Leadership

Russell D. Crosson

President and CEO, Principal

Russ Crosson is President and CEO of Ronald Blue & Co. He was hired by Ron Blue in 1980 as the second employee of the newly founded firm. He has worked extensively in all areas of financial planning - specializing in comprehensive financial planning, estate planning, and transgenerational family planning. Prior to his current position, Russ served as Executive Director of The National Christian Foundation (NCF). Russ graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Mathematics and a Masters degree in Education. Russ is the author of three books, Your Life…Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, and 8 Important Money Decisions for Every Couple.

Brian Shepler

Chief Financial Officer, EVP Client Services, Principal

Brian Shepler is the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Client Services for Ronald Blue & Co., LLC. Leveraging his background in the investment banking and private equity fields, Brian also serves RB&Co. clients who own family businesses, providing counsel regarding business succession, mergers and acquisitions, strategic growth planning, and corporate capital planning. Brian began his career with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York and came to RB&Co. in 2000 from SunTrust Banks, Inc. He received a BA in Mathematics from DePauw University and earned a MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.

Erik W. Daniels

Executive Vice President, Principal

Erik Daniels is the Managing Director for Ronald Blue & Co. Private Client Group. He has earned a reputation as a popular financial speaker, bringing an informative and entertaining perspective on money management to national as well as local venues. Prior to joining the firm in 1980, Erik worked as a senior accountant with Blue & Co., a CPA firm based in Indianapolis. He received a BS from Indiana University and a Masters in Taxation from Georgia State University. Erik is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Vince Birley, CFP®, AIF®

Chief Strategy Officer, Principal

Vince Birley is the Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Advisor Services for Ronald Blue & Co, LLC. He serves on the firm’s Management Committee and chairs the Investment Policy Committee, which shapes the investment policy for the firm. Prior to joining the firm in 2000, Vince was a Founder and Principal with Atlantic Capital Management, LLC, where he served as Managing Partner. Vince holds a BA in Business from Central College and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant. He also recently earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® professional designation.

Deborah Kimery, CFA

Senior Vice President, Advisor Services, Principal

Deborah Kimery is the Senior Vice President of Advisor Services and a principal of Ronald Blue & Co. She leads a team that is responsible for the service and support for Ronald Blue & Co. financial advisors and their staff. Before joining Ronald Blue & Co., Deborah was a Vice President with ING North America Investment Centre, Inc. After earning her BS in Accounting and Finance at Miami University, Deborah earned the Chartered Financial Analyst, and a MBA in Management from Miami University.

C. Scott Houser, CFP®

Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President, Principal

Scott Houser is a Vice President, Principal, and Chief Compliance Officer for Ronald Blue & Co. He joined the firm in 1981 and has played a key role in establishing the company as a nationally recognized financial advisory firm. Prior to coming to the firm, Scott worked with Leadership Dynamics International in Atlanta and Campus Crusade for Christ International. He earned his BS in Business Administration from the University of Illinois. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant.

Patty Warren

Vice President of Human Resources, Principal

As Vice President of Human Resources and Professional Development for Ronald Blue & Co., Patty provides organizational leadership in all people- related areas including recruitment and retention strategies, compensation and benefit administration, succession planning, internal communication, and professional development. Prior to joining the firm in 1997, Patty worked for Psycare America d/b/a Rapha and Charter Medical Corporation as the Human Resource Director.

  • One of the things I love about this firm is that we have an unwavering commitment to the clients and to the people who serve them.

    Brian Shepler

    Chief Financial Officer, EVP Client Services

    Atlanta, GA

  • My first meeting with a client is sitting down and asking the question, 'What's most important to you?' because it's about legacy not numbers.

    Sherry Teat

    Financial Advisor

    Charlotte, NC

  • Two of the goals I have for all of my clients, relatives, and friends are 1) that they have peace of mind regarding their finances, and 2) that they feel like they are making intentional financial decisions consistent with their goals.

    Scott Goldsmith

    Financial Advisor

    Indianapolis, IN

  • In the second half of life, as our previous responsibilities diminish, we have more freedom with our time, and perhaps money, to do new things.  Unless we decide on purpose what new things we will pursue, we will drift through these years and one day wakeup with regrets, realizing it is too late to pursue passions and interests.

    Jim Dean

    Sr. Financial Advisor

    Ft. Lauderdale, FL

  • Our bench of different subject matter experts frees me to be an “expert” on my client, which is exactly where I want my focus to be.

    John Dodd

    Sr. Financial Advisor

    Nashville, TN

  • I'm very passionate about the clients and the relationships we have. I'm just so on board with the mission of Ronald Blue & Co.!

    Mary Keenan

    Tax Principal

    Orange County, CA

  • We live in a complex world and a major part of our role is to help simplify the world for our clients.

    Erik Daniels

    Executive Vice President

    Atlanta, GA

  • My desire for myself and my clients is to hear God say “Well done good and faithful servant”, and experience these true riches. In our fallen world, it is so easy to get distracted but our time on earth is preparing us for eternity.

    John Yukawa

    Financial Advisor

    Chicago, IL

  • It is a great privilege for me to serve clients to help them gain peace of mind by using their God-given resources to accomplish their God-given goals. I am passionate about providing counsel that allows clients to make better decisions and live with a strong sense of intentionality.

    John Miley

    Sr. Financial Advisor

    Indianapolis, IN

  • Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one. - Benjamin Franklin

    Charles Terry

    Financial Advisor

    Charlotte, NC