Crystal Lake

As CEO & Founder of Exemplar Financial Network, David Hubbard’s leadership stems from his core principals of community, integrity, responsibility and loyalty. Following graduation from high school, Dave attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years and then attended Northern Illinois University. Dave entered into the financial services business in 1980, following the footsteps of his father, Bill Hubbard, selling insurance. However, Dave quickly discovered his clients needed a more comprehensive advisor that would assist them through every aspect of their financial lives to pursue their dreams for the future. After listening to the people that relied on Dave for financial advice, he began what is over 30 years later, a thriving financial planning practice. Exemplar Financial Network has helped clients attain professional financial advice, with offices in Crystal Lake, Westmont, and Walworth, Wisconsin.

Dave has assisted hundreds of financial advisors to establish and grow their practices. Additionally, he has worked with numerous banks, accounting firms and insurance agencies to successfully provide financial planning and investment advisory services to their clients.

While a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), Dave completed numerous courses with the American College and the College for Financial Planning in regard to financial planning. He is co-founder and President of the CPE Club, an organization licensed by the State of Illinois to provide continuing education for Certified Public Accountants. He has also hosted a weekly radio show entitled “Money Talks” and has co-authored a financial planning column for the Northwest Herald newspaper.

Serving the community is also extremely important to Dave. Over the years he has devoted much of his time toward various organizations including the Jaycees, Rotary, Church and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. He served for 20 years as an elected member of the District #47 School Board and for 4 years on the Board of Trustees for Eureka College. He is a founding member and Past President of Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association’s (NISRA) Foundation, which provides leisure services to residents with disabilities. In 2004, Dave co-founded Leadership Greater McHenry County and served on its board for several years. Presently, he is a board member of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.

A lifelong resident of Crystal Lake, Dave is the father of six children and grandfather to many. While his children were growing up, he was very involved with their activities and served in leadership positions for their sports, scouting and YMCA Indian Princess and Guides programs. Dave is a student of history and when he is not working hard for his clients and representatives or working on building a stronger community you will find him enjoying a great history book or relishing the company of his large, loving family.

Getting to know Dave:

Favorite Book: An avid reader, it is hard to pick just one, but Dave hopes all of his kids read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Favorite Movie: Any classic movie with actors like Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando or Gregory Peck

Dave’s best piece of advice: Helping others and giving back to the community is the most important thing you can do with your life. It’s like paying rent back to society for all of the benefits you derive in your own life.

Dave’s favorite things to do: Anything outdoors – boating, fishing, hiking, snow skiing

Where Dave would love to travel: Dave is an admirer of places with historical significance and no matter where he travels, he enjoys seeing the landmarks that portray the events and culture of the area.

Jennifer Johnson, Exemplar’s President, believes that without a plan we are like a rudderless ship at sea. Whether it’s working with clients on their financial plans or advisors on their business plans, helping others get pointed in the right direction to pursue their goals is Jennifer’s passion.

After graduating with a degree in psychology from University of Iowa and working in the social service industry, Jennifer answered an ad in the paper for an Event Coordinator with Exemplar in 1998 and the rest is history. She has worked in a variety of roles with Exemplar and has a knack for connecting people and resolving problems. Currently, Jennifer works in a pivotal role within Exemplar’s leadership team developing the strategies that keep Exemplar Financial Network in the forefront of the financial planning business. Whether it’s helping seasoned professionals move to the next level or assisting beginners in mapping out their careers in financial planning, Jennifer most enjoys working with those who have a vision for a future that is better than their past .

Jennifer is equally passionate about her family. A small town Iowa native and the oldest of three girls, she moved to Schaumburg after college and met her husband Dan. There is never a dull moment in the busy life of their family of five which includes their children Emma, Ben and Ellie, two dogs and an angry cat. Her children give her purpose and Jennifer believes that parenting is one of the greatest gifts God has given her.

Jennifer feels fortunate to work in a job she loves and with an innovative leader who supports community involvement. She has been involved with Leadership Greater McHenry County, United Way of Greater McHenry County and Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce along with being an active member of her church and church choir. She strives to give back to the community as much as possible and believes and healthy and vibrant economic community translates into a healthy community and place to raise a family.

On a free weekend, you will find Jennifer relaxing in Galena with her family, downhill skiing, golfing or boating on the Mississippi. A perfect day would be one starting on the golf course, then spending time on the water and culminating gathered around the big table enjoying a fabulous meal prepared together and ending with an intense game of Euchre! Jennifer wants to be remembered as someone who made a difference and left the world a little better because she was here. She believes the world needs who God called us to be and it is our purpose to share our gifts.

Getting to know Jennifer:

• Favorite Food – fresh guacamole, salsa and chips with a top shelf margarita!
• Favorite Movie – anything with Meg Ryan, I’m a sucker for romantic comedies, what can I say?
• Hidden Talent – I LOVE to karaoke

Where Jennifer would most like to travel next? – Italy, to take a week long cooking class

With a focus on helping people create a plan and shape their future, Cameron Hubbard’s favorite thing about the financial planning business is to see people inspired and start working toward their long term goals. Cameron is motivated by witnessing people live the dream that was once a distant vision.

Cameron joined the team at Exemplar Financial Network in 2010 as Director of Research. He has completed his Series 7, 63 & 65 (held with LPL) exams. In 2017 Cameron completed his Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and in 2018 completed his Retirement Income Certified Planner (RICP®). Cameron is also a licensed insurance agent.

Outside the office, Cameron dedicates time to the community he is proud to have grown up in. Elected in 2013, Cameron currently serves the City of Crystal Lake as a City Councilman. He also serves as a member of the Leadership Greater McHenry County (LGMC) Board of Trustees and as the Business Development Chair for the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As an Eagle Scout, Cameron has a passion for leadership.

Currently living in Crystal Lake with his wife Ashley, son Nolan, daughter Quinn, and dogs Ziggy and Ringo, Cameron is also an experienced hiker and has hiked the Grand Canyon three times, a ten mile section of the Great Wall of China and a 30 mile section of The Inca Trail finishing at Machu Picchu. When he’s not volunteering, hiking or enjoying the company of his family you will find Cameron running, fishing, or golfing.

Getting to know Cameron:

• Favorite Food: Mexican
• Favorite Quote: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Chinese Proverb
• Favorite Book: Papa Bear: The Life and Legacy of George Halas by Jeff Davis

Jared Tryon is a Wealth Advisor at Exemplar Financial Network. As a Wealth Advisor, he helps individuals and families with financial planning, investment management, estate planning and charitable giving. He is passionate about building trusting relationships with his clients and working alongside them to understand their lifetime aspirations.

Prior to joining Exemplar, Jared spent time at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and Bessemer Trust working with high net worth families. He also spent seven years as a Quantitative Analyst and Fixed Income Trader at Arbor Research and Trading covering the firm’s institutional client base. He began his career at Exemplar and after a brief 13 year tour to explore different areas within the investment landscape, he rejoined the team. Jared entered the finance world in 2008 and feels this was an extremely valuable time to gain an understanding of the markets and investor behavior.

Jared is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Chicago. He graduated with a BS in Finance from Northern Illinois University.

Jared is a member of the Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers and currently serves as the Treasurer for Turning Point, Inc.

Jared resides in Crystal Lake with his wife (Natalie), their three children (Nora, Nadia and Jack) and their dog (Dexter).

Getting to know Jared:

• Favorite food: freshly caught fish (Mahi-Mahi) and sushi.
• The place Jared would most like to visit: Chile, to visit an observatory.
• Favorite things to do: spending time with family and friends, biking, fishing, boating, golfing and tending to his daughters’ (secretly his) saltwater fish tank.

Guided Wealth Portfolios

Guided Wealth Portfolios Investment Management offers:

• A dedicated Financial Advisor
• Automatic portfolio rebalancing as markets move
• Portfolios of low cost ETFs to reduce fund fees
• Tax-loss harvesting to potentially reduce your tax burden
• Goal planning and account aggregation

John has always been interested in finance and financial markets, and is passionate about working with clients. He graduated with high honors from Columbia College of Missouri in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He began his career as a Relationship Banker at Chase Bank. He eventually decided he wanted to work for a more financial-planning and investment focused firm, and joined Exemplar Financial Network in 2019.

