Our Team
John Groleau, CCPS, MSFS
John is the founder of Lighthouse Financial Group, Inc. and Lighthouse College Financial Planning, Inc. For more than 20 years, John has been helping families plan, prepare and pay for their students’ college education.
As a Certified College Planning Specialist, John’s expertise is navigating the complexities of the financial aid application and award process. He works with families on financial planning strategies to minimize their out of pocket college expenses, maximize their financial aid eligibility and meet their long-term retirement needs.
At the heart of Lighthouse Financial Group and Lighthouse College Financial Planning is John’s commitment to families. Lighthouse provides the highest standards of quality through ethical behavior and professional integrity.
John and his family are longtime residents of Aurora. All four of the Groleau children graduated from West Aurora High School. John and his wife are active in the community, the schools and their church. Click here to learn more about John
Shireen Groleau, BA, CCPS
As a licensed financial planner and Certified College Planning Specialist, Shireen specializes in working with families to plan and pay for college. Following the mantra, “you can never start too early,” she loves helping families with children of any age prepare financially for the college years ahead.
Shireen also concentrates on providing expertise on the financial issues of divorce. She understands while a lot of uncertainty comes with divorce, one’s financial future should not be left uncertain. By looking at both sides of the picture, Shireen guides individuals through the financial process of divorce and can help in achieving a financially fair settlement.
Having worked in health care for several years, Shireen also specializes in Long Term Care Insurance. She notes, “It was difficult to watch countless families put their parents in nursing homes because that is all Medicare or Medicaid would cover, or break the bank by paying for out of pocket care at home.”
Shireen has obtained her Series 7, Series 66, Life and Health producer licensure, LTC Partnership, and is a CCPS (Certified College Planning Specialist) through NICCP (National Institute of Certified College Planners). Shireen, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, has been affiliated with Lighthouse Financial Group, Inc. since 2011.
Terry Maciulewicz, Student Counselor
Originally from Connecticut, Terry brings with her over twelve years of experience working in Student Affairs, primarily with first-year student programs. She has worked on several college campuses including American University in Washington, DC, The Boston Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts and Johnson and Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Human Development, Counseling and Family Studies with a concentration in College Student Development from the University of Rhode Island. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. In 2007, Terry started and implemented a private consulting business to effectively prepare high school students and their families for all facets of college life. John Groleau, founder of Lighthouse Financial Group, Inc. and a Certified College Planning Specialist, notes “we are excited to have Terry join the Lighthouse team. Her knowledge and experience offer extra value and expanded resources to our college planning families.”
Scott Venters, Student Counselor
Scott has seven years of experience as a mathematics teacher for middle school and high school students. He spent five years working in student services at the collegiate level working to help make students’ transitions to campus successful. Scott graduated with a Masters of Science Degree in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Millikin University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in School Counseling. Scott is a member of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling, Illinois School Counselor Association, and Illinois Counseling Association.
J.T. Connell, Student Counselor
J.T. has been a high school educator for 18 years teaching Physics. During his tenure he has spent 14 years coaching. J.T. has experience at both private and public schools in football, basketball, and baseball at the freshman, sophomore, and varsity levels. J.T. brings his broad experience to bear when helping student athletes find the right fit for college. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Illinois State University, and his Master of Science degree in Physics from Northern Illinois University. J.T. has recently received certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, and is a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). This National certification differs from state teaching certifications, and less than 5% of Illinois teachers have achieved this level of accreditation. He. is a Certified Cash Flow Consultant (CCFC), Certified Athletic Marketing Consultant (CAMC), and a Certified Athletic Financial Consultant (CAFC).
J.T. is married with three children, and his oldest son just graduated high school and has been accepted to the University of Evansville engineering program.
