Cambridge recognizes independent financial professionals – Denny Gustin-Piazza, Jimmy Williams, and Shane Westhoelter – as the 2020 Spirit of Cambridge Award honorees. Each year Cambridge honors three financial professionals for reflecting shared core values in the service they provide to their clients. Cambridge home office associates vote to select three award recipients from a pool of outstanding financial professionals who have been affiliated with Cambridge for at least 10 years. As part of the recognition for their contribution to culture, values and service, Cambridge makes a donation on their behalf to a charity of their choice.

“Among my favorite awards, the Spirit of Cambridge award is an excellent way to honor quality financial professionals who are dedicated to serving their clients. We are honored to recognize Denny, Jimmy, and Shane for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others while staying true to Cambridge’s core values of integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness,” said President and CEO, Amy Webber. “On behalf of all of us at Cambridge, I would like to congratulate and thank our honorees. We are truly fortunate to have them as part of our Cambridge family.”

Denny Gustin-Piazza is the founder and principal of Wealth Planners, LLC. Denny joined Cambridge in 2010 and has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is a certified financial planner™ professional, Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), and Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC). She is also an active member of the Financial Planning Association. Denny earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. She has selected the Tree House Humane Society, an animal shelter located in Chicago, to receive the donation.

Jimmy Williams is the president and founder of Compass Capital Management. Jimmy joined Cambridge in 2010 and has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a certified financial planner™ professional, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and is a member of the Financial Professionals Association, the Financial Services Institute, and various community organizations. Jimmy earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma – Tulsa. He has selected the Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma to receive the donation.

Shane Westhoelter is the president and CEO of Gateway Financial Advisors, Inc. Shane joined Cambridge in 2009 and has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU^®), Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), and Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP) designations. Additionally, he is a member of the Financial Services Institute, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and supports numerous community organizations. Shane has selected the ALS Association New Mexico Chapter as the non-profit organization to receive the donation.

About The Spirit of Cambridge Award

The Spirit of Cambridge Award is given annually to independent financial professionals who are dedicated to serving their clients while reflecting Cambridge’s core values of integrity, commitment, flexibility, and kindness. Each year, Cambridge home office associates select three award recipients from a pool of outstanding financial professionals who have been affiliated with Cambridge for at least 10 years. The awards are presented during Ignite, Cambridge’s annual national conference, along with a donation by Cambridge to a qualified charity of each recipient’s choice to further honor their spirit and dedication to their clients, Cambridge and the industry.

The Spirit of Cambridge awards began in 2012 to recognize quality financial professionals reflecting the Cambridge spirit, and thousands of dollars has been donated in their honor to charities across the country. Given their dedication to their clients, Cambridge, and the financial services industry, this is a well-deserved award for each honoree. Spirit of Cambridge honorees to date include:

2020 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Denny Gustin-Piazza, Jimmy Williams, and Shane Westhoelter

2019 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Parker Consaul, Steve James, and Wanda Delgado

2018 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Kay Knuth, Michael Curtis, and Monte Ferguson

2017 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: David Wheat, Ed Kohlhepp, Jr., and Jim Regitz

2016 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Ed Kohlhepp, Sr., Ray Castaldi, and Scott Marshall

2015 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Cheryl Patterson, Mark Mitchell, and Steve Przewlocki

2014 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: John Rathbun, Karl Elsass, and Tom Bode

2013 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Bryan Kelly, Gerry Steffes, and Tim Shmidl

2012 Spirit of Cambridge honorees: Gary Wargo, Lisa Heath, and Robert Pugliese

Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of Cambridge Investment Group, Inc.