# Compass Financial Advisors

Compass Financial Advisors is a Multi Family Office based in Fort Wayne, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Multi Family Office
- **Headquarters:** Fort Wayne, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Chesterton, IN, United States
- **Founded:** 1998
- **Assets under management:** 265 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** compassadvisor.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-financial-advisors

## About

John Lauer established Compass Financial Advisors in Northern Indiana in 1998 before departing in 2010. Donald Schellhammer has served as a principal since 1990 and sits on the North Compass Financial Advisors Investment Committee alongside Ray Nikkel. The firm deploys capital into hedge funds, private credit, private equity and real estate. Confirmed geographic reach covers North America, Europe and South America. Asset classes also include collectibles and cryptocurrency. No specific portfolio companies or co-investors appear in public records. The firm lists 265 professionals under its AUM estimate. It maintains divisions such as Kenilworth and employee benefit plans including a cash balance pension and 401(k). Kurt Gutman serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Allen County Redevelopment Authority as of the 2023 annual report. Compass Financial Advisors maintains common control with broker-dealer J. Alden Associates, Inc. and holds membership in the Broker Protocol as of October 2025. These affiliations shape its regulatory and operational posture.

## Sectors

- Industrial Tech
- Healthcare Services

## People

- John Lauer — Founder
- Donald Schellhammer — Principal
- Ray Nikkel — Principal
- Kenneth Smith — Chief Compliance Officer

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Compass Financial Advisors?

Donald Schellhammer and Ray Nikkel serve as principals and investment committee members. Kenneth Smith acts as Chief Compliance Officer for both the firm and affiliated broker-dealer J. Alden Associates.

### Does Compass Financial Advisors participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm allocates to hedge funds, private credit, private equity and real estate. No specific fund commitments or direct deals are disclosed in available records.

### How is Compass Financial Advisors related to its listed affiliates?

Brooke Point Management, Partridge Financial Services and Guidance Wealth LLC operate as DBAs under the same CRD #109131 entity. North Compass Financial Advisors shares key personnel.

### What investment stages does Compass Financial Advisors typically target?

No stage preferences are stated in public materials. Allocations span hedge funds, private credit, private equity and real estate.

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Last updated: 2026-08-10T15:54:10.904Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/compass-financial-advisors

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