Bruce Krieg is a financial advisor at Midwest Investment Advisors, LLC in Fenton, Missouri, holding a Series 65 designation with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Midwest Investment Advisors since 2010 and also has a long-standing association with Kriegl Lohbeck & Co dating back to 1992. Midwest Investment Advisors serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and business clients, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs multiple analysis methods and manages all portfolios in-house, overseeing a notably high client load for a solo advisor and maintaining an affiliation with an accounting firm to offer complementary services.

Jeffrey Mcgovern is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently the sole advisor at Haven Wealth Planning, where he has worked since 2022. Prior to that, he spent six years at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC. Haven Wealth Planning provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs an evidence-based, passive investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory and the Fama–French framework, often utilizing index mutual funds and ETFs, and integrates financial planning with investment advice.

Describe the education and business background of the adviser’s principal executive officer: Carl Dwayne Goodin was born March 7, 1951, in Springfield, Missouri. He grew up in and around St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Lafayette High School in St. Louis County, MO, graduating with honors. He was conferred a BM in Education from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in May of 1973. He has completed coursework toward an MA in Finance and Economics from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. His grade point average in graduate studies is 4.0. He completed the CFP professional education program (College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO) in 1989. He continues to study, analyze, and research all matters related to personal financial planning, investments, insurance, estate planning, accounting, and taxation, generally devoting from 5 to 20 hours per week to independent study and advanced seminars. Carl D Goodin, CFP™: Having completed the education, examination, experience and ethics requirements he was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation in March 1989. The Financial Planning Association: Carl Goodin has been a member in good standing of the Financial Planning Association since 1985. For many years he served on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Greater St. Louis, serving as Director of Professional Development, Director of Public Relations, President Elect, and President. Financial services career and education: Carl Goodin began his career in finance and insurance in 1979 as an aircraft insurance (property and liability) underwriter. In 1981 he chose to continue serving the aviation community, but in a different capacity, primarily as a life and health insurance producer associated with the company now called Lincoln Financial Group. During this period his clientele expanded from those associated with aviation to include small business owners and other professionals. Also, during this period, he became interested in providing personal financial planning services not focused on life insurance sales. In 1986 he accepted an offer to be the regional manager of the UNUM non-cancelable disability income office in St. Louis, only to return to Lincoln Financial as regional manager in 1988. During this period, he successfully completed the examination requirements for the Missouri Uniform Securities license (Series 63), the Investment Company/Variable Products license (Series 6), the General Securities Representative (stock/bond broker's license, Series 7), the General Securities Principal license (stock/bond broker's supervisor, Series 24) and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER. Financial Planning Associates, Inc., A Registered Investment Adviser: Believing that he could offer better, more objective advice for his clients in a more independent setting, he left Lincoln Financial and incorporated Financial Planning Associates, Inc. in 1998. Carl D Goodin, Professor, College for Financial Planning: From March 1999 until July 2005 Carl served as an adjunct faculty member of the College for Financial Planning, teaching all of the required classes for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER candidates. Those classes included: Financial Planning, Insurance, Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits, Tax Planning, Investment Planning, and Estate Planning. Carl D Goodin, Professor, University of Missouri at St. Louis: In July 2005, Carl resigned his teaching activities at the College for Financial Planning and assumed a similar teaching position as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, where he continued until 2015. Fee Only financial planning and investment management: In 2009 Carl Goodin voluntarily relinquished his securities and insurance licenses and terminated all associated residual benefits in the interest of offering his clients valuable, objective advice unaffected by conflicts of interest associated with commission compensation.

Daniel Heffernan is the principal of Heffernan & Associates, Inc. in St. Louis, MO, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 license with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Heffernan & Associates since 1985. Heffernan is also licensed as a life insurance agent for fixed annuities with Jackson National Life Insurance Company and AssetMark Trust Company. Heffernan & Associates provides investment advice and financial counseling to individuals, families, and related entities, managing approximately $17.12 million in client assets as of December 31, 2024. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term investment approach with a focus on macroeconomic assessment, credit analysis, and valuation, operating primarily on a non-discretionary basis with ongoing consultation and financial planning services.

