Meet the professionals who can help you pursue your goals

We help individuals and families work toward achieving their ideal retirements.

Meet The NuVenture Financial Group Team

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Advisory Team

Bob Horne, RICP^® CEO / President / Financial Advisor

Bob Horne, RICP^®

CEO / President / Financial Advisor

Bob’s goal is to empower clients to make informed decisions and help accomplish their retirement income goals.

When entering the financial services industry, Bob served as an assistant vice president and branch manager for HSBC Bank. In an effort to find a professional atmosphere that matched his own commitment to building client relationships, Bob made a career change to specifically focus on retirement strategies. After working as an advisor with two local Jacksonville firms for 7 years, he decided to pursue his entrepreneurial vision and launched NuVenture Financial Group in 2019. As the CEO of NuVenture, Bob uses his passion for problem solving to help individuals and families with their long-term retirement strategies.

Bob has passed the Series 6, 63, and 65 securities exams and carries a life, health, and annuity license in Florida. He has also obtained the industry leading Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation.

Bob resides in Mandarin, Florida, with his wife and four daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family. Additionally, Bob is actively involved with his church and currently serves as the treasurer on the board of directors with the local nonprofit organization Hart Felt Ministries. He is a founding member and past president of both the Capital Gain Chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) and Core Network Referral Group (CNRG).

Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Nuventure Financial Group. NuVenture Financial Group is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by NuVenture Financial Group are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements.

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Read Hidden Obstacles May Snag Your Retirement? 5 Key Points to Consider

The appearances in Kiplinger were obtained through a PR program. The columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.

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Jenna Simpson, CFP^® VP of Operations / Financial Advisor

Jenna Simpson, CFP^®

VP of Operations / Financial Advisor

Jenna was raised in Southwest Florida and moved to Jacksonville to attend The University of North Florida in 2012. At UNF she dual majored and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelors in Finance and a Bachelors in Financial Services from one of the top 5 programs in the country. During her senior year she entered the financial services industry, working for New York Life in a commissions-only role. Realizing that “salesperson” was not the role for her, she transferred to the other extreme and worked for a fee-only boutique firm in Jacksonville.

Limited in her growth and learning opportunities, Jenna joined NuVenture’s independent firm. NuVenture offered her freedom to explore many financial needs her clients may face, and they have continuously encouraged her to continue her education. After many years of study, dedication, and the support of her team, she obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark.

Working under the independent umbrella of NuVenture, she has the ability to advise others and develop strong relationships with the clients she works with. Jenna is an Investment Adviser Representative and aims to help assist the families she works with in their financial goals through decade’s long relationships. She enjoys engaging with these families and helping them with their retirement. Her goal is to increase the financial literacy for all she works with and within the community.

Outside of work, Jenna and her husband Michael enjoy travelling to and camping in National Parks, watching their favorite sci-fi shows, and enjoying crafts. However, continuing education, advancement in her field, and the continuing growth and development of NuVenture Financial Group is always at the top of her mind.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Read Avoid Retirement Regrets: Five Facts to Learn Now, Not Later

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Julian Arndt, FPQP^® Financial Advisor

Julian Arndt, FPQP^®

Financial Advisor

Julian joined the NuVenture family as its latest insurance professional in 2023 after moving to Jacksonville from Arizona. He earned his Bachelor of Science in public service and public policy from Arizona State University in 2018.

After working in the public sector for several years, Julian wanted to follow his passion for finance, so he worked to earn the Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalTM (FPQP®) designation. This designation program is for new professionals entering the financial services industry looking to deepen their foundational knowledge in financial planning.

He has passed the Series 65 exam, and obtained his life, health and fixed annuity license with the State of Florida in 2023.

In his free time, Julian likes to spend time with his partner, Samantha, and their dog, Theo. They enjoy biking, exercising, going to the beach and exploring Jacksonville.

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Jacob McLeod Financial Advisor

Jacob McLeod

Financial Advisor

Jacob was born and raised in Jacksonville, and he spent most of his childhood in the Fruit Cove area. He joined the NuVenture team full-time as a launch advisor in May 2024, after working for the firm as an intern and paraplanner in 2023. Since becoming a fully-licensed advisor, Jacob has emphasized building lasting relationships with both new and existing clients.

