Wealth Managers

Brandon Stegall, CFP®

Senior Wealth Manager

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my clients and the growing TRPG client base!

We’re honored you trust us to help you stay on track and reach your financial goals. It’s been another great year in the market, even if Q4 ends up a dud like last year. And while it’s great to see all of us growing our assets and creating more financial security, we know the bull market won’t last forever. But our portfolios are designed to handle anything the world throws our way, so there’s nothing to fret about, especially considering the fact that the market has rebounded and set new highs 100% of the time throughout history. The real joys in life revolve around our family and friends, the ability to help others, to have experiences, etc. I learn so much about how to do retirement and life in general the right way, working with my clients and listening to your life stories. It’s the most beneficial and rewarding aspect of my career, and I thank you all for the insight. My wife, Susan, and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary in May. My oldest son, James, turned 25, Danny turned 24, Sam is about to turn 20, and John Paul turned 17. One of my favorite things in life is playing golf with my boys. I did a poor job of getting a good photo with everyone in it this year, but I included a pic of three of us during a golf outing.

Happy Holidays to all of you! Here’s to an equally as good or better 2026! Brandon

Brian Dightman, CMT

Senior Wealth Manager

As our boys grow older, Michelle and I know family vacations will become harder to plan, so this summer we went all in with 12 unforgettable days in Alaska. It was an incredible experience—hikes, Iditarod sled dogs, fishing, wild bears, glaciers, beaches, and even a spa day! Every moment was filled with adventure and beauty, and we’re truly grateful for the memories we created together.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Carolyn Vertovec

Director of Wealth Management

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

As 2025 comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for what has truly been an amazing year. In March, I joined TRPG as the new Director of Wealth Management, and it has been both exciting and rewarding to collaborate with and support our outstanding wealth managers. I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated team.

Outside of work, life in the northland of Kansas City, Missouri, is full of joy and energy. I’m married to Ron Martin, and we share our home with our 21-year-old daughter, three spirited dogs, and one tiny 6-pound cat who rules the household with confidence. Family is at the center of my world, and I cherish time spent with our two adult children, our rambunctious grandson, and the many friends and family who bring laughter and warmth into our lives. My favorite activities include getting manicures with my mom, road trips with my husband, and trying out new restaurants with my parents.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited for a kitchen remodel, my 50th Birthday, and hopefully a tropical vacation adventure.

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy, and prosperity in the year ahead.

Warmest wishes,
Carolyn

Charlotte Teruya-Westcott, CPA, CTFA, CWS®

Senior Wealth Manager

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is hard to believe another year has flown by. I am truly grateful for your continued trust in our services.

This year, Jerry and I went to France. Because we can’t speak the language, we decided to take a tour rather than go on our own. We started off in Paris, traveled to Nantes, Cognac, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Marseille, Provence, and Nice. Yes, Cognac is the region where they make cognac, and of course, Bordeaux produces some really good wine. We were able to sample high-quality cognac and wine – it was fun.

This a picture of us standing at the entrance to Versailles – we enjoyed the entire tour, ate lots of good food (probably too much) and hope to go back again – next time on our own.

I hope you will have an opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends during this holiday season.

Blessings to you all,
Charlotte and Jerry

Clay Harper, JD

Legacy Wealth Strategies Manager

Hello and Happy Holidays!

2025 has been full of new adventures! After nearly fifteen years as a practicing attorney, I needed a change. I began my journey with The Retirement Planning Group in January, leading the launch of an in-house estate planning solution for our amazing clients. I have enjoyed getting to know my fabulous co-workers, and I am thrilled for what the future holds at TRPG.

Shortly after starting my new chapter with TRPG, Maddie (my wife) and I had to say “goodbye” to our entirely deaf, mostly blind trainwreck-but-also-the-sweetest Puggle, Wilfred. We adopted him as an old man, but he brought us tremendous joy during our short time together.

