Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Springfield office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Patrick's core belief about the service he provides to his clients is: “Begin with an end in mind. Financial security is about the plan, not one particular product. Risk management is the foundation of all sound financial plans. Seek to understand before being understood.” He also enjoys his role as Recruiting...
Patrick's core belief about the service he provides to his clients is: “Begin with an end in mind. Financial security is about the plan, not one particular product. Risk management is the foundation of all sound financial plans. Seek to understand before being understood.” He also enjoys his role as Recruiting Field Director and coaching and mentoring new Financial Representatives. His goal for the Springfield District Agency is to continue to develop the office into a full financial planning firm and continue to grow our team.
Maralee Willis
Director of Finance
Maralee joined our team in May of 2006. She began her career with Northwestern Mutual as an Associate Financial Representative for one financial representative. Maralee stepped into the role of Director of Finance in 2011. She is an asset to our team as she coordinates all financial matters for our district office...
Maralee joined our team in May of 2006. She began her career with Northwestern Mutual as an Associate Financial Representative for one financial representative. Maralee stepped into the role of Director of Finance in 2011. She is an asset to our team as she coordinates all financial matters for our district office and financial representatives, helping to ensure thorough communication and promote wise use of funds. Maralee and her husband, Tyler, live near Greenview, Illinois and have two daughters and a son, Macie, Mollie and Luke. She enjoys working with Tyler on their family farm. Maralee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. She sits on the board of directors for the Menard County Farm Bureau, is the President of the Greenview PTO, 4-H Leader for the Greenview Boosters 4-H Club, and a member of the Heartland FFA Alumni.
Audra Johnson
CLF®
Director of Operations
Audra joined our team in March of 2011. Audra provides our behind-the-scenes support and makes our entire office run smoothly. You will find Audra at our receptionist desk. She is the go-to for all staff administration and support of team processes. Audra is life and health insurance licensed along with being...
Audra joined our team in March of 2011. Audra provides our behind-the-scenes support and makes our entire office run smoothly. You will find Audra at our receptionist desk. She is the go-to for all staff administration and support of team processes. Audra is life and health insurance licensed along with being securities registered. She has also obtained a Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF®) designation! Audra is very active in her church, serving in congregational care, benevolence, and counseling. She is also a published author of youth devotionals and poetry. Audra holds a Bachelor degree in Communication Arts from Hannibal-LaGrange University. She also holds a Master of Divinity in Professional Chaplaincy, w/a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counseling.
Katie Smith
Director of Insurance Services
Katie joined our team in December of 2017 as the front desk receptionist. Katie quickly obtained life and health insurance licensed in January 2018 and became the Director of Insurance Services. She enjoys her role because she gets to assist Financial Representatives who are in their first 5 years as well as...
Katie joined our team in December of 2017 as the front desk receptionist. Katie quickly obtained life and health insurance licensed in January 2018 and became the Director of Insurance Services. She enjoys her role because she gets to assist Financial Representatives who are in their first 5 years as well as the Managing Director. In September of 2019 she became securities registered, allowing her to help the Financial Representatives with investment accounts. Katie started her career with Northwestern Mutual after 7 years in the banking industry. She resides in Springfield with her husband, Rodney, and their two kids, RJ and Kinsley. Katie’s hobbies include spending time with her friends and family and shopping.
Stacie Croff
Associate Wealth Management Advisor
Stacie joined our team in July of 2018. She joined with her Series 7 and 63 and quickly obtained her life and health licenses. She is an asset to our team as she currently serves in opening investment accounts and investment related client servicing. Stacie came to us after 14 year of prior investment industry...
Stacie joined our team in July of 2018. She joined with her Series 7 and 63 and quickly obtained her life and health licenses. She is an asset to our team as she currently serves in opening investment accounts and investment related client servicing. Stacie came to us after 14 year of prior investment industry service. She and her husband, Bill, have a son and daughter, Ashton and Averie. She also enjoys traveling with her family. She volunteers at her daughter’s school any opportunity that she can.
Regan Duffy
Regan joined our team in October of 2018. She has obtained her life and health insurance license. Regan ensures all clients receive the best service possible. Regan graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. With a background in the health field, she...
Regan joined our team in October of 2018. She has obtained her life and health insurance license. Regan ensures all clients receive the best service possible. Regan graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. With a background in the health field, she enjoys the change of pace in financial planning. In her free time, Regan loves to cook, run and practice yoga.
Eli began his career with Northwestern Mutual in November of 2014 as a College Financial Representative as a freshman in college. He served as the College Team Captain in 2016 and 2017. In December of 2017, he graduated from the University of Illinois-Springfield with a degree in Accounting. Shortly after, he...
Eli began his career with Northwestern Mutual in November of 2014 as a College Financial Representative as a freshman in college. He served as the College Team Captain in 2016 and 2017. In December of 2017, he graduated from the University of Illinois-Springfield with a degree in Accounting. Shortly after, he converted his internship contract to a full-time Financial Representative contract.
Makenzie Trees
Campus Recruiter
Kenzie joined our team in April of 2022. Her job is to help fuel the talent pipeline for our nationally ranked internship program in Financial Planning. She works alongside Eli Cook, College Unit Director and Financial Advisor. They work together to continue developing, planning, and strategizing around the internship...
Kenzie joined our team in April of 2022. Her job is to help fuel the talent pipeline for our nationally ranked internship program in Financial Planning. She works alongside Eli Cook, College Unit Director and Financial Advisor. They work together to continue developing, planning, and strategizing around the internship program. In addition, she works to continue developing our relationship with partnering universities: Illinois College, University of Illinois-Springfield, and Lincoln Land Community College, and acts as a main point of contact for any university affairs.
Gary Rademaker
Associate Financial Representative
Gary joined Northwestern Mutual in 2018 and join our district team in 2022. He is life and health insurance licensed. Gary decided to team with our district to help service more clients. Gary resides in Lincoln, IL with his wife Bethany and their two kids, Lilian and Barrett. Gary says his family is his “why”....
Gary joined Northwestern Mutual in 2018 and join our district team in 2022. He is life and health insurance licensed. Gary decided to team with our district to help service more clients. Gary resides in Lincoln, IL with his wife Bethany and their two kids, Lilian and Barrett. Gary says his family is his “why”. They are the reason why he has created a plan and is prepared for what is coming in life, including the unknowns. It’s that peace of mind he wants to be able to create for each one of the clients he works with!