Balefire, LLC

Austin Vanhove is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license, and has four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Integrity Alliance, Lion Street Financial, PKS Investments, Fuse Partners, MWA Financial Services, and Modern Woodmen of America. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-owner of Fitness First of Tea, a fitness gym. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities, offering discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that develops model portfolios through a core-plus-tactical approach and licensed third-party research.

Brian Smith is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience. He is currently with Balefire, LLC and has previously worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Fuse Partners, LLC dba VISIONPOINT ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, and LPL Financial, LLC. Smith is also the owner of Balefire Wealth, an RIA and advisory business serving clients in Bettendorf, IA. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities, providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that develops model portfolios employing a core-plus-tactical approach, leveraging licensed third-party research and various investment vehicles.

Jacki Kolkman is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at VisionPoint Group LLC and Accounting Resource Group. Outside of Balefire, she is a partner and investment adviser representative at Fuse Partners, LLC. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process centered on an Investment Committee that develops model portfolios employing a core-plus-tactical approach and licensed third-party research.

Jacinta Thompson is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC in Dallas, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Integrity Alliance, Lion Street Financial, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, and LPL Financial LLC. She also serves as Vice President of Retirement Solutions at Fuse Partners, LLC, where she consults clients on retirement plans. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities, providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm utilizes a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that develops model portfolios using a core-plus-tactical approach and licensed third-party research.

George Hester is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 41 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Integrity Alliance, Lion Street Financial, Csenge Advisory Group, and Navitas Investment Advisory Services, among others. Outside of advising, he is involved in agricultural operations, owning and managing multiple farms and timber properties, and serves on nonprofit boards including the Mississippi Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the UNITE MS Foundation. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and businesses by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that employs a core-plus-tactical approach and third-party research, customizing client relationships according to risk profiles and goals.

Christopher Fay is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at firms such as Integrity Alliance, Csenge Advisory Group, Lion Street Financial, and Navitas Wealth Advisors. He is an owner of Lion Street and AEG, both broker-dealer groups specializing in life insurance. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process using model portfolios and licensed third-party research, offering customized client relationships with regular reviews and delegated discretionary authority.

Will Knight is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Integrity Alliance, Csenge Advisory Group, Lion Street Financial, Kestra Financial Services, and NFP Securities. In addition to his advisory role, Knight owns a tax and accounting firm, Taylor, Powell, Wilson & Harford, P.A. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process using a core-plus-tactical philosophy and licensed third-party research, customizing client relationships by risk profile and goals.

Ian Giovinco is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC in Tampa, FL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. He has been involved with Omni Resource Group, Omni Financial Services, Securian Financial Services, and Minnesota Life Insurance Company since 2006. Outside of advisory work, he maintains an estate planning law practice and teaches continuing education courses. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that manages portfolios through a core-plus-tactical approach and licensed third-party research.

Erika Wood is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. She holds the CFP® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Her prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, LPL Financial, Principal Securities, and Principal Life Insurance. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as an assistant coach for a high school girls' swim team. Balefire, LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that utilizes a core-plus-tactical philosophy and third-party research to customize client portfolios.

John Hoffman is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC in Dallas, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at VisionPoint Advisory Group, LPL Financial, and nearly two decades at Princor Financial Services Corporation and Principal Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Fuse Partners, LLC, an independent investment advisory firm. Balefire, LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process using a core-plus-tactical philosophy and licensed third-party research to customize portfolios according to client risk profiles and goals.

Daniel Swenson is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with a Series 65 designation and over 15 years of professional experience. Prior to joining Balefire in 2025, he worked at IMEG Consultants and Horizon Virtual, and spent 14 years at CentraCare Health. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process using a core-plus-tactical philosophy and licensed third-party research, customizing client relationships by risk profile and goals.

Scott Munger is a financial advisor with Balefire, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at VisionPoint Advisory Group, LPL Financial, Freimark and Associates, Princor Financial Services, and Principal Financial Group. He is also involved in managing The Scott Munger Agency, Inc. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process with a core-plus-tactical philosophy and uses third-party research and sub-advisors to tailor client portfolios according to risk profiles and goals.

Mark Greene is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with 37 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Ameriprise Financial Services, TIAA, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services. Greene serves as a board member of The River Towers Association, an HOA for a large condominium complex. Balefire, LLC advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions, utilizing a team-based investment process with a core-plus-tactical philosophy and third-party research.

Donald Peterson is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Integrity Alliance, Lion Street Financial, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Fuse Partners, and LPL Financial. Peterson is also involved in providing fixed insurance and non-securities insurance planning for private wealth clients. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities, offering discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm uses a team-based investment process with an Investment Committee that develops model portfolios following a core-plus-tactical philosophy, employing third-party research and sub-advisors to implement strategies across various asset classes.

Travis Busch is a financial advisor at Balefire, LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Thrivent Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Ameriprise Financial Services, Park Avenue Securities, and Guardian Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, he is an assistant varsity basketball coach at Providence Academy. Balefire serves individual and high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and business entities by providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA-focused corporate solutions. The firm employs a team-based investment process using a core-plus-tactical philosophy and licensed third-party research, customizing client relationships by risk profile and goals.