Following Wilfred’s departure, we welcomed Louie into our home, an energetic 2-year-old Dachshund-Yorkie mix. He tested our patience early on, but has since secured himself as an irreplaceable member of our family (and a solid First Mate while cruising Clinton Lake).

My final new adventure of 2025 was my first trip to Mexico! While no stranger to traveling, I had never made the trek south of the border. And I can’t wait to go back: the food, the people, the sun, the beaches, the crashing waves… paradise!

I am incredibly grateful for these adventures – the good and the challenging – and for my friends and family who joined me along the way. I hope you are able to spend the holidays surrounded by the people you love, and I hope your 2026 is filled with wonder and adventure!

Colin Watters, CFP®, MSFP

Senior Wealth Manager

Dear Clients and Friends,

As we reach the close of another year, my family and I wish you a season filled with warmth, reflection, and renewed hope.

This past year has reinforced our understanding that life is precious and unpredictable. We hold dear the memory of our beloved son, Finn, who we lost in 2023 to SUDC. His spirit and the love he brought into our lives remain a guiding light. As we navigate the holidays, we are reminded of the importance of family, health, and resilience.

We are filled with joy as we look ahead to new beginnings; my wife and I are expecting the arrival of our new baby boy around February 2026. This next chapter in our family’s story is a beautiful testament to hope and the future.

The accompanying picture is from a recent trip to the breathtaking landscapes of Banff, Canada, in February 2025. In the quiet majesty of the mountains, we found peace and perspective, a fitting reflection of our approach to both life and managing your financial future.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We value our relationship immensely and look forward to a healthy and prosperous new year together.

With warmest regards,
Colin, Kelly, and our angel Finn

David Nyman, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

Another year has flown by, and as the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you all for being such an important part of my journey. I have been with TRPG for 6 years now, and I have loved every minute of it. Your trust and support have made this year truly special, and I’m grateful for the relationships we’ve built together.

This year brought an exciting new chapter and adventure for my family and me as I launched a new office in North Carolina. It’s been a rewarding experience both professionally and personally. While we’re settling into this new community, I look forward to returning often to visit family and connecting with clients who have been such a meaningful part of my life and career.

Morgyn, my beautiful, supportive, and lovely wife, and I, along with Everly, our sweet three-year-old, and Audyn, our full-of-energy one-year-old, are embracing this season of change. There have been new adventures every time we turn, as we adjust to our new surroundings, and we absolutely love it. I cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store.

We are so blessed and thankful for all we have been given.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Dwight Twillman, CFP®

Senior Wealth Manager

2025: The year of big events in our family. It all started with our daughter, Leslie, getting married in January. She and Tate were married in Key Largo, FL, under the palm trees with friends and family by their side. It was a day Tina and I will never forget. In April, we had to say goodbye to our furry baby, Tucker. We will definitely say that was an event that we wish we could have avoided. August brought the grandkids starting school, with Landon (12) moving up to middle school and Kylie (10) in her last year of elementary school. Labor Day was filled with family and the excitement of Tanner’s engagement. He and Nicole are planning a wedding for May 2027. November brings our 30th wedding anniversary, which will be highlighting the end of the year along with the holidays.

As always, thank you for your trust in TRPG, and may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Dwight & Tina Twillman

Eric M. Lans, CFP®

Senior Wealth Manager

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to the best clients in the world!

2025 has been a year of changes– both professionally and personally. The move to The Retirement Planning Group has gone amazingly well. Thank you so much for your patience as we transitioned. Without a doubt, this is making us even better! On a personal note, we also moved, literally. Tonia and I sold our house of 24 years in Grand Haven Township and downsized to a quirky cottage in the village of Fruitport. We love the sunsets! We also got our first kid through school. Zach graduated from Universal Technical Institute in Illinois. Ella, our oldest, is in her senior year studying environmental science at Calvin University in Grand Rapids. Our youngest, Gabby, is a sophomore at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, pursuing a degree in commercial pilot training. Thank you for your continued business and support in 2024. We appreciate you all!

Warmest blessings on the year ahead!

