Kit has been involved with 4H and farming his entire life.

He exited the building and found himself in a whirlwind of chaos, with people shouting and panicking and the smell of jet fuel in the air. Over the course of his governmental career, Kit experienced a variety of ups and downs, but nothing impacted him quite like the day of 9/11.

A few years later, Kit was ready for a career change. He wanted to find something close to home so he could spend more time with his family. In 2004, an opportunity to join a local financial planning office, where Kit’s mother-in-law worked, presented itself. It was a perfect fit. Kit brought with him a wealth of life experience that caused him to look at financial planning differently than others in the field. He explains, “My background in farming and government has been a huge benefit in this industry. Farming taught me the value of hard work and how to adapt to changing environments. The ups and downs in the market are like the seasons of rain and drought in the field. I learned the level of discipline it takes to follow a plan and reach your goals. Experiencing governmental actions first hand showed me all the ways government impacts the world of finance.” A few years after Kit joined the office, the firm was purchased by Merrill Lynch, bringing the tools, education, and resources of an international firm to the personalized wealth management services Kit and his team provide to the Marion Community.

Having a successful career in financial planning hasn’t changed Kit’s love of farming. Throughout his time as a lobbyist and through his career, Kit has kept up with his family farm. He attributes his growing success to his teams both at home and the office. Kit’s wife, Lori, has supported Kit as he juggled farming and a full time career. Their children have helped out on the farm and are following in their father’s footsteps as they study at OSU. Kit hopes to continue the family legacy as his daughters plan to join Kit and the team at Merrill Lynch. At the office, Robert and Sylvia help Kit serve his clients better. Though part of a large firm, Kit and the team at Merrill Lynch are dedicated to bringing a personalized approach to financial planning. Kit explains their strategy, “I sit down with people and listen to their story and help them identify their goals. Once we know where they want to be, it’s my job to come up with the right solution to get them there. It might not be easy, but sticking to the plan we set is crucial to achieve success.”

The Merill Lynch Team: Kit, Sylvia, & Robert

“My background in farming and government has been a huge benefit in this industry. Farming taught me the value of hard work and how to adapt to changing environments. The ups and downs in the market are like the seasons of rain and drought in the field. I learned the level of discipline it takes to follow a plan and reach your goals. Experiencing governmental actions first hand showed me all the ways government impacts the world of finance.”

Kit Fogle

Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch