Founded with you in focus.
We founded ID Wealth to give our clients a better value for their time and investment. Whether seeking a comprehensive financial plan, a customized investment portfolio, or insurance strategies to mitigate risk, each is crafted by dedicated practitioners to better address our clients’ unique goals. We are independent in our approach, and have a broad marketplace of financial tools at our disposal. Our team’s varied financial backgrounds span from private firms to Fortune 500 corporations, from banks to insurers, and from analysts to regional management. Whether your needs are more in the camp of keep it simple, or you require utmost sophistication, our depth of knowledge, experience and character allows us to keep you in focus.
Danny R. Holladay, CFP® MBA
Partner | Director of Investments
I started my career more than 20 years ago and have held varied roles from support to management, and spanning from small business to Fortune 500 corporations. I found that whether I was working on thousands of dollars or billions I had similar takeaways in that I enjoyed being challenged, and I enjoyed working with people faced with complex decisions. Eventually, I chose to break away from the corporate structure and co-found ID Wealth, which has been my most fulfilling career choice for meeting these desires. I love working with our ID Wealth VIPs and the unique challenges each brings to me.
I enjoy most anything outdoors and travelling with my family. When I’m not creating new projects for myself around the home, you can find me hiking, biking, camping, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, taking in some live music, or cheering for my beloved Georgia Bulldogs!
Ian D. Ahrendsen
Partner | Director of Insurance
As a third-generation insurance professional, I’ve built my career on a simple conviction: high-net-worth families deserve more than off-the-shelf solutions. At ID Wealth, I specialize in designing sophisticated life, disability, and long-term care strategies that protect what my clients have spent a lifetime building — their families, businesses, and generational legacies.
My work centers on one of the most overlooked risks in wealth planning: the financial devastation that estate taxes, premature death, or loss of income can inflict on an otherwise sound financial plan. I partner with clients to architect strategies that aren’t just comprehensive — they’re built to hold up when it matters most.
I’m deeply invested in ID Wealth’s growth and reputation, and committed to continuous learning and sharing that knowledge with clients and colleagues alike.
Outside the office, I’m a Colorado native who rarely sits still — chasing my twins to their activities, playing squash, or taking my restored 1984 CJ-7 somewhere it probably shouldn’t go. Travel is a constant, especially when I can bring my kids along for the adventure.
Cheryl Garrand, CLTC®
Vice President of Operations
I began my career in financial services in 2011 and have built a strong, well rounded foundation across investment operations, insurance, client service, and operational leadership. My experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of how to streamline processes, support high performing teams, and enhance the overall client experience within a growing organization.
With degrees in Accounting (Savannah Technical College) and Business Management (Colorado State University Global), I bring a balance of financial discipline, strategic thinking, and hands on operational expertise. I’m passionate about building efficient systems, supporting people in their roles, and helping organizations scale sustainably.
Originally from Oklahoma, I’m all about living an active, balanced, and family centered life. I love spending time with my family, staying connected in our church community, getting in a good workout, and getting lost in a great book.
Jacob Chiesa
Junior Investment Associate
Originally from Phoenix, I attended Arizona State University where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Law. I began my career in financial services after leaving Denver Law School to pursue a path that better aligned with my passion for wealth management and helping clients navigate important financial decisions.
Prior to joining ID Wealth, I worked in both the corporate banking world and the independent RIA space, giving me experience from two very different sides of the financial industry. Those experiences helped me build a strong foundation in client relationships, financial planning, and investment operations while reinforcing how much I enjoy the relationship-driven nature of wealth management.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me hiking with my beloved dog, Iggy, getting outside for a round of golf, fly fishing, traveling, or cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fall.
Sabrina Ball
Office Assistant
My introduction to financial services began in 2022. Through experience I have developed a skillset for attention to detail, and an ability to support complex back-office operations while contributing to efficient, well-structured processes. I have a strong foundation in customer service and take pride in supporting both clients and team members to ensure smooth, effective outcomes.
