At Meade Wheeler Financial Group, protecting our client’s wealth is the foundation of all that we do.
Specializing in secure retirement income, we believe in guarding your wealth against potential risk while maximizing a safe return. Our practice has been built by understanding our clients current and future financial goals
Kathe Meade
“Be where your feet are.”
“5 kids between the Dave and I, six grand kids, an 11-year old daughter, a little dog, a cat and two hamsters … we are the Brady Bunch,” Kathe Meade, President of Meade Wheeler Financial Group, says while she laughs. “Plus being married to my business partner is a daily reminder to keep our practice focused on what matters most … faith, family and security.”
Kathe grew up in the industry. Her step-father Ken and Mother Patricia started their agency in 1976. “It’s so great to see clients I grew up with who would come into see Ken now bring their children and grandchildren in to plan for their future,” Meade recollects. “I’ve been so fortunate to watch so many families reach so many milestones together and truly watch their dreams come true. We follow the succession plan we preach.” Meade has worked in financial services and benefits for over 25 years. Over a decade ago, Kathe and David Meade bought the family business, and we became Meade Wheeler Financial Group.
For over 25 years, Meade has helped business owners provide comprehensive employee health plans and financial services for her clients. Meade has also helped many of the agencies’ financial clients navigate through the wildly complicated path of Medicare planning.
Meade also prides herself on helping women steer in to the next chapter of their life. “Divorce and death can be overwhelming and at times devastating,” Meade said. “I’ve realized humans need an objective ear and an unemotional bias to really review the truth to figure out what the next chapter of their lives is going to look like. There have been so many happy endings that started in despair.”
When Meade is not leading the Meade Wheeler Financial Group, she loves spending time with her 11 year old daughter Abigail at their cottage on Beaver Island. “There is something so magical seeing nature through a child’s eye,” Meade said. Yet, eyes lighting up around Kathe is not reserved solely for when exploring the beauty in nature with her family….
Just two simple words ‘Culinary Secrets’ has been known to light up the eyes of the Meade’s entire community, at least those of whom have had the distinct pleasure of indulging in one of Kathe’s culinary masterpieces!
When asked her secret in the kitchen, Kathe smiles and responds simply with “I cook with love!” Spending time with her daughter in the kitchen is the highlights of their time together. “Abigail makes a mean braised short rib for being 11!”
Though she may never reveal all of the secrets behind the mastery of craft, Kathe loves teaching cooking classes where she is able to share her passion with others.
Kathe Meade has been proud to call Jackson, Michigan her home for her entire life. Meade is currently a member on the Board of Directors for Cascade Manors House and on Jackson Christian Schools royal Ministries Trust Foundation committee.
David Meade
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t …you are right.” -Henry Ford
One thing David Meade can’t do is imagine a life without the opportunity to help people plan their futures.
“I love what I do! It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I am a part of my client’s future. Knowing they’re trusting me to help them plan as if it were my own family … is my driving force each day.”
David Meade, along with his wife and business partner Kathe Meade, share a family that parallels the likeness of “His, Hers, and Ours” consisting of two grown daughters, an 11 year old daughter, two grown sons, and 6 grandkids! Not to mention the four legged family members including a dog, a cat and two hamsters named Ratatouille and Snowball.
David is honored to have served in the US Army. The Vietnam Veteran then spent over 25 years in the manufacturing industry in management and engineering before retiring to come on board with Meade Wheeler. Dave runs the daily operations of the agency and understands what it takes to own a business. Dave has an entrepreneur edge … he owned Culinary Secrets with his wife.
Ken Wheeler
“You have launched your ship… You have taken command… Your journey now is to other lands. The storms you encounter along the way, Will be testing your strengths to see if you stay. So sail on friend, Be fearless and bold For your story will never all be told.” -Ken Wheeler
A poignant depiction of life, written by a man that without hesitation describes himself as:
79 years of LIFE
59 years of financial services
41 years of marriage to Patricia
58 years of parenting
5 children
14 grandchildren
13 great grandchildren
1 great great grandchild
With a resume comprising as many years of experience as this, it could be said that Ken Wheeler is something of an expert in a few categories of life. Though he has a lot of stories portraying years of epic fishing adventures and travels around the world, Wheeler believes those journeys pale in comparison to the pride of his memories made with family and friends who shared those experiences with him along the way.
“These are the things that make life worth living!”
Wheeler’s commitment to family values is echoed in his 59-year career as a financial professional. “My business is what gets me up in the morning. I want other families to rest peacefully at night knowing that their financial future is secure and their loved ones are protected.”
Ironically, though Wheeler has helped hundreds of people with their retirements, he himself has no desire to ever retire! This may be surprising to some, but as the saying goes… “If you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life.” Wheeler understands the importance of succession planning for his clients as well as his own business. Wheeler is able to continue the career he loves by staying on at Meade Wheeler Financial group with his daughter Kathe Meade and her husband David Meade.
Pat Wheeler
“Do unto others as you would have done unto you” The Golden Rule
Pat Wheeler works along side her husband Ken Wheeler in the Meade Wheeler financial Group family bringing over 45 years of experience and knowledge of our industry. Pat would like to say she is now “retired”, but we often look to her for her expertise. Pat has worked with many of our clients and is a valuable part of our team.
Amanda
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” -C.S. Lewis
Family. Dog. Friends. Church. Community. These are Amanda’s passions.
Amanda loves spending time with all of her family members. She has a very large extensive family that includes many siblings, her parents and her “bonus parents” – ask her to elaborate next time you see her. She holds a special place in her heart for her niece and nephew, and carves out extra time to spend with them so they can enjoy adventures together. And then there is the cherry-on-top-of-the-cake of Amanda’s life – Tika, her dog. Tika is her sweet fur-child, and, of course, center of her universe.
Amanda recently moved to Jackson from her stomping grounds in Northern Michigan. While Northern Michigan is still her favorite travel destination, her new town easily accommodates her favorite hobbies of cooking, baking and reading. Amanda was very involved in her church and community, and she looks forward to using this relocation opportunity to expand her base of friends and community activities.
Because family is at the core of Amanda’s heart, becoming a full-time Business Development Manager at a family-centered agency was a natural transition. And it is the mission at Meade Wheeler Financial that continues to impress Amanda – to help clients and their families achieve financial freedom and success. This mission inspires her every day to be an integral part of guiding clients to a secure and happy future. “As a family agency, we care about helping you and your family find security and peace. We go above and beyond to make that a possibility,” says Amanda.
Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Spring Arbor University. She has been a part of the agency and family since 2007 and has more than 12 years of marketing and business experience.