Berthel Fisher Companies, a Cedar Rapids-based independent financial services firm serving financial advisors and registered investment advisors, has announced the recruitment of APP Financial, a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based practice with approximately $146 million in client assets.
The practice is led by financial professional Gregory Whitenack and includes three team members. APP Financial focuses on securities and retirement planning for clients preparing for retirement, according to a news release.
The addition comes as Berthel Fisher has added financial professionals in several markets so far in 2026, including Missouri, California, Texas and New Jersey, while several existing branches have added financial professionals, the release stated.
“We are excited to welcome Greg and Minerva to Berthel Fisher,” Paige Christofferson, chief business development officer at Berthel Fisher, said in the release. “They are an excellent fit for our firm because they share our belief that strong relationships, responsive service and practical support are central to helping financial professionals serve clients well. We look forward to being a true partner to them as they continue to build on the relationships they have established and grow their presence in Fort Wayne.”
Whitenack said in the release that a visit to Berthel Fisher’s home office played an important role in the decision to join the firm.
“We had a wonderful visit to the Berthel Fisher home office, and that experience played an important role in our decision,” Mr. Whitenack said. “We were looking for a Midwest-based firm that understands relationship-driven businesses and gives financial professionals the ability to serve clients through more than one model. We did not want a one-size-fits-all platform or a firm built only around an RIA structure. We wanted a partner with the people, service and resources to support the way we work with clients. The team at Berthel Fisher understands that, and we believe they will be a valuable asset for our business and our clients going forward.”
Berthel Fisher also named Madyson Tracy vice president of business development, a role in which she will support growth goals for new and existing financial professionals. Ms. Tracy has nearly a decade of financial services experience across advisor support, operations, client service and business development, and most recently served as director of organizational development at Renaissance Financial, the release stated.
In her new role, Ms. Tracy will focus on advisor growth, succession planning and new partnerships, according to the release.
“Berthel Fisher has a strong story to tell advisors who want independence, flexibility and a home office that understands the work they do every day,” Ms. Tracy said. “My role is to help more financial professionals see what is possible here, whether they are looking for a more responsive partner, broader service options, succession support or a platform that can help them grow without losing the relationships that make their businesses valuable.”
“Growth for us is not simply about adding headcount,” Ms. Christofferson said. “It is about attracting financial professionals who value long-term relationships, act with integrity and want a partner that can help them build high-quality businesses. Greg and his team reflect the kind of professionals we want to support, and Madyson’s experience will help us bring that message to more teams like theirs in the years ahead.”
Berthel Fisher Companies supports four affiliated companies that provide investment management, financial products and services to financial advisors and their clients: Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc., a full-service broker-dealer; Securities Management & Research, Inc., an insurance-based broker-dealer; BFC Planning, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor; and Berthel Fisher & Company Insurance, Inc., an insurance agency.
