Huntington Kraus Financial Group
About Us
We want you to be a confident investor so you can work toward your life goals and dreams. We will strive to empower you through customized, goal-oriented investment strategies. Long-term relationships are built on the trust we aim to earn through integrity, hard work and service.
Meet Our Team
Charles Huntington
Senior Financial Advisor
Phone: 445.455.1725
Email: charlie@investwithhk.com
Charlie is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) and a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS). He has received the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network Platinum Council distinction from 2014-2023*.
Up Close:
When Charlie is not at work, he is spending time with his three sons, Rie, Braden & Ben and his partner, Yasemin.
Places that Charlie has Called Home:
Charlotte, North Carolina
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Lake Forest, Illinois
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Narberth, Pennsylvania
Royersford, Pennsylvania
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Surprising facts about Charlie:
He’s Been Involved with The American Heart Association (AHA) for 26 years. The AHA has always been important to Charlie for a number of reasons:
· His father had open heart surgery and died from heart surgery
· Both grandfathers received heart bypasses
· One of his sons was born with a heart condition, who has since made a complete recovery.
His volunteering began with the AHA as a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Affiliate’s Planned Giving Committee. He went on to run that committee then became a member of the Board of Directors for that affiliate. That led to serving as a Member of the Operations Committee covering PA, DE, OH, KY & WV. From 2009-2013, Charlie chaired the National Investment Committee for the AHA of Dallas, TX.
From 2013-2018, Charlie chaired the AHA's Science & Technology Accelerator.
In 2007, he was awarded AHA's Advocacy Award & in 2009 he was honored with AHA's Distinguished Service Award.
He is the Chair of Public Relations for Life Sciences PA where he received their President's Service Award in 2017.
He is Co-Founder of The Greater Philadelphia Pharma In Transition Group. He is a past Board Member of BioStrategy Partners & Co-Founded the Friends of the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. He's a past Board Member of the Philadelphia HR Planning Society. He was the eighth in his family to graduate from Lake Forest College in Illinois and had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain and work on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
At age 14, Charlie became Action Bike & Sport Shop’s only bicycle mechanic. His love of cycling continues today as he participates in multiple Farm-to-Fork long distance rides on the east coast each year.
Like Walter Cronkite, H. Ross Perot and Steven Spielberg, Charlie is an Eagle Scout. He continues to be connected to Boy Scouting as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Limerick Troop 230 where he chairs High Adventure trips like Philmont (New Mexico), Northern Tier (Ely, MN and Winnipeg, Canada) and The Summit (West Virginia). He's very proud that two of his sons are Eagle Scouts with a third son expected to become an Eagle Scout in the future. His next high adventure trip will take Charlie to the Bahamas in 2023 to sail a Tall Ship with his troop.
*The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational component, business production cased on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0B63248
Up Close:
When Charlie is not at work, he is spending time with his three sons, Rie, Braden & Ben and his partner, Yasemin.
Places that Charlie has Called Home:
Charlotte, North Carolina
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Lake Forest, Illinois
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Narberth, Pennsylvania
Royersford, Pennsylvania
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Surprising facts about Charlie:
He’s Been Involved with The American Heart Association (AHA) for 26 years. The AHA has always been important to Charlie for a number of reasons:
· His father had open heart surgery and died from heart surgery
· Both grandfathers received heart bypasses
· One of his sons was born with a heart condition, who has since made a complete recovery.
His volunteering began with the AHA as a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Affiliate’s Planned Giving Committee. He went on to run that committee then became a member of the Board of Directors for that affiliate. That led to serving as a Member of the Operations Committee covering PA, DE, OH, KY & WV. From 2009-2013, Charlie chaired the National Investment Committee for the AHA of Dallas, TX.
From 2013-2018, Charlie chaired the AHA's Science & Technology Accelerator.
In 2007, he was awarded AHA's Advocacy Award & in 2009 he was honored with AHA's Distinguished Service Award.
He is the Chair of Public Relations for Life Sciences PA where he received their President's Service Award in 2017.
He is Co-Founder of The Greater Philadelphia Pharma In Transition Group. He is a past Board Member of BioStrategy Partners & Co-Founded the Friends of the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. He's a past Board Member of the Philadelphia HR Planning Society. He was the eighth in his family to graduate from Lake Forest College in Illinois and had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain and work on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
At age 14, Charlie became Action Bike & Sport Shop’s only bicycle mechanic. His love of cycling continues today as he participates in multiple Farm-to-Fork long distance rides on the east coast each year.
