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.

Jennifer was born at Fort Monmouth Army Base in Monmouth, New Jersey. Following her father’s honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, her family relocated to Pennsylvania, where she was raised.

In 1991, Jennifer earned a degree in Business and went on to obtain her Pennsylvania Personal Lines Insurance License. She began her career as an office manager for an insurance agency, later advancing to a role at a Fortune 500 company. There, she steadily progressed through a series of promotions, including special project work for the Vice President, and ultimately joined the HRIS team, where she managed a critical database supporting over 2,500 employees.

In 2009, Jennifer furthered her education by earning a degree in Accounting. Shortly afterward, she joined American IRA, LLC, where she has played a vital role as Company Administrator and Compliance Officer. In this capacity, she has overseen core operations related to compliance, financial controls, internal audits, and external relations with professionals such as contractors, accountants, vendors, and attorneys.

Jennifer was also instrumental in the startup of New Vision Trust Company, helping lay the foundation for its operational and regulatory structure. Today, she serves on its Board of Directors and continues to support its strategic growth.

Now residing in South Dakota, Jennifer serves as Chief of Staff, performing essential leadership and operational functions. She is deeply committed to helping individuals reach their full potential—professionally, within their communities, and through her active involvement in her church.

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.

Sharon Garr is a dynamic training and people operations leader with a passion for developing talent, developing engaging learning experiences, and building high-performing teams. As Director of Training at New Vision Trust, she leads the creation and delivery of innovative training programs that enhance employee performance, ensure compliance, and support organizational growth. In addition to her training responsibilities, Sharon also oversees the recruitment of new employees, ensuring that talent acquisition aligns with the company’s strategic goals and culture. 

With a background that spans corporate operations, human resources, marketing, and adult education, Sharon brings a holistic and innovative approach to workforce development. She excels in building scalable e-learning, leading impactful workshops, and coaching teams, with expertise in onboarding, leadership development, and compliance training.

Before her current role, Sharon was VP of Operations and Special Projects at ENG Infotech, a technical training and staffing firm where she led HR Operations and recruitment, launched learning initiatives, managed client relationships, and drove strategic marketing. A former adjunct professor, she blends strategic thinking with creativity to foster growth, learning, and operational excellence.

Originally from New Jersey, Sharon now resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She holds an M.B.A. in Marketing and a B.S. in Retail Management from Syracuse University. Where she earned a full scholarship and served as a teaching assistant during her graduate studies.

Taylor grew up in a small town in South Dakota, where her life was mainly centered in the agricultural community. She spent most of her childhood taking part in many 4-H events and FFA leadership roles.

Prior to joining the New Vision Trust team, she spent six years diversifying her knowledge and skillset in the healthcare field.

During that time Taylor and her husband have built a wonderful family including two young boys, that are full of life, endless energy and excitement. Taylor is profoundly passionate about helping people find joy in everyday life and is a firm believer that every day is an opportunity to learn something new.

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.