Book a Meeting with Eric VanHevel

Eric joined Thrivent in 2014. He has a passion for helping individuals and families make thoughtful financial decisions that support their goals and values.

Raised in a Christian family and educated in Christian schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, Eric's faith and values have played an important role throughout his life. After graduating from Central Michigan University, he spent 15 years serving his community through various municipal roles in public service. In 2014, he felt called to make a more personal impact on the lives of others and joined Thrivent, a decision he considers the most rewarding move of his professional career.

Today, Eric is grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside clients as they navigate important financial decisions and work toward their long-term goals. He values the trust clients place in him and enjoys helping them create strategies that align with what matters most to them.

Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time with family, being involved in his community, and building relationships that extend beyond the office. His commitment to service, integrity, and helping others remains at the center of both his personal and professional life.

Book a Meeting with Jay Kempf

Since entering the financial services industry in 2000 and joining Thrivent in 2004, Jay has dedicated his career to helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions with confidence. As an Associate Financial Advisor, he specializes in retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, and working with small business owners to create personalized plans that support both their financial goals and the values that matter most to them.

Jay's passion for this work stems from a desire to serve others through sound financial guidance and meaningful relationships. A lifelong Thrivent member and former pastor, he was drawn to Thrivent's unique combination of financial expertise, service, and generosity. He believes that every client deserves advice that is tailored to their unique circumstances and strives to provide thoughtful guidance that helps them pursue a secure and purposeful future.

Known for his ability to analyze financial statements and tax returns to uncover valuable planning opportunities, Jay brings decades of experience and a well-rounded perspective to each client relationship. His professional credentials include CFP®, CLU®, FIC, RICP®, CLTC®, and CEPA®, and he is also a member of MDRT.

Outside of the office, Jay and his wife, Kathy, enjoy life on their country property, where they maintain a large garden and care for animals. Whether they're collecting fresh eggs, making maple syrup, preserving homegrown produce, or spending time with their growing family, they appreciate the simple joys of sharing what they have with others. Becoming grandparents has brought an even greater appreciation for family and the importance of planning for future generations.

Jay is also deeply committed to serving his community. Over the years, he has served in leadership roles with numerous organizations, including as president of the board for the Michigan Chapter of Christian Life Resources, as a board member for Glen Eden Memorial Parks, and on various church boards and committees. He has proudly served the Plymouth community for more than two decades and values the generosity, caring spirit, and strong relationships that make the area such a special place to call home.

Book a Meeting with Dan Nickodemus

Dan has been helping clients work toward their financial goals as a Financial Consultant with Thrivent since 1990. Throughout his career, he has been committed to building lasting relationships and providing thoughtful guidance to individuals and families as they navigate important financial decisions.

In addition to serving his clients, Dan is deeply involved in his community. He serves on several local boards and holds an officer position at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit. His dedication to service extends beyond his work, reflecting his passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Dan values the opportunity to help people align their finances with their goals and priorities. His decades of experience, combined with his commitment to serving others, have earned him the trust of generations of clients and community members alike.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys exploring the world through travel, backpacking, and hiking. Whether discovering new destinations or spending time outdoors on the trails, he appreciates the adventure, perspective, and connections that come from experiencing new places and cultures.

Book a Meeting with Cody Borke

Since joining Thrivent in 2022, he has been dedicated to building genuine relationships and guiding clients through important financial choices with care and purpose. Cody is passionate about helping individuals and families build financial confidence and make decisions that support what matters most to them.

Drawing on his background in the legal field, Cody brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every client interaction. After earning his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and obtaining his Life, Health, Securities, and CFP® (Certified Financial Planner®) certifications, he found his passion in helping people pursue their goals with confidence and clarity.

As part of the Pathfinder Financial Consultants team, Cody values creating personalized strategies that reflect each client's unique story and priorities. Whether meeting with clients for the first time or helping them navigate life's milestones, he strives to be a trusted resource every step of the way.

When he's not working with clients, Cody enjoys participating in a variety of sports, working in the yard, and spending quality time with his wife and daughter.

Book a Meeting with Jeremiah Merkau

Since entering the financial services industry in 2014, Jeremiah has been dedicated to helping individuals and families create confident plans for the future. As an Associate, he specializes in retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, legacy planning, and wealth management, helping clients navigate important financial decisions with clarity and purpose.

As a lifelong Thrivent member, Jeremiah was drawn to a career where he could make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. He is passionate about developing personalized strategies tailored to each client's unique goals, values, and circumstances. Known for his expertise in income solutions and tax-efficient planning, he takes pride in helping clients build financial confidence and work toward lasting success in retirement.

