Gene W. Henssler, Ph.D.
- President and Chief Investment Officer

Gene W. Henssler, Ph.D., is responsible for the overall direction of the firm, which offers financial advice and portfolio management to individual, corporate and institutional clients. Henssler Financial, which includes federally registered investment advisers G.W. Henssler & Associates, Ltd. and Henssler Asset Management, LLC, is headquartered in Kennesaw, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, with an additional office in Atlanta Perimeter area. The firm was founded by Dr. Henssler in March 1987 at the urging of friends and acquaintances who sought his counsel and advice for investing their money.

After earning both his Master of Business Administration and doctorate in finance at the University of Michigan, Dr. Henssler taught at Georgia State University, University of Toledo and Grand Valley State University in Michigan. In 1986 he became a Professor of Finance at Kennesaw State University, taking an early retirement in 1996. Dr. Henssler holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Finance at Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Henssler was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. He was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the fourth year he has been named to the list.

As a renowned professor in finance, Dr. Henssler was tapped by Atlanta talk radio to host “Money Talks,” an investment advice radio show. The show has aired for more than 25 years and has developed a large following. Dr. Henssler also appears as a featured guest on the major network affiliate TV stations in Atlanta and Georgia Public Television as well as nationally on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg Television and Fox News. A former columnist for the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Dr. Henssler has written numerous articles for newspapers, magazines and professional journals dealing with a wide variety of financial topics. Dr. Henssler is also a registered representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc.

William G. Lako, Jr., CFP^® - Principal and Managing Director

William G. Lako, Jr., CFP^®, is Managing Director and a Principal of G.W. Henssler & Associates, Ltd. and Henssler Asset Management, LLC. He is responsible for overall company management. In addition, Mr. Lako serves as Vice President of The Henssler Funds, Inc., which runs The Henssler Equity Fund. Mr. Lako received his Bachelor of Business Administration, major in Finance, from Kennesaw State University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant. He holds the Series 7, Series 26, Series 28, Series 63 and Series 65 registrations. Mr. Lako is also a registered representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc.Mr. Lako was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. He was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the fourth year he has been named to the list.

Scott L. Keller, CFA
- Principal

Scott L. Keller, CFA, is a Principal for G.W. Henssler & Associates, Ltd. and Henssler Asset Management, LLC. He is responsible for all institutional investors with the firm. Mr. Keller spearheaded the creation of The Henssler Equity Fund, the firm's first mutual fund, and directs marketing and public relations efforts on the fund's behalf. Before coming to Henssler Asset Management, LLC, Mr. Keller worked in the banking industry for nine years. He began his career as a credit analyst for The Trust Company of Georgia. After more than a year, Mr. Keller joined The Fuji Bank, Limited as a marketing officer where he worked for seven years. Promoted four times, he rose to the position of vice president and serviced clients throughout the Southeast. Recruited by Henssler in 1997, Mr. Keller led the firm's efforts to establish The Henssler Equity Fund that debuted in June 1998. The Henssler Equity Fund continues to grow at a steady pace. Mr. Keller earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University. He is a CFA Charter Holder. He holds the Series 6, Series 26, Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and is a CFA Charterholder. Mr. Keller is also a registered representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc. Mr. Keller was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. He was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the fourth year he has been named to the list.

Jennifer J. Thomas, CFP^® - Principal and Senior Managing Associate

Jennifer J. Thomas, CFP^®, is Senior Managing Associate and Principal for the Planning & Implementation Department, which includes Associates, Account Executives and Assistants. Previously, she worked for six years as a Broker for First American National Securities, and four years as a Broker for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. before joining GWH in 1994 as an assistant. Ms. Thomas holds the Series 6, Series 63 and Series 65 registrations. Ms. Thomas is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant. Ms. Thomas was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. She was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the fourth year she has been named to the list.

Karen D. Rinehart, CFP^® - Managing Associate

Karen D. Rinehart, CFP^®, joined the firm in 1996. Her responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis and spearheading the training program for incoming Associates and Assistants. Ms. Rinehart is the firm's college planning expert, and has written a comprehensive guide to higher education cost planning. She has contributed considerable financial articles to the firm's public educational archives. Ms. Rinehart was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. She was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the third year she has been named to the list. Ms. Rinehart received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, from Kennesaw State University. She holds the Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. Ms. Rinehart is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant.

C. Suzanne Lako
- Senior Associate

Since joining the firm in 1995, C. Suzanne Lako's responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis, analyzing client data and providing recommendations based on the firm's strict investment criteria. Ms. Lako is working on becoming the firm's expert in IRAs and Roth IRAs, and has written articles on the topic for Henssler's educational archives. Ms. Lako was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. She was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the second year she has been named to the list. Ms. Lako received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, from Kennesaw State University. She holds the Series 6, Series 63, and Series 65 registrations.  

