About East-Central Illinois Group

When you work with the East-Central Illinois Group, you will have a team of professionals focusing on what is important to you.


Our practice includes:

  • A team approach with advice and planning based on your values and goals
  • Core values of faith, making a difference, and clear communication
  • A spectrum of expertise and solutions, including family and income protection, retirement accumulation and income strategies, small business benefits, wealth management, extended care strategies, planning for loved ones with special needs, and estate and legacy planning.*


We've created a process that allows you to determine if we would be a good fit.

 

Step 1 – Get to Know You - You do not need to bring anything to our first meeting – the goal of this meeting is to ensure we understand your financial goals and concerns, and you understand who we are and how we work with our clients. This is conducted either Zoom call or in-person at our Champaign office

 

Step 2 – Fact Finding Meeting – Our goal is to understand your financial position today. We would never want to give recommendations, unless we know where you are starting from. To help with this, we will provide you a checklist of documents to bring with you to be efficient of your time

 

Step 3 – Analysis – This is where being part of the East Central Illinois Group starts to really set us apart. With our team we review and dive deep into the information to answer some important questions

               - Is your retirement on track?

               - How should your portfolio be managed as you near retirement?

               - Have you addressed tax treatment of your assets? 

               - How to handle pensions and when to start Social Security? 

               - How much can you safely withdraw monthly?

               - What things can throw off the plan and can we protect against any of them? 

 

Step 4 – Evaluation Meeting –During this meeting, we will review the solutions we have for the questions listed above and we will lay out a path forward to allow you to decide how our relationship looks moving forward. We find that meeting at least annually to review after we go through the initial process is as important as the process we start with, so we plan to see you at least once a year to stay current with you


*“Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice” 

Champaign Office

Dean Hull

Dean Hull

ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®, ChSNC®

Whether you are just starting out or are preparing for retirement, Dean can help you identify the financial opportunities to help you reach your goals with confidence. He has been a part of Thrivent since 2004. He is passionate about helping each person he meets with identifying and reaching their financial goals. His expertise includes extended care planning, special needs planning and estate strategies.


Dean and his wife, Pam, live in Fithian, IL and are active members at Immanuell Lutheran in Danville, IL. He enjoys spending time with his family, golf, baseball, hockey, Civil War history and travel.

Title

Financial Consultant

State(s) Licensed
AL , AR Insurance Lic. #8338720 , AZ , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MI , MO , NE , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/dean-hull
Phone
217-819-4646
    Bruce Paulsrud

    Bruce Paulsrud

    CFP®, RICP®, BFA™

    I specialize in investment planning and retirement preparedness. I enjoy asking thought-provoking questions regarding money, generosity, and legacy goals. My core function is to help you cut through the clutter and connect the dots between your current reality and your preferred future. Along this journey, we identify which pieces of your own financial puzzle are missing, ignored, unnecessary, or not even aligned with your goals.


    As a lifetime learner, I truly enjoy hearing the sage advice and life lessons from my more experienced clients and then sharing that wisdom (along with encouragement ) with my younger clients. Despite an ever-changing world, the principals of biblically wise financial counsel stands firm.


    I have always enjoyed investments and planning, and anyone who knows me also knows that I love spreadsheets! These interests brought me to this career in early 2007. As a Christian, there is no better place than Thrivent to allow me to express my faith and talents while helping others connect their faith and finances for good.


    I enjoy spending time with my wife (Tracie) and two children (Andrew and Ellie), travel, movies, football, hunting, and hobby farming. I attend Friendship Lutheran Church of Joy in Champaign. My favorite quote is "Until you figure out the destination, any path will do" (Michael Hyatt). My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11.

    Title

    Financial Consultant

    State(s) Licensed
    AZ , CO , FL , IA , IL , IN , MI , MN , MO , ND , NE , OH , PA , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI
    Website
    https://connect.thrivent.com/bruce-paulsrud
    Phone
    217-819-4646
      Ethan Varner

      Ethan Varner

      Title

      Associate Representative

      State(s) Licensed
      IL
      Website
      https://connect.thrivent.com/ethan-varner
      Phone
      309-287-8863
        George Longfellow

        George Longfellow

        RICP®, CLTC®, BFA™, CEPA

        I came to Thrivent to pursue my desire to help members build strong financial futures. To help them have discussions that help them develop their financial goals and to help find ways to not only achieve those goals but do so in a manner that helps them be better members of their community and churches.