Ethan Pace, CFP® CMFC®

Senior Wealth Manager

As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on an adventurous year filled with gratitude.

Lisa and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this summer in Telluride by trying our hand at fly fishing. No fish were harmed in the process since we spent most of the time untangling our lines and enjoying the views. We were glad to have a fishing guide to assist with the knot-untying.

We also explored Oregon and Crater Lake, checking another National Park off our list and taking in the beauty of Oregon’s diverse landscape. We chased waterfalls, floated down rivers, swam in Crater Lake, went for a run on the legendary Prefontaine Trail in Eugene, and enjoyed fresh seafood in towns up the Oregon coast. It was a bucket list trip!

Add in the hiking, paddle boarding, and concerts at Red Rocks we enjoyed here at home in Colorado, and it equals a year full of meaningful moments, deepening connection, and new family adventures.

Wishing a happy & healthy holiday season to you and yours!

Ethan Pace and Lisa Lee

James A. Mikesell II

Senior Wealth Manager

This Christmas feels especially meaningful – in the craziest mix of joy, gratitude, chaos, and “wow, what a year.”

We welcomed our first grandchild, officially promoting us to the fun, slightly unhinged grandparents who spoil shamelessly and pretend rules don’t apply to us anymore. We had a great summer hanging out on the water, celebrated our youngest daughter’s graduation from the University of Michigan, and even checked off a lifelong dream with our trip to Ireland, which I’m convinced should be on everyone’s bucket list. Nothing says “spiritual awakening” like stunning cliffs, friendly locals, and discovering you’re surprisingly fluent in pub culture……Guinness, anyone? Through all of it, the highs and the heartbreaks, we’re reminded that family is everything. And with all the kids in town this holiday season, the house will be loud, crowded, messy, and PERFECT! Sure, my beloved Steelers haven’t exactly delivered a season worth bragging about, but at least Christmas won’t require a fourth-quarter miracle.

Here’s to love, laughter, healing, and a holiday season worth replaying. Merry Christmas!

Jay Doraiswami

Senior Wealth Manager

2025 has been a year filled with contentment, gratitude, and joy.

This year, we merged Wealtheon Advisors with Cetera Financial Wealth Advisory Division: The Retirement Planning Group (TRPG). The advisor firm that Valli and I built lovingly over the years, with the sole mission of enhancing our clients’ financial lives, is now safely within the TRPG ecosystem, with so many more exciting service offerings. I am delighted to continue as the Senior Wealth Manager for our clients.

On a personal front, Valli and I take great delight in our children’s accomplishments: our son Rahul’s Blockchain startup company has received significant funding and his team is passionate about adding value to the digital economy; our daughter Shivani is making very good progress in managing her department that takes talented book authors’ works to the Hollywood studios and streaming services to have movies made out of them.

Joe McCulloch, CFP®, CDFA®

Senior Wealth Manager

Happy holiday season to one and all! What a joy it is to work with each and every one of you on your journey towards the retirement of your dreams. I hope you all know how honored I am to have your continued trust placed in me. Cheers to a season of happiness and health for you and your loved ones!

J.J.’s soccer team became part of the MLS Next program, which meant even more weekends on the road. Grayson’s team took home the title at their first travel tournament in Iowa, and Sadie continues to improve and grow more confident with every practice and game. Add in another year of school and the spontaneity that comes with raising young kids, and it was another memorable (and exhausting) year!

Over the past year, the McCulloch crew has climbed mountains, swam in the ocean (shh! A Christmas surprise the kids don’t know about yet), and even crammed into an RV for an unplugged couple of days on the road. We’re already staring at the map to see what adventures we can have next year. I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for us all!

– Joe, J.J. (12), Grayson (9), and Sadie (7)

John W. Hardy, Jr.

Senior Wealth Manager

I would like to thank our clients, staff, partner Gib, and family for making this a wonderful and productive year. As a company, we have made a great move by aligning ourselves with Cetera’s TRPG. We recognized the initial stress of change this has put on everyone, but each of you has risen to the occasion, and we are already seeing the benefits we made the move for.

