WHO WE ARE

Raymond J. Ohlson, CLU, CRC, LACP
Founder

The Ohlson Group was founded by Raymond J. Ohlson, CLU, CRC, LACP. Mr. Ohlson has a unique background in the financial services industry. He spent his first twenty (20) years as a career agent, general agent and owner of a successful Midwest insurance marketing organization. Mr. Ohlson was a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and owned a fee based financial planning company. He also owned 50% of an Indianapolis based employee benefits company.

Mr. Ohlson entered the insurance business while completing his Bachelor of Science Degree at Ball State University. He quickly qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) of which he is a Life Member. He also received his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ohlson sold his organization in the early 90’s to join a start up life insurance holding company and launched that company’s marketing initiative. Mr. Ohlson’s experience, marketing prowess, unparalleled success and respect in the financial services business set him apart from most marketing organizations.

Mr. Ohlson served for 10 years as president of one of America’s fastest growing annuity companies. He helped that company grow from no products, no agents and no rating to over 10,000 agents, $1.5 billion assets and a five (5) year growth rate in excess of 50%. Mr. Ohlson also served as Chief Marketing Officer of the holding company and was responsible for directing the marketing effort of their European and Bermuda companies. The location was different, but results the same. A “scratch” operation that developed into a “real player” in the offshore business.

Mr. Ohlson has been involved with, or had responsibility for, most aspects of an insurance company’s operation. He’s been involved in everything from product design and pricing to new business and policy owner service. But, most of all, Ray takes his greatest pride in being an agent.

Ray served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Vincent Carmel Hospital. He also serves as a member of the Center for Actuarial Science, Insurance and Risk Management and the Advisory Board at Ball State University . He is former President of the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals. He is the recipient of the 2006 Eye On Ethics Award given by the National Ethics Bureau. He is also an author and much sought after speaker.

The Ohlson Group Inc, and or Raymond J. Ohlson CLU, CRC is licensed to do business in all states except New York.

Nicholas R. Ohlson, ChFC, CLU
VICE PRESIDENT

Nick graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He worked 2 summers as a marketing intern for a major life insurance company. Nick worked in marketing for another major financial service company upon graduation and also functioned as the Midwestern Marketing Director for EventPro in Chicago. 

Nick has built a reputation as the go to person when analyzing various index crediting methodologies as well as for his expertise in Single Premium Life. Nick is a member of The National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and a member of the Society of Financial Services Professionals (SFSP). Nick received his Chartered Financial Consultants designation, ChFC, from The American college in Bryn Mawr, PA and his Chartered Life Underwriters designation, CLU, from the American College. Nick is a licensed Life and Health agent.

Joseph R. Ohlson, LUTCF
Vice President

Joe Ohlson has been with The Ohlson Group for since 2006. Alongside his father (and founder) Raymond and brother Nick, he has helped build The Ohlson Group to where it is today. Joe started working at The Ohlson Group as in intern during college summer breaks from 2003-2006. By graduation time in 2006, Joe was well acquainted with The Ohlson Group and came on board as a marketing consultant.
 
Joe received his Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University, possesses his life & health insurance license. Joe obtained his Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow designation, LUTCF, from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 2014. 
 
Joe has had the unique opportunity to help in the development and distribution of proprietary annuity products for major US life and annuity carriers.

Joe’s specialties are in the annuity arena – whatever the need might be (income, accumulation, death benefit – all three) he is experienced in case preparation and can utilize his decades of knowledge as well as helpful software solutions to find the best fit for you and your client on any given case.

Levon Justice
Marketing Consultant

Levon Justice is a 23 year veteran of the life insurance business as a career agent working with some of the most well established and respected companies in the industry – Prudential, Mass Mutual, Foresters, and Northwestern Mutual among them. 

Before joining The Ohlson Group, Levon worked in the Brokerage/IMO world at a prominent Midwestern IMO that specialized in Medicare Sales. He used his knowledge and experience to assist Independent Agents with their Life Insurance, Long Term Care, Disability, and Annuity case development. 

"I’ve always loved meeting people at their kitchen table, office or local coffee shop to get to know them, their families and what makes them tick.  I have a strong belief in and love for our industry. I have seen the impact of dying with and without life insurance.  I am a Life Insurance Lifer.” This is the lens through which I will be looking at your cases.

