The Todd Group
Todd A. Haacke, CPM, CRPC
Managing Director/Investments
Before joining Stifel in January 2019, Todd served as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firm Smith Barney. Throughout his 30 years in the wealth management industry, he has been a tireless advocate for his clients and their personal financial ambitions by implementing sophisticated wealth management and tax planning strategies. As a leader and co-founder of the team, Todd has helped build The Todd Group into one of the preeminent wealth management resources for individuals and families in the Midwest.
Todd has continued to expand his knowledge base by earning the Certified Portfolio Manager® designation from the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers after completing coursework through Columbia University, and he puts this knowledge to use in actively managing the team’s discretionary stock portfolio strategies through the Stifel Solutions Program. This expertise is critical to the team’s implementation of the complex wealth planning strategies that Todd has delivered to clients since his career began in 1991. Todd has also obtained the Charted Retirement Planning Counselor® designation, which is designed for experienced advisors to gain additional knowledge toward helping clients define a “road map to retirement.”
Todd grew up just south of Dayton and graduated from Miami University in Ohio. He currently resides in Liberty Township with his wife, Karen, and their son, Luke. He enjoys coaching and watching Luke with his athletic endeavors.
The Solutions program requires a minimum investment, which varies by strategy. Ask your Financial Advisor for a Disclosure Brochure, which further outlines the fees, services, exclusions, and disclosures associated with this program. Since all investment decisions in a Solutions account are made by the Financial Advisor without having to receive prior client approval, it is important that Solutions clients have detailed knowledge of the Financial Advisor’s individual investment philosophy and decision-making process before entrusting him or her with their portfolio. You should consider all terms and conditions before deciding whether the Solutions Program and any particular strategy are appropriate for your needs.
Todd A. Hicks, CRPC
Senior Vice President/Investments
Upon graduating from Indiana University in 1991 with a B.S. in Public Health, Todd planned to obtain his Master of Health Administration before contraction in the healthcare industry resulted in limited career opportunities at the time. Using his background in business, he decided to go a different direction and took a job in Cincinnati with a small brokerage firm. It wasn’t long before he found a new passion in helping others, not in their physical health, but rather their financial health.
A few years later, Todd started working at the global firm Smith Barney, where he and his colleague, Todd Haacke, would co-found The Todd Group. Over time, he realized that his background in healthcare fit well with the needs and concerns of his clients. In fact, healthcare costs are one of the major concerns and largest expenses of clients retiring today.
Wanting to do more, Todd obtained the Charted Retirement Planning Counselor® designation, which provides experienced advisors additional knowledge toward helping clients define a “road map to retirement.” The focus on clients’ pre- and post-retirement needs, as well as issues related to asset management and estate planning, is designed to help his clients to feel more confident as they progress through retirement.
Todd also is active in his local community of Madeira, recently completing two terms as the president of the Madeira Athletic Boosters as well as coaching his kids in youth sports. Also, being a past board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters has given him a chance to mentor at-risk kids in Cincinnati.
For fun, he has reconnected with a few of his favorite pastimes, such as skiing, playing guitar, and traveling.
Todd and his wife, Michelle, realized a long time ago that life, like parenting their four children, is never predictable. Using his own life experiences helps Todd create investment plans that are realistic and flexible during life’s uncertainties.
Jeff Scheper, CFP
First Vice President/Investments
Jeff takes great pride for his work delivering sophisticated strategies in a way that is understandable and meaningful to his clients, their families, and their charitable inclinations. He is dedicated to helping the team’s clients along the path toward a level of financial well-being that allows them to look past their own personal financial needs so that they can use their resources to help the people and causes that are most dear to them. Jeff was recognized on Forbes’ Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list in 2018. This recognition was earned, in part, for his role on the team as the lead for complex wealth and tax planning strategies. Often, Jeff spends time meeting with clients in conjunction with their tax and estate planning advisors to develop coordinated advice.
Jeff earned a B.S.B.A from Xavier University with a double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and credits much of his formation to St. Xavier High School. Having attained and maintained the Certified Financial Planner® certification, he has met the experience requirements of the CFP Board, successfully completed financial planning coursework, and passed the CFP® Certification Examination covering the following areas: the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning. He continues to expand his knowledge, keeping up with current and changing rules through his involvement with the Cincinnati Estate Planning Council.