Prior to rejoining the team in 2024, Jacob pursued an education in finance from one of the nation’s top programs, the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. His time in Boston was characterized by rigorous coursework, new experiences, and the culture of New England.

Jacob is thrilled to be a retirement planner because it lets him leverage his two greatest strengths: his expertise in finance and his passion for helping others. Jacob’s goal is to assist the families he works with in enjoying every moment of their well-earned retirement. He aims to simplify the retirement planning process while educating families, so they can make every decision with confidence and conviction. His faith is central to the work he strives to complete, seeking to enrich the lives of others with every interaction.

Outside of the office, Jacob spends quality time with is friends, family, and girlfriend. In his free time, he enjoys boating on the St. Johns River, eating delicious cuisines, attending Church, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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Ethan Robertson Planning Support Specialist

Ethan Robertson

Planning Support Specialist

Ethan brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping others to his role at NuVenture Financial Group. Born and raised in Jacksonville's Mandarin neighborhood, Ethan grew up in a large family and learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance.

He gained valuable experience in financial services during his 14 successful years in the automotive industry, helping clients navigate vehicle financing options while also developing a strong foundation in customer service, problem-solving, and relationship-building. This blend of financial expertise and client-centered service has seamlessly transitioned into his work at NuVenture Financial Group.

As part of the NuVenture team, Ethan enjoys bringing his skills and work ethic into a company known for its integrity, high standards, and dedication to positively impacting families. He takes pride in simplifying financial strategies and helping clients work toward a secure and confident retirement.

Outside of work, Ethan is a proud father to three boys—two being twins! In his free time, he stays involved in the Jacksonville community by coaching youth football and baseball. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with family and friends. Ethan considers the Bible to be the greatest self-help guide ever written and strives to live out its lessons daily. Coming from humble beginnings, he values hard work and is passionate about serving NuVenture families with integrity and purpose.

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Garrett Ho-Shing Financial Advisor

Garrett Ho-Shing

Financial Advisor

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Fl, Garret is a proud alumnus of the University of North
Florida, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in business in 2015. His journey into
finance was driven by a passion to assist others in achieving their financial dreams,
particularly in planning for a secure retirement.

Garrett’s core values revolve around integrity, transparency, and empathy. These values
guide him in every decision he makes for a client. He is dedicated to making an impact
in people’s lives by helping clients create a future where they can live out their perfect
day, everyday. In May 2023, Garrett married his wonderful wife, Emily, and together they
welcomed their daughter, Charlee, into their lives. Family is at the heart of everything he
does; both Emily and Charlee inspire him daily. Outside of work, Garrett enjoys golfing
with friends and cooking new and delicious meals for his family. When the weather is
good, he also enjoys casting a line in the water in hopes of catching some fish. During
football season, he is an avid supporter of his hometown team, the Jacksonville
Jaguars.

After gaining invaluable experience at Fidelity, Garrett made the pivotal decision to join
the NuVenture Financial Group family. This decision was driven by his commitment to
offering clients a truly fiduciary experience. At NuVenture, he is committed to offering
personalized financial advice tailored to each client’s unique needs. He believes in a
holistic approach to financial planning, where understanding a client’s life goals, family
dynamics, and personal aspirations forms the foundation of his strategy.

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Office Management

Dawn Ackerman Office Manager

Dawn Ackerman

Office Manager

Dawn was raised in Jacksonville, Florida for most of her life. She previously worked in the mortgage industry for over 25 years before deciding to transition into working with the amazing team at NuVenture Financial Group. Dawn's precise work ethic and tenacity are just some of the motivating factors she keeps in mind as she continues to grow. Outside of NuVenture, you can find Dawn spending quality time with family, friends, traveling and loving on her two furbabies, Dunkin' and Darla.

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Client Experience Department

Cheryl Westbrook Client Experience Manager

Cheryl Westbrook

Client Experience Manager

Cheryl joined the NuVenture Financial Group in December of 2023. After spending the
past 10 years in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cheryl is excited to be back in her hometown,
Jacksonville, Florida. She lives in the Avondale area with her children and dog, Ozzie.

With a background in Journalism- she is a former reporter for the Florida Times-Unionand time spent in the hospitality and mortgage industry, Cheryl is thrilled to bring her
experience to NuVenture.

