Keeler Thomas Management has supported families, individuals, business owners, and charitable foundations to succeed in pursuit of their unique goals for over 40 years. This suite of experienced professionals works with the sole focus of striving to meet all your desired outcomes.
“It is personally deeply fulfilling to create and implement strategies that strengthen and magnify our client’s most valuable assets; their family (including future generations), their personal character, their valued relationships, and their businesses. It is a privilege to be allowed to work with a team of people who share that vision.”
John is a Principal, Co-founder, and Senior Partner of Keeler Thomas. He has been educating and working in the financial, estate, and business planning industry for over 40 years. A highly respected and sought after presenter, John taught financial and family continuity principles over the years in numerous venues across the United States. He is a published author and co-author. John spearheaded the firm’s Family Legacy emphasis on creating continuity of wealth and unity for families from generation to generation, and extended that strategy into Keeler Thomas Business Value Optimization Services. Business value optimization, succession, purchase strategies, funding expansion and growth needs are most effective when driven and sustained by the family’s shared vision for the future.
John currently serves as a member of the Planned Giving Advisory Board at Utah Valley University and is a member of the Board of Directors of the I Care Foundation. Within Keeler Thomas, he serves as Chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee and directs all Client Services for the firm, as well as comprehensive wealth management programs (Family Office Services).
He holds a BS Economics from Brigham Young University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), a Certified Heritage Design Professional™ and holds Series 7, 63, and 24 licenses.
“Many Keeler Thomas clients have built wealth by building on an idea and starting, leading, and growing a business. Many of these businesses are tightly held by family members and forms a powerful basis for the business of being a family. Keeler Thomas is the parent of two related entities that focus on the process of acceleration the value of the family enterprise and constructing a stable foundation where family members can transfer or exit the business as part of their financial plan.”
Cary Wasden is a Senior Partner, Senior Analyst, and Head of the Portfolio Team at Keeler Thomas Management. He is also the founder of the Archimedes Enterprise Solutions practice at Keeler Thomas. Cary is a seasoned Wall Street analyst and entrepreneur. He attended Brigham Young University for his bachelor's and master’s degree, then Ohio State University for additional graduate training.
Cary worked for thirty years as an investment analyst on Wall Street where he was the top-ranked analyst in the world and is the analyst credited with uncovering the Enron debacle. Cary has started, led, and exited a number of entrepreneurial ventures. He presently teaches finance at Utah Valley University.
“I personally believe that for our company, integrity is a fundamental component that is essential to have present in all of our dealings.”
Michele has over 22 years of tenure at Keeler Thomas Management. As the Accounting Manager for KT, she oversees the complexity of our financial record-keeping and internal audit for financial agencies. As the HR Director for KT, she maintains key business infrastructure relationships and directs and organizes employee programs and benefits.
Michele manages the company’s financial records and databases. In her time at Keeler Thomas, she has worked in several departments where she can always be counted on to bring structure and organization. Prior to working at Keeler Thomas, Michele was the General Manager of a popular retail establishment, with responsibilities in human resources, training, financial controls, and customer service. Her critical accounting, management, and organizational skills are daily brought to bear at Keeler Thomas.
Derek is an Advisor at Keeler Thomas, and brings to the team a variety of client care, finance, retirement planning, and entrepreneurship skills. Derek has owned multiple businesses in different industries, but his true passion is finance.
Derek is currently majoring in Personal Financial Planning at Utah Valley University, and has years of experience working with broker dealers like E*Trade and Fidelity. Derek has his series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, as well as his AWMA®, CRPS®, and CEPA® designations. He is presently working toward his CFP® certification.
Derek's finance experience as an Associate Advisor at KT has equipped him with the tools needed to provide best-in-class client service. He is a diligent worker who meets deadlines and strives for nothing less than complete client satisfaction with the Keeler Thomas experience.
Gabriel is the Portfolio Manager at Keeler Thomas. His primary responsibilities are the management of client accounts, including executing trading activities, creating and maintaining portfolio reports, and ad hoc reporting/meeting to meet the needs of clients and the goals set by advisors. Gabe also participates in the research undertaken by the Portfolio Team as a whole.
Gabriel initially started at KT as a Service Advisor, with extensive skills in managing the customer experience from years in the restaurant services industry. It became quickly apparent that Gabriel's quantitative finance skills were more than equal to his interpersonal skills. Gabe brings all these skills together every day to make sure client assets are managed with the highest standard of care.