John Gower is the sole advisor at John C. Gower, CFP, EA, an independent firm based in St. Louis, MO. He holds the CFP® and Series 65 designations and has seven years of industry experience, with his firm operating since 1996. In addition to financial advising, he also provides tax preparation services. The firm offers fee-only financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily for high-net-worth individuals, small businesses, trusts, and retirement plans. It employs a strategic asset-allocation approach focused on diversification, cost containment, tax management, and ongoing portfolio oversight.

Charles Heisner is a CFP® and Series 65-registered financial advisor with 24 years of industry experience. He is the principal of Heisner Financial, LLC, an independent firm he founded in 2001 in St. Louis, MO. Heisner maintains an active CPA license, which he uses to supplement his financial advisory services. Heisner Financial, LLC provides personal financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, and select business clients, integrating tax, bookkeeping, and business consulting with investment advice. The firm manages approximately $37 million in client assets on a non-discretionary basis and offers both ongoing and hourly consulting engagements.

Joseph Darpel is a CFP® with 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the principal advisor at Smart Steps Wealth Management LLC, having previously worked at Gunpowder Capital Management, Hayden Royal, and Raymond James Financial Services. He is also president of Jos F Darpel Investment Co., a non-investment-related support company. Smart Steps Wealth Management LLC offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical investment analysis and provides institutional and retirement-plan services alongside individual wealth management, including the use of derivatives in managed accounts.

Curtis Sawyer is the sole advisor at Sawyer Capital Management in Wildwood, MO, with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been affiliated with Sawyer Capital Management since 2007. Since 2010, he has also been associated with Webster University. Sawyer Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, small businesses, and sponsors of pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and a passive, asset-class strategy using no-load mutual funds and ETFs, supported by written investment policy statements, Monte Carlo analysis, and periodic rebalancing. It offers a combination of individual wealth management and formal retirement-plan consulting services, including plan-level analysis and participant education.

I’m a CFA® and CFP® professional who helps young professionals and growing families navigate life’s big financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Many of my clients are in the middle of major transitions—equity compensation, an inheritance, buying a home, or welcoming a child—and want expert guidance without the jargon. I combine deep technical expertise with a straightforward, approachable style so you can make smart moves today and build lasting wealth for tomorrow. My approach is collaborative and grounded in your real-life goals. We’ll create a plan that’s clear, flexible, and tailored to your priorities—whether that’s funding your next big move, investing for long-term growth, or making work optional someday. The result? You spend less time stressing about money and more time enjoying the life you’re building.

Gregory Livingston is the sole advisor at Livingston & Associates, Ltd., an independent wealth management firm based in Wildwood, MO. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 24 years of industry experience. Livingston has managed his firm since 2001. Livingston & Associates serves primarily individual clients, including some high-net-worth households, and a limited number of corporate retirement-plan clients. The firm emphasizes a passive-management approach with portfolio management, financial planning, insurance offerings, and occasional business consulting, and distinguishes itself by providing insurance brokerage services and strategic relationships for legal, accounting, and banking needs.

David Zaegel is a CFP® with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently serving as the sole advisor at CWOs for Hire LLC in Saint Louis, MO. He has been with CWOs for Hire since 2016 and is also a minority owner and accountant at CPAs for Hire LLC, an accounting and tax firm, where he provides CFO services and tax return preparation. Additionally, he owns Fastball LLC, an investment education business he restarted in 2025. CWOs for Hire LLC offers personalized investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporate clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, cyclical, and charting analysis with both passive and active management strategies, and maintains a referral relationship with an affiliated accounting firm.

Patrick Robert is a CFP® professional with two years of experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Generational Wealth Specialists. He has been involved with PKR Investments, LLC since 2009 and owns J&P Deluxe Properties. PKR Investments, LLC is an independent advisory firm that provides financial planning and consulting for individual and high-net-worth clients, primarily through referrals to third-party managers. The firm develops tailored plans addressing cash flow, retirement, tax, and estate issues, and monitors recommended managers without exercising discretionary trading authority or custody of client assets.

