Nicholas Johnson is a Certified Financial Planner® with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Empower Financial Services, Inc. since 2023 and previously spent 15 years with The Vanguard Group, Inc. He is based in Van Meter, Iowa. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants. The firm uses an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, offering point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

John Hawley is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Farther, where he has worked since 2025, following a 12-year tenure at Value Wealth Management, LLC. Farther provides discretionary investment management and related advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a digital platform and in-person meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach, utilizing proprietary model portfolios, algorithmic rebalancing, and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, individual equities, and fixed income.

Nathan Lane is a financial advisor at Principal Financial Services with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Heartland Wealth Advisors and Principal-affiliated firms. Outside of advising, he has bartended at the Iowa State Fair. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money manager solutions through various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Jacob Repp is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in West Des Moines, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 13 years of industry experience. He previously worked at NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Co before joining Principal Securities Inc. in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, Repp hosts a podcast called "Why Wednesday," interviewing local businesses and nonprofits, and serves as a board member for a technology education organization focusing on youth summer camps. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel abroad. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers through various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Connor Meislahn is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in West Des Moines, IA, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he has been the owner and operator of 3C Electric LLC, a firm specializing in photovoltaic system design consulting and electrical services in the Des Moines metro area. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, offering direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions through various advisor and promoter arrangements.

Jaclynn Bannister is a financial advisor at Integrity Alliance, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has prior experience at firms including RBC Capital Markets and Principal Advised Services, where she provided one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants. Bannister also held a role as AVP in advice, education, and sales at Principal Bank. Integrity Alliance serves a broad client base including individual investors, corporations, and qualified retirement plans. The firm offers diverse advisory services through a network of over 300 advisors managing approximately $5.4 billion in assets, utilizing discretionary accounts, model portfolios, and third-party sub-advisers with a variety of allocation strategies.

Stephanie Forinash is a financial advisor with Carson Wealth, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. She has worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and Cetera Advisor Networks before joining CWM, LLC in 2021. In addition to her advisory role, she is also licensed as an insurance agent, selling life, health, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of more than 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, with investment strategies guided by an Investment Committee and supported by proprietary technology and third-party partnerships.

Conor Boffeli is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in West Des Moines, IA, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and nine years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Principal Securities, Aligned Wealth Advisors, Commonwealth Financial Network, and Northwestern Mutual, among others. Boffeli serves on several nonprofit boards, including the United Way of Central Iowa and Can Play, contributing to funding decisions and program development. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions under multiple advisory and promoter arrangements.

Andrew Himelson is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in West Des Moines, IA, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wealth By Choice, Union Financial, and Wells Fargo. He also engages in fixed insurance and group benefits activities outside of his advisory work. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

Joshua Ervasti is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including New York Life, Eagle Strategies, and R2 Financial Strategies, where he is a co-owner. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in business consulting through his firm, Ervasti Financial, LLC. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients, providing a range of advisory programs and back-office support. The firm offers discretionary model portfolios and multiple program structures, combining investment management, technology, and compliance services for affiliated advisors.

Jonathan Heim is a CFP® and ChFC® with 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Principal Financial Services and has previously worked at Aligned Wealth Advisors, Mass Mutual Investors Services, Metlife Securities, and New England Securities. Heim serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Miracle League and the Carroll Chamber of Commerce, and holds leadership roles in community organizations such as the Uri Sellers Memorial Foundation and the Community Foundation of Carroll County. Principal Securities offers brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm provides direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers through various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Peter Brock is a financial advisor with Integrity Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Integrity Alliance since 2018 and also operates Brock Financial Services and Benefit Source Inc, both since 2011. Integrity Alliance is an enterprise firm with over 300 advisors managing approximately $5.4 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and qualified retirement plans, offering a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through multiple investment platforms and strategies.

Nicholas Manna is a Series 66 licensed advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in West Des Moines, IA, and has one year of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Kyle Ver Woert is a financial professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently associated with Cetera in West Des Moines, IA. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Equitable Advisors and Axa Advisors, LLC. From 2016 to 2018, he was involved with the Corridor Hockey Association. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual investors, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Erik Aanonson is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent Financial since 2018 and previously worked at Fareway Stores Inc. for seventeen years. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member of Aanonson Real Estate, LLC, where he manages rental properties. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning and offers clients the option to combine planning with managed-account services under its WealthPlan program, while keeping planning and investment management separate.

William Warren is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Johnston, IA, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 license. He has 35 years of industry experience, including roles at Royal Alliance Associates, Ameritas Investment Corp, and Central Financial Group. Warren also owns and operates a tax preparation business. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisors and multiple advisory platforms, offering integrated brokerage, advisory, and financial planning services.

Rachel Kurtz is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she has minority ownership interests in family-owned commercial rental property entities. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from the Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party data.

Jacob Helvey is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Des Moines, IA, holding a Series 66 designation with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its related entities since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Iron Rams, Inc. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver non-discretionary, customized retirement-income recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Carmen Black is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Dallas Center, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 35 years of industry experience. She has been with MML Investors Services, Inc. and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. since 1991. Outside her advisory role, she owns and operates a boarding facility for dogs. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved tools to deliver collaborative, goal-focused advice.

Matthew Turcotte is the Resident Director at Merrill, where he provides financial advice and guidance tailored to clients' goals and priorities for their personal, family, and business financial needs. He emphasizes a wealth management strategy that centers on understanding the client's life and objectives rather than focusing solely on market trends. Matthew focuses on a comprehensive wealth management approach that begins with understanding a client's family, financial situation, and priorities. He works collaboratively to create flexible, personalized strategies that adapt to changing needs and market conditions. He offers access to Merrill's investment insights alongside Bank of America's banking and lending solutions to address diverse financial aspects. His areas of expertise include corporate benefits, retirement planning, executive compensation, and portfolio management services. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Northern Iowa and maintains professional designations such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of his professional role, Matthew is involved in community volunteering and engages in various personal interests including adventure sports, baseball, biking, football, golfing, hiking, hunting, running, and spending time with his family.