Kenneth Harvey Thigpen

Michael Russell is the principal of Russell Advisory Group, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser based in New Braunfels, TX. He holds the Series 66 designation and has nine years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, Russell is president of Dynavision, Inc., a contact lens export business, and provides private music education in singing, piano, and saxophone, including teaching music courses as an adjunct faculty member at Dallas College. Russell Advisory Group, Inc. serves individuals, families, private business owners, trusts, and corporate clients by offering financial advisory and business consulting services, including discretionary portfolio management. The firm employs an investment approach centered on individual security selection supported by fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and utilizes investment policy statements to align allocations with clients’ risk tolerances and time horizons.

I have a passion and talent for translating concepts of personal finance and investing into everyday common English that even my children understand. I have been fortunate to live out that passion for the last 12 years, but now I'm looking to combine it with a personal, concierge level of service. I just began my my own practice at the beginning of 2020, By limiting the number of clients I serve, I can deliver world-class financial advice and still have time remaining to spend with my wife, three children, mother, and three pets. I hold both the CFP® and AIF® designations along with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

I'm a fiduciary, fee-only financial planner and advisor who founded Fruit of the Vine Financial in 2023 after having worked at two other financial firms. I offer service in three main areas: - comprehensive financial planning to first help people better understand their current financial circumstances and second to provide them an optimal route to meet their financial needs and reach their financial goals, - investment management, providing a choice between general investing and Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI), which is a way to invest in funds that more closely align with Christian principles, - help with setting up business retirement plans and/or serving as a fiduciary advisor to 401(k) plans. Because I'm always trying to improve how I can help my clients navigate their financial lives, I obtained several advanced certifications. I earned the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) certification and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation following programs at The American College of Financial Services. And the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification followed from a program through the Yale School of Management. Outside of work, I enjoy kayaking, Bible study, playing my violin, and spending time with my three grown children and with friends. Not only do I have the financial education and professional experience, I also bring the knowledge gained from personal financial experience. From sorting all the finances after the death of a spouse, to helping kids through college, to riding the roller coaster of a major recession, and to starting and running a business, I understand the highs and lows that sometimes accompany the numbers. It helps to partner with a financial professional who's been there and can help you through the ups and downs of your life's journey.

Brian Ziarnick is the owner and president of Ziarnick Financial LLC, a state-registered investment adviser based in Wimberley, TX. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, he provides bookkeeping services for two small businesses. Ziarnick Financial LLC primarily operates as a solicitor for Austin Wealth Management and as a life insurance agency. The firm employs a top-down investment process using fundamental, quantitative, charting, and cyclical analysis but does not currently exercise investment discretion or hold client assets.

James Mahan is a financial advisor with South Texas Capital Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with South Texas Capital Advisors since 2016 and is the sole advisor at the firm. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as the managing member of NB Capital LLC and manages Solms Landing Development LLC, a non-investment business based in New Braunfels, Texas. South Texas Capital Advisors is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high net worth clients, non-profits, and small businesses. The firm manages approximately $167.2 million and employs a mix of fundamental and technical analysis to support long-term investment strategies with periodic portfolio reviews.

Elden Charles is a financial advisor at Vested Wealth Advisors in New Braunfels, TX. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Vestted, LLC since 2025, with prior experience at Lionchase North America and Lionchase Holdings. Vested Wealth Advisors is an independent Texas-based firm serving high-net-worth individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management, emphasizing fundamental analysis, asset allocation, and long-term investing, while supporting institutional clients with specialized services such as private equity sponsor consulting and retirement-plan advisory.