Meet The Summit Team
Advisors
Allen Costellow, RFC©, ChFC® Founder, CEO, Financial Advisor
Growing up in a family where there was always too much month left over at the end of the money, Allen realized early on he was missing vital information when it came to finances. He has since spent a lifetime educating himself and others on the importance of planning. He is dedicated to helping clients find peace of mind and enjoy their retirement years through a well-thought-out financial plan.
Allen was in his early twenties when he got his start in financial services selling annuities. He immediately made it his mission to learn everything he could from those around him, kicking off a 40+ year journey of continuous learning. In 2012, he opened his own firm, Southern Kentucky Financial Services, working with clients to help maximize their income by minimizing their lifetime tax burden. His approach involves looking at a client’s complete financial picture to build the best possible plan for their unique situation.
“The best advice I can give my clients is not to look for or expect a single product to be the answer,” says Allen. “You have to focus on the right things. The tools that got you up the mountain aren’t the same tools you need coming down again.”
Allen is a licensed financial professional who can offer investment and insurance products and services. He has passed the Series 65 securities exam and holds life, health, long-term care, property, casualty, Medicare AHIP and annuity insurance licenses. He has earned his Registered Financial Consultant (RFC©) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC ©). He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal.
When not helping clients, Allen loves spending his free time camping and working on his small farm with his wife, Glenda, and their menagerie of animals, including their dog, cat, cows, horses and chickens. Allen and Glenda enjoy family vacations to the beach and mountains with their five children and seven grandchildren.
The ChFC® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission.
Caleb Costellow President, Financial advisor
Although he started in the financial industry by following in his father’s footsteps, Caleb’s true inspiration comes from the ability to help clients through pivotal moments and see the positive impact financial planning can have on their lives. With 18 years of experience in financial services, Caleb brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for helping clients to his role.
Caleb is known for his unwavering dedication to helping clients work toward their financial goals through well-thought-out retirement strategies. Like his father, Caleb’s philosophy is “have a plan, don’t buy a product,” emphasizing the importance of strategic planning over mere transactional decisions.
When he’s not helping clients, Caleb finds immense joy in worshiping God and spending quality time with his family. Caleb and his wife, Jennifer, share a bustling household with their six children: Jolie, Timothy, Elizabeth, Logan, Peyton and Andrew, and their pets, Magnolia, a German Shepherd, and two cats named Captain Jack Sparrow and Kwazii. In his free time, Caleb is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hunting, fishing and golfing. Additionally, he participates in competitive shooting and is actively involved in his children’s sports activities.
Elizabeth Borders Wealth Manager
“You will always find a way to make another dollar, but memories only happen once. The trick to a happy retirement is finding a balance between both and having people you love with you when you find it.”
Elizabeth has always enjoyed helping others reach their goals. When she started in financial services as a bank teller, she quickly discovered she loved finding better processes for completing clients’ requests and helping people find ways to save and grow their money. It wasn’t long before she developed an interest in the advisory side of the financial industry. She joined Southern Kentucky Financial Services in 2019, assisting clients with working out the minute but important details of their plans.
“I love seeing clients get to do the things they’ve dreamed about,” says Elizabeth. “Seeing their vacation pictures, watching them spend more time with family, enjoying long-forgotten hobbies—and sometimes learning new ones—brings me so much joy!”
Away from the office, Elizabeth and her family love to spend time fishing, riding four-wheelers, hiking and enjoying trips to the beach.
Client Services Team
Bonita McCoy Licensed Financial Professional
Bonita is driven by a passion for working with people and helping them find the best insurance solutions to fit their needs and goals. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Bonita has gained a wealth of knowledge she uses to help clients make the most informed decisions about their insurance needs.
Prior to her current role, Bonita was the agency owner at Southern Kentucky Insurance, where she honed her skills in navigating the complexities of insurance coverage for her clients. She holds life, health, property and casualty insurance licenses and is AHIP Certified with a focus on Medicare solutions.
“Don’t expect Medicare to take care of everything,” Bonita advises clients. “Get professional help before you reach retirement age.”
In her free time, Bonita loves to travel with her daughter, Brittany. Together, they have traveled to Barcelona, Alaska, Mexico, and several Caribbean islands and are always excited to plan their next adventure. When not traveling, Bonita loves to spend time with her chocolate labs, Selah and Bentley.
Wendy Grys Onboarding Specialist
Wendy's journey to SOKY financial began as a client with her husband Peter. She finds great joy in helping clients with the ongoing administrative duties associated with their retirement planning.
With a diverse background as an event business owner, personal banker, and marketing and event coordinator, Wendy brings a wealth of experience and a unique skill set to her current position.
Wendy and her husband, Pete, moved to Bowling Green from the Chicago area. They are the proud parents of two grown children, Shelby and Evan. The family also includes Bailey, their Australian Shepherd, who adds joy and companionship to their household. In her free time, Wendy enjoys traveling, reading and cooking.
Elizabeth Persch Client Services Associate
Liz is passionate about helping others and works to help make clients feel welcome when they call or visit. She recognized the lack of education about planning for the future, and this inspired her to join Southern Kentucky Financial Services. Now, she assists advisors and helps to change clients’ perspectives and help them feel more confident about their next steps.
Liz brings a diverse sales, retail, and hospitality background to her role. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, she was part of the honors program and earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality. Her commitment to excellent service and timely responses ensures everyone feels valued and cared for.
Born in San José, Costa Rica, Liz was raised in Massachusetts by her adoptive family before relocating to Bowling Green. Outside the office, she enjoys gardening, traveling and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, particularly on mission trips to Guatemala. She also loves exploring new hiking trails and shares her home with two Siberian Huskies.
Jolie Costellow Planning Support Specialist
Jolie is proud to work alongside her family, sharing in the mission of making a meaningful difference in clients’ lives. Jolie is known for her exceptional communication skills and ability to build genuine connections. She takes pride in creating a welcoming and supportive experience for every client, ensuring their unique needs and goals are well understood.
Jolie draws inspiration from her grandfather and father’s careers in finance. She currently attends Western Kentucky University, where she is pursuing a major in finance to deepen her knowledge and continue contributing to the success of the firm.
When she’s not working, Jolie enjoys playing pickleball or being out on the golf course in her lifelong home of Bowling Green, Kentucky. She also loves spending time shopping or relaxing with friends. At home, Jolie is surrounded by her family and beloved pets, including her playful German Shepherd, Magnolia, and two orange tabby cats, Jack and Kwazii.
Carter Smith Planning Support Specialist
A lifelong resident of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Carter has always been inspired by his close-knit family and group of friends who encouraged his passion for helping others. At the heart of his role, Carter enjoys organizing events and workshops that help empower clients to understand their financial journeys and build confidence in their retirement plans.
Carter has a deep interest in learning the business. This self-driven curiosity adds a compelling dimension to his work, as he consistently seeks innovative ways to enhance client experiences and assist our team.
Outside of work, Carter is a sports enthusiast. Whether he’s watching or playing basketball, football or golf, he’s always game for some friendly competition. At home, Carter enjoys the company of his dog, Millie, and his two cats, Biscuit and Pepper, who bring plenty of joy and laughter to his days.