About Us

Ashley Eastep is a Receptionist with Universal Financial Strategies and lifelong resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. She was a cosmetologist for 8 years & was a stay-at-home mom for the first 2 after having her son. During time off, Ashley spends time with her son and husband. Her family loves spending time at the lake in Watertown, SD every summer. 

Bryce joins Universal Financial Strategies with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He is a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. Prior to joining the team, he spent the past six years as an Advisor for Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Bryce is a Certified Financial Planner Professional (CFP®). He holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI) designations. Bryce is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Bryce enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His hobbies include high school and college athletics.

Danni McCoy is a Registered Assistant with Universal Financial Strategies. She grew up in central Nebraska, but has lived with her husband, Shane, and their two children, Mikey and Miley just north of Lincoln for the last 26 years. She has a total of 21 years in the investment & insurance industry. Prior to joining the team, Danni spent over 20 years of her career working as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor for Northwestern Mutual. Danni loves spending time outdoors gardening, fishing, kayaking, watching her daughter play softball and spending time with her family and friends.

Doug Thompson is a Partner with Universal Financial Strategies and a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. He is a lifelong Lincoln, Nebraska resident and a graduate of the University of Nebraska. Doug and his wife, Liz, enjoy spending time with their son and daughter, Ry and Meg and visiting Colorado with the family.

Jack Puls, with Universal Financial Strategies, has over 5 years in the financial services industry and is a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. He is a lifelong Lincoln, Nebraska resident. In his free time, Jack enjoys snow skiing, reading, and is passionate about helping others achieve their goals.

James Predoehl is a Partner with Universal Financial Strategies and a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc., and a bonded Notary Public. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with B.S. Degrees in Economics and Finance. James and his wife, Sue, enjoy spending time with their son and daughter, Nathan and Anna.

Kelly Merklein is a Sales Assistant with Universal Financial Strategies. She is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan with a bachelor’s in accounting. She loves to travel, bike ride and all things outdoors and spend time with her family and friends.

Kyle is a Denver, Colorado native and has resided in Lincoln, Nebraska for the past 15 years after graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He recently earned his Series 7 license and is continuing to expand his knowledge within the financial services industry.

He brings a background in client success, relationship management, and sales, with a strong focus on building trust and delivering a high level of service. He is passionate about helping individuals and families make confident financial decisions.

Outside of the office, Kyle enjoys spending time with his wife, Molly, and their two daughters, Poppy and Sutton. He stays active through his daughters’ activities, fitness, and golf.

Meg Thompson is a receptionist with Universal Financial Strategies. Currently a student at UNL, Meg is majoring in Psychology. She is a lifelong Lincoln, NE resident and enjoys spending time with her family.

Mike is a lifelong Lincoln, Nebraska resident and a graduate of the University of Nebraska. He has been an Independent Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. since October of 2003. Previously, Mike was with AG Edwards and Ameritas. Since founding Universal Financial Strategies in 2003, he’s been an Eagles Circle Member* with Osaic Wealth, Inc. Mike has over 20 years of industry experience and multiple securities licenses including 6, 63, 7 and 65 and has clients across more than 20 states.

Much of Mike’s success with Universal Financial Strategies can be attributed to his TEAM approach. Mike spends most of his time working directly with clients and prospects. In addition, clients are served by four other licensed Financial Advisors, a Financial Para-Planner and a Client Services Specialist, enabling Universal Financial Strategies to provide quality customer service.

Universal Financial Strategies’ focal point is helping investors at or near retirement who have at least $250,000 of investable assets. Mike’s TEAM goals include growing client assets and providing them with retirement income to pursue their dreams, while helping reduce downside risk to help transfer additional assets to the next generation. His strategies include retirement income planning, investment management, pension and social security analysis, financial planning and modeling, catastrophic health care expense planning and estate/wealth transfer strategies.

Marketing is also a big part of Mike’s success as a business owner. Universal Financial Strategies has been conducting seminars since 2005.

Mike and his wife, Amy, have four wonderful children, Jack, Alexandra, Brooke and Kari.

*This award is based on sales generated by advisors and is not based upon performance or returns experienced by any client or opinions of clients or former clients.

Sondra Hansen is an Administrative Assistant with Universal Financial Strategies. She is a lifelong resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. Sondra and her husband, Kenny, have two grown children, Spencer and Ashley. Sondra and Kenny enjoy spending time with their grandchild, Jameson.

Terry joins Universal Financial Strategies with more than 36 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He is a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Inc. Prior to joining the team, he spent the past 30 years as an Advisor with Commercial Federal, BancWest Investments and recently BMO Investment Services. Terry is a graduate of University of Nebraska/Kearney with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Terry loves spending time with his wife Joy, his adult children, and his grandsons Jude, Truth and Milo. He enjoys football, bird watching and the LA Dodgers.