creative services

Background:
Prior to joining Advisors Excel, Kelly had spent four years building her own marketing company, which provided comprehensive business planning, strategic communications, marketing/promotion consulting and project/event management to statewide organizations such as the KS Technology Enterprise Corporation, KS Bioscience Organization and the KS Bioscience Authority. She project managed all details regarding Kansas' presence at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 international conventions including sponsorships, branding, collaterals, advertising and event management.

Prior to her work as an independent consultant, Kelly worked as promotions director for WIBW Radio, public information officer for the KS Lottery and marketing director for Heartland Park Topeka. She also spent three years during college working with Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and former Voice of the Kansas State Wildcats, assisting him in the broadcast booth during football and basketball games.

Kelly began working as a marketing consultant for Advisors Excel in April of 2008, spearheading the company’s external advertising and promotions. She was very excited to officially join Advisors Excel as a full-time team member and looks forward to the many new programs and services the creative department has in the works for 2011.

Family Information: 
Kelly resides in Topeka, KS with husband, Raubin, and daughter, Stella.

Education:
Kelly grew up in Silver Lake and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in marketing.

Background:
Valerie was born and raised in Topeka, KS. Prior to joining the Advisors Excel team, Valerie worked at Security Benefit as a Document Services Representative. While she attended Washburn University, she worked as a Records Clerk at the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

Educational History:
Valerie graduated from Seaman High School in 2003 and received a scholarship to play softball for Dodge City Community College. Valerie graduated from Dodge with an AGS Degree and went on to attend Washburn University.

Family Information:
Valerie has two sisters, Rashell and Jessie, one brother-in-law and two nieces, Kayla and Baylee. Valerie has awesome parents, Luke and Jana. They were both born and raised in Topeka, KS. One of the most important things in her life is her dog, Pebbles.

Achievement you are most proud of:
Valerie is very proud of reaching her goal at Dodge City Community College by becoming 1st team All-State shortstop in 2005.

Message to Clients:
I am very excited to be a part of the Advisors Excel team. As part of my role, I am happy to give quality and professional service to all of our agents.

Background:
Courtney has a highly diverse creative background ranging from the language arts of public speaking and theatre to the fine arts of painting and photography and the practical arts of interior and graphic design. She thrives on putting her communication and artist skills to use for a variety of ventures, particularly for the betterment of small businesses. Prior to joining Advisors Excel in January of 2009, Courtney worked as the marketing director for small businesses in the ethanol and custom audio/video industries, in which she led and executed strategic communications, project and event management, and branding and advertising efforts.

Family Information: 
Courtney enjoys frequenting Chicago to visit her amazingly-talented older brother as well as getting home to Wichita, KS to spend time with her parents. She grew up watching and working with her dad’s business in real estate and new home construction - photographing jobs, designing literature and jumping in wherever needed. From these experiences, she learned the work ethic and determination of a small business owner and developed a passion for helping them succeed.

Education:
Courtney is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Washburn University, with a B.A. in mass media, emphasis in advertising, and a minor in business.  She was also a member of the Presidential Honor Roll & Dean’s List, Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Message to Clients:
Creativity can solve any problem.  It is the power to communicate effectively - to connect on a deeper level and to evolve ahead of the curve.

Hometown/State: Plainville, KS

Family: I grew up with my mom, dad and three sisters. I have two nieces, Georgia and Emma, two nephews, Jake and Owen and an eight-year-old chocolate lab named Lilli.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
I am the Internal Marketing Specialist at Advisors Excel. The main function of my role within the Creative Team is to create Advisor Loyalty, increase overall employee communication from within and provide impeccable service to our advisors.

When asked what she liked most about working at Advisors Excel, this is what Cortney had to say: 
I love working for Advisors Excel because we are treated as individuals, we have the ability to express our creative side, our ideas are heard, and more often than not, they are implemented. The work environment at Advisors Excel is fast-paced and energetic which provides constant interest and a feeling of accomplishment every single day!

