Our Team
Keith Spengel is Co-Founder and Principal of Symphony Financial. For over 25 years at Northwestern Mutual, Keith has been helping individuals and families with their estate, business and investment planning. He has a BA from the University of Iowa School Of Business, his Certified Financial Planning (CFP), Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) and Long-Term Care (CLTC) designations. Keith is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and serves on the Northwestern Mutual Executive Board of the Financial Representative Association. He is a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1994 and has reached Top of the Table as well. Awards include: Northwestern Mutual Forum member, National Quality Award, Master Achievement Award. Civic involvement includes being past President of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, past member of the McHenry Rotary Club and past Board Member of the McHenry County Community Foundation. Keith now serves as a Board Member of the Centegra Hospital Foundation, as Vice Chairman and is also a Member of Kiwanis.
Keith is married to Trish and they have two sons and a dog. He and his family currently reside in the north suburbs. Keith enjoys boating, camping, biking, golfing and playing his guitar. When the Chicagoland weather takes a turn for the worse, you may find Keith at the ice rink where he coaches sled hockey for athletes with disabilities.
Getting to Know Keith
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
I am blessed to be in a career that rewards helping others achieve their life goals.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Don’t chase return!
Favorite quote?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
– Albert Einstein
Favorite book?
"The Outliers" – Malcolm Gladwell
Favorite movie?
Forest Gump
Something on your bucket list?
To see the Seven Wonders of the World.
Tom McBreen is Co-Founder and Principal of Symphony Financial. During Tom’s almost 20 years at Northwestern Mutual, he has seen a lot of changes in the financial services industry. Tom has focused on helping his clients with personal planning analysis, estate planning, tax advantaged planning, personal life insurance, education planning, retirement planning, wealth management investments & asset and income protection. Specifically, he enjoys working with successful executives planning for retirement. Tom graduated from Miami of Ohio with a BA in Finance. Since joining Northwestern Mutual, Tom has built an exceptional practice in the time he’s been here. He has been a Northwestern Mutual Forum member since 2002 and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Bronze, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Lives Leader Summit, New Client Award, National Sales Achievement Award, and the Life Impact Award. Tom was awarded the #1 Advisor of the Year for 2012 at the Goris Financial Group. Tom is a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 2000 and has reached Court of the Table and Top of the Table. He has earned his Chartered Financial Underwriter (CLU) and his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations.
Tom enjoys community involvement and is a Board Member of Kohl Children’s Museum. Tom lives on the North Shore with his wife, Kate, and three daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, playing paddle tennis, boating and traveling.
Getting to Know Tom
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
The collaboration. The fact that it really does take a team to provide the valuable, comprehensive planning and results we obtain for our clients.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Always buy your toys with cash. Cars, boats, watches, or whatever. The "extra" stuff shouldn’t be a liability.
Favorite quote?
I’m a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more I have of it. You become what you think about.
Favorite book?
Fiction. Something about spies, with a lot of action. Jason Bourne type stuff.
Favorite movie?
Indiana Jones, Jason Bourne, Top Gun, Cannon Ball Run.
Something on your bucket list?
Take a boat up the Eastern coast of Florida, up the East Coast, and through the Great Lakes and back to Chicago.
Bob Bolt is a Wealth Management Advisor with Symphony Financial. Since 2010, Bob has guided his clients in holistic planning through careful listening, knowledgeable planning, and building authentic relationships. He is particularly passionate about providing individuals and families clarity and confidence as they prepare and transition into retirement, allowing them to enjoy the years they worked so hard to achieve.
Previously, he enjoyed a twenty-five-year career in the banking, investment banking and hedge fund industry, primarily structuring and financing the buyouts of companies to private equity firms. He is an expert in ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) strategies for ownership transitions having led the nation’s largest ESOP financing business.
Bob received his MBA from the University of Chicago and his BS from Purdue University. He has earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) and Certified Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations. Northwestern Mutual has also designated Bob a Business and Estate Planning Specialist.
