Meet the Team
The team behind Downey Financial Group is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements.
Ed Downey
President | Certified Financial Fiduciary | Lead Financial Advisor
Ed is passionate about helping people worry less about money through well-thought-out financial strategies for retirement.
Growing up, Ed was first introduced to financial services by his father, Ed Sr., an estate planning attorney, and his uncle Marty, a CPA. Both men helped individuals and families with their tax and estate planning needs. They influenced the financial principles Ed follows today as he helps clients navigate their retirement planning needs. In 2002, Ed opened his own firm, where he focuses on assisting clients to gain clarity about their financial situation before making a clear plan of action to get them where they need to be. For more than 30 years, he has specialized in helping clients enjoy a safe and secure retirement through conservative strategies that make sense for their individual situations.
“Not losing money is just as important as making money,” says Ed. “And paying too much in taxes is just another way to lose money”.
Ed is the author of “Retirement Blueprint: The first steps to building a better lifestyle in retirement,” which aims to help retirees and those nearing retirement build their own “financial house” and get their finances nailed down. He has also been a regular guest on AM 560 “The Answer” in Chicago. As a financial professional, Ed can offer investment and insurance products and services. He holds health and life insurance licenses in several states. He also is the owner and primary investment advisor of DFG Wealth Management, LLC, and a Certified Financial Fiduciary® CFF.
He has lived in Chicagoland his entire life originally from the South Side (Beverly) and has resided in the western suburbs for over 25 years. Away from the office, Ed enjoys spending time with his wife, Shannon, and their children, Eamon, Michaela and Brianna, and is actively involved in all of their extracurricular activities. He also is an avid boater.
Jeremy Green
Financial Advisor
CFP®, CTFA®, CLU®, CEBS®, AEP®, MSFS, EA®
Jeremy is a subject matter expert in high-net-worth tax, estate & business planning with 22 years of experience. He collaborates with professional advisors, closely held business owners, and other clients with significant assets to integrate and clarify their combined business, estate, philanthropic, tax, investment, and life insurance plans.
Jeremy has successfully helped clients avoid unnecessary present and future combined fees, estate, income, and capital gains taxes by restructuring how assets are owned prior to a sale of a business or real estate, adjusting business operating agreements to preserve otherwise lost stepped-up tax cost basis, modifying the number and complexity of existing trust arrangements, optimizing trust & business owned life insurance funding, and reducing excessive investment management expenses.
Jeremy is a Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Trust Financial Advisor, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, Chartered Life Underwriter, Accredited Estate Planner, IRS Enrolled Agent, as well as a graduate of the Institute of Certified Bankers National Graduate Trust School, the American Institute of Banker's Personal Trust School and graduate of the American College's Master of Science in Financial Services degree program. He is also the Director of High Net Worth Planning at Advisors Excel, a financial services firm offering brokered insurance products. It is the relationship Downey Financial Group, Inc. has with Advisors Excel that allows Jeremy to help Downey Financial Group’s clients.
Jeremy graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism using the GI Bill after serving in the United States Army’s Second Infantry Division stationed in the Republic of Korea from 1996 to 1998. He enjoys reading, documentaries, weightlifting, bicycling, and time with my son, dogs, and friends!
Shannon Downey
Human Resources & Event Coordinator
Shannon focuses on providing clients with the ultimate customer experience as they work toward their retirement dreams.
Before joining Downey Financial Group in 2002, Shannon began her career in the hospitality industry, working with Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Her experiences earned her a wealth of knowledge and insights on ensuring customer satisfaction, which she now brings to the Downey team. As the Manager of Human Resources, Shannon is responsible for all activity surrounding recruitment, hiring and training.
Shannon graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business.
Andrea Alonzo
New Business & Service Administrator
Andrea is our New Business & Customer Service Administrator. She is responsible for the transfer of all new business assets into the firm. She is also the primary team member to help clients with service needs. Her vast experience gives her the ability to answer a lot of clients’ questions. In many “clutch” moments in the past, she has been there for our clients and the firm.
When Andrea is not at work, she is all about family. She cherishes her role as a mother and loves spending time with her son Ivan. Andrea also enjoys traveling and experiencing some adrenaline: ATV riding and going to the gym are some of her favorite hobbies.
Andrea is truly is the central nervous system of Downey Financial Group!
Kathleen Kielma
Marketing & Calendar Coordinator
Kathleen ‘Katie’ Keilma is our Marketing & Calendar Coordinator. Chances are that when you call into the office, Katie will be the first one you talk to! She is responsible for advisor calendar management, marketing efforts, and client event planning. With a foundation in office administration, Katie found a passion for connecting with clients that flourished over several years. It was here that she discovered a knack for nurturing connections and fostering meaningful relationships. Through active participation in local events and community engagement initiatives, Katie gained invaluable insights that have shaped her career trajectory towards Marketing and Coordination.
Outside of the professional realm, Katie is deeply committed to academic pursuits, currently studying Psychology. Balancing work and education fuels her drive for continuous growth and learning. In her personal life, she is a devoted mother to two wonderful daughters, Penny and Bonnie. They enjoy crafting, reading, and playing games together!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
For more information about any of our products and services, schedule a phone call today or register to attend a workshop.
Or give us a call at 630.233.6060.