Our Team

Notables:

• Published Author of TWO books:  "RetireMEANT to Be:  100 Daily Reads to get you To and Through Retirement", and "Wealth InFormation:  100 Daily Reads to Optimize Your Wealth", both Copyrighted, US Library of Congress
• Author/contributor to multiple newspapers throughout Central, Northern and Eastern Wisconsin, "The Wealth InFormation Lady" column
• 2024 LPL Masters Club and Insurance Champions

Registrations and Designations:

• Accredited Wealth Management Advisor®
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary®
• LPL Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65)
• General Securities Representative (Series 7)
• Life, Health and Variable Insurance Agent
• Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative (Series 6)
• Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63)
• Securities registrations held with LPL Financial

Having grown up in Central Wisconsin, our community is very dear to me. I was blessed to receive my education from our local schools and university, and feel honored to be a part of the business community that returns great services to the area. It is important to me that Schulfer & Associates, LLC Wealth Management is an independent firm. I take my responsibilities very seriously, which includes regularly participating in educational events, receiving objective research each and every day from LPL Financial’s research team, and utilizing integrated technology in our firm. I help people make important financial decisions, plan for their futures and manage their investments. We specialize in retirement planning and wealth planning, by helping people who’ve built a net worth to manage their wealth.

I began my vocation as an entrepreneur at age 24. Gene and I purchased a struggling self-storage facility in Stevens Point, WI. We dedicated an enormous amount of time and personal resources to turn that business around. As the entity became profitable, we reinvested one step at a time by constructing more buildings, buying duplexes, distressed single family homes, and commercial real estate, eventually finding our niche in accessible housing. As we successfully bought, renovated, rented and sold our properties, our peers frequently asked us for advice. Learning this, my academic advisor at UWSP recommended I pursue financial advising as a career path.  In 1999, Gene and I both officially entered financial services.

Years later, we took both of our real estate ventures full circle.  We had attracted the attention of a few national companies who focused on accessible housing and sold our local residential properties to a firm dedicated to the same mission.  Then, after 28 years of ownership and property development in self-storage, we successfully sold Stor-It Self Storage.

I began writing for our Schulfer & Associates Weekly Commentary and attracted the attention of local media, who have been publishing my articles since 2012.  In 2023, I personally authored RetireMEANT to BE:  100 Daily Reads to get you To and Through Retirement.  In 2024, I wrote my second book Wealth InFormation:  100 Daily Reads to Optimize Your Wealth.  Both are Copyrighted and reside in the US Library of Congress.  What sets me apart from other advisors who’ve launched books and articles with their names to the credit, is that I actually have written every word (conversely, most others are ghost written).  In 2025, Multi Media Channels (MMC) expanded the print of my articles to their weekly newspapers, appearing in 300,000 printed copies throughout eastern and northern Wisconsin. I invite you to visit me and my books at TheWealthInFormationLady.com .  

Today, with each person I work with, I hold in my heart the memories of how hard we have worked in building our own success and how important it is as a wife, mother and grandmother to adequately provide for my family’s security. I honor and respect the effort and discipline it takes for any person and family to acquire and protect their net worth. The reward of my work is the ability to be the trusted, caring and knowledgeable person who helps individuals and families with their important financial decisions.

Financial issues are becoming more and more complex. I put into practice educating adults as well as youth on financial concepts. In our own family, our sons became involved in their own business, Rolling Hills Driving Range, LLC, and understanding how money works at a very young age. Please visit “Our Blog” for more information, as well as to view my archive of articles that I’ve written for publication. I have been married to Gene since 1993, whom I am proud to say is also my partner in business since 1994. We are the parents of two smart and hard working boys, Jacob and Zachary, and welcomed our first daughter-in-law to the family in 2020 when Julia married Jake, and our first grandchild, Isaac, in 2023!  I most enjoy our family togetherness where we set aside specific time to work or play as a family. I also enjoy driving my red hot SS1LE Camaro, carving up the snowmobile trails Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan, off-road UTV trail riding, hot rod and exotic cars, music, fine wines, cooking and gourmet food.

Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM and AWMA® are trademarks or registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning in the United States and/or other countries. The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation is earned through the Center for Fiduciary Studies.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Affiliations:

• Portage County Business Council: Member
• Sacred Heart Church: Active Parish Member

Licenses and Designations:

• Accredited Wealth Management Advisor®
• LPL Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65)
• General Securities Representative (Series 7)
• Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative (Series 6)
• General Securities Principal (Series 24)
• Municipal Securities Principal (Series 53)
• Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63)
• Securities registrations held with LPL Financial

Building a secure financial future requires doing the right things with the money you have. That's what I enjoy most about my career: making a significant impact on the futures of individuals, families and businesses, by employing sound financial principals and investment strategies. By nature, I am a problem solver. I enjoy sifting through various options to customize a financial strategy for each individual I meet with. I recognize the path to financial independence is a journey. Along the way, there is a point at which one becomes a more sophisticated investor, looking for specific strategic management of their portfolio in order to minimize downside risk as an alternative to traditional investment methods.

I have spent my entire life in Central Wisconsin, receiving my primary and college education locally. LouAnn and I bought our first business in 1994 – we soon realized that, while academic education is important, real life experience in business ownership, and personal and business investment, is another whole world of experience and value. As we became successful, I truly enjoyed answering the questions others would ask, which ultimately led to my career in financial services. Now, with almost two decades in the financial services industry, LouAnn and I take the responsibility very seriously striving to make sure we are providing the best services we can. We utilize integrated technology, objective daily research, and provide unbeatable personal service. Whether your questions are brief or your needs are complex, please feel free contact me to learn more or to set an appointment for a no cost, no obligation personal review.