Bob is active in his community as a Board Member of Chicago Fellowship, past Board Member of The Night Ministry, host family for Safe Families for Children, and leader in his local church. He and his wife, Christa, have three daughters and two sons, enjoy golfing, skiing, biking, paddle tennis, and having a glass of wine with friends.
Matthew "Matt" has been with Northwestern Mutual since December 2001. Matt attended Illinois State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Matt is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor and also holds his Series 7, 63, & 65 securities licenses as well as his Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses. He also holds his Certified in Long-Term Care, CLTC, license. Matt is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the team’s investment practice.
Matt resides in the northwest suburbs with his wife Dawn, and their three sons. In Matt’s spare time he enjoys playing softball, mountain biking and spending time with his family and friends.
Getting to Know Matt
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
The important, meaningful work we do for our clients.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Major in finance and work in the industry.
Favorite quote?
"Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." – Warren Buffett.
Favorite movie?
The Shawshank Redemption.
Something on your bucket list?
See a game at all MLB ballparks.
Paul joined the team at Symphony in 2017. Paul graduated from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI and holds a degree in Economics. In 2015, Paul enrolled at Illinois Institute of Technology where he received a certificate in Financial Modeling. Prior to Symphony, Paul spent 20 years as a trader in the options and futures industry. After 7 years as a broker and trader of equity options at the CBOE, he traded European equity and fixed income futures on the screen. Having success at his old firm, Paul went on his own to become a sole proprietor.
Paul resides in downtown Chicago and enjoys staying active outside of work. He has completed four Ironman triathlons, nine marathons, including Boston, and overall has completed 65 competitive races over the last 15 years. He spends time on his weekends working with kids at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls being a part of their mentorship program. Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and The 100 Club of Chicago are two charities closest to Paul and he looks to raise money for both of those through the races he does. Outside of being active on the weekends, Paul always enjoys taking in a White Sox game on the south side.
What do you love most about working at Symphony?
Symphony Financial has a business model and a philosophy that I strongly believe in. When you apply that model and philosophy to each client's situation, you begin to see the positive impact that you're having on people's lives. Combine that with the incredible team at Symphony and what you have is an amazing work culture that has you looking forward to coming to the office each day.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
"Live below your means." – This was told to me by my first boss at the CBOE when I was 18.
Favorite quote?
"People who talk about themselves do it only because nobody else does." – My father.
Favorite book?
The Intuitive Trader
Favorite movie?
Braveheart
Something on your bucket list?
Doing seven marathons in seven continents in seven days.
Scott has 20 years of experience in investment management, specializing in fixed income portfolio management. He has an extensive background in financial statement analysis, back office operations and securities trading, and has guided investors through multiple market cycles. Scott joined Symphony Financial in January, 2017 and is excited to apply his perspective and knowledge to the team and benefit our clients.
Scott is a CFA® charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago. He holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Scott is a South Side native who now lives in the Irving Park with his wife Simone. He also is an experienced martial artist with rankings in multiple styles, and serves as an Assistant Instructor at the Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts in Lincoln Square.
Getting to Know Scott
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
The open, collaborative environment. Investing is an ongoing process of education, and being able to exchange knowledge with dedicated professionals is key to the investment process.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
For one month, track every expense, from your mortgage payment to a candy bar from the checkout line. Seeing where your money actually goes can be an eye-opening experience.
Favorite quote?
"In the short term the market is a popularity contest; in the long term, it is a weighting machine" – Warren Buffett
Favorite book?
"The Glory of Their Times" – Lawrence Ritter
Favorite movie?
Seven Samurai
Something on your bucket list?
Climb Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.
Andrew joined our team in 2015. Prior to Northwestern Mutual, Andrew worked at a different wealth management firm for several years. He holds his Series 7 securities license and Life, Accident and Health license. Andrew has his Bachelors in Business Administration in Finance and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from The University of Iowa. Andrew works closely with our Investment Operations team to assist with submitting new account applications and rollovers.
Andrew resides in the northwest suburbs with his fiance’ Paige. He enjoys cooking, watching his favorite Chicago teams: Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs and going to events and concerts around Chicago.
