About CK FINANCIAL
Who We Are & Where we stand
We are independent financial contractors who have come together to share experience, product knowledge, and philosophy to help people create higher levels of economic value.
The process uses time-tested analytical techniques to develop solid solutions, which could redefine financial planning and provide new levels of security and peace of mind.
As financial professionals, we don't deceive, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do. This shared philosophy is what brings us together as independent financial advisors seeking the same common goal.
meet
OUR TEAM
Kerry McManus
Independent Financial Professional
Charles Kerry McManus is a General Agent with access to some of the most top-rated financial service companies in the industry. He has provided financial services for over 50 years and, as such, is highly respected by his clients and has become a trusted resource to his professional network.
Kerry is a graduate of William Penn University, majoring in social science with a concentration in history, philosophy and economics. He served as a representative to the President of the United States, a founding director of United Educators, a special agent for Prudential, a Metropolitan Life Insurance Consultant, a General Agent and licensed securities representative for Minnesota
Mutual and MIMLIC before becoming an independent financial contractor.
He introduces his clients to a Descartian scientific method of personal financial analysis. “The truth is easily grasped when four rules are applied to even the most complex inquiry.” The method was created by Rene Descartes in 1637 but is, and has been used, by the foremost scientists in the world. Einstein and Stephen Hawking are among those who have followed his reasoning. The simple rules are as follows: 1. Accept nothing as true, which is not presented to the mind so clearly and distinctly that there is no reason to doubt it. 2. Break problems down to as many smaller problems as possible. 3. Begin with what is most simple and easily understood, and build on this by degrees to larger and more complex matters. 4. Review the entire chain of thinking to ensure nothing is omitted. These rules can be easily applied to one’s personal finances and should be used in an age of epidemic false information.
Kerry has lived in Vermont since 1979. He has served as president of the Essex Town Little League, Head Varsity football coach for Colchester High School, served as director of recreation in the town of Charlotte and is a rated chess player.
Kirk Shamberger
Independent Financial Professional
For over 35 years, Kirk Shamberger has helped individuals and couples navigate their financial lives with strategy, clarity, and confidence. As an independent financial representative, LEAP-certified professional, and holder of a Life & Health Insurance License, Kirk takes a personalized, education-first approach to long-term income planning, tax efficiency, and legacy goals.
Kirk’s commitment to financial education was galvanized in the late 1990s, when he saw countless hardworking, intelligent people lose significant portions of their life savings—often because they were sold financial products they didn’t fully understand. This pivotal experience shaped his mission: to provide transparency, empowerment, and honest guidance in every client interaction.
In an industry that often emphasizes asset management and one-size-fits-all advice, Kirk prioritizes education over sales tactics and custom strategies over formulas. He is a vocal critic of overly simplistic rules—such as the widely promoted “4% rule” for retirement income—which he describes as “little more than a hopeful guess.” He believes effective retirement planning should be based on math, not hope—and tailored to your life, not a formula.
With a professional background in sales, technology, training, and business ownership, Kirk brings a broad, real-world perspective to financial decision-making. He designs holistic strategies that address today’s real challenges: inflation, market volatility, longevity, and personal risk tolerance.
Whether you're still working, preparing for retirement, or already retired, Kirk focuses on what matters most:
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Generating reliable income
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Improving tax efficiency
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Leaving a meaningful legacy
Born in Ipswich, England and raised in Maryland, Kirk holds degrees in Environmental Chemistry and Business—blending scientific precision with strategic insight. Now based in Vermont, he helps clients navigate the complexities of retirement with confidence, common sense, and zero Wall Street spin.
Disclosure: Kirk Shamberger’s strategies are designed with tax-efficiency in mind. He does not provide tax or legal advice. Clients are encouraged to consult their own tax and legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances.
Erik Kolomaznik
Independent Financial Professional
Erik Kolomaznik isn’t your typical financial professional. He’s a financial strategist, a myth-buster, and, frankly, a thorn in the side of the retirement industrial complex. While others might sell you on mainstream methods that prioritize their profits over your security, Erik pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth about how the system is designed to benefit everyone but you. His mission? To arm you with the knowledge and strategies to take control of your financial future, ensuring your retirement is built on integrity, transparency, and trust—not on someone else’s agenda.
Erik’s clients often come to him frustrated by the lack of transparency in the financial world, worried about overspending their money, or skeptical of advice in the mainstream. He doesn’t just address these concerns—he dismantles them. Whether it’s exposing the hidden risks of asset allocation, revealing why Wall Street fears annuities, helping you create a private pension for life, leaving a financial legacy that won’t be confiscated, or producing persistent retirement income, Erik’s goal is to ensure you’re never left guessing or dependent on someone else’s interests.
With over 30 years of experience spanning finance, business operations, and technology, Erik has seen firsthand how traditional financial planning leaves people vulnerable. He is the author of Retiring with Peace of Mind & Confidence, a guide to uncovering 10 critical blind spots that can impact your retirement income. Erik specializes in creating retirement plans that are not fragile, using strategies like guaranteed income, asset protection, and tax efficiency to ensure your financial security. Erik’s approach is rooted in simplicity and truth-telling, making complex concepts feel obvious while empowering you to make decisions with confidence.
Retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about living a secure, meaningful, and healthy life. Yet many retirees face financial uncertainty, a loss of purpose, and odd workplace health habits, leaving them unprepared for the years ahead. Erik addresses these challenges holistically, offering a clear roadmap that combines guaranteed income strategies, purpose-driven coaching, and healthy habit-based solutions. His approach transforms confusion and uncertainty into clarity and action, empowering retirees to build a future that’s secure, fulfilling, and built to last.
Based in Burlington, Vermont, Erik serves individuals, families, and business owners nationwide. His work is guided by a simple principle: your retirement should be about your security, not providing someone else’s income. If you’re ready to escape the financial planning rat race and take back control, you may use the button to schedule a free discovery conversation to uncover opportunities and eliminate risks you didn’t know were there.
Disclosure: Erik Kolomaznik’s strategies are designed with tax-efficiency in mind. He does not provide tax or legal advice. Clients are encouraged to consult their own tax and legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances.