Derr finalizes Edward Jones triple play

FORT MADISON – With the official ribbon-cutting out of the way,  Edward Jones has completed a triple play in Fort Madison.
Two office spin offs of the current Edward Jones office formerly owned and operated by Larry Kelch are up and running with three different agents - all off the Kelch tree of money management under the Edward Jones brand.
Kelch’s son Corey Kelch has remained in the office on Avenue H providing financial advising services in the building his father built in 2007. Kelch retired in 2021 and divided the portfolio among Corey, Tony Fullenkamp, who came on under Kelch’s leadership about six years ago and has his own location in the former Chamber offices on 9^th Street, and former office manager Melissa Derr
On Wednesday, Derr broke the ribbon on her own office with Fort Madison Chamber Ambassadors and clients, and celebrated with an open house.
Derr started with Edward Jones almost 17 years ago, 13 of those with Larry Kelch.
“I decided when he went to retire to go ahead and become a financial advisor myself, so that’s what we’re doing today,” Derr said.
She said the space and freedom that allows her to do what’s best for clients is what she likes about having her own space.
“Larry was with Jones for more than 30 years and when he went to retire Jones works with other advisors and splits the office among them. Tony got some, Corey got some and I got some and we wanted to take over and continue his legacy,” Derr said.
“A big part of that for me was that I already knew almost all of the clients, but the hard part was seeing clients that weren’t going to be mine anymore.”
Derr’s new office is in the former space of Brockman Chiropractic at 2311 Avenue L, Suite 3. Margaret Waters is Derr’s Office Manager.