Thank each of you for your loyalty and patience in this process, and we look forward to continued growing success.

To my family — my wife Christy of 45 years, son William, and four grandsons, Liam, Jake, Hardy, and Wyatt — you continue to give us endless joy, laughter, and love, which we so greatly cherish. We look forward to new adventures, trips, and just fun times on the farm in the coming years.

Finally, to all our clients and those in our community, we wish each of you the very best holiday season and the coming New Year. Find time just to be still, share in a meaningful conversation, give to others, and share the light that God gave each of us to share.

Blessings to all, and happy New Year!
John Hardy

John Vu, CFP®, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

My kids are growing up so fast. Isaiah is a junior at the University of Missouri – Columbia, and Isabell is a sophomore at Auburn University. My youngest, Sophia, turned 16 this year and is driving. One of our favorite things to do as a family is travel. This is a picture of us in Leavenworth, Washington, in 2024. Since my kids are older, Santa Claus doesn’t come to our house anymore. Therefore, we like to travel around the holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Kathy Lum, AIF®

Senior Wealth Manager

As this year comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude — for my clients, our entire TRPG ‘Ohana, and the opportunity to do what I love every day.

On a personal note, our family had much to celebrate this year: an engagement, my beautiful Mom’s milestone birthday, a new career chapter for Tyler, our son, and our sweet pup Mali turned 5! We’re grateful for good health, time together, and the chance to travel and make lasting memories.

May your holidays be filled with good health, laughter, and love. Choose joy, love big, and laugh often!

With Aloha,
Kathy

Kevin Conard, CRPC®

CEO & Senior Wealth Manager

2025 has been a year of big transitions in the Conard house. Corin officially launched into college life at K-State and joined Beta – which means our updates from him arrive unpredictably…sometimes a photo, sometimes a story, sometimes a request that starts with, “Sooo…”. We’re choosing to interpret the silence in between as academic focus.

Kash is in full stride – playing JV basketball, running a small photography business, and scooping ice cream at Betty Rae’s. If he isn’t in the gym, he’s editing photos or smelling vaguely like waffle cones. The kid basically has three jobs and still finds time to perfect his hair. It’s impressive, honestly.

And Kiptyn started his freshman year on the ONW soccer team. He’s still confidently cutting hair for twenty bucks a pop – with a steady stream of clients lining up. Between soccer, school, and his “barbershop,” he’s rarely without a ball, clippers, or both. The entrepreneurial streak is strong with that one.

Katie is still the calm center of this circus, and we are trying to keep up with all three boys as they sprint into their next chapters. Three boys, three different directions, one very full life.

Wishing you and your family a season filled with joy, health, and a little extra time with the people who make your world better!

Kevin, Katie, Corin (19), Kash (17) & Kiptyn (15)

Kristy Ashworth, CFP®

Senior Wealth Manager

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting with grateful hearts on a year filled with milestones and memories. This spring, Caleb and I packed up our girls and traveled to Ireland for two unforgettable weeks. Kennedy competed in the Irish Dance World Championships and placed an impressive 52nd in the world — an incredible achievement that reflects her countless hours of practice. We’re proud to share that she has already qualified for Worlds again this year. Now age 11, Kennedy continues to grow into a kind, driven, and truly special young lady.

Meanwhile, 2-year-old Claire has confidently taken on the role of household boss. Her personality blossomed this year, bringing endless laughter and joy as she proves daily she is the perfect blend of sweet, smart, and sass. She anxiously awaits the day she can begin dance lessons and be like her big sister.

Caleb and I also squeezed in a few small trips and managed to check off several long-awaited home improvement projects. As the year winds down, we’re embracing a quieter holiday season and looking forward to the simple joy of being together.

From our family to yours, we wish you a season filled with peace, love, and cheer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
— The Ashworth Family

Mike Russell, MBA, MSFP, CFP®

Wealth Manager

This year has been full of unforgettable adventures and milestones!

