Why Affinity?2024-06-06T16:24:05-05:00

Who We Are

Affinity Asset Management is a full-service financial advisory firm, specializing in Money Management, Retirement Tax Strategies, Retirement Income Design, and Retirement Planning. We focus on strategy and service before product selection. Our unique approach has earned us the ultimate compliment clients can give: referrals

 

What We Believe

We believe it’s important to have a blueprint or design before you can focus on the wall colors and carpeting. We spend time working on your blueprint and help you design a strategy to meet your goals and expectations. Only then will we review the “carpet and color,” the financial products you currently have and those that you might consider adding to complement your overall design.

What We Can Do

As an independent financial advisory firm, we are able to offer many options that clients might not otherwise have. We represent more than one company, which means more product choices for you! Using the strength that comes with choice creates an advantage you can count on. After we design a strategy, we’ll seek the products best suited for your goals. We have learned that the fastest way to help you create a workable plan is to focus on smart retirement tax strategies, not aggressive investment selection. Our goal and yours are the same, to provide you with the largest net income on the least gross income.

Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

How Does a Financial Advisor Get Paid

Introduction to Affinity Asset Management

Becoming a Client with Affinity

Our Valuable Team Members

Mark Roberts
Mark RobertsOwner/President
Phone: 913-381-4800
In addition to managing clients’ money and giving investment and diversification advice, Mark offers something that “the other guys” don’t—a unique approach to retirement tax strategies and distribution. Time and time again, Mark meets with new clients who tell him they have a great relationship with their financial advisor but have never been offered information on this kind of approach to securing their financial futures. Mark has taken this feedback to heart and works tirelessly to ensure that his strategies focus on taxes and distribution.

Mark started selling insurance for a major insurance company right out of high school to help put himself through college. After graduating with a degree in finance, he dove into estate planning on the financial side to set himself apart from other financial advisors. However, as changes were made to estate tax laws over time, Mark shifted his focus to income tax strategies.

Mark’s philosophy is “the blueprints are more important than the wall paper or carpet.” The wall paper and carpet represent products like investments and insurance policies, whereas the blue prints represent the strategies. Once strategies that truly fit the client’s needs are put in place, our focus can shift to providing you with the right products. According to Mark, “It doesn’t matter what carpet we use if the walls are not in the right place.”

Our approach to money management is designed to generate the largest alpha (quality) with the lowest standard deviation and beta (risk). By doing this, we help provide clients with the highest return on the lowest risk. Generating income for our retirees is also very important. Because withdrawing money from your portfolio hurts the account rather than helping it, our goal is to design income strategies to harm the portfolio the least making the money last longer.

Mark Roberts was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and he’s spent 21 years in the financial services industry. Mark has three children: Garrett, Paige and Savannah. In his spare time, Mark loves to play golf. However, his real passion is coaching his kids’ sports teams.

Mark Roberts ADV

 Tom Strandell
Tom StrandellSenior Partner
Phone: 816-901-0581

Tom has always had a passion for helping his clients protect and grow their money. Tom’s approach is to treat every client in respect to their own individual needs—not the “cookie cutter” approach others use. Establishing a strong relationship with his clients and understanding what their goals are has been the cornerstone of his success.

Tom’s entry into the financial services business came after a successful corporate career in the medical industry, where he worked for several Fortune 100 companies. After five corporate mergers and two “downsizings” in 13 years, Tom entered the financial services industry in 1999. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, a Mathematics minor, and corporate experience, Tom has the analytical ability to put financial strategies together, while at the same time has the empathy to understand transition whether it is from Company A to Company B or from work to retirement.

“Strategy First, Products Second” has always been Tom’s philosophy about making recommendations. Once a strategy is in place, products like investments and insurance are used to implement the strategy. Tom strongly believes that everyone has their own unique needs and goals, and he tailors his recommendations for each unique client situation.

Managing money is as much about managing client’s expectations as it is the technical fundamentals of a portfolio. The rules for someone accumulating assets are way different than the rules for someone withdrawing income in retirement. Too often people are applying the wrong set of rules during a certain phase of their retirement. Tom’s goal is to help make sure you get a paycheck in retirement and that your money lives longer than you do.

Tom Strandell was born in South Dakota and has a degree in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University. He moved to the Kansas City area in 1998. He has three children: Shantelle, Jordan, Joshua and four grandchildren, two of which are twins! Tom enjoys the outdoors, golfing, fitness, and sports. Most of all, he loves to spoil his grandkids!

Tom Strandell ADV

Kellie Banta
Kellie BantaVice President of Operations/Marketing Director
Phone: 913-381-4800

Kellie is responsible for the marketing vision for Affinity Asset Management. Her focus is on organizing client appreciation events, seminars, trade shows, and workshops to help educate our clients on current market trends.

