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About Heart of Illinois Associates

We're proud to be Thrivent financial professionals and even prouder to be serving in the Bloomington-Normal area.


Each of our qualified Financial Advisors lives, works, and volunteers right here in our community. At our office just off Eastland Drive in Bloomington, we provide personalized financial guidance to people at all stages of life, getting to know them and helping them accomplish their financial goals while supporting the causes that matter to them.


At Thrivent, we view money not as a goal itself, but as a tool 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. We're here to help you do just that.

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Your Heart of Illinois Associates Team in the Community

The HOIA Thrivent office is active in supporting local nonprofits and engaging with the community through sponsoring events and participating in golfing fundraisers throughout the year.

Chris Ayers

Chris Ayers

FIC, RICP®

Chris Ayers is proud to serve the Bloomington-Normal community as a Financial Advisor, where he has worked and raised a family. His wife Kristen continues to teach special needs students at Bloomington Junior High, and his son Caden is local, too, in welding training. Daughter Kelsie is a nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.


Chris is active in the community; when not working in the office or spending time with his family, you can find him volunteering for the Salvation Army or participating in community events.

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MN, MO, OH, SC, TX,
Location

Bloomington, IL

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/chris-ayers
Phone
309-664-7770
Fax

866-850-0746

    Robert Borchers

    Robert Borchers

    RICP®, CLTC®

    Bob has been a Financial Advisor with Thrivent since 2015. He grew up in Central Illinois and graduated with a degree in Finance from Illinois State University in 1989. He and his wife, Yvette returned to Bloomington-Normal in 1999 where they raised their 3 children, Haley, Alex & Maddie. Yvette has been a medical transcriptionist for over 20 years. They are actively involved in their local church, Vale Church. Haley and Maddie both live in the area and are in education. Alex is a Mechanical Engineer in Louisville, KY. 


    Bob & Yvette have been actively involved with local dog rescues for several years. In addition to their three foster failures, they have fostered over 200 dogs over the years. When not in the office, Bob enjoys spending time with family (including the dogs) and any outdoor activities – especially working on his golf game.

    Title

    Financial Advisor

    State(s) Licensed
    FL, IA, IL, KY, LA, NE, TN, WI,
    Website
    https://connect.thrivent.com/robert-borchers
    Phone
    309-664-7770
    Fax

    866-850-0746

      Ryan Eaves

      Ryan Eaves

      Ryan joined the Heart of Illinois Associates in February 2020, at the dawn of the COVID pandemic. Previously, he worked in the banking industry for several years after a year-long missions trip playing the drums with a touring band, which included stops in both Canada and Taiwan!


      Ryan married his lovely wife, Sara, in 2012 and they have one son, Oliver. They attend The Pasture and Ryan serves part time as an Associate Pastor—Children. When away from the office, Ryan loves spending time with his family, travelling, cheering on the IWU Titans, and playing the drums.

      Title

      Financial Associate

      State(s) Licensed
      IA, IL, MO, OH, SC,
      Website
      https://connect.thrivent.com/ryan-eaves
      Phone
      309-664-7770
      Fax

      866-850-0746

        Renae Etka

        Renae Etka

        As a lifetime resident of Bloomington-Normal, Renae Etka is proud to serve Thrivent members in her lifelong community. She has a Bachelors Degree from ISU in Public Health and enjoys spending time with her family and grandkids, traveling, golfing and volunteering. She currently serves on the Board of Home Sweet Home Ministries.

        Title

        Financial Associate

        State(s) Licensed
        IL, KS, MO,
        Website
        https://connect.thrivent.com/renae-etka
        Phone
        309-664-7770
        Fax

        866-850-0746

          Tony Gingerich

          Tony Gingerich

          Tony joined the Heart of Illinois Associates in 2017 after several years in the banking industry. He is married to his beautiful wife, Danielle, and they have two children, Willow and Knox. Tony and his family are members of Crosspoint Community Church in Eureka, IL. When he is away from the office, Tony enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and cheering on the St Louis Cardinals.

          Title

          Financial Advisor

          State(s) Licensed
          AL, AR Insurance Lic. #18402593 , CA Insurance Lic. #4354634 , FL, IL, IN, NE, OH, TN, TX,
          Website
          https://connect.thrivent.com/tony-gingerich
          Phone
          309-664-7770
          Fax

          866-850-0746

            Michelle Schulz

            Michelle Schulz

            FIC

            Title

            Financial Associate

            State(s) Licensed
            IL,
            Website
            https://connect.thrivent.com/michelle-schulz
            Phone
            309-268-9700
              Susan Greene

              Susan Greene

              Title

              Office Professional

              Phone
              309-664-7770
              Fax

              866-850-0746

                Julie James

                Julie James

                Julie graduated from Illinois College with a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. She has spent her career in the banking and financial industries. She is married to Mike with whom they share a growing family. They have three grown children, an adorable granddaughter, and a beloved mini Goldendoodle. Beyond work, Julie is deeply involved in her community, where she actively volunteers and strives to make a positive impact.

                Title

                Office Professional

                Phone
                309-664-7770
                Fax

                866-850-0746

                  Kyle Foster

                  Kyle Foster

                  BFA™

                  Kyle is originally from Dixon, IL, but moved to the Bloomington area with his wife in 2011 after they were married in 2007. He joined Thrivent in 2022 after a decade working in banking. Emily has been a hairstylist for over 20 years, and now works at Hello Beautiful in Bloomington. They have two children, Berkley and Hudson, who are students at Cornerstone Christian Academy. They are both very active in sports, particularly softball and baseball. Kyle is an avid Chicago sports fan, and spends his free time running and trying to golf.

                  Title

                  Financial Advisor

                  State(s) Licensed
                  CO, IL,
                  Website
                  https://connect.thrivent.com/kyle-foster
                  Phone
                  309-664-7770