Winter Haven Branch Office

As a respected member of the financial industry, John has dedicated his professional life to providing the highest level of service to clients. In order to best prepare him for a career as a financial advisor, John attended Sacramento State University and graduated with a dual major earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After graduation, John sought to further his education at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration. Following graduation, John joined Merrill Lynch as a financial consultant. After 11 years with Merrill Lynch and building up his client base to over two hundred million dollars in assets, John joined Morgan Stanley in 2001 & is the lead partner with the Scheck Lewis McKown group. John’s focus for clients involves tax efficient investment strategies for high net worth individuals and asset allocation models for both individuals and retirement plans.

In the community, John has served on boards for a variety of philanthropic organizations. John serves as an active board member for the Humane Society, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Haley Center of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven.

Outside of the office, John enjoys spending time with his wife, Tracy, and two grown children, Reagan and JW, playing tennis, road biking, and traveling.

As a Winter Haven native, Josh has seen the area develop over the years into the thriving community it has become. In his earlier years, Josh demonstrated high levels of scholarship and dedication through his participation in Boy Scouts, ultimately earning the highest honor in this organization as an Eagle Scout. Josh utilized the determination and work ethic he learned as an Eagle Scout at Florida State University where he pursued a dual major earning a Bachelor of Science in both Finance and Marketing. As a financial advisor, Josh’s main focus involves the areas of client relationship management, retirement planning, college planning, asset allocation, and liability management. Josh is a partner with the Scheck Lewis McKown group; he joined the firm in 2000.

Josh is also actively involved in the community as the Co-Founder of the Lewis Family Cancer fund. In his free time, Josh enjoys boating on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, hunting, barbecuing, and spending time with friends.

Clay was born and raised in Central Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. While at USF, he was selected for an international internship with the Foreign Commercial Service in the US Embassy in Dublin, Ireland. Clay furthered his education by graduating from the University of Central Florida’s Certified Financial Planner program and subsequently meeting all requirements established by the CFP^® Board to hold the CFP^® designation.

Clay has been actively advising clients since becoming licensed in 2008 and he is now registered in over thirty states. As a financial advisor, Clay goes beyond focusing on traditional wealth management by providing creative strategies for both asset and liability management. Moreover, he works with clients’ tax and legal advisors to provide solutions that are comprehensive and personalized.

Clay gives back to his community and has volunteered for several non-profit organizations over the years. Currently, he works with the Lewis Family Cancer Fund. Clay and his wife, Katie, love spending their time together outdoors. Their favorite activities include hiking, snow skiing, offshore fishing, and boat rides on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Clay also has a passion for the game of golf. He is a member of the Country Club of Winter Haven where he plays regularly with clients, friends, and family.

Ashley is a native to Central Florida and joined the Scheck Lewis McKown Group in 2007 after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in real estate. She was promoted to Vice President in January 2022 and currently holds her Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses. Ashley and her husband together are raising two wonderful sons, and she is actively involved with the boys' school and baseball programs. She is a sustainer member for the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven and has previously served on the board for both the Junior League and her son’s baseball league.

Focus: Client Service, Financial Planning, College Planning, Lending Solutions, Office/Administration Procedures, Quality Control

April’s career in the financial services industry began in 2002 after graduating magna cum laude from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. In April 2002 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business & Marketing, with a minor in Spanish. She worked with the Scheck group in Winter Haven, FL from 2004 – 2008 before relocating to the Northeast. She rejoined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in September 2021. April maintains her Series 7, 66 & 31 licenses. April is a former professional water skier and traveled the world including 6 continents for the sport. In her time away from the office, her passion is her children & family and spending quality time together, preferably on the water! She also volunteers for the Lewis Family Cancer Fund annual golf tournament held locally each year.

Focus: Relationship Management, Client Service, Administration, Retirement Planning

Kristin Reese joined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in January 2019 as a Client Service Associate. She has been working in the industry since 2012. Kristin graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Business Management in 2009. She currently has a Series 7 license and is working to obtain her Series 66 license. Kristin focuses on high level administrative and customer service.
Kristin is a lifelong resident of the Winter Haven area and resides there with her husband & son. Her passion is her family and making the best of every moment that they have together.

Focus: Client Service, Annuities and Insurance, Retirement Planning

Maricelis began her financial industry career as a Branch Administrator at the Smith Barney branch in Puerto Rico in 1999 after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2008, she was recruited by Morgan Stanley as a Senior Client Service Associate in Tampa which led to her subsequent recruitment by the team in the Winter Haven branch in May 2014. Within the Scheck Lewis McKown group, she continues to deliver high level service to our clients, focusing on deceased accounts processing, managing client account maintenance and building upon existing relationships. Maricelis is also fluent in Spanish.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and spending time with family and friends.

Focus: Client Service, Administration, Deceased Account Processing

Kim was born and raised in South Florida and moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 2000. She graduated from Florida International University in Miami, Florida in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and joined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in 2018 as a Client Service Associate. Kim enjoys spending time with her family and traveling whenever possible. She enjoys the outdoors and anything near the water or a mountain.

Focus: Client Service, Office procedures and Administration