Rick Bain's Team
Rick Bain, RICP®, CFS® - Founder & Advisor
rbain@LighthouseStrategies.com
Rick is the founder of Lighthouse Financial Strategies, and specializes in designing customized financial plans and managing investment strategies for families and small business owners since 2002. Rick has been recognized and featured in issues of Forbes, Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and 435 KC Magazine multiple times as a Kansas City Five Star Wealth Manager. His professional background includes manufacturing engineering, product development, and business management. He has served Dave Ramsey listeners since 2006.
Rick's goal is to educate you with the heart of a teacher, providing “Guidance when YOU need it”, (beyond 9 AM to 5 PM), to help you make meaningful decisions regarding your unique circumstances. Strategies include financial planning, retirement income, investing, (including Biblical Faith Values and alternative investing options), tax reduction, as well as life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance.
When not assisting clients, Rick enjoys hunting and fishing, home improvement projects, gardening and cooking, water and snow skiing, sailing, live music events with Mona, and family vacations – visiting lighthouses whenever possible.
Licenses: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 7 and Series 66
Accident and Health, Life, Variable Contracts. Not registered in all states.
Certifications: CFS® - Certified Fund Specialist, Institute of Business & Finance
View Award Details & Fortune Listing
Ethan Hays, CFP®, CPA, EA - Financial Advisor
ehays@LighthouseStrategies.com
Ethan graduated from Baker University in 2016 with a double major in Accounting and Business Finance.
For 3 and a half years, Ethan worked for a large public accounting firm in the audit department and then joined Lighthouse Financial Strategies in spring of 2020. He enjoys building relationships with individuals and helping them plan for their long-term financial success. Ethan plays a key role in analyzing investment recommendations to align those with the clients' short and long-term goals. He specializes in evaluating strategies while considering tax impacts for the client's specific situation.
In his free time, Ethan enjoys learning new line dances and two-stepping with his wife, hunting, hiking, snowboarding and sitting around the campfire. Ethan loves the outdoors in all times of the year - hot or cold you will find him enjoying the outdoors!
Licenses: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 7 and Series 66, Not registered in all states
Accident and Health, Life, Variable Contracts, Not registered in all states
Kylie Hays, CFP® - Financial Planner
khays@LighthouseStrategies.com
Kylie graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana in February 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Minors in Economics and Entrepreneurship.
Out of college she worked in Fort Wayne, Indiana at a small engineering company serving the orthopedic industry. Kylie joined Lighthouse Financial Strategies in early 2018 to assist with technology implementation and process optimization, using her project management engineering skills to assist our team in practice management and operations, and also serving our clients as a registered assistant. Kylie obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification in 2021 and plays a key role in our detailed financial planning process.
In her free time, Kylie enjoys painting, decorating her house for all the holidays (even the small ones!), hunting, snow skiing and traveling with her family.
Licenses: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 7 and Series 66, Not registered in all states
Accident and Health, Life, Variable Contracts, Not registered in all states
Ben Landes - Tax & Financial Services Specialist
blandes@LighthouseStrategies.com
Ben graduated from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in 2019 with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis in Accountancy. Ben continued his studies at UCM and achieved his Master of Arts in Accountancy in 2020. While in school, Ben gained invaluable knowledge while working as a general accountant for a local HVAC company, gained experience in not-for-profit accounting working as a temporary employee for Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, and was a tax intern for a public accounting firm during the 2020 tax season. Along with his collegiate work experience, Ben was heavily involved in Greek Life. Ben helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities including Make A Wish Foundation and Special Olympics while holding executive board positions.
After graduating, Ben ventured to Alaska to work for the state as an auditor. After some years exploring the great outdoors, Ben decided to move back to Kansas City to be around family and joined our team in summer of 2024 to assist with both tax and financial services. Ben is excited about working with clients on tax and financial planning strategies to help them reach their goals.
In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time outside with his two dogs (Chief & Boscoe), painting, cooking, watching movies, volunteering, and traveling.
Jimmy Kelley, CFA - Portfolio Manager
jkelley@LighthouseStrategies.com
Jimmy is a CFA charterholder who provides recommendations on portfolio management and prepares investment analysis at Lighthouse Financial Strategies. In that capacity, his responsibilities include assisting with portfolio construction, including asset allocation, strategic portfolio direction, and investment and economic research. Jimmy joined Lighthouse in 2015 as a research analyst assisting in analyzing and implementing client-specific asset allocation strategies, financial planning and other client services for Rick's clients. He is also a member of the Creative Financial Designs investment advisory team. Prior to working at Lighthouse, Jimmy worked in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska where he was a Fracturing Engineer in the oil field for four years. Jimmy graduated from Kansas State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Economics. Jimmy grew up in Lawrence but now resides in Overland Park with his wife Kelley.
In his free time, Jimmy enjoys spending time with Kelley and their dog Moose, fishing, snow skiing, and traveling.
Mona Bain - Sales Assistant
Mona has worked in a sales support role for Rick since 2007 in our Lees Summit office. Prior to taking 12 years off to focus on raising a family, Mona was an elementary school teacher, earning her B.A. degree from the University of Kansas City.
Mona is not active in day to day operations, but is currently working in a backup staff support role while she mostly enjoys early retirement!
Mona enjoys spending time with her daughters Kylie and Morgan and their friends. She also enjoys family vacations, time on the lake, and water skiing, but her passion is home decorating.
Our team is available to see that your needs are a priority!
As Stephen Covey says, "Begin with the end in mind!".
The sooner you define your goals, (your retirement needs), the more time you have to react, and the easier it will be.
Good money managers balance current wants and needs with future wants and needs. They monitor their progress toward their goals to stay on track and make adjustments as needed.