When can you enjoy everything you’ve worked for?
Welcome to a different kind of wealth management in Ames
We get you to think about money like you’ve never thought about it before
Has rolling up your sleeves, working hard, and building success always been part of your DNA? Then we believe Mercer Advisors is the wealth management firm for you.
Because we’re here to help you keep building on that success. But at the same time, we fundamentally believe there’s a point in life where the wealth-builder in you deserves to become the wealth-enjoyer of all you’ve attained.
We’re built differently
Because to us, helping you protect and grow your wealth is about much more than just your investment portfolio
Of course, a well-managed investment portfolio is the cornerstone to building wealth. And we strive to do that exceptionally well.
But if returns are your sole focus, those returns can quickly be offset by what happens in the other parts of your financial life. Like not preparing for major taxable events, having an incomplete estate plan, a retirement plan that’s on autopilot, or a less than ideal business succession strategy.
So, unlike most firms, we have expertise across financial planning, investing strategy, tax and estate planning, trust services, insurance coverage, and more. With specialists across each of these areas communicating with each other about you, and with you.
Put simply, we help oversee and connect all the dots of your financial life.
Meet our talented wealth advisors in the Ames area
They’re here to help you connect all your financial dots
Laura Combs
Managing Director
Laura Combs
Managing Director
Laura began her career in the investment management industry in 2008. As a Managing Director, member of both the Investment Committee and Senior Leadership Team, Laura's distinguished herself as an advisor and experienced leader with a passion for helping clients find their path to Economic Freedom™. She's been recognized by the Thrive Awards, named a Top Woman Advisor by Forbes and a top 40 Under 40 Advisor by InvestmentNews. Laura sits on the steering committee for Mercer Advisors' award-winning InvestHERs women's initiative, is a member of the Financial Planning Association, mentors through Mercer's Mentorship program and the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program at the University of Colorado. She has a degree in Communications from Wheaton College. Laura lives in Boulder with her husband and children.
*Disclosure
Nominees for Investment News’ eighth annual 40 Under 40 project should exhibit qualities of leadership within the financial advice field, such as the drive to succeed, along with prospects for a bright future. He or she must be under the age of 40 on June 7, 2021, which is the date our 40 Under 40 honorees will be announced in the print issue of InvestmentNews and online. Accomplishments: We are looking for professionals who are successful in the advisory business, industry-related projects and the wider world in an advisory capacity, as exhibited by their credentials and achievements. Contribution: We are searching for professionals who promote the financial advice profession, advocate for financial literacy and engage in pro bono financial planning work. Leadership: We are interested in professionals who offer guidance and successful management within a company or the industry as a whole. Promise: We want to celebrate professionals who have passion, enthusiasm, great ideas and show a commitment to the field.
Thrive Award: A panel of independent judges determined the WealthManagement.com 2019 Thrive Award winners. Criteria included demonstrable impact on their firm, the industry, and wealth management in general. The WealthManagement.com Thrive Awards recognizes advisors who are on the way up–those who have proven themselves skilled and ambitious by virtue of three solid years of revenue growth. To qualify for the WealthManagement.com 2019 Thrive list of fastest-growing advisors, applicants had to be based in the U.S., offer financial services to individual clients, and be free of regulatory actions. Applications were accepted from individuals, teams and companies of all types and sizes–including solo advisors, ensembles, practices, family offices, RIAs and IBD reps.
The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of: qualitative data, learned through surveys and interviews (in-person, telephone and virtual), so Forbes can evaluate best practices, service and investing models, compliance records, etc.; as well as quantitative data, like revenue trends and assets under management. All advisors have a minimum of seven years’ experience. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
These awards should not be construed by clients or prospective clients as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Mercer Advisors or a Mercer Advisors Associate is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past client endorsement of Mercer Advisors or any Mercer Advisors Associate.
Douglas Gilbert
Senior Vice President, Sales
Douglas Gilbert
Senior Vice President, Sales
Doug began his career in the financial services industry in 2001. His past experiences include working at Westwood Trust and the Private Client Group for First National Bank of Nebraska, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment advice for high-net-worth clients, foundations, and endowments. Doug has served on several industry and community boards during his career. He graduated from Wayne State College with a degree in Business and holds the FINRA Series 65 License. Doug lives in Omaha with his wife and daughter, and enjoys playing golf and exploring new restaurants.
Andra Reason
Sr. Wealth Advisor, Director
Andra Reason
Sr. Wealth Advisor, Director
CPA, CFP®
Andra specializes in tax planning and estate planning and has experience in Federal and State income tax, estate and gift tax and accounting. She began her career as a CPA in 1999 and worked in global and regional accounting firms for fifteen years. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, Andra spent six years as an advisor with Marrs Wealth Management in Ames, Iowa. She holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. She enjoys educating clients and serving her community as a volunteer.
Craig Marrs
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Craig Marrs
Sr. Wealth Advisor
CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®
Craig founded Marrs Wealth Management, an independent Registered Investment Advisor Firm, in 2010, following a 25-year career with Ameriprise. He has a passion for educating the public on the importance of upholding the fiduciary standard. Craig has a Bachelor’s in Finance from Iowa State University. He has held leadership positions on non-profit boards including the Iowa State University Foundation Investment Committee. Craig and his wife, Beth, enjoy spending time with their kids and grandkids in Iowa and Colorado.
Dale Acton
Wealth Advisor
Dale Acton
Wealth Advisor
Stacie Hostetler
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Stacie Hostetler
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Chelsy Nikolish
Client Service Specialist
Chelsy Nikolish
Client Service Specialist
Chelsy loves getting to know clients and learning their unique stories. She began her career in the financial services industry in 2019 after a decade of customer service positions. Chelsy takes the same client focused approach in her current role, to help everyone have a great experience. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family. Some of their favorite activities are going on bike rides, playing card games, and trying new food.
We’ll team you up
with one of our talented wealth advisors who’ll help you connect all your financial dots
We’ll touch base to discuss your individual needs so that we can connect you with a wealth advisor who’s right for you.
Please Note: The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Mercer Advisors is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.
