Hello, I am Ben. I started Simplified Planning and Investments out of a deep desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of guiding individuals and families through some of their most important financial decisions. Over time, I realized my greatest fulfillment comes from building meaningful relationships, truly understanding people’s stories, and helping them find peace of mind in areas that often cause stress and uncertainty. This led me to create a firm centered on people first - where financial planning is about more than money; it’s about impact, purpose, and simplicity. At Simplified Planning, everything begins with a passion for people. This firm was built on the belief that the foundation of finacial planning is built on relationships, trust, and helping others live with greater peace and purpose. Our purpose is to equip you to make confident financial decisions with clarity and ease. Every story is unique, and so is every financial plan. Exceptional financial planning starts with listening and understanding. That’s why we take a holistic, relationship-driven approach - thoughtfully blending overarching strategies with the important details that matter most to you. Because we work on a fee-only basis, our only focus is providing sound advice that puts your best interests first. By viewing your financial life as an integrated system - cash flow, investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate considerations - we ensure each piece works together seamlessly, so your money serves your goals and values. Our aim is to simplify complexity, bring clarity to uncertainty, and provide a roadmap that balances today’s priorities with tomorrow’s vision. Outside of work, my life is centered around my family. We love traveling and discovering new places together. I stay connected to my community through commitments to my church, volunteering, and teaching personal finance. I’m also a high school football official, a passionate sports fan, and yes - one of those lawn guys. I look forward to connecting, understanding your story, and helping you create a financial life that reflects both your goals and your values - bringing clarity, confidence, and meaning every step of the way.

Stoy Hall is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience and the principal of Black Mammoth LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Ankeny, IA. His prior experience includes roles at Centric Advisors, Majors and Mondragon, MWA Financial Services, and Modern Woodmen of America. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of the board for the Starts Right Here Movement and owns consulting firms LNC Financial and Legacy Fiduciary Services. Black Mammoth LLC offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, family office and wealth planning, retirement plan consulting, and business advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm manages accounts primarily on a discretionary basis using model portfolios and may engage third-party sub-advisers, while also sponsoring affiliated private funds and providing cash sweep programs.

Alexandre Ducharme is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Woodlands Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2014. He has 10 years of industry experience. Woodlands Capital Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving a small client base, including high-net-worth individuals, with approximately $5.8 million in discretionary assets under management. The firm offers long-only and long/short equity strategies based on fundamental analysis, emphasizing risk control and client objectives, and employs a performance-based fee structure for its long/short strategy with qualified clients.

Christina Lueders Ochanpaugh is a financial advisor at Kingdom Wealth Development, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with Cambridge Investment Research and Trinity Financial Group, where she also serves as an independent insurance agent. Kingdom Wealth Development provides financial planning and portfolio management services to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on written financial plans and ongoing portfolio oversight. The firm employs an asset-allocation framework primarily using mutual funds and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management with regular portfolio reviews.

Michael Banasiak is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at Omni Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2020. Prior to that, he was with Iron Horse Wealth Management for three years and Legacy Financial Group, LLC for eleven years. Omni Wealth Management is an independent firm that provides fee-only financial planning and personalized investment management to individuals and institutional clients, including retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm manages discretionary, tailored portfolios through a mix of in-house advisers and outside portfolio managers, and it operates a wrap fee program designed to absorb transaction costs.

Michael Moller is the principal of DSM Financial L.L.C. in Urbandale, IA, with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked in various capacities within the financial services industry since 1984. In addition to his advisory role, Moller maintains a life insurance practice focusing on term and whole life insurance. DSM Financial L.L.C. serves approximately 200 client relationships, including high-net-worth individuals, plan sponsors, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, educational seminars, retirement-plan consulting, and refers clients to registered third-party investment managers, acting as a liaison and providing non-discretionary ERISA services for retirement plans.

Brian Weckman is a financial advisor at Actis Wealth Management with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at LPL Financial, LLC as well as other financial and business ventures. Outside of advising, he owns and operates Central Iowa Resellers, a business focused on purchasing and reselling estate sale items. Actis Wealth Management provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm uses model frameworks with client customization and employs strategies including option writing and active trading, offering services such as ERISA 3(38) investment-manager oversight and managing approximately $70 million for about 64 clients.

Kyle Thompson is a financial advisor at Leetown Advisors with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to founding Leetown Advisors in 2017, he worked at Waddell And Reed and Guardian Life. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with KT Constrictors, a non-investment business. Leetown Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, business consulting, and retirement plan services to individuals, employer plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm employs a primarily passive, asset-class allocation strategy supplemented by fundamental and technical analysis and offers services such as derivatives management and ERISA 3(38) investment management.

Steven Reed is the principal of Reed Financial, LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Urbandale, IA. He holds the ChFC® designation and has 36 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Reed Financial, he held various roles at Northwestern Mutual and has operated his own sole proprietorship since 1987. He is also the managing member of Reed Commercial Lending LLC, which facilitates financial transactions between small business owners and lenders. Reed Financial provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, including qualified retirement plans. The firm employs tailored investment strategies and offers pension consulting services, including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary roles and preparation of related disclosures.

Jayme Bresnahan is a financial advisor with Successful Resource Management, Ltd. in Johnston, Iowa, holding a Series 66 credential and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked with Successful Resource Management and Investacorp Inc. and is also involved in managing a family limited partnership and serving as an officer of a holding company. Successful Resource Management provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering discretionary portfolio management, qualified-plan account management, financial planning, estate-planning services, and occasional CFO engagements. The firm uses documented investment objectives and technical analysis tools to guide asset allocation and security selection.

