Awards and Acknowledgements

Exemplar Financial Network

Robert O. Covey Business of the Year Award in 2011¹

Recognized by InvestmentNews as a 2018 Best Place to Work for Financial Advisers²

Recognized as One of the Best of the Fox for Most Charitable Company by The Northwest Herald in 2020³

Recognized as One of the Best of the Fox for Financial Advisor and Most Charitable Company by The Northwest Herald in 2018³

Recognized by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce for 45 years of membership⁴

MCEDC Nominee for Business Champion Award 2010⁵

Dave Hubbard

Chicago Magazine Five Star Wealth Manager in 2010⁶

Named one of OnWallStreet magazine’s Top 100 Branch Managers of the Year 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008⁷

Named one of OnWallStreet magazine's Top Ten Branch Managers of the Year 2009 and 2008⁷

Carl E. Wehde Award presented by Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce May 2007⁸

Jennifer Johnson

Recipient of the Northwest Herald's  "Women of Distinction" award in 2019⁹

Cameron Hubbard

Recipient of McHenry County Business Journal's Best Under 40 for 2015¹⁰

Devon Hubbard Tessmer

Recipient of McHenry County Business Journal's Best Under 40 for 2014¹⁰

Shaun Tessmer

Recipient of McHenry County Business Journal's Best Under 40 for 2016¹⁰

¹Awarded by the Crystal Lake Chamber for business of the year for consistent dedication to local groups and charities.

² The 50 firms that earned a spot on the InvestmentNews Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers list are standout employers in the industry that have invested in creating supportive and appealing cultures to attract top employees. The inaugural list, the ­first ever for the ­financial advice business, was created by Best Companies Group through online employee and employer surveys. The collected information was combined to determine the strengths of each of the ­firms that voluntarily participated in the program, and each workplace is ranked according to this data.

³Awarded by the Northwest herald for various categories. Local businesses and loyal readers play an important role in our communities. And each year, they allow their readers to select their favorite businesses in the Best of the Fox contest.

These are the best of the best according to Northwest Herald readers.

⁴Recognition by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce for being an active member of the organization for 45 years.

⁵For the past Twelve years, MCEDC has recognized outstanding companies who have positively contributed to McHenry County’s economy and who have exhibited business acumen and vision. Judging is conducted by a panel of independent and unbiased business leaders residing outside of McHenry County. 

⁶ The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one clients’ experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. 

⁷Winners are selected based on several factors including: their branch-wide marketing strategy, their ability to develop and motivate advisors, and their dedication to providing superior client service. These managers demonstrated key leadership skills. They are ethical, firm yet empathetic, provide inspiration and practice grace under fire in the sometimes hectic and demanding world of financial advisors.

⁸Awarded by the Crystal Lake Chamber for member of the year based on dedication to community, professional excellence and leadership skills. 

⁹ The Women of Distinction Award is presented to women who have been chosen as representative role models and leaders in their fields and communities. 

¹⁰ Nominated by the Northwest Herald readers, the Best Under 40 class features McHenry County residents under age 40 who are making a difference in their communities