Maynerich Financial Offering Financial Services in the Virden Community and Beyond

By Cindy Ladage

Andrew Maynerich offers an array of financial services at 405 North Springfield Street in Virden, with a staff of three to assist him. Michelle Weller is the Client Services Manager and works with Andrew on a day-to-day basis in the Virden office, while Michelle Nieuwsma, Client Services Assistant, and Teresea Hettinger, CRC Paraplanner assist remotely. At Maynerich Financial, they share, “Our team specializes in areas of retirement and estate planning, managing money during retirement, and tax efficient investing.”

It helps that Andrew and Michelle Weller are both from the local community. Frank Maynerich that started the company, had a stellar reputation that Andrew enhances today.  Frank Maynerich was born in Springfield, Illinois, but grew up in Virden and graduated from Virden High in 1978.  With his wife Nickie, they had seven children. Nickie passed away in 2012 from a battle with cancer.

A staple in the Virden Community, Frank began his local career as a loan officer in 1982 with Farmers & Merchants State Bank.  In 1999 he joined Investment Centers of America, Inc. as an Independent Financial Advisor.  At the beginning of his investment career, Andrew said. “He first had an office at Farmer’s and Merchants, and he was the Vice President of the bank before doing financial services.”

In 2013, Frank moved his office to the Springfield Street address.  Sadly, Frank’s life was cut short in an automobile accident along with his youngest son Paul.  Andrew, who is Frank’s nephew worked side by side with his uncle, and the young man succeeded his uncle at Maynerich Financial.

Andrew joined his Frank in business in 2011.  “My dad owned Radio Shack and I was there 12 years until it closed,” Andrew said. “I sent my uncle a note after they closed to see if he needed summer help.”

While he originally just planned to work there during the summer, just three months in he realized this was the career for him.  Timing was perfect with Andrew just graduating from the University of Illinois in Springfield with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Like his uncle, he too joined the Investment Centers of America in April of 2011, and shadowed his uncle learning the business from the ground up. Andrew served first as Frank’s assistant, then moved up to associate advisor before his uncle passed. After that, Andrew said, “I had to step up. We had already moved here, and the clients knew who I was.”

Honoring his memory, Andrew said that on August 13, 2023, his uncle will be gone for ten years.

Andrew said, “I am a full-fledged Certified financial planner (CFP), plus offer health insurance, life insurance, long term care insurance, and investment planning.  We specialize in anything that makes the financial world easier to understand. “

At Maynerich Financial clients don’t have to invest with their firm, although they are glad to assist in investing should the client so choose.   In their brochure, he shares, “While no one can control the financial markets, there are professionals, like myself, who can work with you to identify what matters most to you, and design for you a customized, personal financial plan to help you work towards your most important goals and aspirations.”

The company just recently partnered with Charles Schwab for their investing options.  Working with his three other staff members, Andrew said, “I’m the only advisor, but Michelle handles client relationships.”

She is the first person a client meets in the Virden office and helps clients open accounts, make changes, contributions, and distributions, and she helps with administrative questions. Michelle was born and raised in Girard. “I got married to my husband Dustin 29 years ago.  My son Josh is going to optometry school in Kentucky, and my son Alex is a Senior at North Mac.”

Michelle Nieuwsma’s responsibilities include coordinating events and workshops and client communications.  She is also licensed.  Michelle is married and has three children, they live in Manteca, California.  Teresa Hettinger has been working in the financial services industry for more than 23 years, and she is married and has two children.  They live in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Maynerich’s serves approximately 700 clients in 26 states, but the clients all have one thing in common.  Most have originated from the Virden area. “We don’t have to advertise.  Our clients usually start here or have family here,” Michelle Weller said.

She added that the age range of clients is from babies to a one-hundred-year-old!

The Virden location serves Maynerich Financial perfectly.  “We are so centrally located,” Andrew said “St. Louis, Springfield, and Chicago are nearby. Being in a small town is much cheaper, and we pass that lower cost on to others.  The small-town mindset is also important.”

Andrew has roots in both Virden and Thayer where the house his grandfather lived in still has grapes that they make wine from.  With his partner of five years Lucas, Andrew’s roots and family are local. Both Andrew and Michelle Weller said they love being part of the Virden community and donate to many local causes like the Queen Pageants in Virden, and Girard, they work with North Mac schools, the fire department and more! 

Most of all though they appreciate their customers.  “We do a Company Picnic every year,” Michelle said where they invite their clients to the Muni for a fun evening of entertainment.

“I’m active in the theater community,” Andrew added.  This year he directed Rock of Ages at the Muni, and this talented financial planner also teaches tap dancing at the Springfield Dance Company.

“He also sponsors my bowling team,” Michelle Weller said.

Assisting with financial education is important to Andrew.  Each summer they sponsor a summer intern, and Andrew also provides an economic talk to students each year at North Mac. “My favorite thing is to help people.  The financial rules are so convoluted it is easy to make a mistake.  We try to do a lot of pro bono work.  I don’t want people to hesitate to come by.  The first meeting is always free.”

To reach Maynerich Financial, Andrew can be reached at 217-965-5796.  Their website is www.richinwisdom.com.

Investment advice offered through ICA Group Wealth Management LLC, a registered investment advisor.