Kellie also oversees the production of our website, social media, blog, promotional items and advertising events. Kellie’s other major responsibility is the supervision of Affinity Asset Management operations, providing leadership and guidance to our team. Kellie brought her marketing background and passion for serving clients to Affinity Asset Management in 2010.

When she isn’t spending time with her husband and children, she enjoys playing tennis, listening to live music, and visiting with friends & family.

Missy Tullis
Missy TullisBusiness Manager
Phone: 913-381-4800
As the Business Manager, Missy oversees our IT department, accounts payable/receivable and online access for our clients. She also manages our client database, making sure that it is accurate and up to date. Additionally, Missy coordinates all office and lease agreements. Missy joined Affinity Asset Management in 2007 and continues to help us provide exceptional service.

Missy graduated in 2005 from ENC in Boston, MA with Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Social Relations. Missy and her husband are very proud parents to Hailey who was born in 2016. They also enjoy taking care of their school of saltwater fish. Missy enjoys photography, and is involved at her local church.

Mike Axelrod, CFP®
Mike Axelrod, CFP®Director of Financial Planning
Phone: 913-381-4800
  • Certified Financial Planner
  • Series 7 General Securities Representative
  • Series 9 General Securities Sales Supervisor – Options Module
  • Series 10 General Securities Sales Supervisor – General Module
  • Series 24 General Securities Principal
  • Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law
  • Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor Law
  • Life & Health Insurance Agent License

Mike joined Affinity Asset Management in 2016, bringing more than 20 years of comprehensive financial analysis experience with him. He has a proven ability to explain complex financial strategies to individuals not well-versed in the industry. Mike is proficient in multiple financial planning and insurance illustration platforms, possesses a thorough knowledge of investment strategies, including mutual funds, fixed, variable and income annuities and takes great prides in structuring the right approach for each client to take. He holds his life, health and Series 7, 9, 10, 24, 63 and 65 licenses and is also a Certified Financial Planner™.

Mike graduated from Webster University with a B.A. in business administration. He lives in Overland Park with his wife and two children. When he isn’t spending time with his family he enjoys hockey, golf and baseball.


Mike Axelrod ADV

Terry Summers
Terry Summers

Terry believes that you have worked hard for your money and it is time to have that money working hard for you! There is nuance to that statement. Terry is licensed in life & health and loves to merge assets accumulated, pension and social security income, tax strategies (long and short term), expenses and market risk onto a template to see what the “Golden Years” look like. After all, this plan is set to last 20-30 years!

Terry started working in the financial services industry in 1987. After graduating from Minot State University (ND) in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration, he was first employed as the youngest ever Radio Communications Representative hired by Motorola. This, to Terry, was a job and not to be confused as a career. When a friend introduced him to the world of retirement planning Terry knew that he had found his niche. If you love what you do your vocation then aligns with your avocation.

It is the unique circumstances of each client’s financial scenario that Terry enjoys the most. The process of working through the analytics to ensure that the right amount of money ends up in the right person’s hands at the right time is what makes it meaningful. The foundation of that give and take with his clients is trust.

Minot State University granted a full scholarship to play baseball for all four years of Terry’s time at MSU. In turn Terry has established the Terry and Lynne Summers Scholarship Endowment. This awards a scholarship annually to a student in the MSU Business School. If there is a baseball player in the business school, they get the scholarship.

Terry and his wife Lynne reside in Olathe, KS. Terry is an avid golfer and enjoys sports in general. Lynne spends a lot of time tending to plants and gardening and makes great use of their Peloton exercise bike. They both love to travel and are best entertained by their 2 dogs…Hosmi and Axel.

Jaime Wigginton
Jaime WiggintonOperations Director
Phone: 913-381-4800

As Director of Operations, Jaime oversees the daily activity of the Operations Team and manages the team workload in order to meet goals and deadlines.  She assists in setting goals that promote company growth and leads employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication to growth and profitability of the company. With more than a decade of industry experience from the insurance company level to the field marketing level, Jaime has a keen attention to detail and the flexibility to work with different aspects of the company.   

Jaime holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and holds Life and Health insurance licensing.   She and her husband, Alex, live in Shawnee along with their beloved pets; Lola, Nina and Solo.  She enjoys cooking, wine tasting and being outdoors.

Pat Rice
Pat Rice Senior Operations Specialist
Phone: 913-381-4800
Licenses & Registrations:

  • Series 7 General Securities Representative
  • Series 6 Mutual Fund License
  • Life & Health Insurance Agent License

Pat is insurance licensed and a Registered Representative. Pat joined Affinity Asset Management with over 10 years experience in the financial industry. He works diligently to provide outstanding service to our clients, portfolio management, client reviews and client accounts management. His wealth of knowledge and rapport with others reinforce his dedication to caring about our clients, their families and their stories.

