Grainger College of Engineering, All Events

“Where do you want to go?” 

In 2011, Curt Stowers found himself asking this question while working as a senior manager for a large Fortune 100 company. When the division he supported was sold, significant restructuring followed. After experiencing a long series of corporate transitions, he recognized it was time to pursue a new direction. The question became clear: where did he want to go next?

Although his professional background was in engineering, Curt had always been drawn to numbers. He had built investment portfolios for family and friends, all of which were performing well. Just as importantly, he had a genuine desire to help people. During conversations with colleagues and acquaintances about their financial futures, he frequently heard the refrain, “I’ll have to work until I die.” While often said with humor, these remarks carried an undercurrent of real concern. Curt realized that, just as he had helped those close to him, he could help others gain clarity and confidence in their financial lives.

That realization led him to found F5 Financial, a fee-only financial advisory firm dedicated to holistic financial planning. Drawing from the disciplined, systems-oriented approach he had used in managing his own portfolio, he developed the F5 Financial Health Cycle—a comprehensive framework designed to ensure that each component of a portfolio works in coordination with the others to optimize long-term growth.

As a financial advisor, Curt has helped individuals and families across the United States grow and manage their assets, with particular focus in the Naperville, Illinois region. He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Beyond his professional work, Curt is an avid fisherman and competed successfully in the sport for 15 years. He also enjoys golf, reading, and spending time with his wife and three children. In 2015, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and has since remained deeply committed to growing in his Christian faith and seeking to honor God in all areas of his life.