When Moneta Group Chairman of the Board and Principal Don Kukla works with his clients, he is concerned about details. But he also tries to focus on the big picture. "As a Family CFO, I look at the whole client," he says. "Despite the media's emphasis on investment performance, it's just one small aspect of a family's financial picture. I guide clients through the maze of many current financial issues they face, as well as those they will face throughout their lifetimes."
Don also finds it important to be an advocate for his clients, always working in their best interests. "Working through problems by discussing the alternatives and pros and cons of each allows us to work together as a team to realize financial security for the client," he says.
Don joined Moneta Group as a principal in 1988 and provides comprehensive financial advisory services to corporate executives, physician groups, business owners and affluent individuals in the areas of financial and retirement planning, investments and tax and estate planning. He also oversees retirement plan design and investment management.
Prior to joining Moneta Group, Don was a tax manager in the St. Louis office of Price Waterhouse and a founding member of the Executive Financial Services group, which provided financial planning to corporate executives. He earned his BSBA in accounting from Valparaiso University in 1983 and is a Certified Public Accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Personal Financial Specialist. An expert in his field, Don has been a speaker on various investment, retirement planning and estate planning topics. He has also been quoted in publications such as Money, Business Week and Barron's and has interest in the psychology of investing and money.
In addition to serving clients as a Family CFO, Don is Chairman of the Moneta Group Board of Directors and is a Trustee of the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Planning Association.
An active member of his St. Louis community, Don has been involved with the Ronald McDonald House and K-Life St. Louis. He also served the community as an Alderman and Pension Board member for the City of Glendale, Missouri. Don enjoys triathlons, golfing, skiing, traveling, digital photography and DVD production.
Don, his wife, Maria, and one of their three children reside in a renovated, turn of the century train depot in Kirkwood.