We kicked things off with a ski trip to Vail, enjoying the slopes and the charm of Vail Village. In May, we celebrated a big moment by taking Aidan, our oldest, to Las Vegas for his 21st birthday, and we loved it so much that we returned in October for an incredible Halloween weekend with friends to see The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. Most recently, we spent Thanksgiving at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma with Gabriela’s sister and brother-in-law’s family (pictured), sharing great memories and cheering on the Chiefs, who apparently thought holiday spirit meant giving generously to the Cowboys! As a former Army guy, I’ve officially married into Gabriela’s proud Air Force & Dallas Cowboys family, so the rivalry keeps things lively.

On the home front, Madison turned 18 and continues spinning tunes as a DJ at the local skating rink while gearing up for college next year. Isaac hit 16, earned his independence behind the wheel, and has started learning guitar. Meanwhile, Ava, at just 14, secured her learner’s permit and continues to shine in choir.

Wishing you and yours a joyful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead!

Paul Dreher, CFP®, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

2025 was another year that involved a move for us, but this will be it for a long time! We love being in a family-oriented neighborhood full of kids, and being able to walk to parks, shops, and school. In between settling into the home, we visited friends in Texas, went to the zoo, dipped in the pool, saw flowers at the botanical gardens, went on golf cart rides, jumped in leaf piles, wore a bat costume for Halloween, played in the snow, and went on lots of walks.

Dane will be turning 3 in January but has already made the transition to a full-throated threenager. Her favorite things include watching PBS, French fries, watercolor painting, building Lego towers, bubbles, playing doctor visit, purple, stickers, blue cheese olives, and saying, “Mama do it” and “Dada, no farting in the house!” Oh, and don’t even dare to offer to help her with anything!

We are grateful to have the opportunity to raise her in a loving, supportive environment. I am especially thankful for the trust and support my clients have shown me over the past 14 years. I know I am able to provide for my daughter because of you!

Happy Holidays and peace to all!

Peyton Hawkes

Senior Wealth Manager

2025 was my first full year at TRPG!

It has been a great transition and a welcome source of new friendships and new client resources. In typical fashion, time flies. While the year began with a bout of Covid and pneumonia, it did get better! Spring and Summer brought some new RV adventures to Old Forge, Lancaster, Watkins Glen, and a tour of both the FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt homes in Hyde Park, NY. With Bella the Pug, of course! The hailstorm in July demanded a new roof. My mother, Rose, is still going strong and turned 92 this year, and my sons, Anthony and Dominick, have arrived in their mid-20s and are both nice young men and a source of pride. 2026 promises to be an even better year-fingers crossed!

Wishing everyone good health, wealth, and some new beginnings in 2026

Rob R. O’Blennis, JD, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

The O’Blennis family had a great year!

Gustav (9) is in Fourth Grade. Xavier (11) is in Sixth grade. The boys are still full tilt into Legos, Minecraft, and 3D printing. Over the summer, Xavier attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, with some classmates. In the spring, Gusty did a 3-day camping trip with his class at school and had a blast. Both did the swim and dive teams again over the summer. It’s fun to watch them get stronger and faster each year. We are back to having two dogs in the house. Luna is 6 years old, and Murphy is 1 year old, both yellow labs. In typical lab fashion, we can’t keep them off the couch. One highlight of the year was our family vacation in August. We went to England and Norway with Lori’s dad and got back the day before school started. 2025 was a good year for the O’Blennis family. We hope it was for your family, too. This year reminded us to be grateful for the blessings in our lives and the time we have to appreciate them. Thank you for the trust and faith you place in us.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2026.

Ryan Costello, CFP®

President & Senior Wealth Manager

As we wrap up another year, our family has been reflecting on the moments, big and small, that shaped 2025. For us, the highlight was our great summer adventure to Ireland. We covered just about the whole country, from the energy of Dublin to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, and plenty of countryside in between. We spent meaningful time with family abroad and even reconnected with the next generation of family scattered across Ireland and England. It turns out there are a lot of us, and we all talk loudly.

