Internal Values of our Team
We enthusiastically have embraced this journey. Together, through the power of individuality we have created an environment for open communication, personal growth and collaboration. We take ownership in all that we do and will pursue financially successful outcomes for our clients. We actually enjoy working together! We show our best when we are alone - but we are better together.
Check the background of investment professionals listed on this site on FINRA's brokercheck.com
Rich Ceffalio
Founder - Managing Director
Family Wealth Advisor:
As the Founder of Providence Private Wealth it’s Rich’s duty to lead and encourage through example. In fact he’s been providing financial "Providence" for families for over 24 years and is often referred to a as our Chief People Officer. His passion is helping individuals, families, businesses and foundations gain clarity on why they have a plan. It's this passion that gives Rich the ability to connect deeply with all of our clients and to shepherd them through our planning process. In addition, Rich feels a deep joy in helping individuals work out of desire vs necessity.
Background:
Rich grew up in Chicago, Illinois. After attending Norte Dame High School in Niles, he furthered his education at DePaul University, class of 1994, where he acquired a major in Finance and a minor in Economics. Rich has many notable accomplishments both professionally and personally. He’s the Founder and Managing Director of Investments at Providence Private Wealth..
Rich and his family reside in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He enjoys spending time with his family in Lake Geneva, finds pleasure in golfing, terrain endurance training, collecting art and sports cars, boating, reading and traveling.
James H. Cox IV
First Vice President - Investment Officer
Focus
Jim provides comprehensive investment planning. If a working relationship is developed, he can work with you to help address your goals.
Background and experience
For over a decade Jim has helped clients by focusing on each individual’s specific needs. With extensive experience throughout major shifts in the markets, Jim has dedicated his career to delivering the personalized services clients deserve.
With a wide range of experience Jim has had unwavering dedication to the financial services industry since 1996. He thoroughly enjoys meeting with clients and getting to know them and their life ambitions. Jim specializes in money manager selection and individual security selection, along with client meetings and presentation of investment plan reports. As Jim says, “I pride myself on open communication, consistent availability and going the extra mile for my clients.”
Jim has worked his way up in the industry. He has experience on the trading desk, syndicate desk and OTC desk. He was a trading operations manager and compliance manager. Jim holds Series 7 registration with LPL Financial and 66 registrations with LPL Financial and Goss Advisors, as well as, his Life insurance license.
Away from the office
Jim and his wife, Carla, have four children ages 21, 15, 12 and 10. They currently live in Cary, IL where Jim grew up. Jim enjoys spending as much time with his family as possible. He also likes weight lifting and physical fitness and considers that a priority as well.
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Emil Wehrle, AAMS
First Vice President
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Focus
Planning is not a single event – it is a process. As your life circumstances change, so must the
investment strategies.
Background and experience
Emil is a thirty-year veteran of the financial services industry. Having experienced many major shifts in the markets enables him to help our clients craft a plan and an investment policy appropriate to the client’s most
cherished financial goals.
Away from the office
Emil was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. Committed to helping his community prosper, he is active with several cultural and community organizations. He and his wife Kathy live in Mount Prospect where they enjoy entertaining, cooking and gardening together. They are immensely proud of their two daughters, Heidi who is recently married and works as a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Andrea who is beginning her career as a Physician’s Assistant.
Marilyn Gudauskas
Director of Client Experience
Marilyn’s 40 years of financial services experience has been centered on office management and administration. For 22 years she was the Vice President of Operations at the Chicago branch of Morgan Stanley responsible for the management and support of the business of 89 financial advisors. Marilyn’s creativity coupled with her desire to assist results in the highest level of service possible. She likes to sprinkle kindness wherever she goes and looks forward to developing relationships with our entire client family. Marilyn lives a grateful and joyful life with her husband Steve in Lake Villa with their two dogs. She enjoys yoga, walking, gardening, cooking and water color painting.
