Our well-trained professional staff is here to assist you with your financial needs. Meet the team!
Donald M. Graham
President and CEO, Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®
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 president of the Willard Area Economic Development Corporation, member of the Willard Downtown Business Association, and 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 Summit Club advisor for 2016—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 22 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 T. Matteson
Executive Vice President
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.
Greggery J. Berkshire
Risk Management Consultant
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.
W. Terry Adams
Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®
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 Baker
Director of Financial Planning Operations
Derek started with our firm in the summer of 2012 as an intern and now holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. He is a graduate of Ashland University, where he earned his bachelor's in finance and economics. While at Ashland, Derek played defensive line for the football team. Since starting full-time in May 2014, he has focused his time helping our advisors strategically plan for their specific client’s needs and is working aggressively to continue furthering his education in the field. In his spare time, Derek enjoys cheering on the Cleveland sports teams, working on his golf handicap, and being with friends and family.
Eric Schwieterman
Director of Corporate Strategies
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 securities registration with plans to attain the Series 66 and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) 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 Daup
Retirement Liason
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 A. Ludewig
Senior Registered Administrative Assistant to Don
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.
Kathleen A. Graham
Business Manager
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 Schaaf
Client Relations Manager
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.