Getting to Know Andrew
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
Symphony Financial emphasizes personal and professional growth. This allows our team members to better serve our clients by continually educating ourselves and growing professionally, while still maintaining a nice balance in our personal lives. We also have very motivated team members that share similar values and are great to work with.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Save early and often!
Favorite quote?
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." – Stephen Hawking
Favorite book?
I love to read anything related to science and technology and understanding how things work.
Favorite movie?
The Sandlot.
Something on your bucket list?
Seeing the Chicago Cubs win the World Series at Wrigley Field.
Mary Beth has been a part of the team since November of 1998. She had 12 years prior experience in the insurance industry before joining Northwestern Mutual. Mary Beth is an Associate Financial Representative, holds her insurance license and specializes in Long-Term Care. She has a passion for working with others and for creating a positive influence on the people around her. Mary Beth handles setting appointments, client communication, marketing, event planning and Long-Term Care presentations.
Mary Beth resides in the northwest suburbs with her husband Jim. She has three adult sons and a granddaughter. She enjoys walking, kayaking, gardening, movies, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Getting to Know Mary Beth
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
The interaction with people and knowing that you’re affecting their lives and future in a positive manner.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
To stay the course and not react emotionally in a down market.
Favorite quote?
"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible."
Favorite book?
Joshua.
Favorite movie?
Dead Poets Society.
Something on your bucket list?
White water rafting in the Grand Canyon with my family.
Matthew, better known as "Matt", earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Accountancy from DePaul University. Matt works closely with our Investment Operations team to assist with submitting new account applications and rollovers.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs. When he’s not at work, you can find him on the basketball court-his #1 hobby. He also enjoys hanging out with friends and family, attending Chicago Bulls games or watching the Chicago Bears on the big screen.
Getting to Know Matt
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
I enjoy being part of a team that is dedicated to helping others achieve their goals. It’s rewarding to be part of a team that works together seamlessly and enjoys every aspect of what we do.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Set a budget for yourself and stick to it.
Favorite quote?
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." – Michael Jordan.
Favorite book?
White Fang.
Favorite movie?
Step Brothers.
Something on your bucket list?
Visit every continent at least once.
Samantha "Sam" Esler has been a part of the Symphony Financial team since March 2017. She received her Associates Degree in Foreign Language/Liberal Arts from Johnson County Community College and is currently finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Finance at Baker University. Sam recently moved to Chicago and is excited to learn about everything the city has to offer.
In her spare time, Sam enjoys working out and playing music. Her two favorite instruments to play are guitar and flute. She recently made it through two rounds of auditions with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on flute.
Getting to Know Sam
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
I love the environment, culture, and the team. It is incredibly rewarding to work for a group who supports professional and personal growth as well as being included in such a positive environment.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
Never buy groceries while hungry
Favorite quote?
"I know of no time in human history where ignorance was better than knowledge." – Neil deGrasse Tyson
Favorite book?
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
Favorite movie?
Cloud Atlas
Something on your bucket list?
Fluency in at least 7 languages
Jessica Torres has been a part of the Symphony Financial team since July 2019. After graduating high school early in 2011, she went on to receive her license in Medical Esthetics. Jessica gained experience marketing herself and Esthetics team at a Dermatologist office, and soon after began working on private clients and working independently. However, in 2019 Jessica decided to make a career change and joined Symphony Financial to help pursue her goal in marketing.
Jessica grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with three siblings. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering through her religious organization, and going to the gym.
Getting to Know Jessica
What do you love most about working for Symphony Financial?
I am fortunate to work with a team that believes in me and has allowed me to grow and evolve personally and professionally. That said, a great team makes helping clients very rewarding because we can rely on one another to provide quality service.
Best financial advice you have ever received?
The trick is to stop thinking of it as “your” money.
Favorite quote?
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than be saved by criticism. – Norman Vincent Peale
Favorite book?
“Los amorosos, cartas a Chepita” by Jaime Sabines
Favorite movie?
JoJo Rabbit
Something on your bucket list?
Travel to places like Bali, Iceland, and Greece!