• Penn State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Finance
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
• Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
• Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®)
• Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®)
• FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 63, and 66
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Ted joined Sparks Financial in 2006 and became Partner in 2022. Ted's passion for financial, estate, and charitable planning stems from his family's history in the industry for over 50 years.

In 2021, After 17 years in Colorado, Ted and his family moved home to the Northeast to both be closer to family and to expand the reach of Sparks Financial.

Personal Spark

Ted, and his wife Emily, met at Penn State University where they were both varsity athletes (lacrosse and soccer). They have three wonderful children, Gabe, Elliot, and Hadley. The Holmes family loves to hit the road travelling especially to their favorite spots like Key West and Crested Butte. You'll also find them exploring the outdoors of Upstate New York and the Rocky Mountains.

• State University of New York, Geneseo
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Math
• Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation
• FINRA Series Securities Industries Essentials (SIE), 6, 7, and 63
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Annelise joins Sparks Financial with 5 years experience within Northwestern Mutual.

Personal Spark

Annelise is originally from Syracuse, NY and moved to Denver in fall of 2021 where she now lives with her boyfriend, Drew, and their dog, Earl. She spends her free time traveling, getting outside to enjoy the West Coast weather, and watching the Buffalo Bills on gamedays.

• Texas Christian University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Management, Finance and Leadership
• FINRA Series Securities Industries Essentials (SIE) 7 and 63
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Taven joined Sparks Financial in 2019 as a Financial Advisor and has since become a Partner in the firm. After graduating from TCU, Taven spent 3 years as a consultant with Deloitte within the Financial Services Industry.

Personal Spark

Taven was born and raised in Colorado and is an avid Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche fan. He also loves traveling and has been to 5 of the 7 continents. A few highlights from his travels include hiking Machu Picchu, hang gliding in Switzerland, and riding elephants in Thailand. In their free time, Taven and his wife, Lauren, enjoy shows at Red Rocks, playing volleyball at Washington Park, skiing, hiking, and spending quality time with family, friends and their English Cream Golden Retriever, Leo.

• Texas Tech University
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation
• FINRA Series 7 and 63
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Marshall joined Sparks Financial in July of 2020 as a Client Services Manager. Prior to joining Sparks Financial, he worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the Denver Area.

Personal Spark

Marshall lives in Parker, Colorado with his wife, Alex. In his free time, Marshall enjoys spending time with family, traveling around Colorado, golfing in the summer, and skiing in the winter.

Background & Expertise

Jessica R. Veitch is a Wealth Management Advisor and the founder of Apricate Financial Group. Based in Colorado, our team has been serving clients nationwide since 2013. Jessica has always had a love of numbers. She's a total geek, holding a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.

So, why the transition from engineering to financial planning? It started when Jessica and her husband were aiming for baby number two but ended up with triplets! Talk about a major life change. It was during this amazing, and sometimes overwhelming experience, that Jessica truly grasped the significance of personal finance. She took the initiative to start a financial club with her friends, diving headfirst into the subject to unravel its intricacies.

What started as a financial club turned into a career where she combined her enthusiasm, empathy, and expertise to help clients feel confident about their financial position and direction. Jessica firmly believes that everyone deserves proper support to efficiently achieve their goals.  Her passion lies in showing folks what they can achieve with the right knowledge and tools.

When she's not helping secure financial futures, or juggling the chaos of her four young adults, you'll find Jessica soaking up the exhilaration of spinning classes and indulging in her love for theatre: attending as many shows as possible and creating intricate costumes for various events.

Professional Designations & Education

Jessica Veitch holds her Series 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations and is insurance licensed in over 35 states across the US.

Jessica is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) & Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations.

Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), Court of Table (COT) & Top of the Table (TOT)

Jessica is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Premier Association of Financial Professionals. Founded in 1927, MDRT provides its members with resources to improve their technical knowledge, sales and client service while maintaining a culture of high ethical standards.

MDRT's mission is to be a valued, member-driven international network of leading insurance and investment financial services professionals who serve their clients by exemplary performance and the highest standards of ethics, knowledge, service and productivity.

