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We Focus on the 

Future You Deserve.

Your Vision. Our Passion.


Thanks for Stopping By!


From small businesses to farms and ranches, we are here to turn your wealth into an engine of opportunity, empowerment and life-long prosperity.



How Do We Do It?

By focusing on you — your hopes and your dreams — and creating customized financial solutions that best fit you. 

Through this process, we’ll help you:


Manage your assets and cash flow effectively.

By growing, protecting, preserving and distributing them in the most tax-efficient way.

Transition your small business.

From one owner to another while helping to ensure its integrity — and future — remain intact.

Minimize your overall tax burden.

So you only pay what’s required and make decisions that benefit your bottom line.


Meet Our Team


about us

Turning Aspirations Into Your Reality

At Whitesell Financial Group, LLP, all of us share the same goal: help our clients pursue their passions. This means that we will always work with the end goal in mind to help make sure your wealth is utilized as a tool to live your best life possible.

To put it simply, we help you focus on the future you deserve.

Kurt W. Whitesell, CFP® Photo

Kurt W. Whitesell, CFP®

President
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Kurt W. Whitesell, CFP®

President


 

Born at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and later growing up in Rapid City, South Dakota, Kurt learned at an early age that hard work and determination are the keys to success.

As he grew older, Kurt realized the need for an honest and objective resource for people when planning ahead for their futures. In 1987, he became a financial consultant and by 2007, he founded his own independent financial firm, Whitesell Financial Group, LLP.

For more than three decades, he has helped clients work towards achieving their goals according to the belief that a financial professional should be free from Wall Street and corporate influences in order to ensure the highest ethical standards are consistently practiced and upheld.

In addition to his role as president of Whitesell Financial Group, LLP, Kurt has been actively involved in the community:

  • Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame member for his boxing career of 135 wins and 22 losses.
  • Younglife Finance Committee board member.
  • Junior Achievement volunteer within the Rapid City Schools.
  • Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Important disclosure below*  
  • President's Club Advisor — a distinction based on annual production attained by 17 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network (2020). 

He and his wife, Suzie, are the proud parents of four children and a grandchild. In his spare time, Kurt enjoys going to the gym and watching his kids play sports.





The 2021 ranking of the Forbes’ Best–in–State Wealth Advisors(1) list was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in–person and telephone due–diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria (including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms). Overall, approximately 32,725 advisors were considered, and 5,000 (approximately 15.3 percent of candidates) were recognized. The full methodology(2) that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available at www.forbes.com.

(1)This recognition and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisor's future performance. Your experience may vary. Winners are organized and ranked by state. Some states may have more advisors than others. You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you.

 

(2)Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.


The 2021 ranking of the Forbes’ Best–in–State Wealth Advisors1 list was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in–person and telephone due–diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria (including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms). Overall, approximately 32,725 advisors were considered, and 5,000 (approximately 15.3 percent of candidates) were recognized. The full methodology that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available at www.forbes.com. 


 

Alisha Butterfield Photo

Alisha Butterfield

Director of Operations
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Alisha Butterfield

director of operations


 

Alisha joined Whitesell Financial Group, LLP in September 2014 as an office administrator. In this role, she works closely with the advisors to prepare investment and insurance product applications, gather research and data for financial plans and provide ongoing support and service to our clients. Her passion to create effective, efficient and accurate administrative processes that offer the highest quality client experience embodies the WFG vision.

Originally from Rapid City, Alisha graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary sciences and an emphasis in business. In 2015, she completed the Series 7 General Securities Representatives Exam and the Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam.

Alisha resides in Rapid City with her husband, Brian, and their two sons, Michael and Alec. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing Bunco and watching Minnesota Vikings football with family and friends.

Suzie Whitesell  Photo

Suzie Whitesell

Client Relations Manager
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Suzie Whitesell

Client Relations Manager



A Rapid City native, Suzie earned a bachelor’s degree in education and taught for eight years before joining her husband, Kurt, as part of the Whitesell Financial Group, LLP team. In her role, she utilizes her keen attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills to deliver the highest quality client experience.

When she is not at the office, you can find Suzie cheering and volunteering at various kid sporting events. She and Kurt have four children and are grandparents to one adorable little boy. In her free time, Suzie enjoys entertaining family and friends, reading a good book and knitting.

