My path to financial planning has been sinuous, varied, adventuresome. The way I work with people and their financial lives can be understood through my journey Trailo today. Thus, I will start my story at the beginning. I grew up in Corvallis, Oregon - elementary school, kid soccer, high school, first kiss, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering - the whole bit. I was fortunate to have two loving parents. My mom was the financial stability in the family - she worked at a steady job with the university, helping scientists with their writing. She is now known as the “Grammar Grandma” in our family. She taught me to love words, but also gave me a chronic case of the worries. My dad was more of a maverick, boldly lunging from one line business venture to another. He valued people and life experiences over career. He taught me to love the world and its inhabitants, but also stuck me with a “grass is greener” mentality. After finishing university in 1994, I longed to expand my world. I bounced around Oregon, then moved to Montana to work as a wilderness therapist. I spent week-long shifts as a guide/therapist with groups of juvenile delinquents who were working through the consequences of their actions. We explored the wilds of nature and the wilds of the human spirit. There, I met a girl who captured my heart - Amy. Amy was a free spirit, but also highly practical. She was, and is, very careful with her money; she embraces frugality. She continues to teach me to love a life we are living rather than long for a life we are not. I enjoyed working with teens but yearned for more academic work, so I went back to school to become a high school teacher. I earned a Masters of Science in Physics and a teaching certificate. After graduation, but before starting a family, Amy and I wanted to explore. We found jobs working as educators at an international school in South Africa. We got married, and four days later moved to Johannesburg. We lived there for two years, where we were blessed to forge deep friendships with people around the world. We also were earning our first real paychecks and found ourselves with extra money. I realized that despite earning heavily math-based degrees, I did not understand the math of money whatsoever. I needed a new education. So I began a path of self-study, reading every book and website I could about investing and personal finance. Our daughter, Mia, was born in South Africa, and we wanted to move back to the US, to be closer to family. We decided on Bellingham, WA. It is a quiet, livable city, with easy access to the trails of North Cascades and Chuckanut's. Perfect. I found a job teaching high school science and math, but in my off hours, I continued to learn and experiment with financial matters. Our son, Porter, was born two years later. With two young kids, money grew tight. But, we managed to buy a house and still save some of our earnings for the future. I started trying to get friends to participate more directly in their own financial lives. We started an investing club called “Stocks and Suds.” I’d bring spreadsheets, they would bring beer. Mostly, we just enjoyed the suds. A few friends started asking if I’d manage their money for them. So, in 2012 I started a solo investment advisory business. I focused on helping people set up little “hobby” investment accounts, like Roth IRAs, in addition to their work-based retirement plans. Within a few years though, people started asking me to help them with more of their financial lives. I became aware that there was much more to finance than just investments. One of my wife’s therapist colleagues, Liz, started talking to me about my business. Liz was also interested in helping people with their financial lives. We discussed going into business together, with a broader focus on financial planning rather than just investments. I could see a transition coming up, so I took a half-year off from teaching. My family spent four months traveling through Southeast Asia. Our trip was a microcosm for sound financial planning - set a goal, create a budget, save for it (we’d been saving for several years), then adventure! We learned to blog together, to rejoice together, to gag together, and to exist together in tight quarters. Our trip was called “Cheeseburgers in Asia.” Our blog can still be found with a simple Google search. When I returned from our travels, Liz and I began building the business in earnest. We launched “Trail Financial Planning” in June 2017. Our business is doing well. I can feel the windswept adventure of starting a business from scratch. But my knees are scratched and banged up from the missteps I’ve made. My dad would be proud of the journey. I get to work with people, to help them alleviate fears and worries. My mom approves. I help people care for their pennies. My wife is satisfied. Most of all, I am content. I get to work with people in an ongoing act of stewardship - while we care for their finances, we are really caring for their futures, their loved ones, their dreams, and their missions.

David Schneider is a financial advisor at Waycross Investment Management Co in Bellingham, WA, with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 designation and has operated DGS Consulting, a sole proprietorship providing economic and financial analyses for clients involved in the USCIS EB-5 foreign investor program, since 2003. Waycross Investment Management Co provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, including non-discretionary 401(k) advisory. The firm uses fundamental analysis and diversified asset allocations, with a focus on companies above $1 billion in market capitalization, and integrates advanced economic research into its portfolio management and reporting.

Megan Cooley is a financial advisor at WealthMark, LLC with a Series 65 designation and over 11 years of industry experience. Prior to her current role, she worked at Gruff Brewing for six years. WealthMark, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and offers customized solutions including subadvisory and 529 college-savings services.

Shara Pagels is a financial advisor with Clearbrook Investment Management, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Avlon Financial since 2017 and has been with Clearbrook Investment Management and Full Point Designed Services since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she owns Full Point Designed Services, LLC, which provides accounting and tax preparation services. Clearbrook Investment Management is a state-registered firm offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis along with quantitatively driven investment systems across various model portfolios.

Kelli Visser is a PFS™ credentialed financial advisor with LG Financial Services, LLC, based in Bellingham, WA. She has one year of experience in financial advising and has been associated with Larson Gross PLLC since 2008. LG Financial Services is a referral-focused advisory firm that assists clients—including individuals, trusts, businesses, nonprofits, and retirement plan trustees—in selecting third-party investment managers. The firm does not manage assets directly but conducts due diligence on managers and maintains ongoing client contact, leveraging its affiliation with Larson Gross to provide integrated tax and financial planning support.