• Million Dollar Round Table Qualifying Member: 2016-2024
• Court of the Table | 2021-2024
• Top of the Table | 2023

Personal Education

• The University of Colorado at Boulder
  • B.S. Chemical Engineering

About Kathleen

Along with developing and evolving the processes of the team, Kathleen enjoys looking for hidden treasures at yard sales and thrift stores, as well as helping others organize rooms, closets, and shelves in their homes.

As a single parent, her favorite thing to do is take her seven-year-old daughter to the mountains for hiking, biking, skiing, and camping.

Professional Experience

Kathleen started with Northwestern Mutual in 2014 as a Financial Advisor and transitioned to her role as Associate Wealth Management Advisor in 2020.

Education

• University of Colorado Boulder, CO
  • B.A. Business

Qualifications

• WMCP®
• RICP®
• CLTC®

• United States Naval Academy
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
• Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®)
• FINRA Series 7 and 63
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Pete joined Sparks Financial in 2010. He has worked in the financial services industry since leaving the U.S. Navy and moving to Denver in 1996. Having worked with clients through both the ups and downs of stock market cycles, Pete understands the real-world impact of financial risk and return. As an Advisor at Sparks Financial he brings that experience to life, building all weather portfolios designed around his clients’ individual financial planning goals.

Personal Spark

Pete and his wife Kathy have three adult children and two dogs. A bluebird powder day skiing with the family in the Colorado mountains is an ideal day. Pete also enjoys music and playing guitar. He is active in supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and Food for Thought – Denver. Pete is also a volunteer high school lacrosse coach.

• Colorado State University
  • Bachelor of Science
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Designation
• FINRA Series Securities Industries Essentials (SIE), 7, and 66
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Jerry joined Sparks Financial in June 2022 as a Private Wealth Service Advisor. Prior to Joining Sparks Financial, Jerry worked as Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual. Before Northwestern Mutual, Jerry spent a year in JP Morgan’s Advisor development program and 7 years helping implement/develop Walmart’s Omni Channel Ecommerce division with his latest role as a Digital Operations Manager.

Personal Spark

Jerry is a Colorado Native who currently lives in the Denver, CO area with his Wife Dana and their dog Monty. In Jerry’s free time, he enjoys spending time in his garden, checking out the local breweries and going to sporting events.

• University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
• Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
• Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®)
• FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Matthew joined Sparks Financial in 2014. He was previously an investment operations specialist for the Northwestern Mutual Denver office. As an Advisor he is responsible for insurance and investment strategy implementation with a focus on financial planning.

Personal Spark

Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife Jen and their son Henry. Passions include traveling and enjoying all that Colorado has to offer. You can find Matthew, Jen, and Henry enjoying walks around their Crestmoor neighborhood and enjoying restaurants in Cherry Creek and Downtown.

• University of Northern Colorado
  • Bachelor of Communication
• FINRA Series Securities Industries Essentials (SIE), 6, 7, and 63
• Life, Health, and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses

Background and Expertise

Nicholas joined Sparks financial in 2022 as an Operations Assistant. Prior to joining Sparks Financial, he worked for Theodore Financial within Northwestern Mutual.

Personal Spark

Nicholas is a Colorado native who currently resides in Highlands Ranch with his wife, Jessica. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys spending time with family and playing golf.

Ross is the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual-Denver. Ross strives to be the best Bucket Filler, Leader, and Inspirer he can be, and values being a Father, Husband, and Athlete at his core. He is a Colorado native and developed his work ethic and positivity while playing football at Truman State and Colorado College. Ross’s focus has always been team over self, and he strives to live a life of significance – uplifting the lives of those around him.

Colton started his career with Northwestern Mutual as an intern advisor in 2012, before his senior year at Colorado State University. He graduated with honors through the College of Business, emphasizing Personal Financial Planning. Colton ran his practice full-time until 2018 and is now the Director of Financial Planning. Colton maintains his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®) designations.

Colton is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children. Colton is originally from Wisconsin and learned that his family has been served by Northwestern Mutual for at least four generations. Colton loves sports/athletics (specifically playing golf), is dedicated to serving the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the University of Denver and active in his church, Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church.