As Founder and Principal of Adams, Gut & Associates, John Adams brings more than three decades of experience to his leadership role, guiding AGA with a commitment to excellence, integrity, and long-term client success. He is a multi-year recipient of Forbes honors, including Best-in-State Financial Security Professional, Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, and Top Financial Security Professional. John has also been recognized as a Notable in Finance by Crain’s Cleveland Business. Known for his deep client relationships and strategic insight, John delivers tailored planning solutions that evolve alongside his clients' lives.

Background

John began his career in financial services as an intern in 1987 and brings more than 35 years of experience to his role as Founder and Principal of Adams, Gut & Associates. After forming the firm with Dan Gut in 2014, John has continued to lead with a clear vision for client-first service, strategic planning, and long-term growth. As a Private Wealth Advisor, he plays a pivotal role in deepening client relationships, overseeing investment strategy, and guiding the firm’s development with integrity and a commitment to excellence.

Professional Designations and Certification

John Adams has earned a number of professional designations including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), the highest level of studies in the life insurance profession; Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), the most extensive education for financial solutions professionals; Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®), an expertise dedicated to the full range of financial, health, psychological and sociological issues confronting older individuals; Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, a distinction for financial planners rooted in education, examination, experience and ethics.

Associations and Memberships

John is a long-standing member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the Akron Tax and Estate Planning Council. He is a recipient of the National Quality Award (1995–2015) and a qualifying/life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (2004–2015), recognizing his commitment to client service and industry excellence.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Quality award is primarily based on sales production. Advisors must be a NAIFA member and pay an application fee. Award is based upon production from the prior calendar year. For more information see: naifa.org/membership/awards/quality-award.

Personal

John and his wife, Sarah, are proud University of Akron alumni and remain actively involved with the university. Together, they established the Mr. John R. and Dr. Sarah A. Adams Family Scholarship in Financial Planning, which is awarded annually to support a student pursuing a career in the financial planning industry. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing golf.

Dan Gut works closely with clients to provide excellent planning and support, participating in both in-person client advising and behind-the-scenes investment and portfolio management. He believes in always putting clients’ best interests first—and values the lifelong relationships that develop through meaningful financial planning. Dan’s commitment to continuing education and doing what’s right helps ensure his clients receive thoughtful, strategic guidance tailored to every stage of life.

Background

Dan began his career in personal financial services in 2003 and gained several years of experience in executive benefits planning. In 2014, he partnered with John Adams to form Adams, Gut & Associates. As a Private Wealth Advisor and co-leader of the firm, Dan plays a key role in investment portfolio management, team training and development, and setting the long-term direction for the firm’s growth.

Professional Designations and Certification

Dan holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®). He also holds licenses for Life, Accident, and Health Insurance, along with Series 6, 63, and 7 securities registrations.

Personal

Dan and his family enjoy exploring local parks, discovering new restaurants, and spending time at home where Dan loves to cook and try new recipes.

Alex is passionate about building thoughtful, customized financial plans that help clients optimize every piece of their financial puzzle. As a Private Wealth Advisor and Director of Planning, he brings a detail-oriented and analytical mindset to every plan, making recommendations that are both strategic and aligned with each client’s unique financial picture.

Background

Alex began his career in financial services as an Northwestern Mutual financial representative intern in 2013 and then joined Adams, Gut & Associates full-time in 2014. Over the years, he has grown into a dual role as both Private Wealth Advisor and Director of Planning. In this capacity, he is responsible for generating planning analyses, supporting client recommendations, and helping deliver the high level of service and strategy that define the firm.

Professional Designations and Certification

Alex is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and holds licenses for Life, Accident, and Health Insurance, as well as Series 6, 63, and 7 securities registrations.

Personal

In his spare time, Alex enjoys the arts, cooking, nature, extreme sports, and spending time with his family.

Jennifer, our Chief Operations Officer and Workflow Manager has been an integral member of the team since 1999. She is responsible for office management, human resources and maintaining compliance procedures. An important part of Jennifer's role is handling the opening and processing of accounts as well as developing and updating proposals. She ensures excellent client service in all aspects of our business and is a partner in daily client meeting preparations for our growing practice. Jennifer holds her Life, Accident and Health licenses as well as her Series 6 investment license. She lives in Akron with her two daughters, enjoys spending time with family, watching softball and going to the beach.

How can Jennifer help you?

• Provide information and service on your insurance policies
• Provide information and service on your investment account
• Oversee communication process with our clients

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career in 1998 at a mutual fund company while studying at The Ohio State University. After earning his degree in 1999, Matt transitioned to advising public sector clients and later worked with educators at Kent State University. In 2008, he earned his CFP designation, deepening his commitment to expert financial guidance.

For the last 12 years, Matt worked at a large brokerage firm, most recently as a Vice President in wealth advising. Now, at Adams, Gut & Associates, he brings his passion for personalized financial planning to help clients achieve their goals.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, including his three children—Lucas, Brandon, and Maria. He also loves skiing, hiking, golfing, and gardening.

Tara, our Director of Insurance Operations, joined our team in the fall of 2019 as intern and later joined our team full-time in 2020. She graduated from the University of Akron in 2020, receiving a Bachelor’s in Business Administration majoring in Financial Planning. Her frugal spending habits and saver mentality have led her to want to help others manage their personal finances over the years. Tara, the youngest of 3, hails from Randolph, OH. Being from a small town, she enjoys traveling and her favorite place to visit is Nashville, TN. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and spending time with her dog and family.

Steve, our Financial Planning Associate, started working full- time for Adams, Gut & Associates in May of 2023.  He is responsible for building financial models to facilitate discussion around client goals and aspirations. Steve has a personal affinity for solving puzzles, as well as inclination towards math, finance, and technology. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family. “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care…”

With over 20 years of experience in the administrative field, Tiffany has always specialized in customer service and building strong relationships. Tiffany's dedication to excellence and her passion for helping clients achieve their goals have been the cornerstones of her career.

As a lifelong resident of the Akron, OH area, Tiffany is deeply rooted in the community and takes pride in balancing her professional life with being a devoted mom to five children. Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys attending her kids' sporting events and spending time with family and friends.