About Mark
Mark’s goal is to always serve clients and their families “beyond the bottom line.” That means helping them create long-term wealth and successfully navigate complex financial decisions – not just by delivering historical information, but by providing true wealth management services that look ahead, well into the future.
Mark helps clients gain a clear understanding of their unique concerns, needs, and goals. He then works to create a forward-looking financial plan tailored to their individual circumstances, one that addresses portfolio management, tax strategy, retirement income planning, risk management, wealth transfer considerations, and education planning. What he finds most rewarding is helping clients achieve financial independence and solve their financial challenges, allowing them to spend their time enjoying life and fulfilling the goals that matter most to them.
A lifelong resident of Kankakee, Illinois, Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth, with whom he enjoys a daily (and competitive) game of backgammon or cards. They have been married for 50 years and have three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf and traveling.
Education and Professional Milestones
- Lewis University – bachelor’s degree in accounting
- Prior to Focus Partners Wealth, he founded Bourbonnais-based Solutions for Wealth Managementin 1995
- Founded and was president of the CPA firm Smith, Koelling, Dykstra & Ohm P.C. from 1975 until 2011
- Serves as the treasurer for several organizations and on various boards
Mark’s goal is to always serve clients and their families “beyond the bottom line.” That means helping them create long-term wealth and successfully navigate complex financial decisions – not just by delivering historical information, but by providing true wealth management services that look ahead, well into the future.
Mark helps clients gain a clear understanding of their unique concerns, needs, and goals. He then works to create a forward-looking financial plan tailored to their individual circumstances, one that addresses portfolio management, tax strategy, retirement income planning, risk management, wealth transfer considerations, and education planning. What he finds most rewarding is helping clients achieve financial independence and solve their financial challenges, allowing them to spend their time enjoying life and fulfilling the goals that matter most to them.
A lifelong resident of Kankakee, Illinois, Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth, with whom he enjoys a daily (and competitive) game of backgammon or cards. They have been married for 50 years and have three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf and traveling.
Education and Professional Milestones
- Lewis University – bachelor’s degree in accounting
- Prior to Focus Partners Wealth, he founded Bourbonnais-based Solutions for Wealth Managementin 1995
- Founded and was president of the CPA firm Smith, Koelling, Dykstra & Ohm P.C. from 1975 until 2011
- Serves as the treasurer for several organizations and on various boards