Although she loved the mountains, Cheryl is happy to be back in the Sunshine State
and out of the cold, dry winters of Utah. She spends her time outside of work taking
care of her five children, playing piano, reading, writing poetry and enjoys anything
music related.

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April McLain Sr. Client Engagement Coordinator

April McLain

Sr. Client Engagement Coordinator

April joined NuVenture Financial Group in March 2023, bringing her vibrant energy and dedication to the team. A resident of St. Augustine for over 20 years, she happily spends much of her free time exploring the historic downtown area. Her weekends are often filled with beach outings and camping adventures. April also has a passion for chasing sunsets and cherishing moments with her family and friends.

At home, April keeps busy with her many creative pursuits, including gardening, redecorating, and woodworking projects. She is a proud mother of three—one beautiful daughter, two handsome sons—and is now enjoying her newest role as a loving grandmother to her grandson, whom she adores spending time with and snuggling.

April’s compassionate spirit extends beyond her personal life. In 2011, she founded Socks for the Soul – St. Augustine, FL, a charity dedicated to providing new socks to the homeless community and local shelters. Driven by her passion for helping those less fortunate, April believes in showing kindness to all people, love for all things, and serving as a genuine reminder to “be the good” in the world.

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Sadie Walsh Administrative Assistant

Sadie Walsh

Administrative Assistant

Sadie joined the NuVenture team in January 2023 as an administrative assistant. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and minor in Leadership from the University of North Florida. When she is not working, she enjoys walking on the beach with her husband or having coffee with friends. Her passions are spending quality time with others, singing, and loves Jesus. Sadie is grateful to be on the NuVenture team and is excited to see what the future holds.

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Operations Department

Gretchen Barker Sr. Operations Coordinator

Gretchen Barker

Sr. Operations Coordinator

Gretchen was born and raised in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She joined our family in December of 2023 as an Operations Specialist. She has had 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry and will be using her expertise from that field to excel in her new position with us. She enjoys a fun filled lifestyle with her husband and two children. Her children keep her busy with travel baseball, volleyball or just spending time together. In her spare time, you can find her at the beach, volunteering at a local farm, catching up with friends, or enjoying date nights with her husband.

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Sylvia Lara Sr. Operations Coordinator

Sylvia Lara

Sr. Operations Coordinator

Sylvia joined the NuVenture family in late September 2022 as an Operations
Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor in Business Administration with a major in
finance and minor in psychology. She has worked in finance since 1992 in various
financial institutions and has had great rapport with clients. She finally made the move
to Jacksonville, Florida in 2017 and felt like this has always been home, never looking
back. She loves to exercise and try out new restaurants. She has 2 furry, very active
babies – Hans and Charlotte who also love getting their exercise, especially at the
beach.

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Marketing Department

Desiree McMillan, CDMP Sr. Marketing Coordinator

Desiree McMillan

Sr. Marketing Coordinator

Desiree started at NuVenture Financial Group December 2023. She graduated from UNF in 2020 with her Bachelors in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL and spent a summer travelling across the country in her camper. She enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, and exploring new places. In her free time, she is fond of taking photos of any wildlife she can find. Family is most important to her, as she is the only child and grandchild in her immediate family.

She also spends time volunteering at a local wildlife rehabilitation facility where she cares for injured and ill animals until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Because of her love for animals, she has rescued three cats that are now her forever fur children. She hopes to continue aiding in animal rehabilitation and spreading awareness of the importance of protecting our local wildlife.

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Ashlyn Horne Sr. Marketing Coordinator

Ashlyn Horne

Sr. Marketing Coordinator

Ashlyn joined NuVenture in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant while beginning her college journey at the University of North Florida. With a passion for creativity and data-driven strategies, she pursued and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Digital Marketing and Analytics.

After exploring various career paths post-graduation, she felt led to return to NuVenture as the Marketing Coordinator. Ashlyn loves that this role allows her to use her God-given talents to make a meaningful impact and help others while driving NuVenture's mission forward.

Outside of work, Ashlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, soaking up the sun at the beach, traveling to new places, and exploring local spots around Jacksonville.

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Meet the professionals who can help you pursue your goals

Meet The NuVenture Financial Group Team