Our Team

Geary Axen, CLU, ChFC

President, Founder

Geary Axen, CLU®, ChFC® is the President and co-founder of Timberland Financial Group, LLC. He began his financial services career in June of 1985 after completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage College. He holds numerous state insurance licenses and securities registrations through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. Geary continued his pursuit for knowledge and professional accreditations by completing his CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation in 1994 and then completed his ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation in 2012. Geary's primary focus is to educate, protect and consult with his corporate and individual clients to establish, achieve and maintain their long term financial goals and objectives.

Geary is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and a Shriner with Medinah Temple. Geary has also served as a board member for the Geneva Academic Foundation, Fox Valley Hands of Hope and The Moose Charities Advisory Committee. He resides in Geneva, IL with his wife, Valerie and has 3 children; Emily, Geary and Molly.

Kevin Shekell

Vice President, Wealth Advisor

Kevin Shekell is a Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Timberland Financial Group, LLC. He began his financial services career in November of 2006 while completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He holds numerous state insurance licenses and securities registrations through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. Kevin spent the first 15 years of his financial services career on the wholesale financial side of the business, consulting with thousands of independent financial advisors and insurance agents across the midwest on how to appropriately evaluate and apply certain insurance and investment products to their clients portfolios. He currently applies that breadth of knowledge directly to clients, helping them achieve their best possible financial outcomes

Kevin is a past President and board member of the Naperville Area Humane Society. He resides in Naperville, IL with his wife Lexi, his son Joseph, and his daughter Emerson.

Barry Bellott, CPA

Vice President, Wealth Advisor

Barry Bellott is a Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Timberland Financial Group, LLC. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He earned his CPA designation in 1982 through the University of Illinois. Barry and his wife started and operated a successful CPA practice in Aurora for over 25 years. He added the Financial Services business in 1997.

He has numerous security registrations through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. and is registered in 20 separate states to service his clients. His focus is to educate his clients with the many options available to them to achieve their long-term financial goals in retirement. He sold his CPA business in 2021 and now focuses entirely on the financial services business. Barry is married and resides in Aurora, Illinois with his wife Sheila. He has two married daughters and two granddaughters.

Laura Lagger

Director, Client Relations

Laura Lagger is the Client Relations Director for Timberland Financial Group, LLC. Laura has been associated with the Financial Services Industry for over 25 years. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, and earned her CPA designation. She has worked in the public and private sector, as well as contributing to the community through a number of volunteer financial and general business positions. Laura is married and resides in Geneva, Illinois with her husband and two children.