Background:
Prior to joining Advisors Excel, Ashley worked for several different financial institutions and at a local limestone company as an administrative coordinator. While attending Kansas State University, Ashley served as the Student Manager/Statistician for the Kansas State University Women’s Volleyball Team. She is proud to say that she was part of the team that won the Big 12 Championship Title in 2003.

Educational History:
Ashley, a graduate of Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, KS, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Services from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.

Family Information:
Ashley’s husband, Lucas, graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in Carbondale, KS and Kansas State University in Manhattan.  He currently works as a personal banker at Capitol Federal Savings.  Ashley’s parents still reside in Kanopolis, KS, which is the community in which she grew up. Her father, Darrell, owns his own trucking company and is a farmer/rancher. Her mother, LeAnn, is the Information Systems Manager at the local salt mine.  Ashley’s younger brother, Andrew, also works at the local salt mine.

Achievement you are most proud of:
First, I am proud of my achievement of a full-ride scholarship that I earned while working with the Kansas State volleyball team. I had the privilege to be part of an amazing team and make lifelong friends and connections through my experience with them.  I have traveled throughout the United States and Europe with the team, and I cherish the memories that we made on each trip. Secondly, I am very proud of the devoted marriage between my husband and I. He truly is my best friend, and without him and the rest of our family and close friends, I would not be the person I am today. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life!!

Message to Clients:
I am excited to be a part of this rapidly growing and successful company. The entire Advisors Excel staff will continue to do our part in helping your company become as successful as possible. I look forward to continue establishing great relationships with our advisors and continue to strive towards making every event that Advisors Excel hosts a more memorable one than the last!

Hometown/State: St. Marys, KS

Family:
I grew up in the small town of St. Marys with my amazing parents, Mike and Carolyn, and younger brother, Kellen.  I graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management.  Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and also provide marketing consultation for small area businesses and organizations.  I live in Topeka with my two small dogs, Lizzie and Claire, who are the loves of my life.   In the little free time I have, you can find me at the gym, playing sports, traveling, loving on my dogs or reading a good book.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
As a Marketing Coordinator for the Marketing On Demand program, I am able to practice my passion for marketing everyday by helping our advisors grow their business through this new and innovative marketing program.   While managing several accounts, consulting advisors and their staff, and implementing several various marketing components, I am continuously forced to find new ways to improve myself, practice creativity and work more efficiently.   With my skills and knowledge in marketing along with my past experience within the industry, I strive to provide impeccable service to my advisors and become a valuable resource for their business.    As a Marketing Coordinator, I am fully committed to improving the practice of my advisors and introducing a new value through creative and strategic marketing.

When asked what he liked most about his job at Advisors Excel, this is what Keely had to say:
At Advisors Excel, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate the industry.  With a combination of a great atmosphere and an amazing group of people, we are consistently exceeding all expectations.  Our determination, creativeness and passion sets us apart from all competition.  

Hometown/State: Lawrence, Kansas

Family:
Kevin lives in Lawrence, Kansas with his wife, Dena, and their two children - Skyler and Braycen.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
Kevin brings over a decade of creative design and marketing experience to Advisors Excel. His primary role is creating innovative marketing material for the wide variety of incentives and programs available to our advisors. Kevin also plays a major role in designing dynamic custom marketing and branding material for our top advisors looking to set themselves apart from the competition.

When asked what he liked most about his job at Advisors Excel, this is what Kevin had to say:
Advisors Excel has given me a great opportunity to use and grow my creative talents. The company is continuously creating new and cutting-edge solutions to help our advisors grow their business, and I’m excited everyday to be a part of it.

Hometown/State: Topeka, Kansas

Family:
Josh and his wife, Michelle, were married shortly after college, and they’ve been blessed with three awesome children – Peighton, Addison and Greyson. 

