Meet our team

Keith Gredys co-founded Kidder Advisers in 1996 and has more than 35 years of investment, trust and pension administration experience. He is a seasoned professional in investment management, investment fiduciary issues and qualified plan administration and has served a wide range of clients and sponsors — from sophisticated small plans to complicated large plans with participants and individual accounts exceeding $100 million.

Keith possesses a law degree (J.D.) and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has obtained the professional designation of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), which covers investment fiduciary standards of care and investment due diligence. He conducts numerous seminars and continuing education programs on qualified retirement plans and fiduciary topics for individuals and professional groups across the United States. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Association. Keith holds the Series 7 and 24 registrations with IFP Securities, LLC and holds the Series 66 registration with both IFP Securities, LLC and Kidder Advisers.

Ray Hansen joined Kidder in 2011 and was appointed President in 2018. He is responsible for day-to-day investment and administrative activities. He has more than 17 years of experience in serving the qualified plan, investment and financial needs of business clients and individuals. Ray is jointly responsible for client servicing, investment fiduciary guidance for plan sponsors, retirement readiness of plan participants, and business development.

Prior to joining Kidder, Ray was President at Benefit Source Financial where he led the Qualified Plan market segment and Business Consulting team. He has a Bachelor of Science from Drake University and is active in local charity and community organizations. Ray serves as Vice Chair of The Blank Park Zoo Board of Directors as well as the Blank Park Zoo Endowment Corporation. He also sits on the Des Moines Community Foundation’s Investment Committee and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and through his church. Ray has received the professional designation of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) sponsored through the Center for Fiduciary Studies, which covers fiduciary standards of care and investment best practices related to qualified plans. He holds the Series 6 registration with IFP Securities, LLC and the Series 66 registration with both IFP Securities LLC and Kidder Advisers.

Stacy Van Blair joined Kidder Advisers in 2001 and is responsible for compliance of all investment and administrative activities of Kidder Advisers. Stacy has more than 30 years of experience in the pension and investment industry working with qualified plans ranging from small to very large and complex accounts with over 7,000 employees. He was previously Vice President/Senior Trust Officer and manager of Retirement Plans Services for First National Bank of Omaha, where he was responsible for over 400 accounts and assets of $1.2 billion.

Stacy has a bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University. He has earned the Certified Retirement Services Professional (CRSP) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, as well as the Qualified 401(k) Administrator designation (QKA). He is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. Stacy holds the Series 7 and 24 registrations with IFP Securities, LLC and holds the Series 66 registration with both IFP Securities, LLC and Kidder Advisers.

Elio joined Kidder Advisers in 2015 and is responsible for client servicing, investment fiduciary guidance for plan sponsors, retirement readiness of plan participants, and business development in the Southeastern United States. He has a significant background in agricultural education and economics, and he has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation through the Center for Fiduciary Studies. Elio received his BS in Agricultural Education from Penn State. He received his MS in Agricultural Education and Food & Resource Economics as well as his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. He has eight years of financial and investment industry experience. Elio is also active in the community through his service with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the First Baptist Church of Alachua, the Latin American Discipleship Outreach Mission Board and the Gainesville Ducks Unlimited Chapter. Prior to joining Kidder, Elio was a financial advisor with Covenant Wealth Management. He holds the Series 6 and 7 registrations with IFP Securities, LLC and holds the Series 66 registration with both IFP Securities, LLC and Kidder Advisers.

Janis joined the Kidder team in 2001 and is responsible for communicating with and serving our clients and financial professionals on investment issues, such as investment selection, usage, and investment policies. She assists in determining the appropriate investment vendor relationships for prospective clients. She also conducts participant enrollment and education meetings for clients throughout the Midwest to optimize retirement readiness. Janis has more than 25 years of qualified plan administration, trust, investment and banking services experience. She previously was with Principal Financial Group, where she administered large multi-million dollar plans. Janis holds the Series 7 registration with IFP Securities, LLC and the Series 66 registration with both IFP Securities, LLC and Kidder Advisers.

Matt joined Kidder in 2013 being responsible for supporting all Regional Pension Consultants and Financial Professionals in reviewing, analyzing and consulting on investment platforms and plan designs. Subsequent to obtaining his licensing, Matt services and continues to expand his client relationships while continuing to provide guidance and support on investment platforms, fee benchmarking and plan design. Matt is a distinguished military veteran who served as a US Army Military Police Sergeant for over six years with tours in Korea and Iraq. He attended Iowa State University and also is a graduate of the Universal Technical Institute. He holds a Series 6 registration with IFP Securities, LLC and holds a Series 63 and 65 registration with both IFP Advisors, LLC and Kidder Advisers, Inc.

Since joining Kidder in 2018, TJ has been responsible for supporting all Regional Pension Consultants and Financial Professionals in reviewing and generating pricing proposals and consulting on investment platform options and plan design. On obtaining his licensing, TJ also services and continues to expand his client relationships. TJ graduated from East Carolina University with a double major in Business Management and Business Marketing. He holds a Series 6 registration with IFP Securities, LLC and holds a Series 63 and 65 registration with both IFP Advisors, LLC and Kidder Advisers, Inc.

Jamie originally joined Kidder in 2006, obtained additional sales skill sets in the agricultural sector for a few years and rejoined Kidder again in 2017. Jamie is responsible for all Office Management, Human Resources and Technology applications for Kidder. Jamie obtained her Marketing degree from University of Northern Iowa.

Kristin joined Kidder in 2012 and is responsible for coordinating and executing all branding, marketing, website and social media presence for the Kidder group of companies.  This includes being the liaison between external firms when any marketing efforts are outsourced.  Kristin has a background in retail management, sales and wardrobe styling and is very active in the community promoting local Des Moines businesses and Kidder through her experience in event planning. Kristin attended the University of Nebraska and has an Associate’s Degree in Fashion from Des Moines Area Community College.