        I grew up in the small town of Hoopeston, IL, came to Champaign to attend the University of Illinois and met my wife, Dawn. Our first date included Saturday evening mass at St. John Newman on the University of Illinois campus, which is where we got married in 1997. We then attended Holy Cross Church in Champaign which is where our kids finished grade school before we moved to Mahomet. We now attend Our Lady of Lake in Mahomet.

        We are blessed with 2 great kids, Sydney and Cameron. When I am not working, I enjoy running and being outdoors gardening, as well as getting in a few rounds of golf when possible.

        Title

        Growth Advisor

        State(s) Licensed
        FL , IL , IN , MS
        Website
        https://connect.thrivent.com/george-longfellow
        Phone
        217-819-4646
          Michael Henrichs

          Michael Henrichs

          Michael is a passionate Associate with a deep desire to aide rural families within the community in building and preserving their wealth for generations to come. Being raised on a small family farm himself, Michael understands the distinct challenges and goals of families in this area. Michael provides custom financial strategies that match the needs and goals of his clients. He recognizes that rural families face unique challenges such as fluctuating income streams and agricultural investments. Michael’s expertise is rooted in navigating these issues and designing financial strategies that promote, stability, growth, and strength in communities both local as well as other states. By providing clear explanations and guidance, Michael empowers rural families to make informed choices that align with their values and objectives, ensuring the preservation and growth of their wealth for generations to come.  

          Title

          Financial Associate

          State(s) Licensed
          IL , MO , OH
          Website
          https://connect.thrivent.com/michael-henrichs
          Phone
          815-383-4121
            Lia Hege

            Lia Hege

            ChSNC®

            As your Thrivent financial professional, I can help you build a holistic financial strategy relative to your life and your priorities so you can have that sense of reassurance. Getting your finances in order isn’t always easy or clear. That’s why I’m here to provide the expertise and support you need. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for a meaningful retirement, you deserve personalized financial guidance driven by what’s important to you. 


            As a teacher-turned-financial professional, I am passionate about continuing to grow personal relationships within the community that I am blessed to have been a part of for the last 30 years. Outside of working with the East-Central Illinois Group here in Champaign, I love spending time with my husband, Erik, and our five beautiful girls: Bri, Becca, Cara, Colleen, and Alexis. I also enjoy exploring the national parks system, watching sports, and dabbling in assorted DYI crafts: upcycling, stamping, and decorating. As a long-time member of Holy Cross Church, I am blessed to serve my community by walking alongside my clients to help them live purposeful and generous lives.

            Title

            Financial Advisor

            State(s) Licensed
            FL , IL , IN
            Website
            https://connect.thrivent.com/lia-hege
            Phone
            217-819-4646
              Denise Kosik

              Denise Kosik

              FIC

              I came to Thrivent Financial in 2012 after a music teaching career. With a desire to continue helping families combined with a love of learning, Thrivent gives me the opportunity to work with people and share my knowledge of financial security. If your starting out with a new job or finishing a career, I can provided personalized guidance.

              My husband, Dave, and I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. We enjoy spending time with our families, traveling to wineries and cooking together.

              Title

              Associate

              State(s) Licensed
              CO , FL , IL , IN , KY , MO , TX , WI
              Website
              https://connect.thrivent.com/denise-kosik
              Phone
              815-683-2110
                Ethan Varner

                Ethan Varner

                Title

                Associate Representative

                Phone
                217-819-4646
                  Dawn Walker

                  Dawn Walker

                  Dawn is our office manager. When you call in to our office she is usually the first person you talk to. She has been with our office since 2009.

                  She is married to Stuart and they have three adults sons and one daughter-in-law. She enjoys traveling, movies, theater and playing board games as a famiy.

                  Title

                  Office Manager

                  Phone
                  217-819-4646