What Jeremiah enjoys most about his work is seeing the appreciation and peace of mind clients experience when they achieve important milestones and knowing that his guidance has played a role in helping them get there.

Outside of the office, he enjoys home renovation projects, golfing, and spending time on the water boating with family and friends. Whether working with clients or pursuing personal interests, he brings the same dedication, thoughtfulness, and commitment to achieving meaningful results.

Book a Meeting with Monica William

Monica joined Thrivent in 2024. Monica is passionate about helping people make confident financial decisions that support their goals, values, and the life they envision for themselves and their families. As an Associate, she specializes in working with ministry professionals, widows and widowers, helping them navigate important financial decisions with personalized guidance and care.

Since entering the financial services industry, Monica has been dedicated to empowering individuals and families to make wise financial choices, prepare for life's unexpected moments, and move forward with confidence. She was drawn to Thrivent because of its commitment to serving clients and its value-based approach to helping people make the most of what they've been given.

Outside of the office, Monica enjoys spending time with her three children and extended family. She loves being active outdoors and can often be found running, hiking, boating, gardening, or relaxing with a good book in a hammock.

Monica's passion for serving others extends beyond her work with clients. She serves as a United Methodist pastor and chaplain for the West Bloomfield Police Department and has held leadership roles with several community and faith-based organizations, including the Greater West Bloomfield Faith & Community Alliance and the Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan. She values the generosity and community spirit found throughout the Plymouth area and enjoys connecting with people who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

Since joining Thrivent in 2018, Laura has been dedicated to helping clients and their families feel supported throughout their financial journey. As the Practice Support Associate and Office Manager, she plays a key role in creating positive client experience, helping ensure the office runs smoothly while providing exceptional service and support.

Laura was drawn to Thrivent because of its Christian values and commitment to serving people with purpose. She finds great fulfillment in helping others work toward their financial goals and enjoys guiding clients through important processes and life events with care, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Known for her strong organizational skills, Laura helps keep operations running efficiently while supporting both clients and advisors. She also holds Life, Health, Annuities, and Securities licenses, allowing her to provide knowledgeable assistance and support to the team and those they serve.

What Laura enjoys most about her role is building relationships and helping clients navigate their financial needs with confidence. She appreciates being part of a team that not only provides financial guidance but also has a meaningful impact in the lives of clients and within the local community.

Outside of the office, Laura enjoys reading and has a passion for the performing arts, particularly winter color guard and drum corps. She loves spending time with her child, Emma, and values the opportunities to connect with family and friends while pursuing the activities she enjoys most.

Emma joined Thrivent in 2022 as a Practice Support Associate, bringing a passion for helping others and a strong commitment to client service. Having been immersed in Lutheran education from preschool through 12th grade, Emma has been familiar with Thrivent for much of her life and was excited to join an organization whose values and community impact she has long admired.

Emma holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and has a diverse professional background, including seven years of experience in the banking industry. Her experience working directly with individuals and families has helped her develop strong communication skills and a genuine desire to help others navigate important life decisions.

As a licensed Practice Support Associate in Securities, Life, Health, and Annuities, Emma works closely with clients and financial advisors to provide exceptional service and support. She enjoys building relationships with clients, learning their unique stories, and helping create a positive experience as they work toward their financial goals.

Outside of the office, Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends and can often be found curled up with a good book. She values meaningful connections and appreciates the opportunity to serve clients and support her community through her work at Thrivent.

Rachael joined Thrivent in 2025, bringing a strong foundation in client service and a heart for faith-based community. She grew up in a strong Christian community and earned her associate’s degree in business from Concordia University in Ann Arbor. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management and data analysis through Liberty University, a Christian university based in Virginia.

As an office professional, Rachael is committed to delivering exceptional support to both clients and the Pathfinder Financial Consultants team. Her warm, detail-oriented approach helps ensure that every client interaction is thoughtful, efficient, and rooted in care.

Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with husband, running, serving in her local church, and continuing her education.

Michell joined Thrivent in 2020 as an Office Professional. In her role, she helps support both clients and financial advisors by coordinating appointments, conducting review calls, preparing meeting materials, and ensuring important account information is up to date.

Michell was drawn to Thrivent because it provided the opportunity to build a meaningful career while maintaining the flexibility to support her family. She enjoys being part of a collaborative team that feels more like family, where everyone works together to help one another succeed. Known for her friendly approach and willingness to help, Michell strives to make every client’s interaction a positive experience.

Outside of work, Michell enjoys playing softball and volleyball, camping, attending Tigers games, and spending time with family and friends. She is also passionate about giving back to her community through local events and Thrivent Action Teams, especially projects that support families in need during the holiday season.