Our Team

Matt Kleager, CFP^®
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
(402) 476-3000  |  MKleager@dadco.com

Originally from Scottsbluff, Neb., Matt graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University. After college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army for four years and then joined SMITH HAYES in 2001 and D.A. Davidson in 2016 via a merger between the two companies. Matt works with individual investors, foundations and retirement plans. His team utilizes a comprehensive approach to wealth management by factoring in each client's tax and estate planning, oftentimes in collaboration with the client's attorney, CPA, and other trusted members of the client's network of professional advisors. To add a higher level of professionalism to the team's planning process, Matt obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification in 2010. Matt and his wife, Angela, have two children, Emme and Cale.

 

Brian Sunderman, CWS^®
Associate Financial Advisor
(402) 476-3000  |  BSunderman@dadco.com

Brian graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting. While attending school, he began his career with the former SMITH HAYES in 2012. Brian works with individual investors, foundations, and retirement plans and through his team's process, he helps create customized financial plans addressing the full spectrum of planning needs. Brian earned his Certified Wealth Strategist® designation in 2017 in order to supplement his team's planning process. Brian and his wife, Jenna, enjoy spending time with their young daughter, Hallie. 

 

Denise Deter, FPQP^®
Senior Registered Associate
(402) 476-3000  |  DDeter@dadco.com

Denise, a Senior Registered Associate and Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM, started at SMITH HAYES in 2000, and joined D.A. Davidson & Co. in July of 2016 via a merger between the two companies.  She graduated from the University Of Nebraska – Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in business administration. For over 20 years, Denise has worked closely with clients to ensure all facets of the relationship are running smoothly. Denise and her husband, Tom, have two children — Andrew and Ethan. As a family, they volunteer for Domesti-PUPS, a local non-profit that trains service dogs and therapy dogs. They are members of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lincoln.

 

Our Extended Team

Jeff Ziemba, CRPS®
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
(402) 898-1700  |  JZiemba@dadco.com

Jeff, a Hastings, Neb., native who graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in business administration and a major in finance in 2005. Jeff began his career as a sales executive before joining D.A. Davidson (or its predecessor SMITH HAYES) in 2008. Jeff and his team specialize in serving corporate retirement plan clients throughout the region. Jeff has earned the professional designation of Chartered Retirement Planning SpecialistSM (CRPS®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®).

 

Scott Ziemba, CWS®
Associate Financial Advisor
(402) 898-1700  |  SZiemba@dadco.com

Scott, a Certified Wealth Strategist® certificant, graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in business administration in 2006. After obtaining his degree, Scott worked in consulting and nonprofit management for 10 years before joining D.A. Davidson (or its predecessor (SMITH HAYES). Scott is committed to serving corporate retirement plan clients and their participants. He holds the series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

 

John Decker
Senior Vice President, MD Investment Banking & Co-Director of Nebraska Branches
(402) 476-3000  |  JLDecker@dadco.com

A native of Lincoln, Neb., John joined SMITH HAYES Financial Services Corporation in 1996 as an intern and later became VP of Public & Corporate Finance from 1999-2002. In May 2002, he joined Douglas Theatre Company as CFO to embark on a strategy to expand and update the theatre circuit and prepare it for sale. John remained in that position until successfully completing the sale transaction to the Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS) in April 2008. He rejoined SMITH HAYES in May 2008 as Executive VP and Director. While serving in that role, John led sales force growth and improvement initiatives, ultimately achieving record asset growth, gross revenue and profitability. In 2013, he accepted the position of President & CEO of SMITH HAYES, and was responsible for leading the day-to-day activities of the firm. In 2016, John organized and managed the merger of SMITH HAYES with D.A. Davidson (both ESOP firms), a transaction which resulted in a successful combination of strengths and an expanded level of services for the firm's clients. Currently, John is leading an effort to grow D.A. Davidson's collaborative presence in wealth management and investment banking in the Midwest and beyond, the results of which have produced a number of successful M&A engagements and capital financings.

John graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics in 1998 and completed an MBA with high distinction in 1999. He is currently on the board of directors of Hampton Enterprises, Inc. and Bryan Health. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Tammy, and their children, Taylee and Jackson.