STEVE GARDNER, CFP®

Steve is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ responsible for coordinating the financial affairs of a select group of families and businesses throughout the nation. Steve is experienced in partnering with clients to address financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning and other tailored planning needs. Prior to transitioning to a career in financial planning in 2008, Steve trained in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois and served as a Nuclear Engineer qualified Submarine Officer in the United States Navy.

Steve and his wife live in Champaign, IL and they are the proud parents of a son, a daughter, a male golden retriever, and a female yellow lab. In addition to his service as a professional at Cozad, Steve also serves as a member of the Parkland College CobraVenture Advisory Team and a manager for CU Club Tennis.  While living in Champaign, Steve has served also as board chair for the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation, a board member of the Champaign West Rotary Club, a member of the Eastern Illinois Estate Planning Council, and a member of the community engagement team with Champaign Urbana Cradle to Career.

In those occasional moments of “spare time”, Steve enjoys spectating at his children’s sporting events, remarkable food with family and friends, playing tennis with the CU Tennis Club, just about any sport or exercise activity, tinkering with “handy-man” projects, and racing high speed off-road R/C trucks.