Our Team

Matt Yeiter, CFP®

President/Financial Planner

Matt Yeiter is NorthWest Financial’s President and a Financial Planner. In his role as President, he oversees the management of the firm and leads a team of service-oriented, knowledgeable, and professional colleagues. As a Financial Planner he works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. He also engages in tax planning and tax preparation. Matt particularly enjoys analyzing the effects of a tax situation on a client’s financial plan and crafting unique solutions.

Matt is a member of NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee, which meets monthly to research, review, and discuss investment strategies. While at NorthWest Financial, Matt worked to develop a “NextGen” program, which is aimed at helping the children of clients make sound financial decisions that will enable them to achieve their goals. Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2011, he graduated from Cedarville University with a B.A. in Finance and Marketing. Matt takes a keen interest in golfing, hiking, and most outdoor activities. He and his wife, Marisa, attend College Park Church with their children.

Thomas Gross, CFP®

Vice President/Financial Planner/Technology

Thomas Gross is NorthWest Financial’s Chief Technology Officer and a Financial Planner. In his role as Chief Technology Officer, he manages the firm’s hardware and software. This enables employees to efficiently access information to provide services to clients, as well as enabling clients to access their own financial information. In his role as Financial Planner, he works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. Thomas takes joy in looking at the big picture of a client’s financial outlook and helping them set actionable goals and objectives.

Thomas is a member of NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee, which meets monthly to research, review, and discuss investment strategies. While at NorthWest Financial, Thomas worked to develop a “NextGen” program, which is aimed at helping the children of clients make sound financial decisions that will enable them to achieve their goals. Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2011, Thomas graduated from Taylor University with a B.S. in Management/Systems. Thomas and his family actively show pigs around the Midwest. He and his wife Natalie attend Cornerstone Bible Church with their children.

Aaron Pettersen, CFA, CFP®

Chief Investment Officer

Aaron Pettersen is NorthWest Financial’s Chief Investment Officer. In this role he spearheads the investment strategy for the firm’s clients by researching investments, conducting trades, and developing portfolio recommendations. He is the Chairman of NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee, which meets monthly to research, review, and discuss investment strategies. Aaron particularly enjoys data analysis and investigating information with an open mind as he seeks a solution.

Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 1998, Aaron graduated from Cedarville University with a B.A. in Finance and Accounting. While working at the firm, he became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) in 2003. This master’s-level program involves a quantitative and analytical course of study in an investment-related body of knowledge. Aaron likes to run, play basketball, and spend time with his family. He, his wife Jennifer, and their children attend Cornerstone Bible Church.

Sarah Austin, CFP®, Enrolled Agent

Financial Planner

Sarah Austin is a Financial Planner at NorthWest Financial. In this role, she works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. She also engages in tax planning and tax preparation. Sarah particularly enjoys focusing on the technical aspects of a situation and seeing clients achieve their goals.

Sarah is a member of NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee, which meets monthly to research, review, and discuss investment strategies. Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2016, Sarah graduated from Cedarville University with a B.A. in Business Finance. Sarah has a penchant for reading, hiking, and gardening. She and her husband Javan attend Fountain Square Presbyterian Church.

Rachel Leman, CFP®

Financial Planner

Rachel Pasch is a Financial Planner with NorthWest Financial. In this role, she works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. She also engages in tax planning and tax preparation. Rachel especially enjoys using a variety of data and collaborating to develop a plan that addresses a client’s situation.

Rachel attends NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee meetings. Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2017, she earned a B.S. in Accounting from Olivet Nazarene University. Rachel enjoys reading, running races, and working toward her goal of visiting all U.S. National Park sites. She and her husband, David, attend Cornerstone Bible Church.

Brady Webster, CPA®, CFP®

Financial Planner

Brady Webster is a Financial Planner at NorthWest Financial. In this role, he works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. Brady takes joy in assisting clients achieve financial goals and objectives through thoughtful planning and strategizing.

Brady is a member of NorthWest Financial’s Investment Committee, which meets monthly to research, review, and discuss investment strategies.

Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2020, he worked as an Assistant Controller at Probo Medical, LLC and spent time in public accounting at BKD, LLP. In 2014, Brady earned his CPA designation and his MS in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business.

Brady enjoys playing basketball and golf, long-distance running, and taking trips with his family. He, his wife Amanda, and their children attend Pennington Park Church.

Molly O’Shea

Financial Planner Assistant

Molly O’Shea is a Financial Planner Assistant with NorthWest Financial. In this role, she works with clients to develop a financial plan that meets their goals. This planning includes investment advice, retirement planning, insurance analysis, education funding, charitable giving strategies, and estate planning considerations. She also participates in tax planning and preparation. Molly enjoys seeing the whole planning picture come together for the client.  

Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2021, Molly worked in sales for a local custom sports apparel company. She graduated from Illinois State University with a B.A. in Sociology. She enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with friends and family and serving in the Children's Ministry at her church. Molly attends Pennington Park Church.  

Sarah Smith

Administrative Assistant

Sarah Smith is the Administrative Assistant for NorthWest Financial. In this key role she handles client communications and paperwork for the entire firm. Distributions for education expenses and quarterly reports are a major responsibility for Sarah. She also engages in tax preparation. Sarah most enjoys performing these tasks with the goal of keeping the office organized and efficient.

Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2012, she worked for a local bank. She loves baking, knitting, and hiking with her husband, Joseph, and their children.

Julianne Miller, Enrolled Agent

Tax and Systems Specialist

Juli Miller is a Tax and Systems Specialist at NorthWest Financial. In this role, she prepares tax returns and completes compliance tasks. She also maintains the firm’s databases of client information and retirement account values, as well as completing other projects. Juli takes a keen interest in investigating inconsistencies and balancing data.

Prior to joining NorthWest Financial in 2007, Juli earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne. She also worked in the computer science field for ten years. Juli continues to stay busy with the activities of her children, and she enjoys traveling. Juli and her husband Ed attend Harbour Shores Church with their youngest son.

Bill and Kate Reno

Founders

Bill Reno founded NorthWest Financial in 1986 with a desire to help clients make wise financial decisions. He was joined by his wife Kate, who managed several areas of the firm, including regulatory compliance, bookkeeping, and portfolio systems. Now retired, the guiding principles that Bill and Kate first established - putting clients' interests first and acting with integrity - remain a key part of how each Planner approaches the financial situations of those they serve.