Like Walter Cronkite, H. Ross Perot and Steven Spielberg, Charlie is an Eagle Scout. He continues to be connected to Boy Scouting as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Limerick Troop 230 where he chairs High Adventure trips like Philmont (New Mexico), Northern Tier (Ely, MN and Winnipeg, Canada) and The Summit (West Virginia). He's very proud that two of his sons are Eagle Scouts with a third son expected to become an Eagle Scout in the future. His next high adventure trip will take Charlie to the Bahamas in 2023 to sail a Tall Ship with his troop.
*The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational component, business production cased on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0B63248
Steve Kraus
Senior Financial Advisor
PIM Portfolio Manager
Phone: 445.455.1724
Email: steve@investwithhk.com
Up close:
When Steve is not at work, he is enjoying time with his wife, Elisa and his two daughters Shannah and Lindsay.
Where you’ll find Steve on the weekend:
Down at the beach. On many weekends Steve, Elisa and the girls spend time riding bikes, reading and playing on the beach, boating near the Townsends Inlet Bridge, golfing and entertaining family and friends at their beach house in Avalon, New Jersey. In the Fall, you will find him attending Penn State football games. He has a passion for international travel and traveled on an African Safari to Kenya and Tanzania in May 2009.
Places that Steve has Called Home:
State College, PA
Berwyn, PA
Avalon, NJ
Surprising facts about Steve:
He has been a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified scuba diver since 1979.
He achieved his Dive Master status in 1983 and served as a Dive Master during his own daughter’s certification in August of 2008.
He is a Penn State University Football season ticket holder and member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at The Pennsylvania State University.
He achieved his MBA from Drexel University in 1991.
He acted as President of the Greens at Waynesborough Homeowners Association (1997 – 2002).
He is an active member of Waynesborough Country Club.
He is a former member of the Main Line Power Squadron and has captained a week long cruise for eight people along the Chesapeake Bay.
He is also an amateur photographer.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0C82834
When Steve is not at work, he is enjoying time with his wife, Elisa and his two daughters Shannah and Lindsay.
Where you’ll find Steve on the weekend:
Down at the beach. On many weekends Steve, Elisa and the girls spend time riding bikes, reading and playing on the beach, boating near the Townsends Inlet Bridge, golfing and entertaining family and friends at their beach house in Avalon, New Jersey. In the Fall, you will find him attending Penn State football games. He has a passion for international travel and traveled on an African Safari to Kenya and Tanzania in May 2009.
Places that Steve has Called Home:
State College, PA
Berwyn, PA
Avalon, NJ
Surprising facts about Steve:
He has been a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified scuba diver since 1979.
He achieved his Dive Master status in 1983 and served as a Dive Master during his own daughter’s certification in August of 2008.
He is a Penn State University Football season ticket holder and member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at The Pennsylvania State University.
He achieved his MBA from Drexel University in 1991.
He acted as President of the Greens at Waynesborough Homeowners Association (1997 – 2002).
He is an active member of Waynesborough Country Club.
He is a former member of the Main Line Power Squadron and has captained a week long cruise for eight people along the Chesapeake Bay.
He is also an amateur photographer.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0C82834
Bill Hughes
Senior Financial Advisor
Phone: 445.455.1726
Email: William@investwithhk.com
Up close:
When Bill is not at work, he is enjoying time with his wife Liz and sons, Tyler, Liam, Sam and Nick.
Where you’ll find Bill on the weekend:
Bill enjoys the outdoors and playing sports with his kids.
Places that Bill has Called Home:
Levittown, PA
Center City Philadelphia
Holland, PA
Surprising facts about Bill:
He could have gone anywhere, but he went to Temple University.
He studied in Spain and Mexico.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0K32024
When Bill is not at work, he is enjoying time with his wife Liz and sons, Tyler, Liam, Sam and Nick.
Where you’ll find Bill on the weekend:
Bill enjoys the outdoors and playing sports with his kids.
Places that Bill has Called Home:
Levittown, PA
Center City Philadelphia
Holland, PA
Surprising facts about Bill:
He could have gone anywhere, but he went to Temple University.
He studied in Spain and Mexico.
Resident State: PA
CA Insurance License#: 0K32024
Tom Helm
Marketing Associate
Phone: 445.455.1730
Email: tom@investwithhk.com
As a Financial Advisor, Tom received the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council distinction 2006-2012 and 2014-2020*.
Up Close:
Tom’s wife of 48 years, Karen, is active in many non-profit activities, including chairing The Philadelphia Antiques Show in 2004. His grown children are Susanna Thompson and Nathaniel. Susanna lives in Colorado Springs, and she and her husband have 2 daughters, Aida and Carolina. Susanna’s husband, Jon, is the Assistant Lacrosse Coach at Air Force Academy. Nathaniel is a comprehensive design specialist for commercial photography in the Bay Area of California. He and his long-term girlfriend, Rachel, live in Greenbrae, CA.