Jerod Ensz Photo

Jerod Ensz

Financial Planning Associate
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Jerod joined Whitesell Financial Group in November 2019. As a Financial Planning Associate, he works closely with advisors and clients in building plans to guide them towards achieving their financial goals. Jerod completed the Series 7 General Securities Representatives Exam, Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam, South Dakota Life, Health, & Accident Insurance Exam. He prides himself in his attention to detail and communication skills, which allow him to provide exceptional service.

Jerod hails from Emery, SD, but has been living in the Black Hills since 2006. He graduated from Black Hills State University with a degree in Business Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Jerod resides near Pactola Reservoir with his wife Alana and their three dogs Frankie, Harper, and Love. He spends much of his free time enjoying the beautiful Black Hills while camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing.

LeAnne Heikes Photo

LeAnne Heikes

Marketing/Client Relations
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LeAnne joined Whitesell Financial Group, LLP in March 2021 as a Marketing/Client Relations assistant. In this position, she works closely with our office administrator to service our clients.

LeAnne recently moved from Pierre, SD where she worked in the Financial Services Industry for 28 years.

Her experience with customer service and building client relationships has been a great addition to our team.  Her goal as our Marketing/Client Relations assistant is to strengthen our client communications through client events and marketing materials.

 LeAnne enjoys spending time with her husband, Eirik, their four children, Britney, Max, Spencer & Katherine and their Grandson, Asher. 

In her spare time she enjoys hiking, fishing, gardening and traveling.


Putting Relationships Back Into the Picture

Our core beliefs are grounded in an unwavering commitment to helping people just like you move forward with confidence.

Through time-tested investment principles, a research-driven process and a highly-personalized approach, we’re able to offer a comprehensive set of solutions that help foster long-term stability and success for generations to come.



It is not what you know, but what you do that makes a difference. 


— Kurt W. Whitesell


More About Us


Family-Oriented

In addition to our president and client relations manager being married, all of us are friends — rather than just coworkers — and we extend the same friendliness, warmth and compassion towards our clients. 

Innovative

We’re always looking for new ways to better serve our clients. From providing ongoing financial education, valuing client feedback and providing easy-to-use integrated software, we are life-long learners — passionate about bridging the gap and bringing new ideas to the table.

Accountable

Integrity is important to us. We understand that you have a choice in whom you do business with, and we are honored that our clients have chosen us to serve them. We understand that life is busy; that’s why we take the extra step to ensure you receive the maximum value out of the time you spend with us.

Future-Focused

We want the best for our clients. We work hard to ensure we’re always planning for your future, your family and generations to come.


Discover Your Wealth’s Potential

Get to Know Our Broker-Dealer

Commonwealth Financial Network, our Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) and broker-dealer, was founded with the objective of creating an open and supportive environment, providing advisors with everything they need to serve their clients.

This goal is as clear today as it was when the firm first opened its doors in 1979. The culture Commonwealth has created over the years — along with the dedicated, friendly support it provides — is one of the reasons we chose to partner with them, and why you can always expect to receive the prompt, attentive service you deserve.


Benefits of Our Partnership


Investment Choice


Commonwealth offers robust, independent market research and a wide universe of third-party investment options — from individual stocks to mutual funds.

Service


Staff members answer our calls promptly, execute transactions quickly and offer our firm the same first-class treatment we strive to give you.

Technology


Commonwealth's integrated web-based systems allow us to manage your portfolio and overall financial picture more efficiently.

services

Aligning Your Passions 

With Our Solutions

We believe curating a wealthy life means to live a life rich with experiences — spending time with loved ones, balancing work and play, enjoying holistic wellness and reaching financial independence — so you can live your best life and achieve everything you've ever imagined.

What We Offer

 

Accumulation


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Retirement
Planning

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Estate
Planning

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Risk
Management

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Succession
Planning

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Taxation


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Education

Gain Knowledge, Insight & More

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outreach

Events & Activities

Here you’ll find the latest news on upcoming client events, as well as recaps of any recent community outreach volunteer work we’ve done.


Contact Us



Form CRS: Client Relationship Summary


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