Mark Milton is the founder and sole member of Armory Oak Wealth LLC, an investment management firm based in Saint Louis, MO. He holds a Series 65 designation and has six years of experience in investment management and nine years as the managing attorney of MCM Law LLC, a law firm specializing in tax controversy, litigation, and estate planning. Milton also serves as Director and Treasurer of Greta Gives Hope, Inc., a nonprofit organization he co-founded in memory of his stillborn daughter, and holds board positions with the Federal Bar Association St. Louis Chapter and the Missouri Athletic Club. Armory Oak Wealth LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a strategic, risk-based asset allocation approach implemented through an unaffiliated third-party investment manager, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions, and emphasizes periodic due diligence and evaluation of that manager.

Alexandra Heck is a financial advisor at Herzog Financial Group, LLC in Saint Louis, Missouri, holding a Series 66 designation with 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Herzog Financial Group since 2015. Herzog Financial Group provides financial planning and wealth management services to individuals, families, small business owners, and retirees. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach combined with active selection of mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and investment-grade bonds, managing approximately $48 million in assets for around 87 clients.

Terrance Davis is the sole advisor at Terrance P Davis CPA/PFS in St. Louis, MO, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license with six years of industry experience. He has been practicing under his firm name since 1990. In addition to financial advisory services, he provides part-time tax preparation during the tax season. Terrance P. Davis CPA/PFS offers fee-only comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services primarily to individuals and small business owners, focusing on pre-retirees and retirees. The firm integrates income, estate, and gift tax consultation with a systematic planning process that emphasizes modern portfolio theory, asset allocation, and low-cost index or passively managed funds.

Jay Peters is a financial advisor at AECH Financial with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations, as well as a Series 66 license. Prior to joining AECH Financial in 2025, he worked for nearly a decade at Cetera and its affiliated entities. Outside of his advisory role, Peters serves as an elected board member of a homeowners association and consults as a referral partner for a nonprofit organization. AECH Financial is a state-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary investment management and portfolio implementation services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and other business entities. The firm uses a model-driven investment approach combining quantitative, fundamental, technical, cyclical, and economic analysis, employing both long- and short-term strategies and ETFs.

Stephanie Calderas is a financial advisor at PathFinder Financial Services with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including MRM Asset Allocation Group, Royal Alliance Associates, and First Independent Advisory Services. Outside of advising, Stephanie is an Enrolled Agent who prepares tax returns, a licensed life, health, and disability insurance agent, and a licensed real estate agent in Missouri. PathFinder Financial Services provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management to individuals and pension/profit-sharing plans, focusing on portfolio construction aligned with client goals and risk tolerance. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term investment approach and utilizes independent third-party managers for portions of client portfolios.

Jeffrey Risley is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience. He has been the principal advisor at Risley Capital Management LLC since 2011. The firm is an independent SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $163 million in assets, serving individual clients including high-net-worth households as well as state and municipal government entities. Risley Capital Management offers personalized investment policies and utilizes a combination of fundamental analysis, technical methods, and asset allocation across various securities, providing discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside consulting and tax-preparation services.

Retirement Income & Tax Planning We have the ability to make the greatest impact for people who are within 5 years of retirement to 5 years post retirement. That 10 year window is crucial for establishing and executing a plan designed to minimize your tax bill and allow you to live your best life, whatever that means to you. The earlier we begin working with a client in that window, the better. Here are some examples of the questions we help clients answer: When can I retire? When should I claim Social Security benefits? How much can I spend each month? How can I minimize my tax bill? Should I take a lump sum pension payment or monthly income? Do I need a trust, or is a will sufficient? What other estate planning documents should I have? Should I change my investment mix as I age? How can I avoid the Medicare IRMAA surcharge?

Brian Bingham is the owner of Elite Investment Advisors, LLC in Manchester, MO, holding a Series 65 registration with 25 years of industry experience. He founded Investor Education Network, LLC, where he creates and delivers market education courses. Since 2010, he has volunteered as a leader and board member with the American Association of Individual Investors, focusing on stock selection strategies, and he also leads Investor's Business Daily Meetup Groups to educate individual investors. Elite Investment Advisors is an independent, state-registered firm managing discretionary accounts primarily for individuals, IRAs, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a trading-oriented approach with concentrated portfolios, using a combination of fundamental growth-stock selection, technical analysis, market timing, and short-term trading.