Where you’ll find Tom on the weekend:
When in Berwyn, working and gardening on his property located in the heart of Willistown’s Conservation area. In Jackson, WY, hiking and gardening.
Places that Tom has called home:
Lancaster, PA
Winston-Salem, NC
Berwyn, PA
Jackson, WY
Surprising facts about Tom:
He was the Student Council President at his Lancaster high school numbering 2,000 students.
He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity at Wake Forest University where he majored in history. His favorite courses were in Russian, Soviet, and Chinese history.
After his sophomore year in college his grandfather bought a car in Germany and asked him and his older brother to go “pick it up and break it in.” They drove 8,000 miles in 80 days on a $10 per day budget (including gas) visiting nearly every western European country including the principalities of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Vatican City.
For the first half of his life, he was an avid golfer and played golf on his high school golf team. Forty-five years ago he joined Merion Golf Club where he is still a member. His interests changed dramatically when several life changes took place in rapid succession: his father died suddenly at age 60, his children were born, he bought a house, and he changed his career direction to become a financial advisor.
As golf took so much time to play, he transitioned his athletic interest to racquetball, which he still plays three times a week. He does other aerobic training during other weekdays to try to keep up with the younger guys with whom he plays.
After college he spent 9 years in the commercial lending program at Philadelphia National Bank (PNB). Tom transitioned to Prudential-Bache Securities, because ‘investments’, entrepreneurship, and the ability to develop his own clientele of lifetime financial relationships appealed to him. Tom prides himself on listening.
The older he gets, the more he recognizes the positive, intangible impact his aunt, who had Down’s syndrome, had on his life views and relationships with others.
Tom previously served on the Board of West Laurel Hill and Laurel Hill Cemetery companies which had assets under management (AUM) totaling in the high eight figures. For 15 years he also served in the same capacity for The Episcopal Church Foundation with AUM in the low nine figures.
His wife has a particular interest in vintage sewing patterns from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. She uses these patterns and her own couture sewing skills to create fashions that are classic and timeless.
He and Karen, since their marriage, have had a passion for studying, following, and collecting American decorative arts. Twenty-five years ago they built a house based on detailed drawings from a classic area architect, R. Brognard Okie, which the Okie family had donated to The Pennsylvania Archives.
Finally, he “has 2 cats in the yard,” Abby and Elsie.
*The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisors) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.
CA Insurance License# 4064830
Resident State: PA
Up Close:
Tom’s wife of 48 years, Karen, is active in many non-profit activities, including chairing The Philadelphia Antiques Show in 2004. His grown children are Susanna Thompson and Nathaniel. Susanna lives in Colorado Springs, and she and her husband have 2 daughters, Aida and Carolina. Susanna’s husband, Jon, is the Assistant Lacrosse Coach at Air Force Academy. Nathaniel is a comprehensive design specialist for commercial photography in the Bay Area of California. He and his long-term girlfriend, Rachel, live in Greenbrae, CA.
Where you’ll find Tom on the weekend:
When in Berwyn, working and gardening on his property located in the heart of Willistown’s Conservation area. In Jackson, WY, hiking and gardening.
Places that Tom has called home:
Lancaster, PA
Winston-Salem, NC
Berwyn, PA
Jackson, WY
Surprising facts about Tom:
He was the Student Council President at his Lancaster high school numbering 2,000 students.
He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity at Wake Forest University where he majored in history. His favorite courses were in Russian, Soviet, and Chinese history.
After his sophomore year in college his grandfather bought a car in Germany and asked him and his older brother to go “pick it up and break it in.” They drove 8,000 miles in 80 days on a $10 per day budget (including gas) visiting nearly every western European country including the principalities of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Vatican City.
For the first half of his life, he was an avid golfer and played golf on his high school golf team. Forty-five years ago he joined Merion Golf Club where he is still a member. His interests changed dramatically when several life changes took place in rapid succession: his father died suddenly at age 60, his children were born, he bought a house, and he changed his career direction to become a financial advisor.
As golf took so much time to play, he transitioned his athletic interest to racquetball, which he still plays three times a week. He does other aerobic training during other weekdays to try to keep up with the younger guys with whom he plays.
After college he spent 9 years in the commercial lending program at Philadelphia National Bank (PNB). Tom transitioned to Prudential-Bache Securities, because ‘investments’, entrepreneurship, and the ability to develop his own clientele of lifetime financial relationships appealed to him. Tom prides himself on listening.
The older he gets, the more he recognizes the positive, intangible impact his aunt, who had Down’s syndrome, had on his life views and relationships with others.
