Your Partners in Wealth Management
Here at Axiom Wealth Management, we’re committed to helping you plan for your future, your family, and your business—and we don't do it alone. Our team of experienced professionals provides extensive and diverse expertise to fulfill even the most complex planning needs. Whatever your goals for your wealth management, we have someone who can help you make it happen.
Partners
Chad has been blessed to be able to build a comprehensive financial planning practice in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding area over the last 30 years. Chad serves in his church as a Bible study leader and deacon. He is also a Trustee and chair for the Tennessee Baptist Foundation headquartered in Nashville. He and his family and co-workers support several charitable organizations in the community through the giving of time and resources. A few of these organizations include Habitat for Humanity, the FCA, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, and the Knoxville Nativity Pageant.
Chad graduated from East Tennessee State University where he met his wife, Lisa. He initially worked as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America before beginning his career at Northwestern Mutual in September 1993. Because of his long tenure at Northwestern, Chad has experienced many market cycles and understands the importance of good financial planning in the present. He believes that good planning is problem solving in advance and has a teaching and educating approach when working with clients. His client expertise lies with professionals, business owners and with those who are approaching or are in retirement.
Chad values lifetime learning and received his CFP® designation in 2008. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he understands the importance of collaboration and the great value of working with other professionals to make sure his client's needs are addressed at all levels.
Chad and Lisa have been married for 32 years and have two young adult children, Clay, and Emily. He is a devoted family man and enjoys being outdoors, doing yard work, playing golf, and traveling with his family and friends.
Kevin S Proffitt CFP®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®, WMCP®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Kevin Proffitt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Wealth Management Advisor, and Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual – Knoxville. He has been with the company since 1988. Kevin specializes in investment management, retirement planning, and estate planning. He works primary with closely-held business owners, executives, and individuals in or approaching retirement.
Kevin has completed the CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP® designations. He holds the Series 7, 6, 65, and 63 securities registrations, as well as the life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses in 25+ states. He is a graduate of Maryville High School and Middle Tennessee State University.
Kevin serves on the Boards of Directors of the Boy Scouts of America Great Smoky Mountain Council, The Boys and Girls Club (Blount County). Also, he is a Past President of East Tennessee Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, Maryville Kiwanis, The Society of Financial Service Professionals, Knoxville Chapter and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisor – Knoxville Chapter.
His wife is Kimberly, and they have two adult children, Kevin, and Kelsey.
Jim LaPinska CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, WMCP®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Jim started his career at Northwestern Mutual in the fall of 2008, right before the market crashed. He was able to experience and observe what good planning and poor planning looked like in one the worst economic markets in history. With Axiom Wealth Management, Jim leads a team that specializes in financial planning for physicians, business executives, and community leaders.
Jim graduated from Maryville College where he was a standout academic scholar and football player. He was named to the ESPN All-Academic Team and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Organization with a Minor in Economics.
Jim has built a comprehensive financial planning practice in Knoxville, TN. He has consistently been named among the top wealth management advisors in Northwestern Mutual’s Southern Region. Most recently, Jim was named to Forbes Top Best-In-State Financial Security Professionals Ranking, one of only 8 Advisors in Tennessee.
Jim has dedicated himself to a lifetime of learning how best to help families reach financial security while protecting what is dearest to them. He puts that knowledge to use by helping families and business owners envision and plan for the life they have dreamed of, whether that’s sailing around the world or simply relaxing every day with your toes in the sand and a margarita in hand.
Jim has completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, CLU®, ChFC®, and WMCP® designations. He holds the Series 7, 6, 65, and 63 securities registrations, as well as the life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses in 25+ states.
Jim understands the value of community engagement and is involved with multiple organizations, including the United Way Board (Treasurer), Young Leaders' Society, and founding member of the 1922 Society (2013-Present), Metro Drug Coalition Board ( Past-President 2015-Present), 2022 UT Chancellor’s Associates class, Young Professionals of Knoxville (Past President 2010-2015), Dogwood Arts Festival former Board member and Finance Committee (2012-2016), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man of the Year 2013, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knoxville (December 2011), Executive Committee to the Board of Governors-Club LeConte (2013), Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees Corporate Sponsor, and Knoxville Ice Bears Corporate Sponsor.
Jim and his daughter Emma reside in Downtown Knoxville where they love to visit Market Square, attend UT & Maryville College football games, and experience different cultures around the world.
