Business Visit: Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Russ Kreuter (2/19/26)

We had the pleasure of visiting with board member and program investor Russ Kreuter at his Edward Jones office in Vienna. Russ shared the rich history of the company, which was founded in 1922 in St. Louis with a mission to serve rural communities—a focus that still defines the organization today. That commitment is evident in the strong presence of Edward Jones offices in smaller communities across the country.

Russ also shared the personal story behind the Vienna office. In 1999, his father, John Kreuter, opened the local Edward Jones branch. In 2014, John experienced a life-changing accident that left him a quadriplegic. During his recovery and return to work, Edward Jones provided tremendous support to John and their family through the transition. At the time, Russ was serving as a preacher at a local church, but witnessing how the company cared for his father during such a difficult season inspired him to make a career change. Russ joined Edward Jones, worked alongside his father, and ultimately took over the business in 2015.

Students had the opportunity to review the profile of a mock client to better understand what comprehensive financial planning can look like in practice. Russ provided valuable insight into the importance of intentional planning, disciplined investing, and long-term strategy, explaining that many of his clients are able to retire comfortably as a result. He also emphasized that thoughtful financial decisions today can create lasting impact, with some clients even positioned to leave a meaningful inheritance for their families.

We are grateful for Russ’s continued investment in our program and for sharing both professional insight and a powerful story of resilience, family, and leadership with our students.

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