Family and Background

A native born and bred Hoosier, Don is a product of deep American heritage. Don’s father’s family emigrated from the British Isles in the early 1700s and, like many Scotch-Irish, settled in the east Tennessee mountains. Don’s mother came from multi generational central Indiana roots. Don was blessed to have grown up with an older brother, Darrell, and a younger sister, Autumn (now Farrell).

 

Don takes pride in the fact that at an early age his parents instilled in him an entrepreneurial spirit. This entrepreneurial spirit really came to bear at age 13 when Don’s mother made a deal with him: she would buy him a lawn mower and gas can as long as the first earnings from his business would pay off the initial costs. Don took her up on the offer and would own his own business with a very stable customer base until he went off to college.

 

Education

After graduating from Plainfield High School Don took his football and academic talents to DePauw University. With a double major in Communication Arts and French Language, the liberal arts degree from DePauw provided exposure to many academic disciplines.

 

Early Career

Don’s first employer after graduating from DePauw was his collegiate men’s fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. Don’s affiliation with Phi Delta Theta continues to this day as a national officer; he serves on the DePauw University Phi Delt chapter house corporation board.   His career in sales, marketing, and finance launched in 1988, while working for Minolta Corporation in Indianapolis. After a successful two year run, Don and his wife Kathi moved to Long Island, New York, where he worked for Polaroid Corporation. This role would take them to Indiana, Boston, Moscow, and ultimately Chicago.

 

Merrill Lynch Success

In 1998 Don became a Financial Advisor based out of the Oak Brook, Illinois office of Merrill Lynch. In his first five years at the firm, Don became a top quintile performer.

 

Private Banking Career

In early 2003, Don launched his private banking career. This career would span roles at institutions including, BMO Harris Private Bank and The Northern Trust Company. Don met his future business partner, Andrew Kaminski, during his tenure at Northern Trust.

 

HK Private Client LLC

Don leads the firm’s comprehensive financial planning and client strategy initiatives. Don brings 25 years of experience advising high net worth clients and families, and serves as the Director of Wealth Management at HK Private Client LLC.