Tom previously served on the Board of West Laurel Hill and Laurel Hill Cemetery companies which had assets under management (AUM) totaling in the high eight figures. For 15 years he also served in the same capacity for The Episcopal Church Foundation with AUM in the low nine figures.
His wife has a particular interest in vintage sewing patterns from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. She uses these patterns and her own couture sewing skills to create fashions that are classic and timeless.
He and Karen, since their marriage, have had a passion for studying, following, and collecting American decorative arts. Twenty-five years ago they built a house based on detailed drawings from a classic area architect, R. Brognard Okie, which the Okie family had donated to The Pennsylvania Archives.
Finally, he “has 2 cats in the yard,” Abby and Elsie.
*The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisors) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.
CA Insurance License# 4064830
Resident State: PA
Kirsten Nilsen
Client Associate
Phone: 445.455.1727
Email: Kirsten@investwithhk.com
Up close:
Kirsten moved to Pennsylvania from Staten Island, NY to join the Huntington/Kraus team.
Where you’ll find Kirsten on the weekend:
Spending time with either her friends or family, along with her dog, Pippi. She loves to be outdoors and will find any excuse to do so; whether it’s hiking, walking around a farmers market or reading a book on her patio. In the summer, she frequently visits her family’s house in New Hampshire, where she enjoys swimming and boating on the lake.
Places that Kirsten has Called Home:
Staten Island, NY
Devon, PA
Surprising facts about Kirsten:
She received her Paralegal Certificate from Wagner College.
She spent two summers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, teaching English to children.
She played varsity volleyball in High School.
She played the flute for 10 years, and performed in a variety of bands and orchestras from Elementary through High School.
Kirsten moved to Pennsylvania from Staten Island, NY to join the Huntington/Kraus team.
Where you’ll find Kirsten on the weekend:
Spending time with either her friends or family, along with her dog, Pippi. She loves to be outdoors and will find any excuse to do so; whether it’s hiking, walking around a farmers market or reading a book on her patio. In the summer, she frequently visits her family’s house in New Hampshire, where she enjoys swimming and boating on the lake.
Places that Kirsten has Called Home:
Staten Island, NY
Devon, PA
Surprising facts about Kirsten:
She received her Paralegal Certificate from Wagner College.
She spent two summers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, teaching English to children.
She played varsity volleyball in High School.
She played the flute for 10 years, and performed in a variety of bands and orchestras from Elementary through High School.
Joseph Datte
Registered Client Associate
Phone: 445.455.1728
Email: Joe@investwithhk.com
Up close:
When Joe is not at work he is enjoying time with his wife Kristine, daughter Claire, and son Thomas.
Where you’ll find Joe on the weekend:
At home with Kristine and the kids enjoying the yard and pool in the summer. As a former landscaper Joe does all of his own yard work and also enjoys gardening with the family.
Places that Joe has called home:
Glen Mills, PA
Hockessin, DE
Wilmington, DE
Surprising facts about Joe:
Joe has a passion for building and design. There is always a project going on at home.
Joe and Kristine were married in the church at Villanova University on a snowy day in December.
Prior to starting his first job after college Joe took a trip to Key West and went skydiving over Islamorada, FL.
Joe spent many summers at his parents’ lake home in Northern Maine and his grandparents’ home in Oceanview, DE.
At the age of 10 Joe started cutting grass and shoveling snow in his neighborhood by walking to each home. Each year he gained customers and at the age of 15 was able to help pay for his first truck. He kept at it and started offering additional services eventually opening a full service residential and property management company his senior year of high school. While in college he attended business school full time in the evening and operated the business during the day. After four years in business he sold the company and started his financial career.
Resident State: PA
Aaron Russell
Client Associate
Phone: 445.455.1729
Email: aaron@investwithhk.com
Up Close:
Aaron is originally from Altoona, PA, but moved to the Greater-Philadelphia area in 2020. When Aaron is not at work, you will find him at home with his wife, Emily, and his sons (AKA dogs), Winston & Moose.
Places that Aaron has Called Home:
Altoona, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Eagleville, PA
Where you’ll find Aaron on the weekend:
Walking his golden retriever, Winston, and golden mountain dog, Moose, on the Schuylkill River Trail. Aaron’s favorite pastime is all things NASCAR. You can usually find him at home reliving his go-kart racing days by virtually competing with friends in iRacing, (a NASCAR racing simulator) or at a NASCAR race with his wife. Also, he enjoys Philadelphia sports and will never turndown the chance to go to a game.
Surprising Facts about Aaron:
He raced against Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a few other professional NASCAR drivers in an iRacing event, and actually beat some of them!
When he is wanting to embrace his creative side, you can find him playing guitar and channeling his inner Tom DeLonge from Blink-182.
He was a lead-singer in a punk band, in which he frequently forgot the words to his own songs.