DEERFIELD, IL -- Whether he's raising money for children's charities or managing other people's money, Chad Coe lives by the motto: "The more people I help, the better I become."
"I love helping people," Coe said.
Coe recently was named one of the nation's Top 10 "most able and most philanthropic financial advisors in the industry" by Registered Rep., a magazine and online source for investment professionals.
Coe was honored with a 2008 Outstanding Advisor Award from Registered Rep.
"He is quite an exceptional person," said Sharon Frankel, director of special events for Keshet, a Northbrook organization serving children with developmental disabilities. "He deserves it."
Coe owns Coe Financial Group, Inc. in Deerfield, a wealth management firm. He also lives in Deerfield with his wife, Debbie, and their three children, Geoffrey, Jordan and Zachary.
The Coe's founded Special Kids Network in 1999 to raise money for charities. The network now raises up to $200,000 annually for child-focused organizations, including The National Stuttering Foundation, Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation of Chicago, Foundation for Retinal Research and Glenkirk.
With money donated by Special Kids, Keshet operates a teen camp, which is named after Coe's network.
"It is a wonderful advantage to be able to have this teen camp and have it supported," Frankel said. "Every year, camp grows by leaps and bounds."
"What I love about what I'm doing with Special Kids Network is it's almost like a second job," Coe said. "It consumes your life. We give to their wish lists and make it about things that are personal, and that's priceless."
Coe credits a family friend from his childhood, June Shore, for mentoring him. It sparked in him a desire to help others.
"I was in special education until fourth grade," Coe said. "If I didn't have June telling me I could do it, I wouldn't have my own company and six people working for me. I'm always thanking June."
Every year, Special Kids Network hosts a sold-out golf and tennis event. This year's event is Aug. 18 at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.
For more information about Special Kids Network, visit http://www.specialkidsnetwork.org. Coe can be reached at Coe Financial Group, 847-444-9444.
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