Back here at home, the kids continue to keep us busy and entertained. Lucy, now 17, is thriving in marching band and devoting a lot of her time with the high school theatre, acting on stage and working behind the scenes on costumes. Rose, 14, is immersed in a local theatre company, singing her heart out in choir, and counting down the days until she can play soccer for her middle school this spring. And Leo, 12, remains our sports fanatic. He’s in the thick of basketball season, juggling a club team, a rec team, and a coach who looks suspiciously like me.

Aislinn and I are so proud of our kids and the young adults they’re becoming, each carving their own path in their own way, even if they’re starting to outpace us in both energy and social calendars.
As we look toward the new year, we want to express our deepest appreciation for you. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and the opportunity to be part of your financial journey. Without you, we simply wouldn’t be here, and we are genuinely grateful for the relationships we’ve built.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful year ahead!

Sarah Kleinschmidt

Wealth Manager

This year has been full of meaningful moments for my family, and I’m grateful to share a bit of that joy with you as we close out 2025. Our son turned two, which feels like living inside a small storm of chaos, curiosity, and laughter. He changes so fast that I find myself paying closer attention, trying to catch every new word, every moment that hints at who he is becoming. Watching his personality come through has been one of the best parts of my day. He keeps us active with swimming and judo.

One of our favorite highlights was taking him to Disneyland with his best friend. Seeing his eyes light up as he met his favorite characters and explored the park for the first time was a memory we’ll hold onto forever. Although we still have to re-watch fireworks videos every night, it was a nice reminder of why we work so hard – to create moments that matter with the people we love.

As we look forward to 2026, I am deeply grateful for your trust, partnership, and the conversations we’ve shared over the past year. It never goes unnoticed, and I’m grateful for the relationships I get to build in this work. I hope the coming year brings you peace, happiness, and beautiful memories of your own.

Happy Holidays, and here’s to a wonderful 2026!

Stephanie Kuwaye, CPA

Wealth Manager

Happy Holidays!

I can’t believe it’s near the end of another year! Time seems to be flying by even faster, so I’d like to take a moment to share my heartfelt appreciation for our clients. Your trust, loyalty, and confidence mean more than I can express. It is a true privilege to support you and your families, and I am always so grateful for the meaningful relationships we’ve built.

On a personal note, I’m delighted to share that I recently got engaged, bringing an extra sense of joy and gratitude to this season.

Again, thank you sincerely for allowing us to be part of your financial journey and for the trust you place in us each day.

I wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season filled with good health, rest, and moments that bring you happiness. May the New Year offer continued success and new opportunities.

With Warmest wishes,
Stephanie Kuwaye

Taylor Pearson, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

This year has been filled with joy and just a touch of change.

We moved a little farther south of the city, settling into our new home just in time to celebrate Bronx’s first birthday. Now 18 months old, he’s thriving—happy, healthy, and keeping us busy with endless laughter and energy. He loves calling our sweet cockapoo, Nova, “sissy,” and she’s enjoying the extra space to lounge and a backyard perfect for barking at the neighbor dogs. Morning walks remain a favorite ritual for Nova and me, no matter how unpredictable Kansas weather becomes. Roman continues his work at Blue Valley Recreation, supporting local kids with special needs while working towards his goal of becoming an educator. As a family, we love visiting the Deanna Rose Farmstead, where Bronx delights in petting the goats. We’re excitedly planning our next family adventure for next year – hopefully somewhere warm! Thank you for your continued support and trust in us.

Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season!

With gratitude, Taylor, Roman, and Bronx

Timothy Watters, CFP®

Senior Wealth Manager

Season’s greetings!

2025 was a significant year for the Watters family. My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Peru. Additionally, our grandson, Jack Finn Waters, turned one year old. We also had the pleasure of visiting New Zealand. We are thrilled to share that we have successfully transitioned from newbies to full members of The Retirement Planning Group! We completed our first year with The Retirement Planning Group in July, and the transition is now complete. We are fully integrated into the company and excited to continue our journey together. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.

