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OUR TEAM

MATT TUCKER, CFP®
Growth Your Way Specialist
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
ZACHARY SCHULER
Wealth Specialist & Dir. of New Business
LICENSED INSURANCE PRODUCER
TRENT MARTIN
Wealth Specialist
LICENSED INSURANCE PRODUCER

Tim Cowart

Sr. Dir. of Operations
TERI EVELAND
Dir. of Client Services
AMANDA ELLISON

Dir. of Client Experience
TOM MICHALOWSKI
Advisor
DARREN LEAVITT, CFA®
Consultant
Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC
Chief Investment Strategist
ERNEST C’DEBACA JD, LLM, CFP®
Consultant
Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC
General Counsel
Have a question?
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CLICK TO DOWNLOAD RETIREMENT BUDGET WORKSHEET
Phone: 847.497.0434
Phone: 855.855.7655
Office Locations:
13200 Globe Dr
Suite 112
Mount Pleasant, WI 53177
200 Tri State International
Ste. 500
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Temporary Space:
300 Tri State International
Ste. 180
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Investment advisory services offered through Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC (“Foundations”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal or tax advice, nor that any performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, investment or planning strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Foundations, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any past performance is no guarantee of future results. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Foundations and its advisors are properly licensed or exempted. For more information, please go to https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search by our firm name or by our CRD #175083.

The purpose of this website is to provide general information on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Part D, and other health insurance related information. At Thrive Wealth Group, we believe that everyone should have access to the information needed to make an informed, confident decision about their healthcare. Calling the number on this site will connect you to a licensed insurance agent.

Thrive Wealth Group has researched government websites and publications in an effort to provide you with information. We believe the sources we use to provide information to be reliable. However, we do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information. All materials on this site are for informational purposes only. The contents of this website are subject to change without notice. If you would like to find more information about the Government Medicare program, please visit the Official U.S. Government website for Medicare, located at medicare.gov.

Thrive Wealth group is not connected with, affiliated with, or endorsed by the United States government, the Federal Medicare program, or a state agency. Medicare has not reviewed nor endorsed this information. Products sold by our team are backed by the insurance company’s guaranteed association and underwriting powers.

We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MATT TUCKER, CFP®
Matt is extremely passionate about working with clients. Understanding the unique personal and financial goals of every client he works with is one of his guiding principles. He brings strong attention to detail, listening skills and empathy to each interaction to ensure his clients feel empowered to achieve those goals in retirement. He prides himself on his integrity and professionalism because he believes those characteristics help him provide the highest level of service and are critical to building long-term relationships. In addition to working directly with clients, one of Matt’s primary roles is coaching and developing other advisors in all areas of portfolio and practice management, and he currently supports more than 150 advisors.
Matt earned his B.S. in Business with a concentration in Finance, and he also holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, which has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. As a CFP® professional, he has met extensive training requirements and commitment to the Board’s ethical standards, which require him to act as a fiduciary by putting his clients’ interests first.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys travelling with his wife of 17 years and their two children. He loves playing golf with his son, as well as watching him develop his talents as an artist and graphic designer. He also loves watching his daughter pursue her passions of horseback riding, ballroom dancing competitions, and ballet performances.
ZACHARY SCHULER
New Business Account Specialist
Zach joined THRIVE. in December 2020. He has worked in the financial industry since his graduation from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in 2017. He currently holds his Illinois Life insurance license and is actively pursuing more licenses and certificates in the future.

Zach has spent most of his career in Customer Service and specializes in processing new business accounts. He enjoys meeting with prospective clients and having the opportunity to go over the fine details to get them established with their new accounts. He will help facilitate all the necessary steps to ensure that the transitions are seamless, and your assets are followed. He looks forward to gaining experience and training with THRIVE.
In Zach’s spare time, he likes to fish and enjoys camping. He has two dogs, one large Lab/Shepard mix named Koda and one small Lab/Terrier mix named Naya. He and his wife Kayleen look forward to their new life together as newlyweds.
TRENT MARTIN
Wealth Specialist
Trent specializes in guiding retirees and pre-retirees as they negotiate the shift that occurs when going from growth and accumulation to income and preservation. He addresses concerns about Social Security, taxes, estate planning, and overall financial health while never forgetting the deeper issues at hand, namely the lifestyle his clients want to live. The foundation of his, and the THRIVE process, is the belief that your plan determines the products used.

Trent is a graduate of Augustana College, in Rock Island IL, and a former licensed PGA Golf Professional. He has spent the last 11 years of his career in financials services as both a wealth specialist and also a coach and mentor for other financial professionals looking to scale and serve folks better.
Outside of the office you will find Trent spending time with his beautiful wife Jessica, his daughter Olivia, and son Tyler.
HEATHER JOHNSTON
Director of Operations
Heather joined THRIVE in August of 2023 as the Director of Operations, a role in which she wears many hats & is at the helm of daily operations. An experienced Customer Service professional with extensive real estate background & management tenure, she has built her career on cooperative relationships & a deep understanding of how systems & processes are at the foundation of every successful enterprise. A natural born cheerleader, Heather encourages others to bring their best selves to the office every day and loves to share in the “champagne moments” with both the Team and our client members. Creating a warm, positive atmosphere and ensuring clear communication across all departments are among Heather’s top priorities.
Originally from Seattle, WA, and a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heather and her husband Corey enjoy spending time traveling together on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles and participating in local Harley Owners’ Group (H.O.G.) activities whenever possible, where Heather is the Director. As a first generation Swedish-American, Heather strives to keep her cultural heritage alive through traditions and food by sharing these things with those she loves. A strong faith foundation is central to her life and she enjoys participating in her church, Holy Cross in Libertyville, as much as she can. Heather & Corey’s Scottish Terrier, Piper, is their fur baby. Piper is what makes their historic house near Lake Michigan feel like home.
TERI EVELAND
Client Service Specialist
Teri joined THRIVE. in June of 2019. She has enjoyed working in Customer Service for the majority of her career. Anyone talking to Teri will immediately recognize her Southern heritage and charm, acquired growing up in the East Tennessee town of Johnson City.