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
Josh joined Advisors Excel as the Marketing Communications Director of the Creative Team. His primary roles on the team include strategic marketing planning for AE and its advisors, content development and designing of external marketing campaigns.

Background:
Prior to joining Advisors Excel, Josh spent seven years with another FMO in various capacities including annuity and LTCi sales, directing the FMO’s recruiting efforts and serving as the Marketing Lead and Senior Staff Writer. There, he was responsible for coordinating the department, developing and implementing the company’s marketing and recruiting plans, creating custom marketing plans for the firm’s top advisors and producing all written content for use by the organization and its producers.

When asked what he liked most about his job at Advisors Excel, this is what Josh had to say:
It’s exciting and very rare to be part of such a forward thinking, rapidly-growing organization.  The people who comprise our company are passionate about what they do and dedicated to the advisors they serve, and collectively, we understand we’ve been blessed with incredible opportunity. I’m grateful to contribute to something in which we all so strongly believe.

Hometown/State: Topeka, Kansas

Family:
Mike lives in Topeka with his wife Mary and their son Lee.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
Mike ensures that we have the systems and processes in place to help our advisors succeed through all their electronic marketing needs. He also in charge of putting systems and workflows in place to alleviate unnecessary busy work so that staff members have more time to spend on our most important function of assisting advisors.

When asked what he liked most about his job at Advisors Excel, this is what Mike had to say:
I thoroughly enjoy working for Advisors Excel because of the fast paced environment and being surrounded by very talented people. At Advisors Excel, I get to utilize all of my abilities and experience on a daily basis along with facing challenges and new situations that give me a chance to expand on those in order to meet our advisors’ needs.

Hometown/State: Topeka, Kansas

Family Information: 
Marcus is married to his wife, Anna, and they enjoy vacationing together and cruising the big city of Topeka.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
Marcus works with the creative team on all internal and external web marketing projects for Advisors Excel. Since 2007, he has had the pleasure to work with over 200 advisors to design and develop a unique and strong web presence for their business online.

When asked what he liked most about his job at Advisors Excel, this is what Marcus had to say:
Being part of a company that has seen so much growth as a company and not lost the feel of a "small business" is something to be proud of here. You truly have ownership in what you do here and the owners instill that in everyone that works here because everyone has a unique role that assists our advisors in a special way.

Hometown/State: St. Marys, KS

Family: Jayna is happily married to her husband, Andy.  They are looking forward to moving back closer to home to start a family soon.  Jayna’s parents are Gary and Donna.  She grew up with 2 brothers (Waylon and Dylan) and 2 sisters (Danielle and Ashley).   She is a proud aunt of 3 beautiful nieces-Brenna, Olivia & Taylor-and 1 handsome nephew, Lane.  She enjoys the outdoors, decorating, travelling, sports, spending time at the family lake house, and spending time with close friends and family. 

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
As a marketing coordinator, Jayna takes on full responsibility for implementing marketing strategies for her assigned advisors. She interacts on a daily basis with each advisor's office to coach and assist in their marketing needs. She feels fortunate to be given the opportunity to help some of the top elite advisors in this country.

When asked what she liked most about working at Advisors Excel, this is what Jayna had to say: “Here at Advisors Excel, we are rewarded for our hard work on a daily basis.  Every single person in this company brings something to the table.  We are innovative and fully capable of doing anything set before us. 

The advisors are truly our number one priority and that is why you see success written all over Advisors Excel.  We have great morals and values, a strong work ethic, and that is why our advisors can trust us.   I feel very fortunate to be a part of Advisors Excel.”

Hometown/State: Kansas City, MO

Family: Brandon is the oldest of 4 kids lives with his wife, Tabitha, and their dog, Mulva.

Job Duties/Responsibilities at Advisors Excel:
Brandon joined Advisors Excel in March of 2010. He works with the creative team to ensure that the work that leaves Advisors Excel's office has the highest caliber of design possible..

Full Bio Coming Soon!