John Friesen

Deborah Castellani is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at Akros Investments, Inc. She has worked in consulting since 2000 and is president of OTB Strategic Consulting, Inc., a financial and non-financial consulting firm. Akros Investments, Inc. primarily serves institutional clients and plan sponsors, offering retirement-plan oversight, fiduciary governance, and asset-allocation-based portfolio management. The firm provides consulting and educational programs, including women-focused financial education, alongside asset management and co-fiduciary services.

Claudia Valladares is a financial advisor at 11 Financial in Lufkin, TX, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. She has worked at 11 Financial since 2018 and was previously with Envoy Advisory Inc. and Commercial Bank of Texas. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory to tailor strategies to client goals and risk tolerance.

Taylor Kovar is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at 11 Financial since 2015. He previously worked at Envoy Advisory Inc. from 2022 to 2024. Outside of advising, Kovar is involved in several business ventures including real estate development, digital marketing, outdoors apparel, frozen treats, and coffee shops. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Stephen F. Austin State University during select spring semesters. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis with modern portfolio theory, offering tailored investment strategies that include both long-term allocations and more active trading approaches.

Joseph Ceasar is a financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at 11 Financial as part of a six-advisor team. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Kovar Wealth Management, Semita Asset Management, and Investors of the Kingdom LLC. Ceasar is also the president of the board of directors for the Legacy Institute for Financial Education, a nonprofit organization. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory, offering tailored investment strategies that include both long-term allocations and active trading approaches.

Ashlyn Reece is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Raymond James & Associates and The Advanced Financial Group. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in fixed insurance sales. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors, providing a range of advisory programs and services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm supports its advisors with operations, trading, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management resources.

Alexis Pigg is a financial advisor at Sanctuary Advisors, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill. Alexis serves as President of the Junior League of Lufkin, overseeing the organization's board and community service projects. Sanctuary Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment programs through various account types and utilizes an integrated affiliate structure with multiple affiliated entities and strategic partnerships.