Terrence “Terry” J. Crowley
Managing Director
Focus
By focusing on each investor's specific needs, Terry develops strategies that help clients pursue their financial goals. Having worked as a Financial Advisor to both individual and institutional investors since 1984, he has gained a diverse experience across the financial services industry, which he uses to help clients craft tailored plans and strategies.
Background and experience
For over 35 years, Terry has helped clients address their financial concerns and develop strategies by focusing on each individual's specific needs. With extensive experience throughout major shifts in the markets, Terry has dedicated his career to delivering the personalized investment planning services his clients deserve.
Terry began his career as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Oakbrook, where he developed his fundamental investment knowledge. In 2002, he then joined AG Edwards – a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo Advisors – to take a team approach in providing personalized financial advice for individuals and families. In his role at Wells Fargo Advisors, Terry provided clients with top-tier comprehensive investment planning in his role as Vice President of Investments.
Away from the office
Terry spends his free time with his wife, Karen, and their four sons, Sean, Brendon, Kyle, Michael and three grandchildren Faye, Ellis and Colin. Terry thoroughly enjoys golf and is a member of Blackstone Country Club. In addition, Terry and Karen have a second home in Cabo San Lucas and enjoy their vacation time together there, and thoroughly enjoy the warm weather.
Kyle T. Crowley
First Vice President
Focus
As a Financial Advisor, Kyle is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses develop financial and investment strategies that line up with their needs, goals and risk tolerance. He goes to great lengths to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management - delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity.
Background and experience
Kyle serves as a valuable asset to the team by providing clients with personalized retirement planning, estate planning and other financial services. By working closely with clients, he can help choose retirement income strategies and structure estate planning around your needs, while also maintaining flexibility.
Kyle is a graduate of the University of Iowa and has a master’s degree from Northwestern University. Prior to joining Providence Private Wealth, he worked with Schlumberger in Kuwait City, Kuwait. After returning home from the Middle East, Kyle worked for Lend Lease – a high-rise real-estate developer in Chicago. He then served as a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors.
Away from the office
Kyle spends his free time with his wife Michele, and their children Faye and Ellis. Kyle and his family enjoy maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle working out and playing softball, golf, hockey and basketball together. Michele is an English Language Learner Specialist in the Downers Grove, IL elementary school district. Kyle and Michele are very family-orientated and enjoy all the activities associated with raising their two beautiful children.
Julia L. Smith
Senior Client Associate
Focus
As Senior Client Associate, Julia derives immense satisfaction in the close client relationships that have developed over the past twelve years and strives each day to bring her best efforts to everything she does for clients.
Background and experience
Julia Smith has enjoyed the past 12 years serving the world of financial services, having spent the previous 35 years in management roles in magazine publishing, corporate video production, disaster restoration, and until recently, as the proprietor of a popular retail boutique.
Away from the office
Julia and her husband Roy have made their home in the charming village of Barrington, IL, where you can usually find them both amidst sawdust and paint cans working on their 121-year-old historic home. Together they enjoy volunteering, boating, antiquing and junking, entertaining, and precious time spent with their three grown children and grandchildren. When quiet moments allow, Julia enjoys reading, sewing, decorating and upholstery.
Frank Nemeth
Vice President
Focus
My goal is to make the complex terminology and concepts of investing easy to understand for all levels of investors, from absolute beginners to experienced veterans.
Background and experience
I have been in business for 30 years and have seen all types of crazy things come and go. That’s why I believe in core strategies that have been a cornerstone of investing for decades. I have given hundreds of seminars and found that I enjoy teaching and explaining the complex workings of investing and the investment world.
Away from the office
My wife Sandra and I enjoy home improvement projects, gardening, and bicycling for Saturday morning coffee. I play bass guitar in a local “dad” band, home-roast my coffee, and occasionally brew not-so-great beer. Sandra and I have two daughters, Jennifer, a product manager for a Chicago dental instruments company, and Valerie, a doctor in Ohio. We were also recently blessed with our first grandson, Jace Michael.