Our Educational and Professional Background

John M. Surgant, Jr.
Senior Vice President/Investments

Professional Background

  • Began his financial industry experience in 1980, beginning with four-and-a-half years as a financial analyst. 
  • Holds Series 7, 9 & 10, 63, and 65 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses.
  • As an analyst, authored more than two dozen reports on a variety of industries and individual companies.  Past member of the St. Louis Society of Financial Analysts.
  • Prior to the securities industry, held positions at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria, Illinois, and Monsanto Agricultural Products Co., in St. Louis, Missouri, and Bangkok, Thailand.

Educational Background

  • B.A., Economics, University of Missouri - St. Louis
  • M.I.M. (Master of International Management), American Graduate School of International Management, Glendale, Arizona

Community Involvement

  • Active supporter and promoter of International Orthodox Christian Charities
  • Vice Chair, Finance Committee, Lake Saint Louis Community Association
  • Sea scout leader and advisor for the Greater St. Louis area with more than 20 years in combined scouting leadership
  • Commander and Adjutant of Sons of the American Legion at South St. Louis Memorial Post 27 and have led rejuvenation of the SAL Program at Post 37
  • Past municipal committeeman, City of Creve Coeur, Missouri
  • Member of U.S. Power Squadrons, St. Louis area chapter
  • Lifetime member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Bevo Chapter 611
  • Actively involved in Orthodox Christian parish development in the St. Louis area and beyond
  • Benefactor to numerous charities in the St. Louis area and beyond

Personal Background

Outside the daily responsibilities of leading Surgant Financial Group, John's life is focused on boats and water.  He enjoys teaching boating skills and learning anything new while having fun on the water.  Living on the water at Lake Ste. Louise (the “little” lake at Lake St. Louis) supports and promotes John's distance swimming avocation.  John and his wife, Carol, enjoy the many activities and events the Lake St. Louis community offers.  They especially enjoy spending time with Stephanie, J.T., and their seven grandchildren who live close by, making sure grandma and grandpa's house is always a fun place to be. 

 

Stephanie Taylor Schulz
Financial Advisor Associate

Professional Background

  • Began her financial industry career at Stifel in 2004
  • Holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
  • Experience at Stifel headquarters in the Client Services Department, including onboarding and training of new branch offices and associates, as well as extensive client support at a national level
  • Part of Surgant Financial Group since 2011

Educational Background

  • B.A., Business Administration – International Business, Lindenwood University

Personal Background

Stephanie lives in Lake Saint Louis with her husband and their three children, ages 9, 11, and 14.  They enjoy family time on their boat, as well as anything outdoors, swimming, kayaking, biking, or simply, a trip to the park.  Since Stephanie and John live less than a mile apart, she and the children often enjoy a walk or bike ride to grandma and grandpa's house.  Stephanie enjoys being part of her family business and believes that the family bonds she, John, and J.T. have together make Surgant Financial Group feel like family to all their clients as well. 

 

John T. (J.T.) Surgant
Client Relationship Manager

Professional Background

  • More than five years in the financial services industry
  • Holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
  • Prior experience with Wells Fargo Bank for approximately three years; first in customer service finding creative strategies to a wide array of problems and later as a sales banker consulting with clients and specializing in bank products and services in order to determine which of those benefits the client may best align with his or her situation.

Education Background

  • B.A., Business Administration, University of Sioux Falls
  • De Smet Jesuit High School

Personal Background

J.T. lives in St. Peters with his wife, Siham, and children, ages 2 and 4.  As a family, they enjoy being active, traveling, and experiencing great food.  They periodically travel to spend time with Sisi's family in Germany, Morocco, and Tunisia, and they love to explore other new places in the world together.  J.T. grew up playing football and continued playing at the college level as an offensive lineman.  He says that's where he learned his “grit,” as well as how to work effectively as a team.  In his free time, he enjoys bodybuilding, history, and going to Lake Saint Louis to be with the rest of the family whenever possible.  J.T. is also a certified personal trainer.  He wants to help people in any way possible and believes health and wealth are a good place to start in trying to optimize one's life.