FAIRFIELD, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (Cambridge), one of the nation’s top-tier independent broker-dealers, announced it has awarded three Cambridge rep-advisors the Spirit of Cambridge Award - Bryan Kelly, Tim Shmidl, and Gerry Steffes. The winners of the second annual award were announced by President Amy Webber during Cambridge’s annual Ignite conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

“We remain committed to preserving our unique culture and honoring those Advisors who embody our core values of commitment, flexibility, integrity, and kindness,” said Webber. “Each year, our home office associates select three award recipients from a pool of outstanding rep-advisors who have been affiliated with us for at least 10 years.”

Kelly is the Branch Manager and Co-founder of The Kelly Financial Group, LLC located in Bel Air, Maryland. He serves his clients with over 20 years of experience as a financial advisor. Furthering his expertise, Kelly became aCertified Financial Planner^® Practitioner in 1998. In 2000 he joined Cambridge.

Shmidl is the Branch Manager of Prism Financial Group, LLC located in Overland Park, Kansas. With 25 years of experience to draw from, Shmidl is well equipped to effectively serve his clients. Shmidl became a Certified Financial Planner^® Practitioner in 1990 and later joined Cambridge in 1999.

Steffes is the Branch Manager of Steffes Financial, LTD located in Overland Park, Kansas. He serves his clients with over 21 years of experience in the financial industry. In 1997 Steffes joined Cambridge.

The Spirit of Cambridge Award is awarded annually to advisors who have demonstrated the four Cambridge core values of kindness, commitment, flexibility, and integrity. In addition, the rep-advisors who are selected must have been affiliated with Cambridge for at least ten years. A $1,000 donation to a qualified charity of their choice will be given to each of the award winners.

Connect with Cambridgewww.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-investment-research

Insight on Cambridgewww.YouTube.com/joincambridge

About CambridgeCambridge Investment Research, Inc. (Cambridge), member FINRA/SIPC, is an independent, privately owned broker-dealer with over 2,400 independent registered representatives and $53.4 billion assets under management.

Cambridge was recognized as one of the Best of Iowa Businesses¹ and has been named among the Top Workplaces in Iowa the last three years². Cambridge also provides innovative fee programs and a full menu of commission offerings to advisors across the nation. Recognized in the industry as THE FEE EXPERTS^®3, Cambridge has been ranked a fee leader among independent broker-dealers for 13 consecutive years⁴.

¹ IA Biz magazine, “Best of Iowa Businesses,” 2010² Des Moines Register, “Top Workplaces in Iowa” 2011, 2012, 2013³ THE FEE EXPERTS^® is a registered trade mark of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. for its investment advisory service for investment managers.⁴ Financial Planning magazine, June “FP50”, Top 50 Independent Broker-Dealer Issue, 2001-2013.

Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Both are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cambridge Investment Group, Inc.