It takes a committed team to coordinate and manage all aspects of financial health and well-being. We possess a deep-rooted passion for maintaining our core relationships with clients and helping them manage the primary resources and connections that inform their lives and futures.
Illumination’s founder Matt Rinkey was fascinated with the stock market throughout his childhood. As it turns out, when he was born he was gifted six shares of Northern States Power (NSP) stock. He routinely followed NSP’s progress in the newspaper’s stock tables. At age 12, he was part of the team that won the Minnesota Stock Market Game competition, where 800 teams participated. Winning enabled him to meet world-class investor Peter Lynch, former Portfolio Manager of the Fidelity Magellan mutual fund.
While Matt experienced success with money and investing, his grandparents endured financial distress. After selling their successful business of 30 years, they worked with a financial advisor and invested their business proceeds into risky ventures that failed during the 1980’s junk bond craze. His grandparents’ dream of a comfortable retirement and sending grandchildren to college collapsed. He watched them downsize their lifestyle and aspirations, which greatly impacted him.
Illumination realizes that financial planning, goals and investment decisions do not exist in a vacuum apart from life’s ups, downs and milestones. The big picture of life must be part of any solid, workable financial strategy. Illumination is passionate about helping clients identify a personalized financial plan that will guide and provide for them across the rich and varied journey of life. We put people first, and our mission shapes the way we do business.
Matt transformed his childhood passion for the stock market into his life work and purpose. He graduated with a degree in Finance, Investment & Banking from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business. Following college in 2003, he worked in a training program for Kellogg Capital Group. By the end of 2006, he served as a Senior Analyst for an investment fund, managing a team of five.
During the 2008 recession, Matt received calls from friends and family requesting financial guidance. As financial markets melted down, Matt decided it was time to help people plan their financial strategies and to directly lift their financial spirits. In 2009 he founded his own firm, Illumination Wealth Management, with a simple mission – to empower people with financial clarity so they can build their wealth and live their best financial life.
Norman joined Illumination in 2015 as a Financial Planner, bringing with him a diverse array of financial experiences and background expertise. He previously worked as a CPA in a public accounting firm, as a manager of corporate income taxes at BellSouth, and as the leader of a financial operations team at CareerBuilder.
Norman earned his master’s degree from the University of Georgia where he specialized in tax. He cultivated his interest in investing during college and made personal finance a key focus of his career. Norman moved to San Diego from Chicago in 2014 with his husband Matt and enjoys traveling, technology, photography, and cooking.
Ben joined Illumination in 2014 as an investment advisor, bringing more than 40 years of investment experience with him. Ben’s successful investment career has spanned many different market environments. Prior to joining Illumination, he served as a Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, advising on over $6 billion of fixed income assets at Voyageur Asset Management and Piper Capital Management.
While at Piper, Ben started and managed the number one ranked Lipper Government Bond Mutual Fund. He was CEO and board member of a recently acquired investment advisory firm, and is currently on the board and treasurer of a successful, privately held manufacturing company. In addition, Ben has appeared on CNBC and frequently appeared on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Sound Money.” For many years he regularly broadcasted market commentary on WCCO radio and has been featured in Fortune, Barron’s, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune and other publications.
Tracey joined Illumination in 2016 as our Client Service Associate. In 2006, Tracey joined a successful Public Adjusting firm specializing in Real Estate investments from large financial institutions. She distinguished herself in the industry, quickly moving up through the ranks to leadership, managing a large team. Tracey holds both a Property Insurance Adjuster license and a Real Estate license in CA. Considered a subject matter expert by her former co-workers, she maintains connections whenever possible.
Tracey is a South Florida native who relocated to San Diego 11 years ago. Tracey and her husband David have two cats, are fortunate to have most of his family in San Diego, and make regular trips back East to visit hers. She enjoys cooking, music, and family time, and volunteers regularly. Tracey’s over-arching career focus is in finance and investments. She enjoys empowering others to achieve their dreams of financial security and independence.
Anakaren is the newest addition to the Illumination Wealth Team. She joined us in 2017 after completing the Financial Planning Certification Program at San Diego State University with a degree in Financial Services. Anakaren is currently studying for her CFP certification and is aiming to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) exam in early 2018. We look forward to having her fresh perspective in this rapidly changing field.
Anakaren was born and raised in sunny San Diego. She enjoys traveling with her friends, hanging out with family, and high adrenaline sports.