Our Team

LHD Retirement | The Leadership Team

Leaders. Visionaries. Entrepreneurs. Advisors who provide strategic thought to the customized approaches they offer their clients.

These are some of the ways to describe John Ludwig, founder and President of LHD Retirement, and his lead advisors, Kyle Schau and Jess DeGabriele. John began working with retirement plans in the mid-80s. In 2004, he formed his own advisory practice built around a philosophy of inspired leadership to clients emphasizing outcome-based strategies. These tenets and John’s leadership have led LHD Retirement to exceptional growth since inception.

Jess and Kyle quickly rose through the ranks to be vital leaders of the LHD Retirement team. Jess directs the firm’s investment initiatives while Kyle leads the firms corporate and family planning efforts. They bring a tireless energy and passion for results to the team.

The LHD Retirement team is designed to bring a multi-generational view to institutional retirement plans, holistic financial planning, and client service. We seek to answer the retirement question—from building to it, to enjoying it.

John Ludwig, ChFC®, CRPS®, AIF®,CPFA®

LPL Financial Advisor

John is a registered representative of LPL Financial where he is recognized as a leader in retirement plan consulting through his position in the firm’s Retirement Partners Group. John is also a member of the LPL Advisor Council. John entered the retirement planning business in 1984 as a consultant with a major insurance company. His expertise in retirement plan design, plan operations, investment monitoring, and employee education is the foundation for the customized strategies that LHD Retirement has become known for.

John graduated from Iowa State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business finance. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®) designee, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), a member of the Global Leadership Council, and has earned the CEFEX** certification from the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence.

John and his wife Laura have three children: Joe, Amanda, and Sydney. John is active in his community as well as in his children’s schools.

*Retirement Partners Group is a network of advisors associated with LPL

** CEFEX certification for advisory services provided through the LPL Financial Retirement Plan Consulting Program. LHD Retirement and LPL Financial are not affiliated with CEFEX.

Jess DeGabriele, CFA®, CRPS®

Investment Strategist

Jess came to LHD Retirement in 2014 from a Registered Investment Advisory practice in Muncie, Indiana where he served as a portfolio manager and headed the firm’s International and Emerging Markets research.

Jess' primary role is to provide research analysis and portfolio management to our retirement plan clients, as well as building model portfolios for our individual clients. Jess is a member of the LHD investment committee that meets regularly to discuss macro and micro trends in the economy and financial markets as a means of monitoring our clients’ allocations. In addition, Jess reviews the retirement plan investment menus offered by our retirement plan clients to ensure they are fulfilling their fiduciary duty with regard to measuring and monitoring their investments.

Jess has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and holds his Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist® designation. He is a graduate of Ball State University.

Kyle Schau, CFP®, CRPC®

LPL Financial Advisor

Kyle is an Eastern Iowa native, and a graduate of the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. After graduation, he relocated to Indianapolis to work as a broker for a major financial services firm. While employed there, he was promoted to a role as a Specialist within their High Net Worth team, before eventually leaving to join LHD Retirement in the fall of 2015.

His primary role with LHD is to guide employers through the complexities of facilitating and maintaining beneficial retirement savings vehicles for their employees. Kyle leverages his industry knowledge and uses a hands-on, tailored approach to continuously deliver superior customer service to LHD’s existing and blossoming client base.

In addition to having Series 7 & 63 registrations held through LPL Financial, Kyle is a CFP® professional, as well as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designee.

Mike Hobbs

Client Relationship Manager

Mike has worked in the financial industry most of his adult life before coming to LHD. During his professional life, he has worked with clients in a variety of ways to increase and manage wealth including both corporate and individual clients. His wide range of experience makes him ready to help clients in the easiest and smoothest method possible.

Series 7 and 63 licensed with LPL Financial, Mike prides himself on staying aware of market trends and how they may affect his clients’ needs. He holds a B.A. from Beloit College in Wisconsin.

Mike and his spouse spend most weekends working on their 1892 Victorian and caring for their five furry kids.

Jeremy Lursen, QKA

Client Relationship Manager

Jeremy is a native of Northern Indiana, and a graduate of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Jeremy joined LHD Retirement in 2018 as a Client Relationship Manager.Prior to joining LHD, he worked in Indianapolis in the financial services industry for 9 years in various client service roles, as well as 2 years in the Chicagoland area working as an Investments Manager for a small family office.

In addition to having Series 6 and 63 registrations held through LPL Financial, Jeremy is a Qualified 401(K) Administrator (QKA).

Jeremy, his wife Jackie, daughter Kali, and son Bryce, reside in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis. When he’s not chasing his two young children, Jeremy enjoys golf and the sporting exploits of the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks and Hoosiers.

Donna Parker

Client Relationship Manager

Donna enjoys supporting every LHD Retirement client to pursue their financial goals. Prior to LHD Retirement, she worked for a major financial services firm trading and working with clients to increase their financial knowledge and ability to utilize the firm’s resources. She was promoted to the estates team and ultimately served as an operational supervisor focusing on fast and effective strategies to help clients in life’s most difficult moments.

The common thread is Donna’s focus to provide every client with an exceptional experience through empathy, listening, and the ability to add value tailored to each client’s unique situation. Donna has a bachelor of arts degree, and has Series 7 and 63 registrations held with LPL Financial.

Donna calls Brownsburg home with her husband, David. She enjoys reading, learning, traveling, home projects, staying in touch with family and friends, and keeping up with David’s golf tournaments.

Kimberly Hobbs

Client Relationship Manager

Kimberly graduated from Trine University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a focus in Finance. Due to her passion for helping people, she earned her Life and Health Insurance license at the beginning of 2018. Kimberly joined LHD Retirement in the summer of 2019 to fulfill her desire to assist customers on their retirement journey. Before her current role, she worked as a customer service representative assisting participants with their employer sponsored retirement plans. She is excited to be able to have a more personal, ongoing relationship with clients at LHD Retirement.

Kimberly is spending her time adjusting to the change from small town Angola to the big city with her cat, Molly. When not navigating around her new life she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Robert Cleary

Client Relationship Manager

Robert is a local Indiana native and joined LHD in 2021. He served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps for eight years and was honorably discharged in 2013. Returning home to Indiana, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Robert has held previous roles in the Financial Services industry as an Investment Consultant and Registered Representative.

Robert’s primary role includes assisting advisors with investment research and due diligence for clients. Robert is an active member of the investment committee. He stays abreast of all macro-economic trends and assists with quarterly market and strategic commentary.

Robert is currently Series 7 and 63 licensed with LPL Financial.

Dottie Muller

Branch Office Administrator

As manager of the daily operations of the LHD office, Dottie plays a key role in ensuring that client inquiries, deposits, distributions, and tax filings get handled quickly and efficiently.

A native of northwest Indiana, Dottie joined LHD Retirement in 2009, having worked as branch administrator and client services coordinator in the financial and marketing industries in Chicago.

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Our Team

LHD Retirement | The Leadership Team

Leaders. Visionaries. Entrepreneurs. Advisors who provide strategic thought to the customized approaches they offer their clients.

John Ludwig, ChFC®, CRPS®, AIF®,CPFA®

LPL Financial Advisor

Jess DeGabriele, CFA®, CRPS®

Investment Strategist

Kyle Schau, CFP®, CRPC®

LPL Financial Advisor

Mike Hobbs

Client Relationship Manager

Jeremy Lursen, QKA

Client Relationship Manager

Donna Parker

Client Relationship Manager

Kimberly Hobbs

Client Relationship Manager

Robert Cleary

Client Relationship Manager

Dottie Muller

Branch Office Administrator

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