We’re excited to welcome a new group of Normal Community High School interns to our Bloomington office this semester. They’ll be spending a few hours each week with us over the coming weeks learning more about the finance field so they can grow their understanding of business and finance as they pursue their academic goals. In order to spotlight them so you can learn more about them, they’ve each written a short bio. If you stop in to our Bloomington office over the next couple of months, be sure to say hello and welcome them!

Troy Reckamp

I am a senior at Normal Community High School, and I hope to study Accounting and Finance in college. I am on the NCHS swim team and hope to continue the sport in college. I am also a part of a club called YoungLife and have been very active in it during High school. During the summer, I lifeguard for Bloomington Parks and Recreation as well as teach young kids how to swim.

Parker Beal

I am a senior at Normal Community High School and I am interested in pursuing a career in finance and data analytics in the future. I enjoy staying involved in cross country and track as well as performing in the Normal Marching Band. I am a member of the senior class board and National Honors Society board where I work as the treasurer. I go on various mission trips with my church as well as working at Miller Park Zoo. I intend to go to a 4-year university, earn my masters degree, and pursue my MBA.

Sai Koppuravuri

I am a senior at Normal Community High School interested in a career in finance in the future. I love music, sports, and food (my parents are opening a restaurant soon!). I also participate in Future Business Leaders of America, Technology Student Association, Math Team, Bit-by-Bit Computer Science, and other career-technical organizations and intend to go to a 4-year university and get a masters degree post-grad from high school.

Vatsal Sudera

I am currently attending Normal Community High School as a senior. I am interested in pursuing a career in business, and hope to learn about the business world through my time here! My hobbies include sketching and making music. In high school, I am a part of TSA & FBLA. I am planning on attending a 4 year university, then pursuing an MBA.

Our office is always looking to provide the most reliable and efficient ways to communicate with you. Here is a brief recap of the various ways we can be reached: 

TTELEPHONE // Pontiac: 815-842-4393 // Bloomington: 309-290-3743 If no one is available to answer your call, you can always leave a voice message which we will receive and forward to the appropriate person in order to respond to you in a timely manner. 

E-MAIL // All our staff have an email address that is part of a Transport Layer Security (TLS) platform that allows us to send and receive messages in a secure manner. When we need to communicate non-public information electronically with you, we utilize the TLS system by using the words “secure” in the subject. Remember that if you are sending or returning any non-public information to our office, you must send the information in a secure manner from your own email program. 

TEXT MESSAGES // Both of our advisors can receive and send text messages using HEARSAY RELATE Business text messaging. Please remember that text messages are NOT ENCRYPTED and should therefore not contain confidential information. Please contact Denise if you would like to access this means of communicating with David or Darrell.

Protecting client data remains one of our top priorities. As part of an important security enhancement, the Email option for receiving Onetime Passcodes (OTP) for NetXInvestor will be removed in a future update and will no longer be supported.  Updates are strongly encouraged to help ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted access for clients. You can update your NetXInvestor OTP delivery method to one either SMS/Text or Phone Call. See this blog for step-by-step instruction.

After 11 years as our Client Touch & Community Building Manager, Susan Strubhar will be stepping away at the end of July.

We are beyond grateful for her smile at the front desk, her attention to detail at every event, and the love she has poured into her time at Douglass Financial. While we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re sure we’ll see her at upcoming events in the future! Be sure to wish her well the next time you see her!

Beginning in August, you can expect to see Laura Myers’s name come for various things and occasionally at our front desk in Bloomington.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is simply technology designed to help computers do tasks that usually require human thinking. You may already be using AI without realizing it, whether through voice assistants, navigation apps, or customer service chat tools.

While AI is becoming more common, there’s no need to feel intimidated. Think of it as a helpful tool, like a calculator or a smartphone, that can make everyday tasks easier. It can help you find information quickly, stay connected with family, or even learn something new.

At the same time, it’s important to use wisdom and discernment. Not everything you see or hear online is accurate, whether it comes from AI or people. Be cautious about sharing personal information, double-check important details, and rely on trusted sources when making decisions.

With a balanced approach, confidence paired with caution, you can feel confident using this new technology safely and even enjoy the benefits it brings to your daily life.