Some of the sales concepts he has experience with are  Indexed Universal Life and the conversation around creating non taxable retirement income that could outpace Qualified Plans.  Marketing to and solving insurance concerns for Small Business Owners. Debt Reduction / Retirement planning / Infinite Banking concepts using Whole Life Insurance.  Hybrid and Traditional Long Term Care Insurance, as well as High Net Worth and Small Case Platform Premium Finance business.  

The opportunity to know and work with Ohlson Group Advisors was an offer he just couldn’t resist.  From case development to underwriting assistance or marketing support, Levon is eager to go to work for you!

Matt Kunze
Marketing Consultant

Matt Kunze served in the US Navy for 8 years where he was stationed on a ship working on radar and communications. He then continued his Navy carrier as a military police officer in Bermuda. He finished his military career by working at Naval Space Command.

Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude from Concordia University. After trying out different sales jobs, he settled into the financial services industry. Matt was a registered rep at a small Broker/Dealer, then moved on to Invesco Mutual funds, where he started working with advisors to build their business and sell his mutual funds. He went on to work at American Express helping more advisors build their book of business by selling his annuities. After American Express, Matt opened his own marketing company that introduced advisors to interested investors in a turnkey seminar for the potential clients. 
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Matt has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, focusing on marketing with advisors to build a strong and healthy practice.

Nathan Yung
Associate Marketing Consultant

Nathan Yung is a Ball State University graduate who majored in marketing. During his time in college, Nathan served as the BSU American Marketing Association, Chair of Relations, where he was tasked with planning events, leading meetings, and setting up fundraising for the club.

Prior to joining The Ohlson Group, Nathan worked for a pool manufacturing company as a social media/marketing intern, where he gained valuable experience in marketing and customer service. 

Gianna Jaeger
ASSOCIATE MARKETING CONSULTANT

Gianna recently graduated from Indiana State University in May of 2022.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sales and minored in Marketing. Throughout college, she was a part time Sales Associate at Old Navy. This is where she knew that sales was for her, and enjoyed engaging with customers and finding solutions to their problems.

​Gianna enjoys helping others and showing a bright side of her personality. She is excited to start a new journey at The Ohlson Group as an Associate Marketing Consultant! 

Ann Konopka
Director of Licensing, CONTRACTING, ​and Operations

Annie received her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University. She has strong sales experience and administrative skills that truly benefit The Ohlson Group. Annie worked at Kaplan Financial which makes her extremely valuable to us and our advisors in the area of agent contracting. 

Makayla Weakly
Director of New Business and Administrative Support Specialist

Makayla’s previous experience in Banking and Insurance Marketing, along with her degree in business, has made her an integral part of the Ohlson Group. 

Makayla reviews and processes new business, along with running reception. She also handles commissions for the agents and The Ohlson Group.

Jason Garriott
Director of Digital Marketing

Jason received his Bachelor of the Arts Degree from Ball State University in Telecommunications with a focus on Production. Jason worked with King Media Service to helped shoot, edit, and finalize some of the videos for our website. He interned with us Fall of 2010 and has worked for the company ever since.

Jason designs and creates all of our Ohlson Group and Safe Money Places content, gives consultation services to members of the Safe Money Places Agent Network, develops and manages all of our websites, creates our flyers and brochures, and manages our email marketing. He also films, edits, and produces our prospecting tip videos. 

Lauren Gehle
Associate Manager of Digital MArketing

Lauren graduated from Ball State University, where she majored in Marketing and minored in Economics and Strategic Communications. Through this dual approach, Lauren recognizes both the analytical side of marketing, as well as the extensive creative side, giving her a well rounded understanding of digital marketing. At Ball State University, Lauren was Vice President of the American Marketing Association (AMA) and very active in her immersive learning classes. One where she created and managed a professional economic video production over multiple micro-economical concepts, and another where she managed social media platforms for Central Indiana’s YWCA, a national non-profit women’s shelter, located in Muncie, Indiana. 
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Lauren joined our team to continue amplifying The Ohlson Group’s prestige reputation and appearances on social media. She will be working with Jason Garriott, our Director of Digital Marketing, to continue analyzing data, assisting in the Safe Money Places Agent Network, as well as managing and creating content for multiple social media platforms.