Executive of the Week – March 9, 2010

Timothy McIlwain

Lincoln Financial Advisors

Hi, Tim. How long have you been with your current firm?
I have been with Lincoln Financial Advisors since April 2001.

What is your role as a partner and financial planner? This is one of those opportunities to practice your "elevator speech!"
I put in place for our clients a flexible financial plan that makes the most of their resources, is adaptable to changing market conditions, and over time produces the financial security to live the life they want to live.

Who likely most influenced you to get into this business, and how?
My father Joe McIlwain and mother Kim McIlwain and current partner Michael Stickney. My father taught me the values of hard work, dedication, and loyalty. I inherited my mother's personality and adventurous spirit, and my current partner has taught me how to integrate people's feeling and lifetime dreams into their financial plan.

It sounds like financial planning is in your blood. Have you always known you'd be a financial planner?
In my 8th grade math class, we had a contest to see who could pick the stock that performed the best for the semester. I picked the winning stock and have been hooked ever since.

Was your first job related to finance?
Paper route. But I also bought baseball cards, and traded and sold them for profit.

You mentioned your parents were a great influence ...
I consider my childhood to be the happiest time of my life and had loving and supportive childhood to grow up in.

You said your parents influenced your career, too. Is there anyone that you would like to mentor or influence?
College students aspiring to choose an investment career. I would love to be a resource on campus providing information to help students navigate their way through a myriad of investment questions.

As you reflect on your own career, do you have a highpoint you'd like to share?
Partnering with my colleague Michael Stickney and putting together a professional staff [now serving] 1,800 clients with AUM of $150 million.

How do you stay current on the changing climate and issues relevant to your industry?
To keep up to date in current events, I read the Wall Street Journal. To further my education, I am enrolled with the College of Financial Planning for my Master's Degree.

Was it your career that brought you to Madison?
Yes. I'm originally from Beloit, Wisconsin and have always had fond memories of traveling here with my friends and family. When Lincoln offered me a position it seemed like a natural fit for my personality.

What do you enjoy doing for fun outside the office?
Anything athletic I enjoy immensely. During winter months I play basketball and train at the gym. During the summer months I'm an avid golfer who seeks to improve my handicap with a smile.

Speaking of sports, is there a sports personality or fictional character with whom you can relate?
Roy Hobs — The Natural — my favorite movie.

Where do you travel when you have a chance to get away?
Minocqua. My family has a couple of cabins in the area and we enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods and nature.

And, the famous final question, Tim: what three words would you use to describe yourself?
Dedicated, honest, loyal.

Thank you for letting us get to know you better, Tim!

compiled by Amy Olson

Learn more about Timothy McIlwain in our online Executive Directory here! If you'd like to nominate someone for Executive of the Week, make sure he or she fills out a request to be added to the Executive Directory and e-mail jodyp@magnapubs.com.