About Derek Kohn

Originally from Markesan, Wisconsin, Derek joined the United States Navy right out of high school in 1989. He served for five years, giving him the opportunity to travel the globe and live in many different places. “My time in the Navy really inspired me to explore every corner of the world and leave no stone unturned. That’s a philosophy I live by in every part of my life. I want to make sure that I’ve seen everything and gathered all the information before making a final decision, whether that’s in my personal travels or as a financial advisor,” Derek says.

Though he loves exploring new countries, states and cities, his heart belongs right here in Wisconsin. Derek is passionate about working with people and helping wherever he can, both in his profession and in the community. When it comes to planning, he also likes to keep an open mind, which is one of the perks of being an independent agent. He says, “I’m not tied to one particular investment strategy or one area of specialization. I can work with you to find a custom approach to your investments, retirement accounts, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care, estate planning and more.”

Derek’s client-first principles and strong belief in hard work were first instilled in him when he was growing up on the family farm. He learned that you might have to get your hands dirty to accomplish your goal, but he’s found that if you can go home at the end of the day and have confidence that you and your family are prepared for the future, it’s completely worth it. “That’s why I always tell my clients that I’m here for them 24/7,” Derek says. “Night or day, rain or shine, you can call me at any time with any question you might have. And if I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it out.”

He first became securities-licensed in 2002, and he now holds his Series 65 license, making him a fiduciary in the financial services industry. To Derek, being a “fiduciary” is so much more than passing a test, possessing a knowledge base or being held to an obligation. It’s the way he conducts business on a daily basis. “I’m legally obligated to work in the best interest of the client, but it goes deeper than that. I’m driven by their success, and I feel a true sense of accomplishment knowing I can help,” he says.

In his free time, Derek enjoys giving back to veterans through his work with the American Legion, an organization focused on enhancing the well-being of veterans and their families. He is the commander of Post 395 in Kingston, Wisconsin. “We help with financial contributions, blood donations, volunteer work at the VA and more. We even provide emotional support, which sometimes is the most important thing,” Derek says. “As veterans ourselves, our post is very familiar with both their benefits and the issues they might encounter when trying to use them. I think that gives us a leg up when we work with them.”

If he’s not in the office, there’s a good chance you might find Derek out near the lake hunting for ducks, geese and pheasants, one of the great pleasures of living in this beautiful state. He also enjoys golfing throughout the country and reading science fiction books. One of his hidden passions is actually skydiving, and he loves to go when he visits new parts of the country. He says, “Skydiving is a little bit different everywhere with the changes in weather and atmosphere. I really enjoy traveling, and I think that’s a fun and unique way to see an area.”

Those passions outside of work also help him recognize what his service means to clients. He knows what it means to be able to freely pursue the things you love, tend to your hobbies, spend time with your loved ones and use your free time the way you want to, not the way you have to. If he can relieve the stress that comes with financial obstacles and the hurdles you encounter when trying to live the life you’ve dreamed of, then he feels like he’s done his job. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me, and I’ll work tirelessly to give you the best chance to bring it to life.” Derek says.