In his spare time, Pat likes to spend time with his children and attending their activities but he also enjoys going for long bike rides and cheering on the Royals.

Tamika Reine Washington
Tamika Reine Washington Operations & Plan Executive
Phone: 816-901-0581
Tamika’s core responsibilities include gathering information necessary for financial plans and coordinating the input, scheduling client meetings, processing client paperwork and client service work. She also oversees the daily functions of the office to ensure a great service for clients. Tamika joined forces with Tom Strandell in 2006 bringing her expertise in organizational skills, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service skills.

Tamika graduated from NWMSU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their beautiful daughter, along with two dogs and a cat! When she isn’t spending time with her family, she enjoys reading, sand volleyball, camping and boating!

Stacy Drake
Stacy DrakeMarketing Manager
Phone: 913-381-4800

As the marketing manager, Stacy is responsible for developing the market strategy for the company and in line with the company objectives. She manages and improves our lead generation campaigns and measures those results. Additionally, Stacy is dedicated to greeting our clients both in person and on the phone to ensure their experience is seamless and comfortable.

Stacy is an Overland Park native, living in Western Shawnee with her three children. Stacy’s background includes event planning, marketing, sales and she has a true passion for client satisfaction. In her free time she enjoys CrossFit, golfing, going to concerts and sporting events.

Christi VanHorn
Christi VanHornClient Relationship Coordinator
Phone: 913-381-4800

As Client Relationship Coordinator, Christi guides clients through each office visit, phone review and opportunity for correspondence with a dedication to service excellence. She welcomes visitors by greeting them, in person or on the telephone; answering or referring inquiries to the right team member. Additionally, she maintains and coordinates all advisors calendars, updates our CRM information, schedules client meetings, documents account objectives & researches current and historical performance reports for client reviews.

Christi has always been a south Kansas City resident except for years at University of Missouri in Columbia getting her education degree. Currently she lives in the Red Bridge area. She has spent all of her working career as a teacher until now and is enjoying using her customer service and hospitality skills here at AAM. Christi has a grown son still living in Columbia since college and has retired her Cub & Boy Scouting leadership career after his Eagle award. After enjoying husband and family time, frequenting family at The Lake of The Ozarks, she enjoys time with music, baking, photography, reading, and keeping up with friends.

Community Cafe

events

Strategic Partners

Glenn Stockton
Glenn StocktonManaging Partner at Stockton and Kandt, LLC.
Phone: 913-856-2828
www.stocktonlaw.com
Glenn A. Stockton, J.D, is the principal and managing attorney of the firm, has been engaged in the private practice of law in the Kansas City area for 14 years. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Glenn is able to design custom estate plans on behalf of clients that preserve wealth, protect personal and family assets and afford clients the comfort and peace of mind that comes from knowing that their loved ones are protected. Glenn is a member of Wealth Counsel, a national alliance of estate planning attorneys as well as the Probate Law Bench/Bar Committee of the Johnson County Bar Association. Glenn is also an accredited attorney with the Veterans Administration (VA), is a member of the Sons of the American Legion, the American Legion Riders, the Gardner Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Trisha Krause
Trisha KrauseCPA, Affinity Tax LLC
Phone: 913-341-4829
www.affinitytaxllc.com

Trisha is a CPA who has served the Kansas City area for over 20 years. She started out in private accounting. The last 8 years, she has worked in public accounting. She enjoys working with small businesses and individual clients to help with their tax and accounting needs. She serves small business clients in many different industries including Construction, Restaurant, Farming, Home Mortgage Lending, Rentals and Not-for-Profit.

She grew up in Kansas City and is a huge Chiefs and Royals fan. Since meeting her husband, Kraig she is now a Nebraska Husker fan also.

She enjoys spending time with her family that includes her husband and her 3 children. Her 2 boys attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and her daughter attends Louisburg Middle school.

She is a CPA in Kansas and Missouri and is a member of the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accounts) and NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals).

Charities

Being part of the Kansas City area, we want to give back to our community. Supporting local charities through services, golf tournaments and hands-on help is just a start. In addition, we provide scholarships for our local community college to support those young adults entering our business community.

Community

We have a commitment to our client community and want to get to know them and their families as we want them to get to know the Affinity Asset Management family. To provide that opportunity, we host different events throughout the year to encourage our clients to come out and share in the informative workshops, golf tournaments, social events and other gatherings. We value our clients and want to show them appreciation.

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