Our Team

Don is a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^®, as well as a member of the National Network of Estate Planners. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations and is licensed for life, health, property, and casualty insurance. Don is an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network. He specializes in comprehensive financial, estate, retirement, and tax planning strategies. Don has a BA from Ashland University and is a former public school educator and head football coach.

Don is actively involved in and serves on several committees that work to improve the quality of life in the Willard area. He is vice president of the Willard Area Economic Development Corporation, member of the Willard Downtown Business Association, and past board member of Mercy Willard Hospital Foundation. He and his wife, Kathe, who is the firm’s business manager, devote time and support to many local organizations and projects.

Don’s true passion is serving as a volunteer in support of Ashland University Football. He currently serves as president of the Ashland University Gridiron Club and also does the radio color commentary for all AU football games. In his spare time, he and Kathe love spending time with family, especially their three grandchildren.

Donald Graham is proud to have been recognized as a President's Club advisor for 2023—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 11 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–Registered Investment Adviser that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Summit Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Summit Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.

Kip is a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^®. He holds a FINRA Series 7 securities registration and a life insurance license. Kip is responsible for the risk management, retirement, and business sectors of the company. Kip is a graduate of Walsh University with a BA in finance. Kip's experience and background include serving as president of Huntington Bank for the Ashland, Richland, and Wayne counties for more than six years. Under his leadership, his markets received many awards and leadership promotions. He has more than 25 years of management leadership in investment, retail, and commercial banking. His expertise in financial, managerial, and relationship building allows him to bring expertise to our clientele. Through his career, Kip has served on many boards and worked for many causes and currently serves on the Ashland University Gridiron and the Samaritan Hospital Foundation boards. Kip lives in Ashland and has his office there. He and his wife, Beth, have been married for more than 27 years and have two grown children. His hobbies include working out, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Kip T. Matteson is proud to have been recognized as a Business Experience advisor for 2017—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 49 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Business Experience advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Business Experience advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.

Gregg holds the FINRA Series 7 securities registration along with a license in life and health insurance. He is a graduate of Ashland University, where he earned his bachelor's in finance and business administration. Gregg serves our clients in the Willard, Ashland, and Strongsville offices and is responsible for the sale and review of life, health, long-term care, and medical supplement insurance. In his free time, Gregg enjoys golfing, snowboarding, working out, and spending time with friends and family.

Terry holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations and is licensed for life and health insurance. He specializes in corporate and municipal bonds, stock and options transactions, and retirement planning with a specialty in 403(b) plans. Terry is a graduate of Ashland University, has a master's from Bowling Green State University, and is a retired public educator. In his free time, Terry loves to golf and spend time with his wife, Lenora, and their family and friends.

Derek began his career at Don Graham and Associates in 2012 as an intern and joined the firm full time in 2014. His interest in finance started earlier, during a personal finance class at Mount Vernon High School, where he discovered a natural ability to understand financial concepts and apply them in practical ways.

Building on that foundation, Derek attended Ashland University, where he studied finance and economics while playing collegiate football. He is a Series 7 and Series 66 licensed advisor and investment adviser representative (IAR).

Derek is committed to ongoing education in investment management, advanced planning strategies, and current financial topics to ensure clients receive thoughtful, well-informed advice. He has been involved in managing client investment portfolios for more than 10 years and assumed a lead portfolio management role in 2020.

With a focus on disciplined investment strategy, comprehensive financial planning, tax-aware solutions, and collaboration, Derek helps clients work toward greater financial independence. He works with a wide range of investors—from those seeking growth-oriented strategies to those focused on conservative income and capital preservation—designing investment plans aligned with each client’s goals and risk tolerance.

Outside of work, Derek enjoys spending time with his growing family. He and his wife, Haley, have two daughters, Mylie and Lucy, and a Doberman named Ted. Derek is a member at Willard Golf Course, where he enjoys getting out for a round when time allows, and is a devoted fan of Cleveland professional sports teams and the Ashland Eagles.

Eric joined our firm as a full-time employee in November 2014 after graduating from Ashland University, where he earned a bachelor's in finance and economics. He filled the time between graduation and employment by finishing his career at safety with the Ashland Eagle football team and taking MBA classes. Since joining our firm, Eric acquired the FINRA Series 7, 24 and 65 securities licenses with plans to attain the Series 66 and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification. He works closely with the advisors on individual client planning and keeping a focus on maintaining and developing corporate strategies. In his spare time, Eric enjoys supporting Cleveland and Columbus sports teams, casual reading, and spending time outside on his father’s peach and apple orchard.

Jacque works as a consultant to connect individuals involved with state pension plans and Donald M. Graham & Associates and holds a license in life and health insurance. Currently, Jacque focuses his work on connecting educators, non-certified educational support staff, law enforcement, and public service members to our firm by arranging seminars that present options for retirement planning and 403(b) plans. He is a graduate of Spring Arbor College, has a master’s degree in administration from Ashland University, and is a retired public teacher and administrator after serving 38 years in education. In his free time, Jacque enjoys spending time at his lake house with family, golfing, and coaching youth sports.

Kaysie is our senior member of the support staff and holds the FINR Series 7 securities registration and life and health insurance licenses. She is responsible for all phases of office procedures, handles many client service issues, and assists in the processing of security transactions. Kaysie is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in finance. She is originally from Columbus and settled down in Norwalk after graduating from college. When she is not working, she spends time with her husband, Chad, and daughter, McKenna. Kaysie enjoys reading mystery and crime books, traveling, crafting, and taking her dog for runs. 

Kathe is Don’s wife and a member of our support team. She acts as a customer service representative and our public relations liaison. She is responsible for preparing all client date reports for Don’s client reviews and handles behind-the-scenes activities of the daily office operation. Kathe is an active member of the Willard Rotary Club and United Fund. Kathe and Don are proud grandparents of three grandchildren, ages 14, 15, and 16, and enjoy spending summer weekends boating with them. She also enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling.

Penney is the newest member of our team, starting in January 2017. Serving as the client relations manager, she coordinates Don’s calendar, provides support for all of his community outreach activities, schedules client reviews, and sends out client mailings and marketing materials. Penney is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a degree in human resources management. She is the treasurer of the Willard Christian Community Service Organization and a member of the City of Willard Personnel Merit Board. Penney and her husband, Chris, have three young-adult children, ages 22, 20, and 18. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, attending Willard HS sporting events, and traveling to national parks.