Who We Are

Lafe Wheeler, CPA

President & Founder | Senior Wealth Advisor

Pete started the firm in 2006 after a 16-year career at Ashland, Inc., where he led the Fortune 500 Company in the areas of planning and analysis, cost and retail accounting, auditing, and information technology. His entrepreneurial drive, along with the valuable experience he gained in corporate accounting, led him to start Wheeler Financial Solutions.

Pete received a bachelor’s of science from the University of Kentucky in accounting and finance. In addition, he has a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in finance and has been a certified public accountant for over 20 years.

Being a CPA and licensed financial advisor, Pete is uniquely qualified to utilize his investment and tax planning knowledge to provide a complete financial perspective for both individuals and businesses. Pete believes that a strong relationship built on trust is essential when working with individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals.

In his free time, Pete enjoys relaxing with family and friends. Time away from the office is usually spent playing golf and traveling.

Shannon Wheeler

Director of Client and Staff Relations

Shannon began working for Wheeler Financial in 2007. Before joining the Wheeler team, she worked in patient relations for Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington. During her 17 years with Saint Joseph, her goal was always to provide the highest level of service to the patients and their families.

Shannon is instrumental in the operations of the firm. Understanding and caring for the needs of each client is where you’ll see Shannon at her best, as well as being attentive to the Wheeler Financial Team.

When she’s out of the office, Shannon loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and she has a passion for design. She completed the build-out of the Wheeler Financial office suite, and she has an ongoing presence in the design world in her spare time. Shannon is a Lexington native, resides with her husband, Lafe, of 21 years, and is the proud mother to her son, Zach, and daughter, Bailey.

Kelly Reese, EA

Accounting Manager

Kelly joined the Wheeler Financial team in 2009 and currently serves as the accounting manager. Kelly brings to the firm over 28 years of accounting experience, with her knowledge in monthly accounting, bank reconciliations, financial statements, payroll, accounts receivable and payable, client sales tax, and tax season preparations.* Her true passion is accounting, always searching for a new challenge. Kelly even completed her accounting degree while with Wheeler Financial Solutions and is well on her way to achieving her set goal of becoming a CPA.

During her time with Wheeler Financial, she has had a hand in almost every aspect of the organization. Kelly is a major asset to the firm, adding her detailed experience. But where you will see her shine is how she constantly puts both the client’s and the company’s needs first, making our team approach superior with client support.

Kelly and her husband, Jeff, are Texas natives but have called Lexington home for the past nine years with their three children. She is an avid reader, finishing at least three books a week. Kelly also enjoys watching sports and cooking, particularly Mexican cuisine.

 

Alison Clarke

Office Manager

Alison is currently the office manager for Wheeler Financial Solutions and joined our team in 2015. Her primary responsibility is the overall operations and support of the organization and its management team. Alison is a “stickler” for detail and adhering to policies and procedures in order to ensure the security and well-being of the firm and its clients. She is also known for asking questions to identify needs and expectations in a desire to achieve thorough and accurate results.

A native of Mississippi, Alison earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. She worked at Mississippi Children’s Rehabilitation Center and Cardinal Hill Hospital prior to deciding to focus on rearing her own children.

Giving back to the community is of the utmost importance to Alison. She is an active member of her church and volunteers with numerous roles in civic organizations. Outside of the office, you will find Alison spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and being devoted to her role teaching small children at Bible Study Fellowship.

Kerri Jenkins

Client Planning Coordinator

Kerri is a native Lexingtonian and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Lindsey Wilson College. She attended Lindsey Wilson on an athletic scholarship for soccer, and she received Academic All-American honors. Since graduating, Kerri has maintained her passion for sports by giving back to the community as an instructor by teaching children the value of determination, drive, and completing goals as an individual and team. When not working, she enjoys Mexican cuisine, working out, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Sam.

Kerri joined the Wheeler Financial Solutions team in January 2020. Kerri brings 21 years of experience as a chief instructor and program director for multiple public and private companies. Her primary responsibilities are to ensure that the firm’s processes are efficient so that the client receives the highest level of service possible.