WHO WE ARE

Raymond J. Ohlson, CLU, CRC, LACP
President and CEO

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 is also 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 at Ball State University. He is the 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.
Nicholas R. Ohlson, ChFC, CLU
Chicago Managing Director, Partner, and Marketing Consultant

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
Managing Director, Partner, and Marketing Consultant

Joe Ohlson has been with The Ohlson Group for over 10 years. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University, possesses his life & health insurance license. He is also a member of NAIFA. Joe obtained his Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow designation, LUTCF, from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 2014 to better assist agents in the income planning, accumulation and wealth transfer business. 

Joe’s specialties are in the income planning and wealth transfer markets, utilizing index annuities and single premium life. He is experienced in case preparation and can help find the best fit for you and your client on any given case. He is fortunate to have grown up in an insurance family with his father, Ray and brother, Nick. Also, Joe’s wife, Taria Ohlson, joined The Ohlson Group in 2012 – making The Ohlson Group a truly boutique, family-run business.
Jim "Mac" McHale
Marketing Consultant

Jim McHale brings 27 years of experience in the insurance industry to the Ohlson Group. Shortly after attending Saint Joseph College, Jim began working as a field agent for an insurance company. He continued on as a recruiter, trainer and field manager. While working in the field, Jim focused on customer service and building client relationships.

Jim also spent 5 years as a Vice President of a major life insurance corporation. He continued to focus on client (agent) service by assisting agents with Medicaid friendly annuities, Jim’s expertise.

Jim’s role is to provide the agent with the product knowledge, marketing expertise and business planning tools necessary. Give Jim a call. He has the experience and street time that makes it easy for you to relate to a guy that’s been where you are.
James W. Ohlson
Relationship Manager

Jim is a licensed life, health, and property and casualty agent. Jim first obtained his insurance license in the late 70's. He then spent over 30 years with one of the world's largest pharmaceutical company's. He returned to  The Ohlson Group in 2014. Jim is the professional "go to person" when our advisors are in need of guidance and answers to questions regarding products and marketing packages.
Michelle L. Edwards
New Business Director

Michelle has an extensive background in the insurance industry. With over a decade of experience, she has worked for two life insurance companies and has experience in most all areas of marketing, new business and policy-holder service.

Michelle’s primary focus at The Ohlson Group is New Business. Also, Michelle oversees our Safe Money Places Agent Network. Michelle has taken several LOMA courses and strives to stay on top of the industry by furthering her education.

Michelle assists producers with supplies and illustrations. Michelle’s other main focus is to serve agents whenever possible by using her expertise and business development capabilities.
Ann Konopka
Head of Contracting and Licensing

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. 
Taria Ohlson
Head of Operations

Taria D. Ohlson has been working with the Ohlson Group since 2012 as Head of Agent and Client Services. She is in charge of commissions, and is fluent in processing agent-contracts and processing new-business applications. She also assists with tracking and updating of Safe Money Places Agent Network membership.

Prior to joining The Ohlson Group, Taria attended Indiana University while simultaneously serving in the Air Force for over six-years in the hospitality sector. The rigorous training that she obtained through the Air Force instilled qualities of self-discipline and leadership that greatly helps The Ohlson Group on a daily-basis.
Jason Garriott
Director of Digital Marketing
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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.