Based in Olympia, Washington. Serving clients statewide. Seth Deal is a CPA and fee-only fiduciary financial advisor who helps Washington State public employees retire with confidence. He holds the PFS credential, the financial planning designation built for CPAs. That makes him a tax expert first, with full financial planning on top. In retirement, where every pension and Social Security choice carries a tax bill, that order matters. Seth understands public sector retirement because he lived it. He worked in municipal finance with the City of Olympia before serving public employees as a CPA since 2018. He joined LifeFocus as an advisor in July 2024, working alongside his father and firm founder, Bob Deal, CPA/PFS. They keep the practice small and high-touch.

John Zerba is a Certified Public Accountant and financial advisor with 15 years of experience at 5 Star Investing, an independent registered investment adviser based in Milton Freewater, Oregon. He has maintained a parallel public accounting practice providing accounting, bookkeeping, and income tax preparation services. 5 Star Investing offers discretionary portfolio management, investment advice, and financial planning to individuals, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an actively managed approach that combines concentrated stock positions with broader market diversification, utilizing fundamental and technical analysis with a value-oriented, multi-cap focus across equities and fixed income.

Joseph Fondahn is the principal of Fondahn Financial in Walla Walla, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with one year of industry experience. He has worked at Advantus Group, LLC dba Fondahn CPA since 2016 and previously at Baker Boyer National Bank from 2013 to 2016. In addition to financial advising, he owns and operates a public accounting practice through Advantus Group, LLC. Fondahn Financial provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families, and small businesses. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing diversification, asset allocation, and tax-efficient strategies, while financial planning includes retirement, estate, tax, insurance, and education-funding planning.

Robert Deal is a financial advisor at LifeFocus Financial Advisors, LLC with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with LifeFocus since 2005 and holds a Series 63 designation. In addition to his advisory role, Mr. Deal is a CPA and dedicates a significant portion of his time to tax and accounting work within the firm. LifeFocus Financial Advisors serves individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, and charities by providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis within a modern portfolio theory framework, integrating tax-reduction and estate-preservation strategies alongside investment advice.

Brian Bruggeman is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. He is a partner at Block Maughan & Associates, PLLC, DBA Walla Walla Tax Advisors, where he provides tax preparation and planning services. Brian has worked at Walla Walla Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2025 and previously held positions at Baker Boyer Bank and Cetera. Walla Walla Wealth Advisors serves a small group of individual and employer-sponsored retirement plan clients, managing approximately $16 million in discretionary assets. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and investment management using both passive and active strategies, third-party platforms, and AI tools with human oversight. Its combined ownership with a tax preparation practice is a notable aspect of its service model.

Andrew Block is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Walla Walla Wealth Advisors in Walla Walla, WA, where he has worked since 2025. He has over 16 years of experience as the managing partner of Block Maughan & Associates, PLLC, an accounting firm also known as Walla Walla Tax Advisors. Walla Walla Wealth Advisors provides wealth management, investment management, and comprehensive financial planning to a small roster of individual and employer-sponsored retirement plan clients. The firm employs a combination of passive and active strategies, utilizes third-party platforms and sub-advisers, and integrates AI tools with human oversight in its investment approach.

Deirdre Hafen is a financial advisor at Advisory Alpha, LLC with 14 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 credential and previously worked at Tucker Asset Management LLC for nine years. Hafen also owns Hafen Financial, a firm providing financial services, consulting, and fixed insurance product sales. Advisory Alpha serves a broad retail client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty solutions such as retirement plan services and donor-advised funds. The firm also acts as a subadvisor or co-advisor for other registered investment advisors and employs a diverse range of managed portfolio strategies overseen by an internal Investment Team.

Ginger Kessel is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Compass Financial Services, Commonwealth Financial Network, LPL Financial, and E.K. Riley Investments. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner of Kessel Enterprises, Inc., a construction services company, and serves on the investment committee of the Blue Mountain Community Foundation. Arkadios Wealth Advisors provides investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans through a variety of advisory programs, including internally managed portfolios and access to third-party money managers. The firm uses a mix of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and offers comprehensive portfolio reporting and financial planning.

Brandon Zaro is a financial advisor at D.A. Davidson & Co. with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Raymond James Financial. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in agriculture through a family farming operation in Touchet, Washington. D.A. Davidson & Co. offers investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base including employer-sponsored retirement plans, individuals, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm provides ERISA retirement plan advisory services, comprehensive financial planning, and specialized wealth management programs, operating under fiduciary standards and incorporating both qualitative and quantitative investment analysis.

Michael Odman is a financial advisor at D.A. Davidson & Co. with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has previously worked in various roles including construction and academic positions before joining D.A. Davidson & Co. There are no additional notable outside activities listed. D.A. Davidson & Co. offers investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including retirement plans, individual investors, and charitable organizations. The firm provides fiduciary advisory services, comprehensive financial planning, and specialized programs for high-net-worth clients, distinguishing itself by also serving as a municipal advisor and operating affiliated custodial entities.

Patrick Jones is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Walla Walla, WA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Empower since 2026. His previous roles include positions at Brilliant Finishes, Latitude Wealth Management, AgWest Farm Credit, and Washington State University. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, offering services integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing in its financial planning approach.

