Your pathway to better financial health.
MISSION
Pinnacle Wealth Management’s mission is to provide unparalleled service offering pertinent targeted advice to individuals and businesses in order to assist clients in achieving their financial goals. We are uniquely positioned to assist in the development of strategies and make appropriate recommendations for you, your family, and your business throughout the different phases of life.
As Financial Advisers we strive to understand the goals, needs, and aspirations of our clients and develop personalized, not predetermined, strategies.
Our interdisciplinary team of specialists, Financial Advisors, Insurance Professionals, Certified Public Accountants, and Attorneys, is unique. Our belief that utilizing the diverse skills of our team provides a broad perspective in choosing investment, insurance, legal and tax strategies to provide the peace of mind clients want in knowing that many viewpoints have been considered in developing financial strategies. Additionally, access to affiliate or associated legal and accounting firms allows us to help to implement the supporting services many clients need in order to streamline and simplify their lives.
Our commitment is to provide service and products that are not bound by commitments to individual investment or insurance companies and to seek solutions that optimize the chances of achieving your goals.
OUR TEAM
Managing Member
Howard S. Kite
CLU, ChFC, CFP®
Howard Kite prides himself on working with clients to help them achieve their financial goals by implementing value-driven portfolios. Howard spends much of his time consulting with financial advisors across the country helping them translate the often-confusing world of financial and insurance products into understandable bites so their clients can make informed decisions.
Howard entered the financial services industry in 1981. He was one of the original Principals of The Terra Financial Companies, now Cetera Financial Specialists and helped to grow the business into a national multidisciplinary, financial services organization. After Terra was sold to GE Capital in 1998, Howard became the Chief Operations Officer and Senior Vice President of Sales and Practice Management until 2009, at which point he affiliated with Forum Financial Management, LP and became a partner working in various aspects of supporting the growth of the company.
Howard received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Business Education from Northern Illinois University. He is a recognized speaker and educator in the financial services industry appearing in many venues throughout the country. He is an Investment Adviser Representative of Forum Financial Management, LP, Managing Member of Pinnacle Wealth Management, LLC, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, member of the Financial Planning Association, the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Howard rounds out his life by leading classes for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and providing support for people who have family members with mental health conditions. His extra mind space is occupied with planning the next great canoe and fishing trip.
Principal
Neal Halawa
AIF®
Neal joined Pinnacle Wealth Management in 2018 as a Financial Advisor. Prior to joining Forum, he held positions at Prudential Insurance, New York Life Insurance Company and Genworth Financial Services. With 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Neal specializes in the area of health care planning as part of the overall client estate plan and comprehensive wealth management. At Genworth, Neal used his coaching skills and experience with planning case design to teach other advisors how to better assist their clients and grow their practice.
He emphasizes health care planning as a critical part of a financial plan to make certain that clients are prepared for the many health care costs that can arise during retirement. Nealdevelops relationships with clients to help them accomplish their financial goals while providing guidance on long-termcare, family support, life insurance and advance directive planning. Neal takes a consultative approach to building your financial plan and managing of your portfolio of investments and insurance products to meet your unique needs.
Neal earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago and holds his Series 24 principal license, Series 6, Series 63, Series 7, Series 65, Health Insurance and Life insurance licenses. He and his wife, Seda,live in Chicago with their child. He is an Investment Adviser Representative of Forum Financial Management, LLC, Managing Member of Pinnacle Wealth Management, LLC and a Registered Representative of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, member FINRA/SIPC.
Principal
Michael Kite
JD
Michael is an adviser with Pinnacle Wealth Management, LLC. He utilizes his background in law to focus on a holistic approach to investing and planning. This approach begins with understanding a client’s financial needs and goals and fosters the relationship from there.
Michael is also a Member Attorney of Williams & Kite, LLC and is an Investment Advisor Representative with Forum Financial Management, LP, a Registered Investment Advisor. He works directly with clients in servicing any of their planning needs, including estate planning, working with family businesses, conducting commercial and residential real estate transactions, investment advising, and utilizing insurance to round out the client’s well-being.
Michael joined Forum Financial Management, LP in January 2011 and transitioned within Pinnacle Wealth Management, LLC, first in a client service role and then in an advisory role. He began his career as an attorney, earning his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 2009, and is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois. In 2005 Michael graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Michael holds his Series 7, Series 66, Health Insurance, and Life insurances licenses. He is a Registered Representative with PKS Investments, member FINRA/SIPC, an Investment Advisor Representative with Forum Financial Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, and a Partner with Williams & Kite, LLC.
Senior Adviser
James A. Lapera
CPA
James Lapera is a managing partner at Pinnacle Financial Solutions, PC. He specializes in investment and tax planning for closely-held companies, their owners, as well as high net worth individuals. James believes in a goal-oriented needs-based approach to investment planning.
James began his career more than 20 years ago as an accountant for Pinnacle Financial Solutions, PC. As a CPA, he spent most of his career in public accounting helping clients plan and achieve their financial goals. His tax and financial expertise have provided him with a unique expertise and perspective to develop financial plans for his clientele.
James received his Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the College of Business at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society, and the Financial Planning Association.
James is an Investment Advisor Representative with Forum Financial Management, LLC, and a Registered Representative with PKS Investments, member FINRA/SIPC.
Senior Adviser
Michelle Weindruch
Michelle is an adviser with Pinnacle Wealth Management, LLC. She focuses on a need-based approach to investing and planning. She believes an important first step is to understand a client's financial needs and goals, both short and long term, before developing an appropriate individualized model tailored for each client.
Michelle is committed to offering both her financial expertise and guidance to her clientele. With her educational background, she understands the important role education plays in the investment process.
She gives clear explanations addressing each client's specific investment needs while assuring her clients have a clear understanding of their investment strategy and portfolio. Michelle has lived and worked in Asia, Central America, and Australia which adds to her international perspective of the world's economy.
She holds her Series 6, Series 63, and life insurance licenses. Michelle has her Master's in Education with a concentration in Administration and Leadership. Michelle is a Registered Representative with PKS Investments, member FINRA/SIPC.
CONTACT US
Lombard Office
1900 S Highland Avenue
Suite 100
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: 630-873-8524
Fax: 630-873-8536
Skokie Office
4709 W Golf Road
Suite 1015
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847-581-6000
Fax: 847-581-6050
Northfield Office
1 Northfield Plaza
Suite 230
Northfield, IL 60093
Phone: 847-581-6014
Fax: 847-739-7169