John loves helping people. He has a knack for building relationships and connecting with clients. He loves finding those “me too” moments.

John is passionate about Boy Scouts of America, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He has worked as a Ranger at the Boy Scouts’ Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and fishing. He likes taking road trips and has been to every state except Hawaii. When he isn’t busy helping clients, you can find John working in his yard, going hiking or fishing, or watching a Chicago Cubs game.

John wants to be remembered as someone who can relate to and connect with almost anybody. He has a wide range of experiences and interests which allows him to find common ground with nearly anyone.

Getting to know John:

• Hidden Talent? Cooking
• Best piece of advice? Keep moving forward!
• If you could meet anyone, past, present, or future, who would it be? Teddy Roosevelt

Since 2004, Jeffrey Bruce, has been a financial planner with a mission to help families prosper and manage their life's changes as they arise. His clients gain confidence in their financial lives because of the leadership he provides as their personal CFO.

Jeff enjoys helping people find the most efficient route to pursue their goals while protecting what is most important. As a seasoned member of our nation’s military, he served with distinguished service and received 31 awards, medals and letters of appreciation. Jeff is the Past Commandant for the Marine Corps League of McHenry County DET 1009. With Jeff’s military background and his passion for helping people take control of their lives, he thrives in the financial planning industry and finds the diligent regulation for client service and ethics appealing.

As a member of the Financial Planning Association since 2005, Jeff has served as the Director of Public Relations for the Illinois chapter for five years. The FPA is largest nonprofit industry association that lobbies for ethics, education and support of financial planning. This has allowed him opportunities to speak publically with financial celebrities like Gail Marks Jarvis, Terry Savage and Jean Chatzky. In 2007 he was accepted to the Million Dollar Round Table, an industry accomplishment comprised of performance, education and ethics based criteria. Locally, Jeff is also a member of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Barrington VFW. In 2017 Jeff received his MBA in Finance with honors from Columbia Southern University where he was also nominated to the National Honors Alumni, Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Society of Leadership and Success..

Jeff has served eleven years in the United States Marine Corps and feels fortunate to be in special operations units. With 30+ years of service, Jeff currently serves as a Command Career Counselor in the Army Reserves. It is his children (Jadyn, Teagan, Erin) and wife Jaime, who inspire him most. Jeff also enjoys SCUBA, rock climbing, skiing, competitive shooting, kayaking, hiking, and camping. Occasionally, Jeff and his family foster dogs needing homes. Currently they share there home with three dogs.

Jeff takes great pride in serving his clients in a faithful manner built on trust and confidence.

Getting to know Jeff:

• Favorite food: Kraft Mac & Cheese also Vegemite on Toast
• Favorite movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Favorite book: Art of War, Sun Tu
• The place Jeff would most like to visit: Scotland

Guided Wealth Portfolios

Guided Wealth Portfolios Investment Management offers:

• A dedicated Financial Advisor
• Automatic portfolio rebalancing as markets move
• Portfolios of ETFs that track market indices
• Tax-loss harvesting to potentially reduce your tax burden

• Goal planning and account aggregation

  Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP) is a centrally managed investment program sponsored by LPL Financial LLC (LPL). GWP generates investment recommendations based upon model portfolios constructed by LPL. If you are receiving advisory services in GWP from a separately registered investment advisor firm other than LPL, LPL is not an affiliate of such advisor. LPL investment advisors are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and LPL is also a Member FINRA/SIPC.

  All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

  An investment in Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), structured as a mutual fund or unit investment trust, involves the risk of losing money. An investment in ETFs involves additional risks such as non-diversification, price volatility, competitive industry pressure, international political and economic developments, possible trading halts, and index tracking errors.

  Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.​
   

As a financial advisor since 2005, Mark Lechowicz specializes in providing solutions for individuals, families and business owners through financial planning.

