![Father son playing on a trampoline](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/sites/images/hero/father-playing-with-child-outside.jpg?width=1500)
Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Grand Rapids office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
![Joe Dierks - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/22892861/dcbcb2cc-1739-407d-79b3-78821547f8aa.jpg)
Joe Dierks
CLTC®
Managing Partner
Joe Dierks is the Managing Partner of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan has been serving the Grand Rapids community since 1865. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan is on our way to 100 advisors and representatives with district offices Portage, Grand Haven, East...
Joe Dierks is the Managing Partner of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan has been serving the Grand Rapids community since 1865. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan is on our way to 100 advisors and representatives with district offices Portage, Grand Haven, East Lansing and multiple other offices across West Michigan. Joe attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and joined Northwestern Mutual in January 2001 as a college intern. Joe fell in love with the entrepreneurial opportunity and became a full time Financial Representative in June 2001. Since then, Joe has achieved numerous industry awards as an advisor, such as the Million Dollar Round Table, and has lead many teams throughout the country. Joe and Rachel currently live in Grand Rapids with their 4 children.
![Gustavo Cueto - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/25457398/17620127-5898-4819-7e9e-6c2d2d9cc47a.jpg)
Gustavo Cueto
Chief Operations Officer
Gustavo F. Cueto is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Supervision Offer of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gustavo has a personal passion for serving the Enterprise and the community. Gustavo attended Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba in Mexico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration...
Gustavo F. Cueto is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Supervision Offer of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gustavo has a personal passion for serving the Enterprise and the community. Gustavo attended Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba in Mexico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and minor in Computer Science. He later immigrated to the United States and joined Northwestern Mutual in 2001. He's held a variety of key positions at the corporate office and now at the network office. Gustavo and his wife, Jana, currently live in the Forest Hills area with their 2 daughters.
![Sharon Yoder - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/34200438/cec1b083-e7e9-49ea-4cea-94205d45b8f1.jpg)
Sharon is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Portage, Michigan. Sharon attended Western Michigan University. Sharon began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006. She has earned Pacesetter 1st 40, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum honors with the company. Sharon is married...
Sharon is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Portage, Michigan. Sharon attended Western Michigan University. Sharon began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006. She has earned Pacesetter 1st 40, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum honors with the company. Sharon is married to Mike and they live in Portage with their four wonderful children.
![Alexander Velting - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/87764153/3fc3be5a-99e0-472d-54f6-31e6924dded8.jpg)
Alexander previously served in the United States Air Force where he developed the three core values he lives and serves with a commitment today: - Integrity First. Holding himself to be a person of integrity, courage and conviction. - Service before self. Professional duties take precedence over personal desires. -...
Alexander previously served in the United States Air Force where he developed the three core values he lives and serves with a commitment today: - Integrity First. Holding himself to be a person of integrity, courage and conviction. - Service before self. Professional duties take precedence over personal desires. - Excellence in all he does.
![Thomas Bowes - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/87815032/7d9b7619-12f0-4798-7bf1-0690b1c5fe72.jpg)
Prior to working in the financial services industry, Thomas owned and operated a Sports Performance and Health Consulting Business for 6 years. He serviced high performance athletes and business professionals in all thing’s performance and health. Thomas runs his practice today with the same core values he had...
Prior to working in the financial services industry, Thomas owned and operated a Sports Performance and Health Consulting Business for 6 years. He serviced high performance athletes and business professionals in all thing’s performance and health. Thomas runs his practice today with the same core values he had for his previous business. He looks forward to growing the NM of West Michigan footprint and continuing to build on the impact that already exists.
![Killeen Dillon - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/45892720/f1ace4ac-e7ee-42d6-5bbb-ca6a9810a35c.jpg)
Killeen Dillon
Director of Training and Development
The Granddaughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Killeen has been deeply rooted in the business her entire life. She is passionate about helping new financial representatives recognize the tremendous opportunity this career offers and believes that at Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan we...
The Granddaughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Killeen has been deeply rooted in the business her entire life. She is passionate about helping new financial representatives recognize the tremendous opportunity this career offers and believes that at Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan we make our lives and our clients lives better . Starting her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2011 she has held a variety of roles in new business, coaching, training and development. As a certified coach and trainer she fosters a culture of high expectations and believes strongly that when we do what we do well, we change lives forever. Killeen resides in Ada with her husband, where they are actively involved in the Grand Rapids Polo Club. She enjoys spending her free time at the family farm, with friends, traveling, cooking, running, and all things Ada.
![Julie Cooper - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/41064074/8b4bbe44-4934-4df2-5cf8-eaf219822ed9.jpg)
Julie Cooper
FSCP®
Director of Client Relations
Julie began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative in 2009. She earned the Bronze and Silver honors with the company in her time as a Financial Representative. Julie took a few years away and came back home to Northwestern Mutual in July 2020 as the Director of our Client Relations...
Julie began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative in 2009. She earned the Bronze and Silver honors with the company in her time as a Financial Representative. Julie took a few years away and came back home to Northwestern Mutual in July 2020 as the Director of our Client Relations Center. Julie works with a team of advisors to help bridge the gap between the promises that were made to our clients to those promises being kept. Julie’s battle cry is: Everyday may not be good, but see the good in every day. Julie is married to her husband Paul, they live in Alger Heights on the southeast side of Grand Rapids and love being a part of this great city. They have 4 grown children between them and 1 granddaughter with a second on the way this fall.
![William Smeda - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/87794761/9b885d38-a623-4ba9-710a-9b3fc400341d.jpg)
William Smeda
Director of Supervision
Will Smeda is the Director of Supervision for the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Will graduated with a Bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University where he studied Psychology and Business Administration. When he is not working, he enjoys kayaking, spending time with his dog , and trying new...
Will Smeda is the Director of Supervision for the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Will graduated with a Bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University where he studied Psychology and Business Administration. When he is not working, he enjoys kayaking, spending time with his dog , and trying new restaurants with his girlfriend Sydney.
![Taylor Wierenga - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/87802076/27c07632-a3fa-4b9a-4619-fce5371eafb7.jpg)
Taylor Wierenga
Director of Selection
Taylor is a Grand Rapids native who began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2023. She graduated from Calvin University with a degree in Business Marketing in 2018. Tay is highly committed to growing the firm by introducing the entrepreneurial opportunity of Financial Advising to West Michigan's top talent....
Taylor is a Grand Rapids native who began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2023. She graduated from Calvin University with a degree in Business Marketing in 2018. Tay is highly committed to growing the firm by introducing the entrepreneurial opportunity of Financial Advising to West Michigan's top talent. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mitchell, and golden retriever, Dalton.
![Eric Krupiarz - Northwestern Mutual headshot](https://media.northwesternmutual.com/images/field/person/39986992/98f776f5-b635-4443-5279-8fe972bf59f4.jpg)
Eric is a Field Director located in West Michigan with a national impact specializing in helping medical professionals and businesses owners feel confident in their family, retirement, estate, retention strategies, and wealth management. Eric's desire to enjoy life stems from his passions of hockey, golf, traveling,...
Eric is a Field Director located in West Michigan with a national impact specializing in helping medical professionals and businesses owners feel confident in their family, retirement, estate, retention strategies, and wealth management. Eric's desire to enjoy life stems from his passions of hockey, golf, traveling, and above all making memories with his wife Ashley and sons Smith and Brooks!