton North High School, I attended Illinois Wesleyan University where I majored in business administration with a minor in risk management and financial services. I played basketball for the Titans where we were fortunate enough to make two NCAA Division III Final Four appearances, which culminated in a National Championship my senior year. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, I was invited to compete with an All-Star team touring in Europe. Aside from playing against several professional basketball clubs, it allowed me to interact with a diverse group of people and see a variety of different cultures.  I enjoyed the trip so much that I decided to put my financial planning career on hold for a shot at playing professional basketball.  What I thought was going to be a one- or two-year experience turned out to be a seven-year career that took me to the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy, and Portugal.  Along the journey, my wife, Jenna, and I were able to live in some incredible places, develop lifelong friendships, and gain a different perspective on the world.  We now reside in Normal and have three beautiful daughters, two of whom were born in Portugal. 

With the ultimate goal of becoming a financial advisor in mind, I spent much of the last part of my basketball career studying to obtain my CFP^® certification. I became the team nerd, as I was often seen studying on the bus during our road trips! In 2004, shortly after our middle daughter, Adriana, was born in Lisbon, we moved back to the United States for good. 

I started the next phase of my career with Edward Jones, the old-fashioned way, knocking on doors.  Although this is an experience I would not like to relive, I am constantly reminded of the great relationships that were formed by those initial conversations.  To this day, one of the things I most enjoy about my job is the friendships I have developed over the years.  

In 2009, after researching multiple independent broker-dealers, I decided to join Commonwealth Financial Network^® and open Crabtree Financial Group, LLC. It was the best decision I could have made. As an independent advisor, I am free to select from a wide variety of investment and insurance products in order to meet the needs of my clients. I work with an amazing staff, all of whom are focused on doing whatever it takes to help our clients.  

In my spare time, I enjoy coaching soccer and basketball, playing golf, and attending my kids’ various activities.  

Elise was born and raised in Belvidere, Illinois, and attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She graduated summa cum laude from ISU in May 2021 with a double major in finance and risk management and insurance, along with a minor in financial planning. While at Illinois State, Elise played on the women's club volleyball team and was the club's treasurer.

She started her internship with Crabtree Financial Group in the summer of her sophomore year. She has now worked for over two years as a full-time employee and has developed into a client service role on the path to becoming an advisor. As a senior paraplanner, Elise works directly with Bryan and Adam to conduct investment research and develop retirement planning strategies, insurance analysis, and other client needs. In addition, she has completed various financial licenses and is in the process of obtaining her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP^®) certification.

Outside of work, Elise lives in the Chicago suburbs and enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring the city, and being with family and friends.

Katie is originally from the LaSalle-Peru area and moved to Bloomington after graduating from Illinois State University. She worked as a business analyst at State Farm for 17 years before leaving to spend more time with her family. She joined Crabtree Financial Group, LLC in 2019 and keeps our day-to-day operations running smoothly in her role as a financial assistant.

Katie and her husband, Jeff, live in Lexington (Go Minutemen!) and have two children, Hailey and Easton, and several fur babies. She spends most of her spare time watching her kids participate in various sports. When not in the bleachers, she enjoys outdoor activities, reading, cooking, and baking.

Abby was born and raised in Clinton, Illinois, and graduated from Illinois State University. She worked at Country Financial for 10 years before setting aside a career to focus on her family. Once her youngest entered kindergarten, Abby worked in different roles at her children’s school. She joined Crabtree Financial Services in 2023 as an office assistant, focusing on insurance and retirement plans. Abby and her husband, Luke, live in Lexington and have two children, Wren and Jasper. She enjoys cheering them on at their sporting events, spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling to Florida in the fall/winter months to help her husband raise their children as Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans (Go Bucs!).