Meet the Team

In 2004, Jim recognized the opportunity Self-Directed IRAs offered for individuals to invest their retirement accounts in “non-traditional” assets and formed what is now American IRA, LLC.

New Vision Trust Company, a State Chartered South Dakota Trust Company was created in 2017 by Jim. New Vision Trust Company is a full-service passive custodian that has streamlined the investment process to give investors the tools they need to be flexible and profitable.

In 2007, Jim obtained his Certified IRA Services Professionals (CISP) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB), a nonprofit organization sponsored by the American Bankers Association (ABA), in Washington, DC. Jim is attending the ABA Trust School’s classes in order to obtain his Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation.

He has taught investing techniques in North and South Carolina at UNC Asheville, AB Tech and Lorman Educational Services. Experienced investor in the financing and acquisition of residential and commercial real estate, private offerings, mortgage lending, businesses, joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and more. Jim is an accredited investor.

Jim previously served as the President of CREIA, a non-profit real estate organization based in Asheville, NC.

Kathryn Abuswai is the Compliance Officer of New Vision Trust Company, she is BSA Officer, and serves on its board of directors as secretary.

Before being appointed as Compliance Officer, Kathy served as assistant to the vice president of the company.

She graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double major in Political Science and Business Administration/Management. She then went on to earn a Master of Business Administration/Strategic Leadership. During the latter, she focused on finance and investing.

In addition to being a Board Member for New Vision Trust Company, Jim is a founding member and President of Corundum Trust Company in Sioux Falls, SD. He earned his CTFA designation in 2005 and was appointed to the Governor's Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform in 2017.

Jim has also served as a consultant for the formation of several other South Dakota trust companies, some of which he continues to serve as a member of their Board of Directors.

He is a member of the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council, the South Dakota Investment Society, the South Dakota School for the Deaf Foundation Board, and is an instructor for USA Archery's Junior Olympic Archery Development program.

Tim Kuhman previously served as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for The Kingdom Trust Company from its inception in 2010. Having served as General Counsel to Equity Trust Company, he brings extensive experience to the self-directed retirement investing and trust industries. That experience includes helping to build a de novo trust company from the ground up under the laws of South Dakota and assisting in the development of such companies in Tennessee and New Mexico.

His positions require him to be well-versed in the regulatory regimes that govern both South Dakota Trust Companies and the Self-directed investing world.

He serves as a subject matter expert to the subject matter expert in self-directed retirement accounts and self-directed investing for Kingdom's customer service, operations and business development groups. He is a frequent speaker on webinars and live events covering Self-directed Retirement Accounts and Self-directed Retirement Investing topics nationwide.

Tim is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University (now known as Missouri State University) and the University of Toledo, College of Law. In addition to practicing law, he has taught a variety of business and law related courses at the high school, collegiate and graduate school levels. He has also coached Track and Cross Country at both the high school and intercollegiate levels.

Rebekah Schram serves on the Board of Directors at New Vision Trust Company, bringing extensive operational expertise and a commitment to fostering innovation and growth.

As the Operations Manager at American IRA, Rebekah has played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s operational landscape, leading to a remarkable tripling of new accounts in just 14 months. Her strategic vision, combined with her hands-on leadership, has streamlined processes and strengthened regulatory compliance, enabling American IRA to deliver efficient, client-centered services.

In addition to her leadership role, Rebekah holds insurance licenses in Life, Health, Annuities, and Property & Casualty, alongside Series 6 and 65 licenses, reflecting her deep expertise in financial services. This unique combination of skills enables her to offer comprehensive insights into both operational and financial aspects of the industry.

Rebekah is also deeply passionate about mentorship, particularly in empowering women within the financial sector. She has cultivated a culture of open communication and mutual respect, where her team is encouraged to learn, grow, and excel. Her dedication to professional development extends beyond her organization, where she shares her knowledge and experience to uplift others in the community.

At New Vision Trust Company, Rebekah leverages her operational acumen and passion for leadership development to support the company’s mission of driving success within the local business ecosystem. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive workplace make her a vital asset to the board and the Asheville community.