My family is the light of my life. I've been married to the lady of my dreams, LouAnn, since 1993. Our love for motorsports initially brought us together, and we have become partners in every aspect of life, including business, ever since. We are honored to be the parents of two amazing boys, Jacob and Zachary. Sharing my passion for motorsports and performance vehicles, I've enjoyed teaching them how to maintain, rebuild, and customize all types of motorized vehicles, just as my father taught me when I was a boy. I truly enjoy snowmobiling, ATV/UTV trail riding, fishing, all forms of racing, and working in our workshop. Once in a while I even take a little time to just relax with LouAnn.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM and AWMA® are trademarks or registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning in the United States and/or other countries.

I have been in the financial services profession for over 29 years, but my formal education background is architectural design. I have had people ask why my life took this turn, as the two skill sets don’t seem connected. I see my early education, however, as a benefit. The calculation and probability studies transcend both fields, but the real advantage I see is the ability to create a vision. I used to be able to see a complete building and all of its elements before it had been built. I feel I can bring the same vision when I “build” an investment and income strategy for a client. It helps me see how the pieces fit together. I am still able to be creative and innovative as I construct a solid plan.

Early in my career my role was lead representative for a group retirement plan for one of Wisconsin’s largest hospital systems for 13 years. I became an independent advisor in 2010, associating with LPL Financial as my Broker-Dealer, and Schulfer and Associates here in Stevens Point. It was a logical move since most of the family relationships I built were around this area. I'm confident that I made the right move to work as an independent advisor. More and more investors want to receive their financial advice separate from the large institutional firms who deliver investment products. Schulfer and Associates and LPL Financial fit that model for me. I am now focusing primarily on working with retirees, soon-to-be retirees, and health care professionals. Over the years several of my clients, many whom have become friends, moved away for a change or to be closer to family. To that end I now am licensed in 12 states. For over 11 years I have been meeting remotely with my out-of-state people, which prepared me for the 2-year COVID “shut-down” where few, if any, meetings were in person locally. I’ve found that people now like to balance meetings at home in their casual wear as well as in the office, and that’s easy for me to set up.

In May of 2020 I completed the course work and testing to earn my RICP®, or Retirement Income Certified Professional, designation. While many professionals are experienced in helping people build retirement assets, the increasing number of retirees means there is a large demand for expertise in how to manage and use those assets. It also better prepares me to help clients determine:

• When they are financially prepared to retire
• How funds should be withdrawn
• How their asset allocation should change during retirement
• The ins and outs of claiming Social Security and Medicare benefits
• Health care and nursing home care decisions
• Tax planning, and
• Retirement housing

That’s why I took the time to do this, and why I am very happy to have completed the program, and can say that I am an RICP. I am not done, though. With the intent to always be learning I am currently enrolled in the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation program, and hope to be able to announce completion of that by year’s end.

My wife Wendy has added her touch to our client appointments in the office by supplying fresh home-baked treats for our clients when they visit the office.

Over the past 17 years Wendy and I have had more time to do things together. Our 4 kids are still a huge part of our lives and we continue to get together, albeit not as often as before.  Christine, Will and Emma are still close enough to visit, in La Crosse, Minneapolis and Madison. The exception is our daughter Julie and our 3 grandkids, who live in southern Florida, where we would like to plan visits in winter.

My wife, children and grandchildren are my greatest blessing. The responsibilities I have with them and the trust involved are what drive me. I feel blessed that I have chosen this profession. I take my responsibility to my clients very seriously, as they are my extended family.

Community Involvement

Community Foundation of Portage County (Planned Giving) – donor advised fund sub-committee

Community Foundation of Portage County (Planned Giving) 2011-2021

• Board Director, Marketing Chair, Vice President & President

Boys and Girls Club 2012-2013

• Created a Financial Literacy Program for Portage County Boys & Girls Club

Rotary Exchange Student Program/AYUSA Exchange Program/ASSE Exchange Program

• Host parents 2012-13
• Host parents 2015-16

Created (as a team) a Financial Education series at Portage County Public Library 2013

Licenses and Designations:

• RICP®, Retirement Income Certified Professional
• Investment Advisory Representative*
• General Securities Representative (Series 7)*
• Life, Health, and Variable Insurance Agent
• Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Limited Representative (Series 6)*
• Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63)*

*Licenses held with LPL Financial.

Affiliations:

• Member, Financial Planning Association 16 years
• Member, Financial Services Institute 17 years

• Member, American College of Financial Services Alumni 4 years

While attending my third year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, I discovered my passion for wealth management. I am enthusiastic to help others plan for their futures, and excited to set course in preparing for the rest of my own life as well.

Growing up in Waupaca most of my life, Central Wisconsin is home to me. I have had the opportunity to meet many incredible individuals throughout my time living here and I am excited to make even more connections through Schulfer & Associates Wealth Management.

In her role as Plan Manager at LPL Financial, Mary supports Schulfer & Associates, LLC Wealth Management where she assists in developing and executing comprehensive financial plans. As a member of the LPL Paraplanning Services team, Mary partners with advisors to deliver financial planning support by providing detailed data analysis and cultivating planning strategies to assist clients in reaching their financial goals. LPL’s Paraplanning Solutions group is not affiliated with Schulfer & Associates.

Mary’s financial services career began in 2018 where she served various roles at advisory offices supporting financial advisors prior to joining LPL Financial in 2023. Mary received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Aquinas College and is a CFP® practitioner.

Mary and her husband live just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan where they raise their one-year-old son. They enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and live music.