Who We Are

Meet Our Team

Financial independence is a journey, not an event. At BKWM, we believe that holistic wealth management starts with understanding each client's financial objectives and lifestyle desires. That understanding forms the basis for our trusted, customized, and innovative solutions.

At some firms, financial planning consists of having a client fill out a questionnaire and then feeding the answers into a software program, which then spits out superficial, generalized solutions. We don't think that's acceptable. We may start there, but we certainly don’t stop there because each of our clients is unique. We carefully tailor our solutions and processes to each client's specific needs and goals.

And while we provide comprehensive financial planning, we recognize that receiving too much information and guidance at once can create overwhelm and paralysis—the exact opposite of what clients need.

That's why we focus on identifying areas of greatest immediate need and prioritizing the delivery of solutions. Of course, we provide our clients with a comprehensive road map to help you achieve all of your goals. And we assist you as much or as little as you wish with the implementation of our recommendations.

In every facet of our business, we exercise professionalism and prudence.
Before investing any funds, we carefully establish investment objectives and constraints based on our clients' desires and objectives. We make certain that the investments we recommend are advantageous to the client.

We incur only costs that are reasonable in amount and appropriate to the client's investment program. And we exercise care, skill, and caution in obtaining the best trade execution, maintaining records, and keeping clients and beneficiaries informed. In all matters, we diligently place our clients' interests ahead of our own.

Independence. Loyalty. Diligence/Reasonable Basis. Disclosure. These form the pillars of BKWM's responsibility as a fiduciary--a partner worthy of your trust.

Independence. As an independent firm, the work we perform for clients is untainted by any obligation or sense of loyalty to providers of financial investment products.
Loyalty. Our duty is to our clients alone. We are not beholden to any investment or insurance company.
Diligence. Every security or financial planning decision we make is based on our expertise, careful research using company reports, third-party research and other information, and results from our quantitative modeling. Our team engages in ongoing study and professional training to support our recommendations and investment decisions.
Disclosure. At BKWM, we take every precaution to avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflicts. When conflicts cannot reasonably be avoided, we disclose them prominently and in plain language. We adhere to the strictest guidelines of effective disclosure.

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Mike Christians

Managing Director
Private Wealth Advisor
Mike Christians is a founding partner of Black Knight Wealth Management. Mike brings with him over 20 years in the financial services industry working with individuals and companies on successfully meeting their financial goals. Prior to starting his private-sector career, Mike served as an air defense officer in the US Army for 5 years and then in various positions in the US Army Reserves until his retirement after 28 years of service in 2017.

Mike was born and raised in Southern Illinois. He is a 1989 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, where he majored in aerospace engineering. Mike later studied manufacturing systems engineering (a hybrid MBA and MS program) at the University of Kentucky. After a brief tour as a manufacturing engineer, Mike began helping clients achieve their financial goals in 1996.

In addition to working with clients on their financial and estate planning needs, Mike oversees the income and growth portfolios for BKWM.

Mike is 52 years old, lives in Frisco, and enjoys spending time with his two children, Cayden and Kennedy.
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Rob Holmes

Managing Director
Private Equity Offerings
Rob Holmes is a founding partner of Black Knight Wealth Management. Since 1995, Rob has been involved in buying struggling companies, building the management teams, developing and turning around the companies, and ultimately selling them. Before beginning his private-sector career, Rob served as an armor officer in the US Army and was decorated during Operation Desert Storm with the Bronze Star for Valor under enemy fire.

Rob was born in Arlington, Virginia and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a 1989 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, where he majored in economics and interned at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a leading policy center in Washington, DC. Shortly after graduation, Rob also studied at the London School of Economics. Rob later earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

BKWM’s primary private equity offerings are on businesses that produce yields, such as specialty finance, or industries that have recurring revenues such as energy assets or real estate.

Rob is 51 years old, lives in Dallas, is a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, and is father to two sons, Jackson and Charlie.
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Carl Kielbasa

Financial Advisor Associate
Before starting his private-sector career, Carl served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army.

Carl Kielbasa brings over 30 years of experience in both business and education to the Financial Services industry. This experience includes leadership roles in manufacturing, business development, organization development, and coaching and teaching in public schools. He works with individuals and companies on successfully meeting their financial goals.

Carl was born in Texas but raised on Long Island in the state of New York. He is a 1988 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, where he majored in Engineering. Carl earned a Master of Business Management and Organization Development at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. He is a certified teacher in mathematics and social studies.

Carl works with clients on their Financial and Estate planning needs.

Carl is 54 years old, lives in State College, Pennsylvania, and enjoys spending time with his wife Kendra and three adult children, Kelsey, Connor, and Danny. In addition, he continues to coach high school lacrosse at State College Area High School.
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Kellie Newlin

Client Service Associate
Kellie Newlin serves as a Client Service Associate, bringing a strong background in customer service and administrative support to the team. Since joining the company in September 2024, she has been committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring that every client experience is seamless, well-organized, and efficient.

Before entering the financial planning industry, Kellie built a solid foundation in customer care while working with State Farm Insurance. Her attention to detail and love for task-oriented work make her an invaluable asset in managing client relationships and supporting daily operations.

Kellie is known for her warm, professional demeanor and her commitment to making clients feel supported and well-informed.

Outside of work, Kellie has been married to Clayton Newlin for 25 years. They have two children: Whitney, a cardiac nurse at Baptist Hospital, and a son who works as a universal banker at Citizens Bank in Hot Springs. In her free time, Kellie enjoys boating, spending time on the lake and by the pool, playing games with loved ones, and traveling with family and friends.
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Chelsea Hoover

Family Office Director
Chelsea Hoover is an Arkansas native with over 15 years of experience in client services and office management. Prior to coming to Black Knight Wealth Management, she served in the medical field as a surgical services business manager before joining the wealth management industry 3 years ago.

Chelsea has been married for 17 years to her amazing husband and together they have four gorgeous daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. Her eldest daughter,24, is married with 3 children, living in Florida where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. The next daughter,21, is currently a student at University of Arkansas, prelaw, set to graduate in December with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology before moving on to law school. The next daughter,17, is a senior in high school where she dances on the Dance Team before heading to college to pursue Pediatric Nursing. The youngest,14, is in Jr. High currently cheering on the Jr. High Cheer Teem.

Chelsea has lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas all her life. When she isn’t attending a sporting event or cheer/dance competition she is traveling, boating and camping on the beautiful lakes in her hometown with her family and friends.
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Amanda LaFevers

Administrator
Amanda is an Arkansas native with over 30 years of experience in customer service, working with a variety of clients. Prior to joining Black Knight Wealth Management, Amanda worked in journalism and marketing with two successful print publications in Arkansas. Other experience includes health insurance for senior citizens and local state government.

Amanda has four amazing children. Her eldest son works in physical therapy, and her middle son is a 2nd Lieutenant Air Force pilot and AFA graduate. She has one daughter in nursing school and a young son at home.

Amanda was born and raised around Hot Springs, Arkansas. She enjoys volunteering and performing with her youngest at their local community theatre and enjoying all that Hot Springs has to offer.

Our Network

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Dennis Berry

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https://bowtiewealth.com/

Our Network

A green background with the words " black keys alternative identity ".

Coming Soon

A black bow tie is shown in this picture.

Bow Tie

Wealth Management

A man in a suit and bow tie.

Dennis Berry

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque eleifend imperdiet sapien, ac congue odio vehicula nec. Aenean ipsum lorem, maximus nec fermentum ac, suscipit nec ante.

https://bowtiewealth.com/