Best regards, Timothy J. Watters, CFP®

Tony Tidswell, CPA

Senior Wealth Manager

As we close out another year, I reflect on the changes that occurred this year.

In April, I completed my fortieth tax season. I certainly saw many changes in the tax code over that time! In August, our firm joined with The Retirement Planning Group. I have enjoyed the transition and the exciting changes happening along the way.

On a personal level, my family continues to expand as another grandson was born, and we now have a total of seven grandchildren – six grandsons and one granddaughter. We enjoy spending time with the grandchildren and wonder where all their boundless energy comes from. When not busy attending a grandchild’s soccer/wrestling/lacrosse game/band concert, or some other event, my wife, Candy, and I have been able to do some traveling and continue to enjoy the blessings of family and friends.

I want to thank you for your continued trust and confidence you have placed in us, and hope you had a blessed 2025. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and are wishing for you a prosperous, healthy, and overall wonderful 2026.

Trace Weatherford

Wealth Manager

2025 has been a year full of milestones.

The biggest? I finally proposed to my girlfriend of six years—yes, I’ve heard “it’s about time” more than a few times! We’re thrilled to start this next chapter together, and who knows—maybe next year’s holiday photo will have three of us in it. Another big move was jumping on the opportunity to relocate to Greensboro, North Carolina, to help support a new office joining the TRPG family. It’s been a whirlwind, but in a way, moving to North Carolina brought me closer to family—not my immediate family, but everyone else. All my cousins, uncles, and grandparents are here, and it’s been amazing to spend more time with them instead of maybe seeing them once a year. As we wrap up this incredible year, I want to thank you for being part of my journey and for trusting me to be part of yours. Your support means the world to me, and I look forward to continuing to celebrate your milestones in 2026.

Wishing you joy, peace, and success in the year ahead!

Troy Hedman, CMFC®, CRPC®

Senior Wealth Manager

Friends,

As I reflect on 2025, I have so much for which to be grateful, both personally and professionally. The pace at which the holidays pass by is always a sobering reminder for me to be intentional and to enjoy time with family and friends, so that’s just what we intend to do.

Personally, we were blessed to welcome our first grandson (grandchild number 5!) into the world in April. Our oldest son, Parker, and his wife, Michelle, introduced us to Walker Brett Hedman, and he’ll be experiencing his first Christmas with his two big sisters, Riley and Reese. He’s already being firmly indoctrinated into Denver Broncos fandom!

Professionally, I had the great privilege of watching you and your families welcome new children and grandchildren, and celebrate graduates that you helped fund! I got to watch some of you peacefully leave your jobs for a new chapter in retirement, get married, help your churches and favorite charities, and hear the stories of your amazing world travel adventures! This is why I love what I do. Thank you for allowing me to be alongside you on your journey.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for all the new achievements and adventures that await each of you. I hope this season brings you peace, joy, and meaningful time with your loved ones.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Troy Hedman & Family

William C. Guge, CFP®, CDFA®, CRPC®, APMA®

Senior Wealth Manager

Reflecting on the past twelve months, I am filled with immense gratitude for a year that has been defined by transformative milestones and exciting new chapters. Professionally, the standout moment of 2025 was undoubtedly my decision to join The Retirement Planning Group. This transition has been incredibly energizing for me, and I am truly proud to be working alongside such a talented and dedicated team. It has been a privilege to settle into this new role, and I look forward to continuing to serve our clients with passion and focus in the years to come.

On a personal level, this year was equally unforgettable, as I celebrated my marriage to my beautiful wife, Zoe. We are still smiling from the joy of that celebration! To cap off such a significant year, we are thrilled to be spending this holiday season traveling. We are looking forward to exploring new places, recharging, and enjoying our very first winter holidays together as a married couple. As we all look toward 2026, I wish you and your families a season full of peace, joy, and cherished memories.

Happy Holidays!