Mark Pancratz
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Mark grew up in the suburbs of Chicago (Schaumburg) with great parents who ingrained in him the importance of faith, family, character, hard work, education, and teamwork. After graduating high school, Mark attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on a basketball scholarship. Mark graduated with a double major in marketing and finance while playing for the men's basketball team coached by Bruce Pearl. Prior to graduation, he started the process of becoming a financial representative intern for Northwestern Mutual but put that on hold to work with Coach Pearl as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee.
After earning his master’s degree from Tennessee, Bruce Pearl hired Mark as a full time Assistant Coach. During his tenure with Coach Pearl and then with Coach Cuonzo Martin, he had many titles and had diverse responsibilities.
After the 2012-13 season, he left the coaching world and reengaged his financial background by joining Northwestern Mutual as a full-time Financial Representative in Knoxville, TN. As any coach would tell you, the relationship and trust you develop with your players/clients is the most important thing that determines their success. After that, you must continue to evaluate the player’s strengths and weaknesses to help motivate them to continually improve and achieve their goals. In coaching clients through their financial lives, those important do not change and trust is the life blood of that partnership. With Axiom Wealth Management, Mark focuses on hearing a client’s story, understanding their current financial position, then encouraging them to think about what they want to achieve are vital steps to developing a financial game plan that addresses these needs and gets them started on the path to financial security.
Mark holds the Series 6 and 63 securities registrations, as well as life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses in 15+ states.
When he is not working in his financial practice, you can often find him hanging out with his wife Brooke (Waddell) and their three daughters Charli, Landri, and Jovi, working out, or helping at their church (Sevier Heights). Mark stays involved in the Knoxville sports community, regularly contributing to radio and tv sports programs.
Gregory Hewitt MBA
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Greg is an accomplished, operationally diverse leader with 30+ years of experience driving customer success, revenue, and growth in financial services, consumer, retail, and industrial sectors. Greg excels in driving strategic imperatives and operations and is currently working closely with the Axiom leadership team to grow and support the practice. After almost 20 years as a comprehensive Northwestern Mutual client, he loves now sharing the value and benefits of Axiom Wealth Management Group & Northwestern Mutual to new families and businesses.
After growing up in East Tennessee, Greg graduated with high honors in Marketing from The University of Tennessee and later gained an MBA from The University of Phoenix. He has trained at the Center of Creative Leadership, IMD, Thunderbird, as well as other top programs. He is a life-long learner and now has life/health, long-term care, and insurance licenses in several states and holds Series SIE, 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations.
Greg is very involved in the community serving on Boards of the United Way and the Private Directors’ Association. He is involved deeply with his church and faith and loves supporting his wife of 31 years and 2 adult daughters. Greg is also active with Big Brothers & Big Sister, TN Achieves, The Legacy Center, and the Entrepreneur & Innovation Center in Nashville.
He loves being active, playing golf, fishing, and hiking. He has traveled to all 50 states and visited 35 countries. All of this gives great perspective and excitement for the future ahead!
Daniel P. Ramsey CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Daniel is a Blount County native and a graduate of Maryville College with a B.A. in Economics and Business Management and Organizational Behavior. He has over 10 years of financial services experience with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. Daniel’s continued education strengthens his ability to deliver trusted, client-focused service in line with industry best practices. Daniel is a Board Member for local Charities Harbour’s Gate and Yoke Youth Ministries. When he’s not at the office, you can find Daniel coaching youth sports with his wife Patty, spending time with his children, Hayden, Katelyn, and Ethan and if time allows, playing a little golf. You may contact Daniel by phone: 865.251.5121 or email: [email protected]
Financial Representatives
Kimberly K Henry CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®
Associate Private Wealth Advisor
Kimberly began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a Knoxville Financial Representative in 2012. Kim later joined Jim LaPinska’s team as Director of Operations. With Axiom Wealth Management, her responsibilities include working with existing clients to help them achieve their financial goals, developing relationships with new clients, and working with businesses to establish group retirement plans.
Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Statistics) from the University of Tennessee then completed a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from UT. She had an 18+ year career in Urban Planning and Property Development before joining Northwestern Mutual. She is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor and has completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, ChFC®, CLU®, and RICP® designations. She holds the Series 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations, as well as Tennessee and other states’ life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses.
