At the age of 13 in 1984, my father encouraged me to invest in a small lessor known company at the time called Wal-Mart. I used the $1,500 I had earned from selling my 4H calf at the Warren County Fair while my father matched my investment. Over the next eight years, I read Wal-Mart’s stock prices in the Des Moines Register. My $3,000 investment eventually grew to about $24,000, sparking a lifelong passion for the markets. By the time I was 16, I knew I wanted to help others achieve financial success and make investing my career.

My father, who came from humble beginnings, instilled in me the values of hard work, living debt-free, and investing for the long term. He often reminded me that “readers are leaders” and emphasized the importance of bettering one’s education. To this day, I always keep a book or article nearby -at home, in the car, or at the office.

I graduated from Norwalk High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science from Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, now known as Truman State University. While in college, I became a Commodity Broker at CSI in West Des Moines, further solidifying my passion for investing.

At 24, I began my career as an Investment Advisor in 1996, working for what is now Ameriprise Financial. In 1998, I earned the prestigious Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, followed by two additional designations—Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®).  The goal was to be able to provide comprehensive financial, insurance, business, and estate planning advice. My focus has always been on helping clients save, invest, and accumulate wealth while maximizing tax efficiency.

I started with one investment account and grew my client base to over 800 accounts focused on IRAs, Roth IRAs, and joint and individual accounts. Today, I manage approximately $140 million in assets. Our firm manages $195 million through our custodian Charles Schwab.  My name is etched in stone under the word “Investments” on my building along Army Post Road, symbolizing my commitment to my clients. I believe in the importance of education, building a strong foundation, and consistently putting clients’ needs first.

On a personal note, I am blessed with two amazing daughters I raised in the Catholic faith and school system. Both of our daughters are 4.0 students, excelling in academics, soccer, and softball, with their focus on careers in law and health sciences. One of my guiding principles is to teach them that “readers are leaders” and that financial independence provides freedom. I encourage them to live below their means, invest rather than save, and let their money compound over time.

At Des Moines Investments, we closely follow market trends through Schwab, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Morningstar, and The Wall Street Journal, staying informed on the latest developments.

Since 1999, I have served clients in the South Side of Des Moines. In 2022, my business partner, Sean Kimberley, joined Des Moines Investments. Sean and I both started our careers at Ameriprise in January 1996 and remained in close contact throughout the years. Together, we manage our clients’ assets, providing comprehensive advice that includes tax and insurance planning. Our priority is to be available to clients and provide the answers they need.

I have a strong commitment to assisting clients to achieve financial independence.