Compass Financial Services will celebrate its 5-year anniversary in Adel this August. The firm was established by owner Kurt Pearson in West Des Moines in 1997.

Certified Financial Planner Steve Conard opened the Adel office in 2004 to continue serving relationships he had built in the area while at a previous employer. He conducts his business face-to-face with every client, stating, "You need to look into a person's eyes to fully understand their needs".  

In January 2008 Compass Financial Services and Short & Company CPA, PLC formed a business alliance known as the Dallas County Financial Center.  Earlier this year, the Hudson, Mallaney, and Schindler law firm joined the alliance, bringing together in one location, the talents and expertise to offer coordinated advice to their clients.

Steve's passion for finance began in high school and developed further while in college at the University of Minnesota.  "In those days, investment houses wouldn't hire fresh college grads," explains Steve.  So he went to work instead for Norwest Financial, where he spent the next 17 years climbing the ranks of middle management and telling himself that "if I had it to do all over again, I'd be a Financial Planner".  After the merger of Norwest and Wells Fargo in 2000, Steve made the transition to his new career.  

After earning his NASD (now FINRA) Series 7 and 63 licenses, Steve went to work in the Adel office of Edward Jones Investments in July 2001, building a loyal client base that followed him when he left Edward Jones to become an independent advisor affiliated with Compass Financial.

Upon moving to Compass Financial, Steve immediately set out to gain the credentials that, in his opinion, would set him apart from the many pretenders who call themselves financial planners.  He started with the Series 66 Investment Advisors license, then went on to earn the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2006. The CFP designation is widely regarded as the premier designation for financial planning professionals.

According to Steve, financial planning is misunderstood by the public.  "People tend to confuse planning with investing, which is really more of an implementation issue.  The financial planning process is all about determining the most efficient use of one's resources to get them where they want to go.  It's not about products."

Steve's personal outlook on the markets is pessimistic and he is not shy in saying so. "I'm pessimistic, but I hope I'm wrong. I believe we are in the middle innings of a long bear market. We have a detailed strategy for navigating this type of market, which centers on maximizing the income generating potential of our clients' assets regardless of the direction the market is going in."   

One of the great aspects of Compass Financial Services is their connection with their clients. The company's web site includes sections called "Client Corner" and "Library."  Client Corner is a collection of stories and events the Compass staff learns about through their interaction with clients. The Library consists of books the Compass Financial staff read as a group, along with other selections recommended by clients.  The staff is currently reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Steve is very active in the community. He is a past President of the Adel Rotary Club and holds various leadership positions in the group. He is also the current Board President of Homecare Services. The Adel-based social services agency's mission is to provide services to the elderly of Dallas County that enable them to live as independently as possible.  "Homecare Services is currently in the organizational stage of a new capital campaign. We are rebuilding the operating reserves that have been depleted due to rising costs and lowered funding.  We have been here 40 years and we want to be here 40 more!"  Steve has worked with the organization for 6 years.

For more information about Steve Conard, Compass Financial Services, and the Dallas County Financial Center, please contact 515-993-1887 or visit www.compassiowa.com

Compass Financial Services is a Registered Investment Advisor with offices in West Des Moines and Adel.  Securities offered through LPL Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is partnering with Wilson Toyota of Ames to give away "Clover," a 2009 Toyota Corolla during the Second Annual Iowa 4-H Vehicle Raffle! The car will be on display and raffle tickets will be available at the Dallas County Fair on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  After this event, tickets will be sold at other county fairs, the Iowa State Fair and events throughout the state until October 8.  The drawing will be held Friday, October 9, the last day of National 4-H Week.
 
"We will be traveling around the state visiting counties and selling tickets to raise money and awareness for Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development programs," said Silas Pippitt, an ISU student intern working with the 4-H Foundation. He and fellow intern Maddi Sieck are Clover Corolla's official escorts and will be reporting on their progress on their blog, iowa4hraffle.blogspot.com and on twitter.com/iowa4hraffle.
 
Tickets will be sold for $5 per ticket, 5 tickets for $20 and 30 for $100. Tickets can be purchased from the Dallas Extension county office and other Extension offices across the state as well as at events where the car will be displayed.
 
ABOUT THE IOWA 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. One quarter of Iowa's young people are involved in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames. For more information about joining 4-H, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office at www.extension.iastate.edu/ouroffices.htm or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4H.
 
Linda S. Nelson
ISU Extension-Dallas County
28059 Fairground Road
Adel, IA 50003-4406
515-993-4281- Fax and Phone
www.extension.iastate.edu/dallas

all it's own!

This Chocolate Peanut
Butter Cheesecake is the one he chooses as his birthday treat, and I think after you try it, you'll see why.

Ingredients:
1 Store Bought Brownie Mix + Listed Ingredients on Box

 

3 pkg Cream Cheese, softened

 
3/4 c Peanut Butter

 

3 Eggs

1 c Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

1 c Peanut Butter Chips

1 c Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions:
1. Prepare brownie mix as directed on box, baked in a 9" spring form pan for 30 minutes at 350F
 
2. Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla.

3. Add eggs, one at a time. Fold in mini chocolate chips.

4. Pour ½ of batter onto top of still warm brownie crust, top with 1 c peanut butter chips, then top with remaining cheesecake batter.

5. Turn oven down to 300F and bake for an additional 50 minutes or until set.

6. Cool.

Serves 8, or one Max.

Enjoy!

 

Paddlefest in Adel

 July 11th

In beautiful Kinnick-Feller Park on the Raccoon River above the Adel dam where the river is calm...
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