Kimberly is a member of the 2021 Leadership Knoxville class and the 2022 UT Chancellor’s Associates class. Kim is involved with various civic organizations including the Marble City Opera Board (Chair), Every Woman Vote (Board), and formerly volunteering for and serving on the Boards of Knox Heritage, Knoxville Opera, Friends of Literacy, and Dogwood Arts. Kim was appointed by the Mayor of Knoxville to the Metropolitan Planning Commission (2005-2008), the Downtown Design Review Board (2005–2011, Chair for 5 years), the Wrecker Commission (2013-2017, Chair), and Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (2017- current, Vice-Chair).
Kimberly lives in Downtown Knoxville and enjoys Foodie events, SCUBA diving, and traveling to interesting worldwide destinations.
Kerma Thomas Headrick CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®
Private Wealth Service Advisor
Kerma is a Blount County native who graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Business and a MS in Communications. She is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor and has completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, ChFC®, and RICP® designations. She holds the Series 7, 6, 65, and 63 securities registrations, as well as the life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses in Tennessee.
Kerma began working at Northwestern Mutual with Daniel Ramsey’s team as an Associate Financial Advisor in 2016. She brings over 11 years of experience working with clients in retirement planning by providing education and guidance to clients about Medicare, Social Security, and financial planning. She joined Axiom Wealth Management in 2021 as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor. Kerma enjoys getting to know our clients by helping them with their planning needs. Each client has a unique story and Kerma likes helping to create comprehensive financial plans that will serve each client to retirement and through retirement.
Kerma is married to Michael, and they have 2 adult children, Thomas, and Sarah. Kerma’s favorite pastime is judging gymnastics. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. You may contact Kerma by phone: 865.251.5119 or email: [email protected]
Nathan T. Myers is a Tennessee native and graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2008. He and his wife live in the Uptown North area of Knoxville and have three sons.
Directors
Chris Cates CFA®
Partner and Director of Wealth Management Services
Chris has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2012. He holds the Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, as well as the Tennessee life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses. In 2018, Chris became a CFA® Charterholder. He is instrumental in the design of client portfolios and investment research. Chris brings to Axiom broad professional experience and extensive knowledge of all aspects of investment business processing. Chris graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and was a member of the UT football team. He is married to Kate, and they have a son, Tyler.
Holly joined Axiom Wealth Management in 2022 as our Chief of Staff. She has worked as the Director of Operations and Development for Northwestern Mutual-Knoxville since March of 2020. Holly works closely with Managing Partners, Jim LaPinska and Mark Pancratz.
Holly’s time with our Northwestern Mutual family has helped her develop relationships within our Axiom Wealth Management team. She is a vital part in our culture to help our team work together to ensure our clients’ needs are met.
Holly lives in Knoxville and has three daughters, and two grandchildren. Spending time with them is her greatest joy in life.
Chad W. Lahnum CIMA®, RICP®
Director of Planning and Estate Strategies
Staff
Manuel Joined the Axiom team in the summer of 2022, making him the newest addition to our investment team. He learned the industry as a trader and self-directed market analyst, leading him to make a career change from Music Teacher to Investment Assistant. Manuel has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and has FINRA’s SIE.
Born and raised in Boston, MA, Manuel and his wife Debora moved to Knoxville in the spring of 2022. Aside from following markets, he loves barbecue, hot peppers, music, and coffee.
Denise joined Axiom Wealth Management in May of 2022, after having worked in property and casualty insurance for over 20 years. Denise’s responsibilities include assisting clients through the application and underwriting process as well as administrative duties. She is an Associate Financial Representative and holds her Tennessee Life/Health Insurance licenses.
Denise lives in Knoxville and is married to Greg, and they have two adult daughters Annie and Ellie. Denise is very active in her church and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Lena joined Axiom Wealth Management in 2021 after having worked as a paralegal. Lena’s responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day relations with Axiom Wealth Management's clients. She is responsible for collecting information on how to best serve our clients. She reports directly to senior management and works closely with different role players, e.g., teams within the organization, vendors, and customers. Lena also handles the marketing for Axiom Wealth Management. She coordinates all the marketing activities and initiatives and creates the social media campaigns for Axiom.
Lena is originally from Mississippi and lives in Knoxville. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys listening to live music, outside activities and traveling.