Open Sky Wealth Management
Zach Walker
Wealth Management Advisor and Founder
Personal
Zach grew up just south of Dallas, Texas with his parents and younger brother. Zach was recruited to play basketball at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he graduated in 2010 and then spent four years in the Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, he managed a multitude of businesses from childcare, hotels, coffee shops, bars and restaurant operations, gyms, and leading teams tasked with tracking members in other parts of the world.
After his Air Force time he spent two years with Corporate 7-Eleven helping run financial analysis for departments across the company. During his last two years in the Air Force he met his wife, Shannon, and they were married in 2014. Zach and Shannon moved back to Colorado Springs in 2015 and now have two boys with a third on the way. They spend time teaching the boys to cast (they are ready to be near the beach and the water, just ask them) and with their two bird dogs.
- Graduate of St. Mark’s School of Texas
- Parents had their own businesses in addition to my dad being a firefighter for 30 years
- Shannon has done amazing things in her career, managing restaurants, commercial real estate companies, and is working towards her nursing degree while raising our boys
Zach joined Northwestern Mutual in 2017 after becoming a client of the Managing Partner in Colorado Springs. Since joining, Zach has quickly gained recognition for his work ethic and impacting the lives of clients all over the country. Zach was recognized this last year for being the 2nd best advisor in his year group in the entire Western Region of the US. In his five years with the company he has impacted over 500 households.
- Qualified for Lives Leaders’ Summit
Professional
I spent 4.5 years in the United States Air Force between Colorado and Texas. During that time, I had the unique opportunity to lead airmen and civilians in supporting other Air Force members. I lead several teams who managed everything from Child Care, Fitness Centers, Hotel Operations on base, Bar & restaurant operations.
After leaving the Air Force, I took a job doing corporate finance for a convenience store chain in Dallas, Texas. I handled P&Ls for stores across the United States and supported department heads with their department's budgets.
Since coming to Northwestern Mutual, I have found a passion for helping enriching my client's lives through helping them building wealth in a tax efficient manner, protecting their families, and reducing stress about money. Are you certain you are on the path to financial freedom when you want it?
Years of Experience
Representing Northwestern Mutual since 2017.
Education
- United States Air Force Academy - Social Science (Bachelor of Science)
- University of Texas - Technology Commercialization (Masters of Science)
Lending a hand in my community.
As part of Northwestern Mutual, I'm proud to help accelerate the search for better childhood cancer treatments while supporting families undergoing treatment, and survivors from late effects. Here are some of the organizations we partner with:
St. Balrdick's Foundation - Raised $10k in 2021 when Shannon shaved her head
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
ALSF funds cancer research, raises awareness, and supports the families of children with cancer. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual, its employees, and financial professionals like me have donated more than $20 million to support ALSF and fund over 400,000 research hours.
Beads of Courage
Beads of Courage is an art-in-medicine program that helps kids with cancer tell their unique treatment story through colorful beads that are symbols of their courage.
Here are my areas of expertise
Retirement Planning & Income Strategies
Business Employee & Executive Benefits Planning
Business Planning & Succession
Financial Planning
Advisory Services
Multigenerational Planning
Insurance Protection Strategies
How Northwestern Mutual helps you live the life you want.
When people feel better about their money, good things happen—they become more confident and feel more secure. For more than 160 years, Northwestern Mutual has helped people achieve the financial flexibility they need to live more and worry less.
Being a mutual company means Northwestern Mutual reports to its clients, not Wall Street. They don't believe in chasing fads or taking undue risk for short-term gains. Instead, they take a long-term approach—both in the way we help people plan to reach their goals, and in the way they do business. This has served their clients (and mine) well through all kinds of economic ups and downs, including wars, recessions, even the recent pandemic.
It's why I'm happy to be part of a company that's in it for the long-haul and prioritizes clients over profit.
