In an industry often focused on dollars and dividends, Edward Jones advisor Matt Kenady keeps his focus on something deeper. Inspired by a creed penned by Ted Jones, the founder’s son, Matt has built his career on principles of service, honesty, and genuine care for his clients’ financial well-being.

Matt was born in rural Quincy, IL, attended grade school and high school in Mendon, IL, and graduated from Unity High. From there, he went to John Wood Community College for basic classes and then onto Western University in Macomb, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Ag Science and a Master’s in Economics.

His first job out of college was as an assistant manager at Blaine’s Farm and Fleet. After that, Matt started in the grain business. He worked in that business for 16 years in roles ranging from hedge desk, facility manager, and grain originator. The last three years were spent at Pacific Ethanol in Pekin, IL, where he purchased all the corn for the processing plant and sold the wet gluten.

Matt met his wife Debbie in Kewanee, where she is from. Debbie attended nursing school at Saint Francis College of Nursing in Peoria, IL and is employed as a nurse there. Once married, they moved to Lacon. This past August, they were married 18 years. Matt states, “Debbie is very supportive of the business and the community we live in. I feel blessed to have her by my side all these years.”    

Matt started as a client of Edwards Jones, and his advisor encouraged him to pursue a career at Edward Jones. Once hired, he passed Series 7 and 66 security exams along with the State of Illinois Insurance Exam to become a financial advisor. Recently, he passed the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification. Only about 65% of those who took this rigorous test passed it. Each year the advisors take continuing education classes to keep updated on any changes or advances in the field.

Matt decided to open a branch in Chillicothe, and that has been a good choice. He has a solid client base there. Matt does not refer to them as customers. They are his clients and friends, and he treats them that way.

He says he appreciates all his clients and does the best job for them that he possibly can. All information that his clients give him is private and is specific to each branch and not shared. Matt says, “They learn to trust me and know I have their best interest at heart. I am very proud of all of the relationships I have with my clients.” One of Matt’s favorite sayings is by Albert Einstein. “The most powerful source in the world is compound interest.”

In the office serving the clients alongside Matt is Sarah Wilkinson. Matt states, “Sarah does a great job and is my right hand. Sarah’s focus is on our clients and keeps everything running smoothly. She is such an asset, and I am so pleased to have her working with me.” Matt’s office has been in Chillicothe on Second Street for seven years now. Last year, they did a total renovation of the office that turned out beautifully. 

For fun, Matt participates in Tractor Pulls. Growing up in the country, he says he, his brother, and dad always went to the county fairs each summer to watch the pulls, and he was fascinated by them. As an adult, with a friend’s help, who was a well-known tractor puller, he and his brother built their own tractor. They have both been competing for 12 years. Later, Matt built his own 1066 International that he pulls with now. He belongs to the Illinois Farm Pullers and participates in their circuit pulls in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. During the season, on most weekends, Matt is usually somewhere competing. You get points for how you finish in each event. This year Matt ended up 2nd place in points in the 12,500 class and 1st place in the 11,500 class. It was the best finish in points since he started pulling.

Matt is very involved in community organizations. He is a member of the Chillicothe Optimist’s Club, Past President, and still a member of the Henry Rotary. He is on the Chillicothe Chamber board of directors and is a member of the Toastmasters in Peoria. 

Once you meet Matt, you can tell that he loves to help others succeed. Whatever Matt is doing, he’s passionate about it. His family, his work, his relationships, and his hobbies are his life and his loves. Success isn’t always measured by how much money you have, but by how you live your life, the people you surround yourself with, and how you treat others. Using that as a measurement, Matt is a very successful man.