For Ken Holland of Huntsville, being an Edward Jones Financial Advisor isn’t just about giving people advice on how to invest their money; more than anything it is about serving his clients to meet their individual needs.  “When you work with an Advisor, they are able to look at your situation holistically and provide advice to your specific situation. It is more than managing a portfolio of investments and transacting trades. It is coming up with strategies that allow you to move towards your specific goals,” says Holland.

Holland offers a variety of financial and investment services, including both personal and business retirement plans, college saving plans, and life insurance.  He can also assist with existing 401k or other previous employer retirement plans.

Holland’s desire to help and serve others is clear in both his personal and professional life. A native of Spring, Texas and a Sam Houston State University graduate, Holland has never been afraid of hard work or lost the ambition to help others.  “I got into this business because I really enjoy working with people individually. I get to sit with individuals and families every day and help them plan for their future. I enjoy being someone they can trust and count on,” said Holland. “I find joy in seeing people move forward in their lives. I want to serve people well.”

Melanie Oates is the Business Office Administrator. “I’m the Financial Advisor, but we are a team,” explains Holland. “She is critical to our success, and we run the office like a team.”

That environment of teamwork and serving others is exactly what drew Holland to Edward Jones. He is part of a network that includes several Edward Jones Financial Advisors in offices throughout Huntsville.  “It wasn’t ever about any other firm. Edward Jones creates a culture that is very intent on building relationships between the advisor and client and looking holistically at what is in the best interest of the client. I am part of a region that stretches from The Woodlands to Huntsville, and we work together to learn from each other and serve our clients better.”

Holland says Edward Jones teaches its advisors to really lean into the person, understand their needs, and treat them as valuable people, not just an investment product. Becoming a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones is not an easy process; the person must study for and pass three financial exams and complete extensive training (which for Holland, occurred virtually due to Covid). Holland moved into the current Huntsville location in January 2023.

Holland is also deeply embedded in the Huntsville community, serving on several governmental entities such as the City Board of Adjustments, where he serves as Chairman; the HISD School Board, where he serves as Secretary; and volunteer chaplain for the Huntsville Police Department. In 2021, he was also appointed by Governor Abbott to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council as one of only two members who are not in the medical profession. Also, he formerly served on the City of Huntsville Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) board and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, with two years on the Executive Board.  “I’ve always liked being a part of the local government process as a volunteer,” said Holland.

However, his journey to serve others sent him on several paths before landing him in what he hopes to be his final career destination as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones.  While in college, he started out in the restaurant business as a busboy, then worked his way into management at the once popular Mexican restaurant El Chico in Huntsville. Holland says some of his best relationships today were cultivated from that experience. He managed El Chico until graduating with his business degree from SHSU in 2000.

While Holland had ambitions to work in state government early on, he actually ended up at Motorola’s Semiconductor Division, and his entry into corporate life began. In July of 2000, Holland and his new bride Nicole moved to Austin, Texas. However, after 7 years in the big city and having two children, the couple began to consider leaving the city to come “home” to Huntsville.

“Nicole has family here, so we were always coming back to visit,” Holland explains. “One night, we were having dinner with friends while in Huntsville, and on the way back to her parents’ house, I asked, ‘So you ready to move back to Huntsville yet?’”.  She didn’t say ‘no’ – and she usually did – so we started seriously talking about it.”

In 2007, Holland and his family made the move back to Huntsville and reengaged with University Heights Baptist Church (UHBC), where Ken and Nicole had met. Both had been involved in the college ministry.  “It felt like coming home for both of us,” says Holland.  They volunteered again in college ministry with the church, then Ken was asked to serve in other leadership capacities that ultimately led to a career transition. In November of 2011, Holland was tapped to be the Minister of Administration for UHBC, which entailed overseeing the finance, human resources, and facility operations for the church. In accordance with his “serving others” mentality, Ken and Nicole traveled with a mission team from UHBC to Uganda in 2012. Here, their life would take a new twist.

The couple met Sharon Nakandi, who would become their third child. A Ugandan orphan, Sharon immediately bonded with Ken and Nicole, and when they came back to the states, the adoption process began.  It was a year full of trips back to Uganda and working through the adoption process with lawyers and officials. In February 2014, the Hollands received a court date to decide whether they could adopt Sharon. The whole family, including children Jake and Paige, made the trip.

“The whole family was there for three weeks, and I stayed in Uganda for four additional weeks while we waited for the adoption to be finalized in April 2014. Sharon and I flew back to the United States, and the adoption was finalized in November of that year.”

Holland continued working for UHBC, but as he evaluated where he was in life and the church’s needs, he started to sense another transition was coming. After visiting with a friend who was a financial advisor and consulting with others, Holland decided to give the new career path a try.

“I kept coming back to finding a role that allowed me to help people and assist in giving them financial freedom to plan their lives,” said Holland. “My friend described it as ‘still getting to do ministry.’ I knew that was what I wanted to do.” Holland said he prayed about it and started the process.

“I really wanted to open an office in Huntsville because I have been part of the community for so long,” says Holland. “It is a blessing to be here.”  In late 2019, he began the process by working with an Edward Jones recruiter; by December he was offered a role with the company. In January 2020, he began studying for his licenses to ultimately become a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.

“Once I saw their business model, I was really intrigued by and attracted to Edward Jones. They provide so many resources, support, and training for their advisors.” Says Holland. “I value each of my colleagues, and I am immensely grateful to be able to learn from them and be part of a company that creates a culture of working together to help others.”

Regardless of his job title, Holland says he has always wanted to be involved in his community and with Edward Jones has found a place he can do just that.  “I want to be in the role until I can’t.”

130 Col. Etheredge Blvd, Ste D2
Huntsville, Texas 77340

(936)755-8086

https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ken-holland

Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.