Michael Marusiak is a financial advisor at Acumen Associates LLC in Clive, Iowa, holding Series 65 and Series 63 designations with eight years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies, NYLIFE Securities LLC, and New York Life Insurance Co since 2020 and has been with Acumen Associates since 2015. Acumen Associates LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals and institutions, focusing on equity and volatility portfolios. The firm utilizes exchange-traded funds, individual equities, option-writing, and volatility strategies, including proprietary models for trading volatility futures, distinguishing its approach through the prominent use of derivatives.

Guthrie Gaylord is a financial advisor at 3G Capital LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and previously worked at Wells Fargo. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as President and Managing Member of Double Eagle Capital Partners Management, LLC, where he acts as a fiduciary for partners' invested capital. 3G Capital LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and portfolio management services to individual investors, high-net-worth clients, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm employs an active, value-oriented equity selection approach combined with diversified allocations to low-cost ETFs, emphasizing strategic asset allocation and periodic rebalancing.

Kirk Bond is the principal of Apexedge LLC, an independent financial advisory firm based in Grimes, IA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 16 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Apexedge in 2025, he worked with RIA Advisory Group, LLC for 15 years and has operated as a sole proprietor since 1999. Outside of his advisory work, Bond is a part-owner of Brokerstreet Insurance Services and is active as a life insurance marketer. Apexedge LLC provides financial planning, consultation, and discretionary asset management primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm utilizes a third-party manager network through Envestnet/ARIA to implement investment strategies based on client suitability questionnaires.

Shawn Terrell is a financial advisor with Dentist Exit Planning in Windsor Heights, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Park Avenue Securities for 10 years and has been associated with Guardian Life Insurance Company for 15 years. Terrell is also the author of the book "The Professional Practice Trap." Dentist Exit Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to dental-practice clients and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on exit planning. The firm offers portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and ongoing consulting, utilizing mutual funds and ETFs while incorporating tax considerations and reviewing accounts quarterly.

Cory Dawkins is a financial advisor with Elite Wealth Partners, LLC in Johnston, Iowa. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 14 years of industry experience, including prior work at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of advising, Dawkins is involved in consulting on alternative investments, assists clients with debt reduction strategies through United Financial Freedom, and supports estate planning services with Estate Docs Pro. Elite Wealth Partners provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm manages client assets primarily through model portfolios with third-party sub-advisors and structures client engagements around a comprehensive financial health checklist covering various planning areas.

Kevin Klein is a financial advisor at LIS Inc in Urbandale, IA, with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Lifestyles Investment Strategies since 2017, following three years at RIA Advisory Group. Klein is also a licensed life insurance agent, dedicating a small portion of his time to this activity. LIS Inc is an independent registered investment adviser that provides portfolio management and financial and estate planning advice to a diverse client base, including individuals, businesses, trusts, and nonprofits. The firm employs a rules-based, globally diversified investment approach, primarily using low-cost ETFs alongside selected stocks and bonds, with most accounts managed on a discretionary basis.

Alexander Savage is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience. He is the founder of Savage Wealth Advisors and also leads Savage Tax Advisory LLC. His background includes roles at Hall CPA PLLC, BHE Renewables, LLC, LWBJ, and Primerica Advisors. Savage Wealth Advisors serves individuals and families, including high-net-worth clients and business owners, offering integrated wealth management that combines financial planning and discretionary investment management aligned with clients’ tax situations. The firm emphasizes long-term strategic asset allocation using low-cost, diversified funds and model portfolios, and provides non-discretionary advice on private investments under formal diligence and suitability guidelines.

Jonathan Sherrod is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience, currently operating Sherrod Wealth Management in Urbandale, IA. His prior experience includes roles at Fisher Investments, Charles Schwab, Merrill, Arvest Wealth Management, and Scottrade. Sherrod Wealth Management LLC is an independent registered investment adviser focusing on portfolio management and financial planning for individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods with a long-term trading horizon, and works with third-party managers through Altruist’s Model Marketplace.

Peter Rothamel is the principal advisor at Rothamel Wealth Management, LLC in Urbandale, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations with 25 years of industry experience. Before founding his current firm in 2019, he worked at Investacorp Inc. for five years and has been involved with Successful Resource Management, Ltd. since 2013. Outside of advising, Rothamel is an author of the book "Let's Blame Everybody" and serves as an officer at Cartright & Kennedy, Inc. Rothamel Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as plan sponsors and participants. The firm employs a value-oriented, primarily long-term investment approach combined with tactical and strategic asset allocation, actively monitoring and rebalancing accounts as needed.

James Weiss is a financial advisor with Weiss Financial Group, LLC in Johnston, Iowa, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 22 years of industry experience and previously worked at Global Financial Private Capital and Weiss-Merkle Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of JW Elite Holdings, Inc., a holding company that includes branding and insurance businesses. Weiss Financial Group, LLC is a state-registered investment adviser providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, newsletters, and educational seminars primarily to individual and corporate clients. The firm employs a value-oriented, long-term investment approach combined with tactical and strategic asset allocation, utilizing a variety of instruments and offering a proprietary wrap-fee program that integrates advisory and execution services.