Staff Members

Jim Holm

Mr. Holm has been an employee of WELS since 1996. He served as a WELS Christian giving counselor from 1996 – 2000, as WELS Investment Funds president from 2000 – 2008, and as WELS Foundation executive director from 2008 – present. Prior to joining WELS Mr. Holm was a financial advisor with American Express Financial Services. He is a graduate from the College of Financial Planning and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant.

Contact Mr. Holm at 414-256-3206 with questions regarding WELS Foundation administration, policies and budgets, and how WELS Foundation can serve WELS members and ministries.

Richard Wichinski

Mr. Wichinski began as Trust Manager and Vice President of the WELS Foundation, Inc. in 2003. Prior to joining WELS, Mr. Wichinski concluded a 25-year career with the American Red Cross serving in management, development, and accountant positions in local chapters, regional blood centers, and national offices from Puerto Rico to California. Mr. Wichinski has a BBA in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and an MBA in non-profit management begun at University of Wisconsin – Madison and concluded at the University if St. Thomas, St Paul, MN.

Contact Mr. Wichinski at 414-256-3251 with questions regarding charitable remainder trusts, donor advised funds, and gifts of real estate, life insurance, and tangible personal property.

Judy Ceman

Mrs. Ceman has been an employee of the WELS since 1991. Prior to joining the WELS Mrs. Ceman was an office manager for a plastic molding manufacturer. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a B.S. in Sociology.

Contact Mrs. Ceman at 414-256-3257 with questions regarding charitable gift annuities, gifts of securities, and estate settlements.

Todd Poppe

Mr. Poppe has been an employee of WELS since 2004. He serves as the WELS chief financial officer and treasurer. Formerly Mr. Poppe was the vice president, finance at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He received his B.B.A in accounting in 1983 from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mr. Poppe is a certified public accountant.

Contact Mr. Poppe at 414-256-3212 with questions regarding WELS Financial Services, including risk management, accounting, and budgeting.

Jeff Grant

Mr. Grant has been an employee of WELS since 2003. He received his Masters degree, M.S. – Taxation, UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1987 and his Bachelor’s degree, B.B.A. – Accounting, UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1985. Former roles served have included public accounting, financial services and industry, for example, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wells Fargo, Gehl Company, and Morris Material Handling.  Mr. Grant is a certified public accountant.

Contact Mr. Grant at 414-256-6499 with questions regarding gift processing and administration, compliance and regulatory matters, accounting, tax, legal and financial statements.

Monica Peavy

Mrs. Peavy has been an employee of WELS since 2007, serving as the WELS Investment Funds Product Coordinator and WELS Foundation Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining WELS, she was with LifeTime Credit Union for 23 years as Financial Services Officer, Manager of Member Deposit Services and Member Service Supervisor. Formerly, Mrs. Peavy held positions at First Savings – Milwaukee as a Customer Service Representative, Teller Trainer and New Accounts Supervisor.

Laurie Faragher

Mrs. Faragher has been an employee of WELS since July 2008. Prior to working at WELS, she had worked in financial positions for Washington Mutual and MGIC as a Financial Analyst and an Account Reconciliation analyst. Mrs. Faragher received a bachelor’s Degree, B.B.A. – Accounting, Lakeland College in 2003.