Nicholas Lyons is a financial advisor at D.A. Davidson & Co. with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with D.A. Davidson since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the endowment committee for Walla Walla Catholic Schools and the finance committee for the Walla Walla Country Club. D.A. Davidson & Co. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including retirement plans, individual investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of services such as ERISA retirement plan advisory, financial planning, and wealth management programs, operating under fiduciary standards and utilizing both qualitative and quantitative investment analysis.

Emily Reeves is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Creative Planning, where she has worked since 2024. She has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors and Krivoshein McDaniels Financial. Reeves also has experience with Washington State University programs and worked in hospitality early in her career. Creative Planning serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans, providing comprehensive investment advisory and financial planning services. The firm emphasizes a financial planning-led investment process with a focus on low-cost indexing and offers an array of supplemental strategies and retirement plan services supported by affiliated legal, trust, and recordkeeping businesses.

Jacob Crawford is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Creative Planning with four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Creative Planning in 2024, he worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and Krivoshein McDaniels Financial from 2022 to 2024. Before entering the financial sector, he spent five years at Foothills Physical Therapy and three years at Midwestern University. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, foundations, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach focused on low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and offers access to private market investments while managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets.

Kimberly Mcdaniels is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 16 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services and Edward Jones. Mcdaniels is also a part owner of Krivoshein McDaniels Financial, where she is involved in business management and operations. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that incorporates low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and selective private market exposure, supported by a broad range of sub-advisory and institutional services.

William Fleenor is a financial advisor with D.A. Davidson & Co., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with D.A. Davidson & Co. since 2006. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as the head boys golf coach at Walla Walla High School and is the secretary of the Walla Walla Country Club board. D.A. Davidson & Co. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of services such as ERISA retirement plan advisory, comprehensive financial planning, and a Private Wealth program for clients with more than $20 million in net worth, operating under fiduciary standards and utilizing both qualitative and quantitative investment analysis.

Shannon Ebding is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience. She is currently with CWM, LLC and has prior experience at Carson Wealth and Buckley Investment Group. Outside of her advisory role, she works as an accountant for Harmell Cellars, LLC, a winery. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser overseeing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of over 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing an Investment Committee to manage model portfolios and provide tailored investment solutions.

John Buckley is a financial advisor with CWM, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Carson Wealth, Buckley Investment Group, The Caprock Group, and Piper Sandler & Co. He is based in Walla Walla, WA. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of over 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, variable sub-account management for annuities, and retirement plan services, supported by an Investment Committee that constructs and monitors model portfolios using fundamental and technical inputs.

Andre Selfa is a financial advisor with Osaic Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Arbor Point Advisors, Securities America, Ameriprise Financial Services, LPL Financial, and Gesa Credit Union. He also operates Pinnacle Ascent Wealth Management, providing financial and investment advice. Osaic Advisory Services, LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm delivers investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and related services through multiple program models, utilizing proprietary and third-party platforms with custody primarily arranged through Schwab and Fidelity.

Elizabeth Armstrong is a financial advisor at Cetera with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Cetera Advisors LLC and various insurance companies since 2012. In addition to her advisory role, she is a member of the PEO Sisterhood philanthropic organization, serving on its education committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary options.

Jacob Barnhart is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his financial services career in 2007 alongside his father in Walla Walla, Washington, later relocating to Seattle in 2014, and joining Merrill Lynch in 2017. Jacob specializes in 401(k) plans and assists business owners and executives with customized qualified retirement plan designs and financial strategies aimed at maximizing tax-deductible contributions. Jacob holds several professional designations, including Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Seattle University and an Associate of Arts degree from Walla Walla Community College under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Prior to his financial career, Jacob served four years in the United States Marine Corps with multiple tours overseas. In addition to his professional work, Jacob is involved with the Walla Walla Humane Society and participates in the community through organizations such as Siri Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His personal interests include biking, golfing, music, reading, swimming, and spending time with family.

Samuel Wells is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Edward Jones since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of The Turner Group Corporation Crop Insurance. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Jaymee Leamer is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked for Woodward Canyon Winery, Inc. for 14 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment advisory programs and maintains a large national network of advisors and branch offices.

David Shelbourn is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan in various capacities since 2010. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services mainly to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, using a combination of quantitative asset-allocation modeling and centralized due diligence. The firm integrates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations and operates within the broader J.P. Morgan broker-dealer and banking organization.

Melissa Wilcox is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Walla Walla, WA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials with 16 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at several mortgage firms and Buckley Investment Group, LLC. She also serves as a board member of The Health Center in Walla Walla. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the nation.

Lawson Knight is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with eight years of industry experience, currently practicing at Edward Jones in Walla Walla, WA. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked at Intermountain Impact Investments from 2015 to 2017. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Harold Boucher is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently associated with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and Columbia Bank, having previously worked at Cetera and U.S. Bancorp Investments. Outside of financial advising, he is a partner and ranch manager at Boucher Ranch, LLC, involved in managing all aspects of the ranch. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning supported by analytical modeling and sponsors wrap-fee advisory programs, with a notable affiliation that supports municipal and public-finance work.

George Hessler is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Walla Walla, Washington, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and over 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. since 1993. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Holly Ramirez is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Walla Walla, WA, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs and managed solutions. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Carolyn Stiver is a Series 66–credentialed financial advisor with 15 years of experience at Edward Jones, where she has worked since 2011 in Walla Walla, WA. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Chase Hessler is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2012. The firm is a full-service wealth management company serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, including pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. Edward Jones manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs with discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, operating under a fiduciary standard.