Charles West Gardner

Evan Schmidt is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Schmidt Financial Management since 2019 and previously worked at Schmidt Financial Group, Inc. from 2009 to 2024. Schmidt Financial Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth households, including trusts, estates, and retirement accounts. The firm uses a customized, non-model portfolio approach combining fundamental and technical analysis, delegating manager due diligence to an external provider while conducting regular account reviews and financial planning updates.

Ronald Chan is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Lakeside Financial Inc. in Kirkland, WA, with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Lakeside Financial since 2015. Outside of investment advisory, he spends significant time providing management consulting services, including financial analysis and strategic recommendations, notably for a corporate client in the furniture industry. Lakeside Financial is an independent, state-registered firm managing approximately $35 million for around 34 clients. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and business entities, offering investment management, financial planning, and management consulting. Its investment approach incorporates intrinsic-value, quantitative, and qualitative analysis across multiple asset classes and geographies, with features such as the use of margin, securities lending, and performance-based fee arrangements.

Nathan Frerichs is a financial advisor at Blue Mountain Wealth Management with a Series 65 credential and two years of industry experience. He previously served 20 years in the United States Coast Guard and has held roles at Baobab Wealth Management, Baobab Wealth Abroad, and Golden State Equity Partners. Blue Mountain Wealth Management is an independent, fee-only advisory firm serving individuals and high-net-worth clients with discretionary wealth management and financial planning. The firm employs a modern portfolio theory approach combining passive and active strategies, fundamental analysis, and focuses on asset allocation, tax efficiency, and long-term holding periods.

Dwayne Reinike is a CFP® and ChFC® credentialed financial advisor at Valiant Financial Planning, LLC with six years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Edward Jones and prior service in the United States Navy. Valiant Financial Planning, LLC is a fee-only, independent firm that provides financial planning and discretionary investment management to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs customized asset allocation strategies combining passive and active investments and uses a tiered, fixed annual fee structure rather than a percentage of assets.

After spending 15 years in corporate finance as a CPA I felt the desire for a more fulfilling career path. I made the switch to personal financial planning in 2014, earned the CFP marks, and spent 9 years at an Advice-Only firm providing hourly, project-based advice. I launched Alta Via Financial Planning with the intent to have deeper relationships with fewer clients, and provide a more collaborative, ongoing service model where I can more effectively set clients up for success in achieving their financial goals by serving as their trusted partner. I strive to meet clients where they are at, with no judgment, in order to provide a comfortable and trusted environment. I often find that the “Less is More” approach to both life and financial planning helps clients to destress and simplify their financial lives so that they can focus on what is most important, like getting outside with their families. I also understand and promote the importance of experiencing your ideal life today rather than waiting until financial independence (aka retirement). The advice-only pricing model does not compensate me based on how much you have, and therefore I do not have an asset minimum. I only require that you be a nice human. As a fiduciary I will never sell products, and will always make recommendations that are solely in your best interest. I provide comprehensive financial planning and cover areas such as retirement, investing, college savings, insurance needs, cash flow, equity compensation and tax planning.

Janice Brady is a financial advisor with Concepts Financial Services, LLC in Kirkland, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has previously worked with Avantax Investment Services, Avantax Advisory Services, and operates Gipson, Woodruff & Brady, LLC, which provides tax preparation and small business consulting. Concepts Financial Services offers portfolio management and comprehensive financial and business planning to individuals and small businesses, managing client accounts primarily on a non-discretionary basis through a sponsored wrap fee program. The firm integrates investment strategies with tax and business-planning services, distinguishing its approach from many independent advisors.