Meridian Financial Group

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Meridian Financial Group has had a broker/dealer relationship with LPL Financial since 1999.  LPL Financial was founded with a pioneering vision—to help entrepreneurial financial advisors establish successful businesses through which they could offer truly independent financial guidance and advice. Today, LPL Financial is one of the nation's leading diversified financial services companies and the largest independent broker/dealer supporting over 12,000 financial advisors nationwide.*   LPL Financial helps financial professionals manage the complexities of running successful organizations by providing access to:

  • Leading-edge tools and technology
  • Independent investment research
  • Dedicated service and training
  • Open product architecture offering investment solutions

This mix of products and services allows us to focus on providing investment advice and to help their clients achieve important life and financial goals.

 

*as reported in Financial Planning magazine 1996-2010, based on total revenues.

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Scott D. Carson


Founding Partner & President 		Scott D Carson
EducationEastern Illinois University – B.S. – Finance
Professional Licenses & Designations
As a registered representative of LPL Financial, Scott maintains various securities licenses including the Series 7, 24, 63, and 65.  He also has extensive experience in the area of estate planning and is certified as a Graduate Estate Planning Consultant.  Scott maintains an independent insurance license where he specializes in life, disability, and long-term care insurance.
ExperienceBegan his career in the commercial banking industry with MidAmerica Banks and also spent time working for Citigroup before becoming a financial advisor in 1989. Scott began his financial planning career with American Express (IDS) and became an independent advisor in 1994 as a partner with the Pines Financial Group in St. Louis. He founded Meridian Financial Group in 1999.
FamilyScott and his wife Kendra have two children, Bryce and Alison, and reside in Edwardsville, Illinois.  Kendra is a tax preparer for her father's firm, Klein Bookkeeping, which has been in business since 1950.  Bryce is currently attending SIU-E while Alison plans to attend the University of Missouri.
Hobbies & InterestsAn avid golfer, Scott has been a member of Sunset Hills Country Club since 1990.  Scott and his son, Bryce, are two-time champions of the St. Louis District Golf Association Father & Son golf tournament (2004 and 2006). He also enjoys deer, duck and turkey hunting on his Southern Illinois farm. Scott and his family are  members of Eden Church in Edwardsville.
 

Bradley A. Keene, CFP


Partner and Vice President 		Bradley A Keene
EducationEastern Illinois University – B.S. – Finance
Saint Louis University -  Masters in Business Administration
Professional Licenses & DesignationsBrad is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and, as a registered representative of LPL Financial, maintains various securities licenses including the Series 7, 63, and 65.  Brad also holds an independent insurance license.
ExperiencePrior to joining Meridian Financial Group in 2002, Brad was Vice President and portfolio manager at Zemenick & Walker in Clayton, Missouri from 1996-2002.  Zemenick & Walker manages more than $1 billion in client assets and caters to high net worth individuals and pension plans with a minimun client investment of $4 million. Brad also spent time in the area of trust tax planning at Boatmen's Trust Company in St. Louis.
FamilyBrad and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Collinsville with their three children, Olivia, Tyson and Macey. 
Hobbies & InterestsIn his spare time Brad enjoys golf, fishing, sports, and is an avid supporter of Illini basketball and football.  He is a member of Newsong Fellowship church in Edwardsville.

Daniel Browne


Vice President 		Daniel Browne
EducationUniversity of Akron – B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics
Professional Licenses & DesignationsDan is a registered representative and an investment advisor representative of LPL Financial. Dan is also licensed to sell various insurance products.
Experience

Dan started his career as a Financial Advisor with American Express Financial Advisors in Cleveland, Ohio in 1997.  From 1999 to 2010 he was a Financial Advisor for Archer Wealth Management in Clayton, Missouri where he designed and monitored portfolios, market trends, and delivered comprehensive financial plans.

Dan has provided invaluable insight to business owners and high net worth individuals by implementing sophisticated planning strategies that are tailored to meet client's objectives and goals.  Included in those strategies are traditional and non-traditional investments, variable annuities and life insurance.

FamilyDan and his wife Toni reside in Edwardsville, Illinois. Their daughter, Taylor, is currently pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Illinois.
Hobbies & Interests Golfing, traveling, and Illini sports.

Kelly Yovandich


Office Manager 		Kelly Yovandich
ExperienceKelly has extensive knowledge in the financial services industry after spending twenty one years at Stifel Nicolaus in St. Louis, most recently serving as Assistant Vice President.  She joined Meridian Financial Group in 2001. Kelly maintains NASD Series 7 and 63 licenses.
FamilyKelly and her husband, Gary, reside in Collinsville with their children Nick and Samantha. Nick currently attends SIU-E in pursuit of an engineering degree. Samantha is attending Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and is on the dance team.
Hobbies & InterestsKelly enjoys exercising and walking.  She and her family are members of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville.
 

Vicky Dietsch


Sales Assistant 		Vicky-Dietsch
ExperienceVicky joined Meridian Financial in 2007 after a successful career in the banking and financial services industry which began in 1995.  She has extensive knowledge of lending guidelines, bank products, and alternative financing.
FamilyVicky and her husband, Chris, have two children, Shelby and Whitney, and reside in Collinsville.  Shelby recently graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Illinois.  Whitney is currently attending Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.
Hobbies & InterestsSpending time with her family and friends, watching movies and fine dining.