Gabriel is finishing up his BS Finance at Utah Valley University, has his series 65 license, and is studying for his CFA® level 1 exam. Gabriel is a tenacious learner and works relentlessly for 100% accuracy in trade execution and asset management.
“As a client of Keeler Thomas prior to becoming an employee, I have experienced firsthand the care, concern, and professionalism of the Keeler Thomas Team. From the moment you walk in the door you know that you are in good hands. At Keeler Thomas we always strive to put the client first and we value our relationship with each and every client that we partner with.”
With 8 years of experience at Keeler Thomas Management, Katie is a highly trained member of the Wealth Management team. Her critical responsibilities entail support to the advisors. Katie engages client questions and researches specific answers as needed, manages reports and billing, and tackles a variety of other initiatives and responsibilities with utmost diligence. Katie's caring and patient attitude are an embodiment of the Keeler Thomas vision, and make her a natural fit for Client Services.
Prior to her tenure at Keeler Thomas, Katie already had over 10 years of experience in Client Services. In 1998, she graduated from BYU-Idaho with an associate degree in Elementary Education. She currently holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP™) in financial planning and services as well as Life, Health and Disability Insurance licensing for the state of Utah. She is also a Notary Public for the state of Utah.
Nathaniel began at Keeler Thomas years ago in the Portfolio Management Department as a research analyst, and later worked as a General Manager for the firm. His current roles are Chief Compliance Officer for the firm, as well as Service Advisor. His critical responsibilities include overseeing actions, reports, and risks in every department to ensure fiduciary standards of work. Nathaniel ensures compliance to regulatory requirements set forth by the SEC and other agencies. As Service Advisor, Nathaniel manages much of the critical planning and coordinating activities around meetings and critical services provided by the firm to its clients.
Nathaniel's prior roles at Keeler Thomas provide him with direct experience and unique insights into the overall responsibilities and pressures faced by a Financial Services firm, and his compliance, technology, and relationship management experience all play well into his responsibilities as the Chief Compliance Officer of the firm.
Nathaniel holds both a BS and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Utah Valley University, teaching the Securities Industry Exam Prep Course. Nathaniel has passed level 1 of the CFA® Program, and holds his AIF® and CEPA® certifications. He is currently studying and working toward his PPC™, and CFP® certifications.
Isaac is an Investment Analyst in the Portfolio Team at Keeler Thomas. His primary responsibilities involve the ongoing research of investment products, the preparation of reports and presentations for the Portfolio Team, and supporting trading and reporting activities on clients behalf. He is passionate about financial theory, econometrics, and researching and studying history.
Isaac holds a BS Finance from Utah Valley University, as well as his Masters in Business Administration. Isaac has years of experience in financial institution compliance, internal audit, and financial analysis and modeling. Isaac holds his CEPA® designation, is a Notary Public in the State of Utah, and is studying for his CFA® Level 1 Exam.
Isaac has experience in a variety of industries, including personal banking, supply chain, shipping and distribution, branch management, consumer lending, custom metal manufacturing, and of course financial services. He speaks Spanish, has experience in client relationship management, and is an avid reader/writer. Isaac brings this experience to a variety of initiatives at Keeler Thomas Management.
Rebecca is the backbone of Keeler Thomas Management. As Office Manager, she maintains the master office schedule, maintains office facilities, team member availability, and engages in firm-wide planning. Rebecca is the phone-and-email liaison for the entire firm, and the office receptionist. Rebecca prepares for and facilitates on-site client and team meetings, and takes on a variety of HR, Billing, Cash and Check Handling, and Marketing responsibilities as well.
Rebecca is a quiet but tempestuous force for the good of Keeler Thomas and its clients, and keeps the office running as a well-oiled machine. She is well mannered in a way that most people only hope to be, and is more than equipped for her roles in client relationship management and office and firm operations. Rebecca has an Associates Degree from BYU-I and is also a Notary Public in the State of Utah.
Mission, Vision, and Values
For over four decades, KTM has developed its own branded processes that help chart our clients’ meaningful journeys and outcomes for themselves and their families. Using proprietary systems and special designations, KTM is uniquely qualified to partner with our clients in pursuing their financial wellness, retirement, and family legacy goals.