Steve Michael
- Senior Associate

Steve Michael joined the firm in 2001, working with individual clients on investment management and financial planning. Mr. Michael has worked in financial services for more than 25 years. He began his career as a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch, later joining the brokerage firms of Jackson Securities and GMA Partners in financial advisement, management and business development roles. Mr. Michael was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. He was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the third year he has been named to the list. Mr. Michael received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University. Mr. Michael holds the FINRA series 4, 7, 24, 63, 65, and 99 licenses.  

Elizabeth Murphy, CFP^® - Senior Associate

Elizabeth Murphy, CFP^®, joined the firm in 1998. Ms. Murphy's responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis through comprehensive financial analysis. She has contributed numerous financial articles to the firm's public educational archives. Ms. Murphy was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. She was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. This distinction marks the third year she has been named to the list. Ms. Murphy received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Management, from Kennesaw State University. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association, and she holds the Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. Ms. Murphy is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant.  

Ben Crowe, CFP^®, CFA, C.P.A. - Associate

Ben Crowe, CFP^®, CFA, C.P.A., brings more than 14 years of experience in tax compliance, accounting, investment management and financial planning. His previous experience includes operating his own advisory services firm for nearly four years. Throughout his career, he has provided clients with tax preparation and planning services, financial planning, investment portfolio design and trade implementation. Mr. Crowe is also experienced in portfolio accounting, performance reporting and compliance filings. Mr. Crowe received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from The University of Georgia. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant, a CFA Charterholder and a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Crowe holds the FINRA Series 6 and Series 63 registrations.  

Wes Hackney, CFP^® - Associate

Wes Hackney, CFP^®, joined the firm in 2008. His responsibilities include managing client relationships, leading Henssler's "Qualified Retirement Plan Program" for business owners, as well as playing a key role in Henssler's CFO Service offering. Prior to joining our firm, Mr. Hackney spent more than four years at Wachovia as a personal and business banker and investment planner. He has also worked in the finance and accounting department of a small family business and held various other business development roles in his career. Mr. Hackney earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University and a Certificate of Financial Planning from Boston University. Mr. Hackney is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant and is a CFA Level II candidate. He holds the Series 6 and Series 63 licenses.   

Charlie B. Holloway, CFP^®, CDFA™ - Associate

Charlie B. Holloway, CFP^®, CDFA™, joined Henssler Financial in August 2008. His responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis, as well as providing financial consulting for businesses and individuals. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, Mr. Holloway specializes in assisting individuals in understanding the financial impact of divorce. Prior to joining our firm, he spent four years in the financial industry as a financial adviser, and four years working in the corporate banking industry. Mr. Holloway earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from The Georgia Institute of Technology, along with completing the Professional Financial Planner Program at Oglethorpe University. Mr. Holloway is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant, who holds his Series 7, Series 66 and Insurance registrations.  

Adam Ledbetter, CFP^® - Associate

Adam Ledbetter, CFP^®, joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Ledbetter's responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis, and working with clients to develop, implement and monitor their financial plan. He has contributed numerous financial articles to the firm's public educational archives. Mr. Ledbetter was named on the 2011 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Managers list in the October issue of Atlanta magazine. He was honored among a select group representing less than 2% of licensed wealth managers in the area. The Five Star award goes to wealth managers rated highest in overall satisfaction by clients, peers and industry experts. Mr. Ledbetter received his Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Finance, from Kennesaw State University. He holds the Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. Mr. Ledbetter is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant. 

Michael Sava, CIMA^® - 
Associate

Michael Sava, CIMA^®, joined Henssler Financial in 2012. His responsibilities include managing client accounts on a day-to-day basis, as well as providing financial consulting for businesses and individuals. Mr. Sava brings more than 15 years of financial industry experience. Prior to joining Henssler Financial, he spent more than five years consulting to endowments and foundations on investment and spending policies, asset allocation, investment manager selection, and performance monitoring. He also spent 10 years as a financial adviser to business owners and executives, assisting them on all aspects of their financial lives and investments, and where applicable their company’s qualified retirement plans. Mr. Sava earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations-Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst℠ Certificant, and holds the Series 7 and Series 66 registrations. Mr. Sava has passed Level II of the CFA Program.

Shawna L. Theriault, CFP^®, C.P.A. - 
Associate

Shawna L. Theriault, CFP^®, C.P.A., brings more than eight years of financial and tax planning experience to the firm. Ms. Theriault has more than 14 years of financial industry experience, including more than eight years of experience working exclusively with high net worth individuals on tax, financial, and estate planning matters. Prior to joining Henssler, she was an Associate and tax specialist at Homrich Berg in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Theriault spent several years at Charles Schwab and Schwab Institutional where she provided relationship management, investment research, and product analysis to institutional clients and financial advisers. Ms. Theriault earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Governors University, and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Business Administration program. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant and a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Theriault holds the FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 registrations.