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Our Roots

Big Thinking in
a Small Community

When Blahnik Investment Group was launched in 2002, it was an independent practice associated with Raymond James, and the first of its kind in Door County.

Over 20 years later, we still follow a fiduciary standard with significant resources at hand, and we’ve honed our services to cater to those with significant wealth who are preparing for or living in retirement. Holding several industry designations, Jon attributes those accolades to the efforts of his team and their unique balance of down-to-earth personal guidance and industry-recognized financial expertise.

Trust and transparency matter more than ever, so we’re proud to offer clients an open and approachable environment through which they can access sophisticated financial solutions.

“I got into this business to find out how to make the right decisions for my family and my future. Here I am, more than two decades later, sharing that knowledge with people who have those same priorities.”

Jon Blahnik AWMA
Senior Financial Advisor, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor

The Value of Independence

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Our Approach

Our Client Process

Step 1
Today and Tomorrow

The focus of our first meeting is understanding where you are today and where you want to be. Retirement is a central theme, but we work to uncover all the various facets of your financial life.

Step 2
The Smartest Route

Building your financial plan is about finding the smartest route to the goals we’ve identified. That is, with coordinated strategies and the least possible amount of risk.

Step 3
Your Retirement Progress Check

We complete your Retirement Progress Check by taking a deeper dive into the blind spots that could present unnecessarily risks with respect to your investments and retirement income.

Learn more about the Retirement Progress Check.
Step 4
Investment Strategy

By vetting portfolio managers and evaluating investment options, we compile recommendations we believe are best suited to your needs. This may also involve our Income Confidence strategy for those nearing retirement.

Step 5
Communication and Review

We meet at least once per year to review and update, and to complete a Retirement Progress Check. Our team frequently reaches out to share relevant information, and we are accessible and responsive to your calls and questions.

Meet Your Team

Our Partnership with Raymond James

Getting to know us also means getting to know the firm we are associated with. Raymond James Financial provides the resources we need to deliver comprehensive financial guidance. Here are a few of the advantages of this partnership:

What does Raymond James provide?

  • Access without Bias
  • Protection and Security
  • Resources and Due Diligence
  • Individual Client Focus
  • Raymond James at a Glance

We have access to one of the industry’s widest platforms of investment products, account types and insurance carriers, but without the corporate restrictions and incentives that can lead to biased advice. Raymond James is one of the largest independent firms in the country and strives to represent the premier alternative to Wall Street.

With total assets under administration exceeding $896 billion and offices around the world, Raymond James represents significant size, scale and financial strength. Combined with the firm’s membership in the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and the excess SIPC coverage they have obtained for their entire network, this partnership enables us to offer our clients exceptional protection and security.

Raymond James Financial is a publicly traded company that provides us with access to resources like investment brokerage, insurance solutions, trust services, and private and commercial banking. They also provide a rigorous and proactive due diligence process, an essential feature of our custom investing approach. View the full due diligence process here.

Raymond James was built with a focus on serving individuals and families. Founded in 1962 to provide sound investment guidance for individual clients by examining all aspects of their financial needs, they were the first financial services firm to create a Client Bill of Rights and Responsibilities in 1994. This has since been recognized as industry best practice and has been emulated by many peer firms.

“Our independence, coupled with our access to Raymond James resources, is a crucial part of what makes our services valuable. Our clients have the advantage of getting objective advice from a dedicated team, with the support of one of the industry's leading financial institutions.”

Jack Keller CRPC®
Senior Financial Advisor,
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

Jon Blahnik AWMA
Senior Financial Advisor,
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor
Jon.Blahnik@raymondjames.com

Jon Blahnik founded Blahnik Investment Group in 2002, as an independent practice associated with Raymond James. Since 1996, he has been guiding clients through financial decisions using a goal-oriented holistic planning process and a risk-conscious approach to investing.

Jon identifies strongly with the author, economist, investor and scholar Benjamin Graham’s assertion “the best way to measure your investing success is not by whether you’re beating the market, but by whether you’ve put in place a financial plan and a behavioral discipline that are likely to get you where you want to go.” His primarily dividend-focused investing approach has proved particularly relevant for his client base of families, business owners, and retirees.

Since 2002, when he established the first Door County branch associated with Raymond James, Jon has been building a multi-faceted team and a network of resources through which his clients can gain comprehensive wealth services that are largely unavailable in the area. In the last several years Jon has proactively reduced the size and scope of his practice to focus solely on those clients and segments that he and his staff feel they can best serve and add value with their custom resources and processes.

After serving as Branch Manager for 18 years, in late 2020 Jon signed a succession agreement with, and then merged his practice with, a Green Bay-based Raymond James office to reduce his management responsibilities in an ongoing team effort to focus on clients.

Jon holds Series 7, 24, 31, 51, 63 and 65 licenses, and Wisconsin insurance licenses, and has earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designations from the College for Financial Planning over the course of his career. As an acknowledgement of his dedication and passion for helping clients with their financial goals, Jon has been recognized by Raymond James management via their Executive Council or Leaders Council* every year since 2006.

*Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/ranking.

Jack Keller CRPC®
Senior Financial Advisor,
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
Jack.Keller@raymondjames.com

Since 1998, Jack Keller has helped clients manage their wealth through market cycles. He came to Blahnik Investment Group after nine years with UBS Financial Services in downtown Chicago, and seven years with Smith Barney. Prior to his financial services roles, Jack served as Vice President and Controller of a privately held manufacturing company.

Jack has specialized expertise in retirement income planning and total wealth management, with a focus on identifying financial risks in clients’ lives. He is well versed in education funding, structures for charitable giving, and estate planning, and he also serves as the team’s internal insurance specialist. He is FINRA registered and holds Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses, as well as licenses for life, long-term care insurance and variable annuities. He earned his certification as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) from the College for Financial Planning in 2012, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire).

Originally from Combined Locks, Wisconsin, Jack and his wife Cathy moved from the southwest suburbs of Chicago to Sturgeon Bay, where they are more welcome as devoted Packer fans. Their grown daughter Christina, also a fan of the green and gold, remains in the Windy City.

Erin Ellefson
Client Service Associate,
Office Manager
Erin.Ellefson@raymondjames.com

Erin joined the Blahnik Investment Group team in 2014 after spending nine years in the bookkeeping department at a local bank, having spent four of those years as department manager. With a banking background of over 15 years, her related experience makes her a valued member of the team. In her own words, she always strives to put the client first and provides top-notch customer service. She is the first voice you’ll hear when you call the office and has worked hard to develop strong personal relationships with our clients.

Originally from southern Wisconsin, a chance meeting on Washington Island introduced Erin to her husband Derrick. In 2004, they followed their hearts back to Door County. They have been married for over 20 years and have two daughters: Mackenzie, who is currently attending UW-Milwaukee to study Art Education, and Teagan, who attends Sevastopol High School. Erin and her family love to spend summers on their boat, enjoying the outdoors as much as possible, and spending time with friends and family. She is also an assistant coach for the Sevastopol girls softball team and is entering her fifth year of coaching at the high school level (though she’s coached most of the girls since they were six and playing tee ball!).

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