Lino Marioni is a financial advisor at Waycross Investment Management Co with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Pioneer Franklin Monroe, LLC and Avetta, as well as research and academic work at Western Washington University and the WWU Center for Economic and Business Research. Outside of finance, he has experience working in arts and education organizations. Waycross Investment Management Co provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, with a focus on diversified portfolios and fundamental analysis. The firm emphasizes economic research from principals with advanced training and manages assets exclusively on a discretionary basis.

Michael Ryan is a financial advisor with Waycross Investment Management Co in Bellingham, WA, holding a Series 63 designation and over 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Waycross since 1983. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of Quantitative Earnings Digest, Inc., where he conducts quantitative equity research. Waycross Investment Management provides discretionary investment management and retirement planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth households, as well as non-discretionary 401(k) advisory services. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis and diversified portfolios across multiple asset classes, managing assets within target allocation ranges and considering tax implications in taxable accounts.

Benjamin Scellick is a financial advisor at Clearbrook Investment Management, LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Clearbrook since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in business consulting through Finance & Resource Management Consultants, Inc., and serves as treasurer for Hillcrest Chapel. Clearbrook Investment Management is a state-registered advisory firm that provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis with quantitatively driven investment systems across diverse model portfolios.

Benjamin Esget is a financial advisor with WealthMark, LLC in Bellingham, WA, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked with WealthMark since 2007 and with Matrix Capital Group since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, Esget is a certified TACFIT coach at the Bellingham Athletic Club, where he teaches fitness classes several hours per week. WealthMark LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios and offers various strategies including absolute-return and all-weather approaches, along with ongoing portfolio monitoring and a quarterly client newsletter.

Casey Lederer is a financial advisor at Trail Financial Planning LLC in Bellingham, WA, holding a Series 65 designation. Lederer has less than one year of industry experience and previously worked at United Parcel Service and Bank Midwest. Trail Financial Planning LLC is a fee-only adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm uses a range of engagement types and emphasizes asset allocation based on Modern Portfolio Theory, combining passive and active strategies with attention to tax efficiency and regular account reviews.

Wendy Chambers is a financial advisor at Truvestments Capital LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Larson Gross for 20 years. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as a Tax Manager at Safstrom CPAs & Advisors, PLLC. Truvestments Capital LLC serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, private funds, charitable organizations, and businesses by providing asset management, financial planning, and sub-advisory services. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to guide investment decisions and manages a private fund focused on long-term Bitcoin holdings.

Deka Wiebusch is a CFP® with 20 years of experience in the financial industry. She has been with Skyline Advisors, Inc. since 2015 and previously worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Skyline Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, and retirement plans, combining financial planning with investment management. The firm emphasizes a long-term, research-based investment approach and offers discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers.

Dacey Durbin is a financial advisor at Skyline Advisors, Inc. based in Bellingham, WA. They hold a Series 65 designation and began their advisory career with Skyline Advisors in 2024. Prior to this role, Durbin held positions at Western Washington University, Barnes and Noble, Imagine Children's Museum, and American Eagle Outfitters. Skyline Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, and retirement plans, offering wealth management that integrates financial planning and investment management. The firm emphasizes a long-term, research-based investment approach and provides discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers.

Emily Schultz is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at West Invest with three years of industry experience. She previously worked at Whatcom County and Anderson Paper & Packaging before joining West Invest and Northwest Wealth Advisors, LLC. Outside of advising, she is a notary public and provides administrative support for Northwest Wealth Advisors. West Invest offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans and business entities. The firm uses fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods to guide long-term investment decisions and provides clients with tailored financial planning and ongoing account monitoring.

Mark Logan is a CFP® professional with 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Skyline Advisors, Inc. since 2015 and previously spent 12 years with Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Logan is based in Bellingham, WA, and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Skyline Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, and retirement plans, providing wealth management through financial planning and investment management. The firm employs a long-term, research-based investment approach and offers discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers.

Lydia Lok is a financial advisor at Financial Plan, Inc. in Bellingham, WA, with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Trinity Legacy Partners, USAA, and AIG-Valic among other firms. Financial Plan, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and select foundations, associations, and non-profits. The firm employs an enhanced passive investment approach centered on factor-based strategies and primarily uses low-turnover mutual funds and ETFs from Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Lucille Dobson is a financial advisor at Bellingham Capital with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Roots Marketing Group and Western Governor's University in Washington. Bellingham Capital offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, foundations, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm uses a long-term, strategic asset-allocation approach with proprietary model portfolios and performs internal due diligence on mutual funds and ETFs.

Audrey Emerson is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at AdviceOnly since 2025. She previously worked at Cultivating Wealth and has experience in both financial planning and related fields. Outside of AdviceOnly, she owns Emerson Financial Planning LLC, operating under the name Cents of Joy. AdviceOnly provides advice-only financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses through ongoing, project-based, and hourly engagements. The firm emphasizes passive investment strategies using index mutual funds and ETFs and does not manage client assets or accept custody of client funds.

Gabriel Twining is a CFP® and Series 65–licensed advisor at Financial Plan, Inc. in Bellingham, WA, with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Financial Plan, Inc. since 2015. Financial Plan, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and select foundations, associations, and non-profits. The firm employs an enhanced passive investment approach based on the Fama–French dimensions of return, primarily using low-turnover mutual funds and ETFs, including Dimensional Fund Advisors funds as a core equity component.

Christopher Lang is a CFA® charterholder with 21 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Tradewinds Capital Management, LLC since 2023 and previously spent over a decade with Saturna Capital Corporation and Saturna Brokerage Services. Tradewinds Capital Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers multiple management styles that combine quantitative, tactical, and passive strategies, utilizing technology and documented processes to serve a diverse client base.