Jeff, his wife, and their three daughters reside in Anderson Township, Ohio, where they are active in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and Jeff is involved in the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. They enjoy summer trips to the lake, visiting family in Naples, Florida, playing or coaching sports, and exercising together.
Forbes’ rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and selected from a pool of nominations as indicated in the methodology. Neither SHOOK Research nor Forbes receives compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience and is not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. Investment performance is not a criterion for selection. Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information on the selection methodology, see www.stifel.info/award-disclosures.
Bradley A. Clasen
Financial Advisor Associate
Brad graduated from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, with a B.B.A. in Finance and has worked in the investment industry since 2013.
Upon graduating from college in 2007, Brad moved back home to Cincinnati and started his professional career in the accounting division of one of the largest foreclosure law firms in the region. Unfortunately, business was robust due to the bursting of the housing bubble, and it left Brad wanting to have more of a positive impact on people and their families. The thought of helping people create a financial game plan and identify and pursue their goals is what ultimately led Brad to want to become a financial advisor. In 2013 he began his career in the wealth management industry, when he started working with The Todd Group at Morgan Stanley.
One of Brad’s main roles is getting to know clients in order to map out investment and retirement plans that are consistent with their risk tolerance and comfort level. Once a client’s plan has been established, then Brad’s main passion enters the fold – constructing individual stock portfolios using the assets that his clients have amassed over their lifetimes and continuing to work with clients over the course of their plan.
Brad grew up in Terrace Park, Ohio, where he attended Mariemont High School and met his future wife, Sarah. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and staying active in the community. Brad and Sarah live in Anderson Township with their two daughters, Lucy and Vivian, and their beagle/bulldog mix, Murphy.
Drew Grombala
Client Relationship Manager
Drew began his investment industry career with The Todd Group in 2017. He is a dynamic worker, dedicated to helping the team’s current clients with any service needs, in addition to assisting with marketing and business development strategies.
A native Cincinnatian, Drew graduated from St. Xavier High School and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, with a B.S. in Economics. He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
Drew is happily married to his wife, Kerry, and they currently live in Anderson. Together, they enjoy spending time at the lake with family and friends, exercising, playing sports, and listening to music.
Michele A. Behling, CFP
Client Relationship Manager
Michele supports the team’s wealth planning initiatives and is committed to delivering top-tier service to clients. Her diverse knowledge of the team’s wealth management strategies and procedures enables her to take a deep dive into complex financial service matters and help clients with their account-related needs.
Michele earned a B.B.A. in Finance from Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia, and an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Milan, Italy. She has worked in the financial services industry since 2004 and has earned the Certified Financial Planner® certification and Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
Michele moved to Cincinnati in 2014 and enjoys exploring the city and surrounding areas with her husband, Will.
Adam G. Higgins
Client Relationship Manager
Adam’s extensive experience, diverse skill set, and industry knowledge allow him to support the team’s marketing campaigns and online initiatives, and above all else, strive to deliver a superior client experience.
Adam graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.B.A in Finance. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2012, working for U.S. Bank and Fidelity Investments prior to joining Stifel in 2019. He holds Series 7, 9 & 10, 63, and 65 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses.
A West Side Cincinnati native, Adam lives in the White Oak area of Cincinnati with his wife, Kayla, and their son, Bennett. He enjoys being outdoors with his family, playing sports, attending sporting events, and entertaining friends and family.
Karrie Lofton
Client Service Associate
Karrie has worked in the financial services industry since 2005. Prior to Stifel, Karrie worked for UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo Advisors. With her expansive industry knowledge, she loves working with clients and doing her best to exceed their service needs and expectations.
Outside the office, Karrie still holds her Canadian citizenship and lives in Springboro, Ohio, with her husband, Tim, son, Chase, stepdaughter, Brynn, and stepson, Bryce, and their two puppies. When Karrie is not working or running their three teenagers to basketball, swimming, or soccer, she loves traveling, downhill skiing, hiking, and being active.
Andrew Hicks
Client Service Associate
Andrew assists the team with scheduling, marketing, and other administrative support with a commitment to delivering top-tier client service.
Andrew joined Stifel in 2020 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a double major in Finance and Marketing with a focus in Financial Planning. He lives in Over-The-Rhine and likes to spend his time outside of the office attending sporting events, exploring the city, going to the lake, or being with friends and family.