I bring a unique analytical perspective shaped by my degree in mechanical engineering. Providing a logical, solutions-oriented mindset. Turning complex problems into clear, actionable outcomes. As a Colorado native, much of my free time is spent outdoors exploring and appreciating the state’s natural beauty.
Whether it’s riding ATVs through the trails, paddle boarding across the lakes, or in a hammock in the trees with a good book. You will find me in nature surrounded by family and friends.
Your Back Office Team
Chris Bottaro, MBA
Chris Bottaro is the Senior Vice President of Insurance for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. He is responsible for the vision, strategy and execution of life insurance marketing, underwriting, new business, and inforce insurance solutions. In this role, he prides himself in partnering with advisors and insurance carriers to help make the life insurance process simpler and more efficient. He has a technical risk assessment background and spent the first 12 years of his career in various underwriting production and leadership positions at Lincoln Financial Group in Hartford before relocating to the Twin Cities to join Valmark in February of 2015.
Chris Finefrock, CFP® MBA
Chris Finefrock is the Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Investments for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. In his role, he oversees and is a resource for the team responsible for all aspects of design and implementation of various brokerage, insurance and advisory solutions intended to assist investors with risk management and reaching their accumulation and/or distribution goals. He also oversees the FinTech area and investment operations division including data processing, books and records retention, principal review and custodial platform relationships. Mr. Finefrock holds Series 7, 24 and 66 registrations and has Ohio Life, Health and Variable licenses.
Michael McClary, MBA
Michael McClary is the Chief Investment Officer of both Valmark Advisers, Inc. and Valmark Financial Group. His primary responsibility is coordinating all investment management solutions for Valmark Advisers, Valmark Wealth Solutions and Valmark Institutional, including TOPS®, TOPS® Strategic Allocation Portfolios, TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios, Valmark ACCESS™ and ACCESS™ Plus solutions. He is a nationally recognized expert in institutional portfolio management and RIA companies and has more than 14 years of senior-level experience in financial management. In addition, he has collaborated with the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s, Financial Advisor and Research Magazine on ETF-related topics and has been a featured speaker for organizations such as the S&P and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Mr. McClary holds Series 7, 24 and 66 registrations, is a member of the Cleveland Society of Chartered Financial Analysts and is a Registered Investment Advisor.
Michael Michlitsch, MBA, CRPC®
As Vice President of In Force Insurance Solutions for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, Michael leads the Valmark Policy Management Company (PMC) and Life Settlement teams. Michael is responsible for integrating strategies and solutions to maximize in force insurance business to best serve our clients. Previously, he was Manager of Practice Management at Securian Financial Services, Inc., a Senior Training Manager for Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®) and carries the following Financial Services Designations: CFS, CIS, CFF, CES, CAS and CTS. In addition, he holds Series 7, 24 and 66 registrations as well as Life, Health, and Variable Life and Annuity licenses.
Nicole Rigsby-Cheek, QKA, CPFA, CHSA
Nicole Rigsby-Cheek is the Director of Retirement Services for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. In her role, she is responsible for the management and support of Valmark’s qualified plan business and Valmark’s Retirement Turnkey™ program. She has over 17 years of experience working with qualified plans. In her previous roles, she managed 70 retirement plan accounts with $400M in assets under management, assisting with record keeper and TPA selection, plan design strategies, selection and monitoring of pan investment options and participant education/ communication strategies. She is a qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and a Certified Health Savings Advisor (CHSA). She also holds a Series 7 registration and Ohio Life and Health licenses.
Sam Galloway
In his role as the Director of Vendor Relations for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, Sam is committed to helping build a world class vendor services team and is primarily responsible for managing major custodial platforms and marketing Retirement Turnkey, Valmark’s comprehensive process for developing and managing qualified plans. He spends most of his time identifying gaps and inefficiencies in technology, developing Valmark’s team with the knowledge needed to be successful, and providing additional structure within the operations group. Mr. Galloway earned his BSBA from Chaminade University. He holds 7, 24 and 66 registrations as well as Ohio Life, Health and Variable licenses.