Nicholas Ford

After a successful career in Information Technology at a local aerospace and defense company, I transitioned into financial planning to focus on what I found most meaningful: helping people make thoughtful decisions about their money and their future. I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2024 and founded Custom Fit Financial to serve individuals and families who are often overlooked by firms with high minimums or product-driven models. Custom Fit Financial is a fee-only, advice-only firm based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I work with clients nationwide through a virtual planning model and also offer in-person meetings for clients in the Cedar Rapids area. My services are provided on a project-based and hourly basis, with no long-term contracts, commissions, or account minimums. My work often focuses on retirement and pre-retirement planning, tax strategies, and helping DIY investors gain clarity and confidence. I believe financial planning works best when it is personal, understandable, and flexible. My role is to help clients simplify complex decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build a plan that fits their life and values. I offer an initial complimentary 30-minute conversation so we can explore your goals, answer questions, and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.

Lisa Olinger is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has worked in the financial services industry for over thirty-five years and joined Merrill as a Financial Advisor in 2006. Lisa serves as a resource to a select group of businesses and families, providing services aligned with client goals and extending beyond traditional investment management. Lisa has extensive experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of retirement plans for businesses, a focus she has maintained for over three decades. She also assists individuals with retirement income planning, portfolio construction, and investment management strategies to support their transition into retirement. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has earned multiple professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Her client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income.

Kristen Trovas is a Senior Resident Director and Senior Vice President at Merrill, where she has worked since 2002. She provides personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' financial goals and changing market conditions. Kristen specializes in areas such as college education planning, corporate retirement plan services, divorce transition planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, and retirement income. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Mount Mercy University and has earned multiple professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA). Kristen is also a Senior Retirement Benefits Consultant and Portfolio Manager. An Iowa native and Cedar Rapids resident, Kristen is active in her community, serving on the boards of Woman Lead Change, Mount Mercy University, and Elmcrest Country Club. She has also been involved with organizations such as Waypoint Services, NewBo City Market, and the National Council on Youth Leadership. Kristen enjoys playing tennis, competing on USTA teams, cooking, golfing, skiing, and spending time with her family.