Melody W. Townsend, CFP®, is the founder and CEO of Townsend Financial Planning, a Kentucky-based fee-only firm guiding individuals and families to build peace and purpose through smart financial decisions. With a heart for service and a sharp strategic mind, Melody brings a deep relational approach to wealth management, combining professional excellence with values-based planning.

Since opening her firm in 2006, Melody has grown Townsend Financial Planning into a thriving ensemble team managing over $125 million in assets. The firm was named 2024 Small Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce and is widely recognized for its deeply personalized client experience and bold, faith-centered vision for growth. Melody was also honored as one of the notable women in financial planning as NAPFA’s “Women to Know” in 2024 for her leadership in the profession.

Her expertise has been featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Advisor Magazine, and a recent CBS19 News article titled “Gen X is Turning 60. Their Retirement Anxiety is Growing.” She was also a guest on Michael Kitces’ Financial Advisor Success Podcast (Episode 372), hosted by one of the most respected thought leaders in the planning industry, where she shared the behind-the-scenes story of building a successful, values-driven advisory firm.

Rooted in faith, family, and service, Melody leads with authenticity and purpose—partnering with clients to align their money with what matters most and cultivating a firm culture where both people and possibilities thrive.

Growing up in Winchester, Kentucky, Nick Bailey dreamed of becoming a professional fisherman competing in Bass Master tournaments. Sadly, Nick did a lot more fishing than catching and thought he might need to pursue other avenues as he got older. The patience he learned from fishing has helped him in pursuing a career in financial planning, and it continues to be an enjoyable hobby for him.

Attending Morehead State University and majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance, Nick explored banking, insurance, and lending, but none of those fields gave him the client interaction and ability to solve problems he was seeking. As his senior year was wrapping up at MSU, Nick began focusing on finding an internship. After learning about Melody and Townsend Financial Planning’s positive reputations in the Mt. Sterling community, Nick took the leap and cold-called TFP. This call led to an internship, and he was hired immediately after graduation.

Becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional was a goal Nick set for himself, and with a lot of patience, perseverance, and prayer, he earned his certification in 2020. Since joining the TFP team, Nick has not stopped perfecting his trade. He loves the puzzle aspect of financial planning, and he reads and studies anything he can get his hands on about the profession. Nick’s clients appreciate his ability to relate to where they are in their financial journey and connect the dots to help them make the best decisions for themselves.

Nick’s most significant accomplishment has been starting a family with his wife, Terri. His daughter, Bennett, and his son, Gannon, bring new adventure to his daily life, and Nick is humbled regularly by his roles as both a husband and father. He acknowledges that he has been very blessed in life and serves others as a deacon in his church. In his spare time, Nick does jiu-jitsu. Financial planner by day and ninja by night – Nick has you covered whatever your needs!

One of Jeremiah Creech’s personal goals is to be a genuinely kind person. He learned the importance of putting others first and caring for the needs of those around him from his father; he says if he can become half the person his father is, he will have achieved his goal. This desire to help others drew him to financial planning, where he is excited to grow in knowledge and experience with the Townsend Financial Planning team.

Jeremiah has served as an Advisor Support Specialist with Townsend Financial Planning since March of 2022, eager to learn about the financial planning process. Jeremiah passed his Series 65 examination in March of 2023, and completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance December of 2023. Jeremiah is now pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and intends to sit for the exam in 2025.

Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brady, and their dogs, Oliver and Frankie.

Lynn Preston has worked with Townsend Financial Planning since October of 2015, when she began as the administrative assistant. After earning her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ certification from the College of Financial Planning, she began to offer more client support in the role of registered paraplanner. As the company has grown, she has transitioned to office manager and Senior Client Support Specialist. Lynn makes sure that everything runs smoothly. Her attention to detail and commitment to providing excellent customer service make her a vital part of the team.

Before coming to Townsend Financial Planning, Lynn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology from Morehead State University, and then received a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Sullivan University. She enjoys spending time with her husband (Josh) and two children (Lucas and Olivia) and two fur kids (Peanut & Rio).  She also enjoys reading and making pottery when she finds spare time.

Megan Howell has served as a Client Support Specialist at Townsend Financial Planning since July of 2018, taking on different responsibilities as the company grows. Her organizational and strategic skills allow her to contribute to various company projects and office coordination for clients and staff.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Kentucky, Megan went on to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Morehead State University.

In her free time, she loves to read, write, and travel with her husband (Clark) and daughter (Jubilee), checking off states, national parks, and Major League Baseball stadiums around the country. They also have three cats (S’more, Bryce, and Socrates).

Cindy Emig serves Townsend Financial Planning’s Louisville location. After retiring early, Cindy came to the company with a wealth of business and technology knowledge. She experienced the life-changing benefits of financial planning for herself, and this allowed her to retire early and make a career change.

In her free time, Cindy enjoys the great outdoors including hiking and kayaking.