Our Team
Kurt Powers
President / CEO
Kurt has successfully set up and overseen fully managed investment centers since 1994. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Kurt spent the first several years of his career learning the lending and management side of banking before settling on his specialty: Financial Institution Investment Center Management. Kurt served as the President of Institutional Financial Services, managing the investment division for 15 separate community banking groups. In 2002, Kurt fulfilled his dreams of starting his own business, FMS Financial Services, Inc. His current position is President / CEO and majority shareholder. Kurt enjoys using his banking background and many years of experience to tailor-make successful operations for financial institutions to bring investment and insurance services to their customers and earn significant amounts of fee income.
He is proud to have an over 24-year working relationship with partners Gary Wilnau and J. Brent Browning, bringing experience and continuity to their financial institution, financial planner, and investment vendor relationships throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Kurt holds securities licenses of 6,63,7, and 24 (Securities Supervising Principal), insurance licenses for life, accident & health, and property and casualty, and is a Financial Advisor for Packerland Brokerage Services.
Kurt has been President of his local church's council, and President of a youth baseball organization. He lives in Milwaukee, but spends much 0f his work time in his second home in Wausau. When not at work, Kurt enjoys fishing, hiking, biking, and watching football, baseball, and basketball. He and his wife Jennie have two sons, Jake and Ryan, and are grandparents of 4.
J. Brent Browning
Sales Manager / VP Bank Marketing
Brent graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1977 with a BSB in accountancy and went to work for a regional accounting firm in Southern Illinois. After 4 years he started an insurance and investment career with Country Companies where he was a career agent. After 17 years with Country Companies Brent became Sales Manager for the insurance and investment department of Banterra Bank, a $750 million dollar financial institution with 19 branches. In 1999, Brent moved to Batavia, IL with his wife Donna and his three sons Ryan, Mark and Alex. Brent became a Program Manager with IFS, Inc and remained in that capacity until December 2002 when he was promoted to Vice President Sales and has been a mainstay of Kurt Powers staff for the past 10 years. Brent's current title with FMS Financial is Vice President of Sales and he is an ownership partner. Brent maintains an office and residence in Sheboygan, WI. During Brent's career with Country Companies and Banterra he lived in Eldorado, IL where he served on the Eldorado School Board for two terms, served as President of the Eldorado Police Pension for 19 years, served as the President of the Eldorado-Raleigh Park District for 14 years, rand the Eldorado Youth Association for 16 years, and was a high school basketball official for 15 years. Brent carries a LUTCF designation and is a Financial Advisor.
Ryan Powers
Sales Manager/Financial Professional
Ryan joined FMS in May 2018 after earning his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College-Rock Island in history. During his time at school, Ryan also earned his Series 6, Series 63, and life insurance license. He moved to Wisconsin immediately after graduation to start work in the financial services industry.
Ryan has enjoyed educating younger investors on the benefits of long-term retirement planning, while also helping clients closer to retirement with their final planning heading into such an exciting chapter of their lives. He works with anyone who is just starting to invest, as well as aiding those who are already retired with safe, conservative plans and income distribution. He looks forward to continuing to provide customized and thorough financial services for customers throughout the states of Wisconsin and Illinois.
Ryan likes to spend time with his wife, Erin, and son, Otto. They enjoy listening to music, spending as much time outside as possible, and being with family!
Dale Elam
Financial Professional - Milwaukee Office
Dale has been in the banking and financial service industry since 1996 and has been a West Allis resident since 1998. He has been nationally recognized for his investment and insurance sales and service by American Equity, American Express, Allianz, F&G, and Dressander BHC. Dale earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois-Chicago and has worked for LaSalle National Bank, Maritime Savings Bank, and has been a Financial Advisor with FMS Financial Services, Inc. and its affiliates since 2001.
Dale is licensed to offer a wide range of financial and investment products and is a financial advisor with Packerland Brokerage Services, Inc. His fixed offerings and back-office support is provided by FMS, which has several locations in Wisconsin and a home office in St. Charles, Illinois.
Dale is very proud of the relationships he has developed with clients in helping them achieve their financial goals with a conservative approach. He is known for his availability for meeting with his clients multiple times during a year to make sure that their plan stays on course and is in proper balance. Dale is a 401k and IRA rollover representative working with safe income and RMD planning.
Dale has three children and one grandchild. Dale is active in the community, in his church, and was a long-time coach in youth athletics. Dale also works for fund raisers of college scholarships for young students. Dale enjoys traveling with his family, visiting new historical sights, and loves to hike with his dog, Archie.
Sean Pauly
Financial Professional
Sean has been in banking and finance for over 30 years. He has overseen everything from collections, lending and account reviews. Sean has welcomed the opportunity to team up with the FMS team, having worked with them for over 34 years. Sean is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1990). He attended Owen-Withee High School (1986) in Clark County - home of the 2024 State Champion Football team Blackhawks. Sean has his Series 6, 63, Insurance and NMLS licenses. He is ecstatic to be back in his home area to serve.
Jason Bills
Rollover and Savings Specialist
Jason joined the FMS team in May 2022 after he completed his bachelor’s degree in financial management from Upper Iowa University. Jason has been in finance for the past 6 years now. Prior to that he had been in landscaping and welding until deciding finance was his true passion.
Jason enjoys assisting everyone he talks to about their financial goals, from just starting out investing all the way to post retirement options. He loves building relationships with his clients, and is very happy to assist with their needs.
Jason has two teenagers that will be graduating high school in 2027 & 2028. He stays busy with them by fishing, hunting, hiking, taking road trips, and exploring state parks. Door county is one of their favorite places to visit in Wisconsin.
Anthony Ruonavarra
Financial Professional
Anthony comes to FMS after three years of working in operations at a large national bank. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Finance. Anthony is passionate about making sure people are able to meet their financial goals. As a young investor himself, he enjoys working with young investors to watch them grow as he grows in this industry. He also has a personal ambition to help people who may have started investing late and wants to ensure those people are still able to reach their goals. He holds his insurance and securities licenses.
Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife, Alexandria, and his daughter, Ella. He stays busy by exploring new areas of Wisconsin, attending sporting events, and following wherever Ella’s passions leads them.
Gus Frederickson
Rollover and Savings Specialist
While pursuing his degree at UW Madison, Gustav returned to his hometown of Rhinelander, WI, and launched a career in automotive sales. Promoted to Finance Manager, he guided hundreds of clients through vehicle financing, credit improvement, and loan structuring. Seeking broader impact, he joined the FMS Team, where he leverages his deep knowledge of consumer lending and relationship building to deliver clear, personalized financial advice. Gustav is committed to helping clients set realistic goals, improve retirement planning, and build a relationship that fits their long‑term plans.
Outside of work, he values staying active and connected to the world around him. He enjoys taking long hikes with his dog, Bear, which gives him time to recharge and stay grounded. He also loves traveling and makes a point of visiting museums wherever he goes, finding inspiration in the history, culture, and new perspectives they offer.