About David Manning

I'm proud to be a Thrivent financial professional. I provide personalized financial guidance to people at all stages of life. At Thrivent, we view money not as a goal, but as a tool — one that can afford you a life rich in meaning and gratitude. We believe humanity thrives when individuals make the most of all they've been given. I'm here to help you do just that.

I was raised in the small town of Benld, Illinois, the son of a local carpenter and a teacher in the Staunton Public School District.  Even though I have lived in cities such as St. Louis, Austin, and Colorado Springs, I love the small-town feel. 

Currently, I live and work in Staunton, Illinois.  Staunton has been my home for over a decade.  My wife, Shelly, and I have one child at home.  Lilly (5) attends kindergarten in my former school.  My son, Daniel (20), is a Math wiz and now works as an actuary in Des Moines after graduating from Drake University this past spring. 

Concordia University in Texas is my Alma Mater.  I received both my B.A. (1998) in History/Religion/Biblical Languages and my M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Concordia.  I did attend Concordia Seminary in St. Louis for over a year before deciding to change my ministry focus.

My work history has been diverse.  I served for 3 years in the United States Army prior to college as a surveyor.  After college I have spent time as a Social Security Adjudicator and as a retail manager.  For a brief time, I was even part of another financial firm before finally settling into the role of called church worker serving as a teacher, then principal, in Lutheran elementary schools.  For seventeen years I served a total of 3 separate congregations/schools in 2 different states (TX and IL).  Fourteen of the 17 years I was a school administrator and teacher concurrently. Most recently, I served as the principal of Zion Lutheran School in Staunton.

My home is my hobby.  We purchased a historic home in Staunton that "needed some work." Over the last 6 years, we renovated and restored it.  It is a Gothic Victorian built in 1904 by a veteran of the Civil War.  Every day I am reminded, I am a carpenter’s son and not a carpenter, but what I learned from my father has given me the confidence to tackle some enormous repair jobs around the home. 
 
I am a huge proponent of my community and its health and well-being.  With that, I also serve my congregation regularly and volunteer at my former school. 

My life at Thrivent allows me to continue to serve my Lord, my family, and my community.