Why Oldfather Financial?
I joined Bill in 2015 after a 25-year career in investments, banking, and serving as a CFO. While being a Registered Investment Advisor was new to me, the approach at Oldfather Financial felt like how the business should be done—working for our clients instead of selling them investment products. There’s no better firm to do that.
In early 2026, I took ownership of a firm with more than 25 years of history serving our clients. Thanks to the firm’s strong reputation, brand recognition, and deep client loyalty, we chose to keep the name unchanged. We will continue offering the same high‑quality services our clients expect, while expanding and evolving to meet their future needs. Our commitment is to help clients grow their net worth through transparent, thoughtful investment and financial planning.
Best Advice: “It’s not how much money you make. It’s how much money you keep.”
This resonates with me because it aligns with our firm’s investment philosophy—staying proactive for our clients. We believe in using low-cost index funds and investing in the market, rather than trying to time it or make big bets. Returns will naturally follow the broader market, but the real advantage comes from what our clients keep. That’s why we focus on strategic tax planning, not just for today but for years down the road. In fact, we’re the only local firm that asks for our clients’ tax returns every year.
A Work Accomplishment I’m Proud Of
Early in my career as a bond trader at National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln, I took on the challenge of earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation—a rigorous three-year process that I often compare to a master’s in investments. Earning my CFA helped me move up to Senior Investment Officer, managing an $800 million bond portfolio before I turned 35. Today, I remain one of the only CFAs outside the Lincoln/Omaha area—aside from the Dean of the College of Business at UNK.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I met my wife, Marti, in an Economics class over 35 years ago, and since then, family has always been our priority. Whether it was planning summer vacations across the country or in Nebraska, coaching basketball, softball, and baseball, or leading a Boy Scout troop, I’ve loved being involved. Our kids have taken that foundation and run with it—John attended Yale, Charlie is finishing up at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (my alma mater), and Darin is a proud Lopes at Grand Canyon University. They’re fearless—both boys became Eagle Scouts, and my daughter took a month-long backpacking trip across Europe after her senior year.
Where You’ll Find Me When I’m Not Working
Monday and Friday mornings, you’ll find me at Kitt’s Coffee Shop catching up on reading (usually about work). On Tuesday and Thursday, I will be at UNK teaching a personal finance class to Loper students. Being empty-nesters, I’ll be on the golf course during the summer—Awarii Dunes or anywhere else I can get a tee time. Or, visiting my parents back in Eustis.