You’re fed up with being afraid of the unknown. You want your future to feel secure—don’t we all? And for that to happen, you need to take control of your finances. Now.
Thornwood Financial doesn’t think anxiety has any place in financial planning. When it comes to your well-being, you should feel empowered to take the wheel.
That’s why our team builds personalized plans for each individual client. Every financial strategy is tailored to your unique goals, stage of life, and risk tolerance.
Experience the freedom and confidence that comes with understanding your financial landscape.
OUR STORY
Thornwood Financial is a boutique independent firm led by Mark Huber and Laura Jocius.
Our advisors and support personnel have decades of experience guiding clients on their financial journey, and we are personally dedicated to your success. Considering it a privilege and great responsibility to play a role in guarding your future, we are committed to giving you the best advice, every time, even if it’s not the advice you want to hear.
We want to drive you toward where you want to go, financially. Period. Paint us a picture of what your ideal future looks like, and we’ll try to get you there.
MARK HUBER, PRESIDENT
With offices in Wisconsin, Florida, and Illinois, we serve clients throughout the United States, unfettered by a physical location. We like to think of ourselves as the ideal size: Large enough to meet all your financial needs while remaining small enough to provide the hands-on attention your strategy deserves.
MEET THE TEAM
MARK HUBER
PRESIDENT
Mark has been an entrepreneurial force in the financial industry since 2011, when he co-founded Illinois-based RXR Capital. In 2017, he launched 1031 DST Advisor, followed by the acquisition of TADA Wealth Advisors in 2019—expanding his vision into a full-service financial firm now operating under Thornwood Financial.
With a deep commitment to transparency and education, Mark helps clients build and understand personalized investment and wealth preservation strategies. He believes strongly in empowering clients with knowledge about the investment strategies they use, prioritizing accountability every step of the way. His core philosophy? “I manage your risk, not your money.”
A strategic thinker and master communicator, Mark holds a degree in Interdepartmental Communications from Elmhurst College (IL). He is also licensed with Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law), and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Advisor Law) certifications.
Mark lives in St. Charles, IL, with his wife Kathleen, two teenage stepdaughters, and their two beloved beagles. A passionate baseball fan and cigar aficionado, he also has a love for classic cars and unwinds with spy novels when he’s not analyzing the stock market.
LAURA JOCIUS
VICE PRESIDENT/ADVISOR
Laura has been in the financial services industry since 2007. Since joining the firm, she has risen through the ranks—from administrative support to office manager to client services director—ultimately becoming a fully licensed advisor. She now holds both a Series 7 (General Securities Representative) and Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam) license.
Known for her genuine care and client-first approach, Laura treats every client like she would like to be treated. In her role as VP and advisor, she oversees daily office operations, ensures client needs are met, and provides in-depth client reviews. Her dedication to clients and commitment to helping people shines through in everything she does.
Laura has been married to her husband, Chris, since 2002. Together, they have two children, Michael and Preston. She’s an avid baseball fan, loves antiquing, enjoys ice fishing, and has a deep appreciation for country music.
MATT NAVARRE
LEAD REGIONAL ADVISOR
Matt Navarre is an independent financial advisor dedicated to helping educators, professionals, and small business owners navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. With a strong foundation in financial planning, he specializes in providing clarity and strategic guidance to help clients achieve their long-term goals.
Matt began his career at TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association), where helped educators visualize their financial future and develop actionable strategies to bring those visions to life. His ability to listen attentively and ask the right questions allows him to uncover each client’s financial foundation and build a strong, tailored plan for success.
Recognizing the unique financial challenges faced by educators, corporate employees, and business owners, he transitioned to the independent advisory space in 2018.
Although he spent his childhood in Charlotte, NC, Matt’s roots in the Toledo area make him consider himself a true Toledo native. He attended Tiffin University and later Taylor University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration.
In 2023, Matt joined Thornwood Financial as the Lead Regional Advisor, spearheading the launch of the Northwestern Ohio branch.
HERB ALSTON
FINANCIAL STRATEGIST
In the world of real estate, Herb Alston is somewhat of an anomaly. His experience and passion for helping clients complete their real estate transactions are matched equally by his skills and interest in their financial planning–a powerful combination that provides clients with confidence and peace of mind. With Herb, every aspect of your financial needs is under careful and strategic oversight.
Known for his infectious enthusiasm and zest for life, Herb transforms what many investors dread–the financial planning process–into something, well, fun.
A lifelong student of finance, Herb is naturally inquisitive and deeply committed to continuous learning. He prides himself on being unlike other financial professionals—something he believes clients recognize within the first five minutes of meeting him.
Herb holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management & Human Resources from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and an MBA in Global Business from Saint Mary’s College of California, which he completed in 2018. He is licensed with a Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 22 (Direct Participation Programs Representative), and Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law).
LIZ SCHNEIDER
CLIENT SERVICES
Liz is the driving force behind client service at our firm, ensuring that every client interaction is smooth, efficient, and welcoming. With her outgoing personality and friendly approach, she puts clients at ease—whether they need assistance with administrative matters or important documents.
With a career in the financial industry spanning over two decades, Liz has been providing top-tier client support since 2003. Her extensive experience in all aspects of client service and financial office operations makes her an invaluable asset to both clients and colleagues alike.
A lifelong resident of the Racine and Kenosha area, Liz takes great pride in her community. She raised her son, Marty, and twin daughters, Natalie and Anna, in the area she calls home. A passionate baseball fan, she has even turned her love for the sport into part of her career, having worked with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2018 to 2020 and currently with the Kenosha Kingfish.
DAVE ZUPEK
FOUNDER
Dave’s passion for education and helping others has been a constant throughout his career—starting in the classroom as an economics and history teacher and later transitioning into financial education and advisory services.
For over 20 years, Dave was a well-known figure in the Racine area, hosting the call-in radio show “Protect Your Assets” and leading countless seminars to educate investors on their financial options. His ability to break down complex financial concepts into clear, actionable strategies has made a lasting impact on his clients and community.
Dave holds a Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent), and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser) license, along with insurance licenses in life, health, and long-term care. He is a 1978 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
After selling the firm to Mark Huber in 2019, Dave stepped back from day-to-day operations, but continues to work with a select group of clients and occasional consulting projects. He enjoys splitting his time between his lake home in Waupaca, WI, and his primary residence in The Villages, FL. He can often be found fly-fishing, deep-sea fishing, playing golf, or traveling.
Our Financial Philosophy
Are you saving enough? Making wise tax moves? Are you (or your advisor) investing in funds that are best for your goals?
At Thornwood Financial, we understand you’re fed up with being afraid of the unknown, and you want your future to feel secure. But for that to happen, you need to take control of your finances.
The problem is, you simply don’t know what you don’t know. Instead of finding confidence in financial planning, it has become a source of anxiety—it shouldn’t be. Our goal is for you to experience the freedom and confidence that comes with understanding your financial landscape and jumping in the driver’s seat.
When you understand the why, you can create the how.
Thornwood Financial builds personalized plans for each individual client; every financial strategy is tailored to your unique goals, stage of life, and risk tolerance. We want your financial resources to work for you, serving you and your family the best way possible.