Teri has spent more than 20 years in the financial arena, working with credit card companies and Merchants. At THRIVE. she handles most in-service client requests and account maintenance. She looks forward to meeting clients at their office appointments, dinner seminars, and special events. Teri is ready to help you with anything you need with your existing contracts and looks forward to learning and growing with the company.
Teri and her husband Mike have been married over 25 years and counting. Teri is Mom to two adult children, Alex and William. Teri enjoys spending “wine time” with friends and neighbors, likes to attend street art fairs and finding off-the-beaten-path bars and restaurants.
AMANDA ELLISON
Dir. of Client Experience
Amanda’s caring nature truly shines in her relentless pursuit of knowledge and information. This pursuit is not just for personal growth but is extended on behalf of both the team and our client families. Her genuine concern for others manifests in a commitment to understanding and meeting their needs, making her an invaluable asset to our collective success. In Amanda Ellison, we find a blend of dedication, humor, and professionalism, making her an integral part of our dynamic team.
TOM MICHALOWSKI
Advisor
Tom brings his wealth of experience to Thrive, joining the team in November 2023. Having entered the financial industry following his graduation from Northern Illinois University in 2014, Tom possesses a robust foundation and knowledge base. His professional credentials include the Series 65 registration, as well as Life and Health Insurance licenses for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Texas.

Since earning his degree from NIU, Tom has cultivated a diverse career in various facets of the financial planning industry. He commenced his journey as a consultant to advisors nationwide, subsequently transitioning to a pivotal role working directly with individual families. In this capacity, Tom is dedicated to assisting them in realizing and attaining their desired lifestyle objectives.
Beyond the confines of the office, Tom values quality time spent with his wife, Viena, their Samoyed companion, Spirit, and their extended family. As an avid enthusiast of Chicago sports, Tom passionately supports the Cubs, Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks, further enriching his well-rounded professional profile.
DARREN LEAVITT, CFA®
Chief Investment Strategist
CONSULTANT
Darren Leavitt comes to us by way of Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm we are partnering with. He has been working in the financial markets for over 20 years, primarily as a buy-side institutional investor.  He has provided multiple investment solutions to clients utilizing his extensive knowledge of the public and private global markets. Darren has created growth-oriented equity portfolios, fundamental tactical asset allocation models, passive asset allocation models, and developed quantitative strategy solutions for clients. Throughout his career, Darren had held a variety of senior positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Analyst, Senior Trader, and Financial Advisor.  
Darren received his BS in Finance from DePaul University and an MS in Financial Markets and Trading from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Darren is a CFA charter holder and is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco.  He has also been a member of both the San Francisco and Chicago Security Traders Associations. 
Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his two sons, Cole and Declan.  He is an avid Thoroughbred racing fan.  His other interests include art, golf, travel, and cooking.
ERNEST C’DEBACA JD, LLM, CFP®
General Counsel
CONSULTANT
Ernest comes to us by way of Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm we are partnering with. As General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Ernest J. C’DeBaca (Ernie) assists the firm with all legal and compliance issues, focusing on the various federal and state laws and related rules governing investment advisers and the insurance industry. Active as an in-house counsel and compliance officer since 2000, he has extensive expertise in all areas of regulatory compliance and aids clients in preparation for regulatory examinations and the preparation of compliance policies and procedures. He enjoys the challenges of working on the developing side of financial services because of Foundation’s phenomenal growth pattern and the integrity at the core of the firm.
Ernest received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and an MBA in finance from Webster University. From the University of New Mexico School of Law, he earned his Juris Doctor degree, and from Georgetown University Law Center he earned his LL.M. (Master of Laws) in securities. Ernie also holds both the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. He began his legal career focusing on tax law and estate planning and has served as an attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Away from the office, he is actively involved with several local non-profit organizations, including the church he attends with his wife and three children, and his homeowners’ association. Whenever possible, he remains optimistic about trying to improve his golf game.
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Your time is valuable! In order to make your meeting as efficient as possible and maximize the time we spend together, we ask that you upload your financial documents at least 72 hour prior to your appointment using this easy and secure upload portal.
Documents to upload prior to your appointment include:
  • Retirement Budget Worksheet (download before filling out)
  • Brokerage Statements
  • 401(k) or IRA Statements
  • Annuity Statements (outside of THRIVE.)
  • Pension Paperwork
    • Illinois Retirement
    • Wisconsin Retirement
    • Texas Retirement
  • Social Security Statement
  • Tax Returns
  • Trust Documents
  • Any Other Pertinent Information
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CLICK TO DOWNLOAD RETIREMENT BUDGET WORKSHEET