Mark grew up in Crystal Lake and is a graduate of Crystal Lake South High school. After college Mark took his fascination with the complexities of the financial industry and made it into a career.

After starting with Ameriprise in 2005, Mark moved to the Exemplar Financial Network office in Crystal Lake in 2010. Mark’s cool temperament and outstanding work ethic make him well suited to help others navigate their wealth management plans with a personal level of service as a licensed investment advisor. Mark is an LPL Investment Advisor Representative, providing financial planning, investment advice, and brokerage services.

Mark is a member of the Huntley and Crystal Lake Chambers of Commerce. An avid sports enthusiast Mark spends his time away from the office working out and playing golf. When he’s not wearing a suit and tie Mark relaxes with his wife and three kids.

Getting to know Mark:

• Favorite food: Pizza
• Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving

As a member of the Exemplar Financial Network team, Joseph Nabozny brings over 30 years of experience in the industry. ;His background includes institutional investment sales and sales management, employee benefits and retirement plan consulting, broker-dealer operations management, bank trust and personal wealth management services. Joe delivers objective, customized financial planning services for his clients.

Joe holds Life, Accident & Health and Disability Insurance licenses.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Colgate University. He retired at the rank of Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2002 and currently resides in Palatine, IL with his wife Sue.

Samantha LeRette has been part of Exemplar Financial Network since 2004, bringing strong academic preparation and extensive industry experience to her role as Manager of Client Services. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2005 and maintains Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through LPL Financial.

Samantha oversees daily operations, leads the administrative team, and ensures efficient, high‑quality service for clients and advisors. Her ability to manage complex administrative needs allows Exemplar’s advisors to focus more fully on client relationships and long‑term planning.

Before joining Exemplar, Samantha worked in the mortgage and loan department of a local bank. A longtime Crystal Lake resident and graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School, she remains deeply connected to the community.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, and their children, Casey and Jordan, especially outdoors.

Getting to know Samantha:

• Favorite Food: Sandwiches
• Favorite Place to Travel: Anything outdoors and traveling to new places (London is a personal favorite to see my relatives!) 
• Favorite Quote: “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” -Peter Drucker

Jenn Bodi joined the Exemplar Client Service team in 2016 after working 14 years in the retail and hospitality industry. She has always enjoyed interacting with clients and fostering a great relationship with everyone she meets. This comes through in her friendly and personable nature while helping Exemplar clients pursue their goals.

Jenn grew up in the McHenry/Lake County area and then moved to San Diego, CA where she gained her Bachelors in Financial Services from San Diego State University. She is excited to be back in her hometown and following her passion in the financial industry while assisting clients in any way she can.

Jenn is an enthusiastic advocate for health and fitness and loves being outdoors and spending time at her CrossFit gym. When she’s not helping clients seek their goals, you might find her spending time with her family and friends or her German Shepherd, Roxy.

Getting to know Jenn:

• Favorite food: Pizza & Tacos
• Favorite Quote: “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha
• Favorite Movie: A classic…..Dirty Dancing
• Where would Jenn like to travel?: International – Europe! Stateside, I would like to travel around to different states to see various National Parks.

Laurie Malone's number one focus is helping the Wealth Advisors give their clients first-class service. Laurie has over thirty years of customer service and administrative experience. Her customer service career started when she got her first job at a Chicago grocery store when she was sixteen years old.

Laurie has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Roosevelt University. Her desire to know what makes people tick and how they interact with each other led her to a major in Social Science. Her love of books and stories led her to minor in English.

A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Laurie also loves watching movies, going to the library, and all things Disney. Laurie is an animal lover. She has met sea otters, sea lions, penguins, beluga whales, and dolphins. The next animal she wants to meet is a koala!

Get to know Laurie:

• Favorite holiday: My Birthday!!
• Favorite quote: “Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” -- Walt Disney
• If I could meet anyone (past, present or future) it would be: my Grandma Malone. She passed away six years before I was born. It would be fascinating to hear about the adventure of moving from Ireland to America in 1928. I'd also like to hear her stories of my dad as a little boy!