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Guidance for Business Owners: Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements
October 8, 2024
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.
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.
They’re here to help you connect all your financial dots
Vince Hawkins
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Vince Hawkins
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Vince enjoys getting know his clients on a personal level to ensure their financial plan is uniquely tailored to meet their goals. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at the Permian Basin with a degree in Accounting and Information Services. After spending 15 years in executive management, Vince chose to pursue his true passion of wealth management and financial planning. This passion led him to co-found Steward Wealth Management with his partner Dustin Stiefel. From the onset of Steward, the founders believed that true wealth management should include tax planning and preparation and estate planning. The partners of Steward Wealth Management joined Mercer Advisors in 2023 to provide a more robust service offering to their clients. Vince enjoys several hobbies, including playing guitar in local bands, annual ski trips with his family, and summers spent on the lake.
Joseph D. McIntosh
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Joseph D. McIntosh
Sr. Wealth Advisor
The desire to help others set and achieve their financial goals led Joseph to a career in personal wealth management, a profession that turned into a “calling” that combines his love of finance with a passion to serve people and families. Adhering to a conviction that there is more to wealth than just the monetary side, he loves to help individuals leave a financial legacy. Joseph is a graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Accounting and Real Estate. He also holds a Master of Science in Taxation and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Following graduate school, Joseph spent several years working with Ernst & Young, LLP, in tax advisory, serving Fortune 1000 and various large multi-national companies. He joined Steward Wealth Management in 2013, which was acquired by Mercer Advisors in 2023. Joseph and his wife are natives of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching their three boys’ sport activities, playing golf, pickleball and spending time with family. He and his family are active in their local church and community.
Dustin C. Stiefel
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Dustin C. Stiefel
Sr. Wealth Advisor
Dustin has been helping individuals and families make well-informed decisions about their wealth for more than 25 years. His holistic approach addresses the tax, legal, and investment needs of clients delivered through independent, conflict-free advice. Dustin began his career in financial services as a traditional broker selling the products of Wall Street. After realizing the inherent conflicts of interest, he co-founded the fiduciary firm, Steward Wealth Management which was acquired by Mercer Advisors in 2023. He continues to help clients navigate the complexities that come with building and protecting wealth. A native Texan, he holds a degree in Finance from Oklahoma Baptist University. Dustin is married and has two grown sons. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, mountain biking, and most recently, pickleball.
Ross Miller
Wealth Advisor
Ross Miller
Wealth Advisor
CFP®, CPA
Ross combines analytical thinking with a strong desire to help individuals achieve their financial goals. He attended Texas A&M University where he received his undergraduate in Accounting and a Masters degree in Entrepreneurial Management. After graduate school, he spent several years as an auditor of small and mid-sized companies while working to obtain his CPA license. His work as an auditor taught him how to evaluate the overall financial health of a business, which led him to want to use these skills at an individual level. Prior to joining Steward Wealth Management, he served as an advisor to dental professionals providing financial planning and tax consulting services. During the pandemic, he obtained his CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Ross and his wife are natives of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and currently reside in Colleyville, where they are active in their local church and community.
Jared Harrington
Wealth Advisor
Jared Harrington
Wealth Advisor
Jared enjoys collaborating with individuals and families, guiding them through the financial planning process, and helping them ascertain and achieve their personal and financial goals. He graduated from Brigham Young University and launched his financial services career in 2017 at The Vanguard Group, first as a Registered Broker and then as a Financial Advisor. In 2021, Jared joined Fisher Investments, continuing his work as a Financial Advisor before joining Mercer Advisors in late 2023. He’s a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the FINRA Series 65 license. Jared is a current member of the Financial Planning Association, and he enjoys reading, working on his golf game, and supporting BYU football in his free time.
Tatiana Stahn
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Tatiana Stahn
Sr. Client Service Specialist
Tatiana takes pride in giving clients a favorable impression of the Mercer Advisors team and helping them feel they’ve found a friendly source to trust. With more than 10 years of experience in financial services, she is known for her knowledge and willingness to help. Before Mercer Advisors, Tatiana worked at Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade. She has sharpened her analytical skills during her career to best assist clients in their financial journey. Tatiana earned her B.A. in speech communication from the University of Texas. Outside of work, Tatiana stays active in her community. She can often be found in the local theater scene or cheering at Mustang-Panther youth football games. Tatiana and her husband are the proud parents of a son and two spoiled pugs.
Melissa Cleghorn
Client Service Specialist
Melissa Cleghorn
Client Service Specialist
Melissa’s focus is serving clients “behind the scenes” to ensure function and order each day so that advisors can focus on achieving client financial goals. Melissa began her career in the financial services industry in 2017 with Steward Wealth Management and joined Mercer Advisors via Steward Wealth Management’s acquisition in 2023. Since receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, Melissa has worked in various administrative roles including Office Manager for a commercial real estate firm and Project Manager for a local Bible-Teaching Ministry. Born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Melissa still resides in DFW with her husband and two young sons. She is an active volunteer, both in her church and her son’s elementary school, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Susan Travis
Managing Director
Susan Travis
Managing Director
CFP®, AEP®, CTFA
Susan began her career in the financial services industry in 1987. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, she was a Senior Vice President and Trust Officer at Kanaly Trust Company in Houston. She’s also worked with firms in Ohio, Florida, and Boston. Susan specializes in multigenerational wealth management issues, using a variety of planning tools. She holds a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York and a Trust Administration certificate from Bentley University in Boston, and she completed the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University in Chicago. Susan is on the board of directors for the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), serves on the Accredited Estate Planner® Committee (AEP®), co-chairs the NAEPC Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee, and is past chair of the Multi-Disciplinary Teaming Committee. She’s a past president and current member of the Houston Estate and Financial Forum as well as a member of the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association. Susan has also served as president of two homeowners’ associations. In her free time, she loves doing various outdoor activities with her family.
John Mazzei
Regional Vice President
John Mazzei
Regional Vice President
John has been helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals since 2015. Following his graduation from the University of New Mexico, John fell in love with working with numbers and pursued a career in helping people navigate the complexities of their financial lives. He credits his grandmother, who used to stare at ticker tape during her visits, for inspiring him. John has earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and holds the FINRA Series 66 license. He currently lives in Dallas with his wife and two boys.
George Bruneau
Regional Vice President
George Bruneau
Regional Vice President
George is passionate about guiding clients towards value-driven solutions through comprehensive planning, helping them achieve their aspirations while bestowing Economic Freedom™ upon their families. After graduating from Arizona State University, George began working in the financial services industry at Merrill Lynch before moving to TD Ameritrade, ACT Wealth Management, and Fisher Investments. He has specialized in roles in financial planning and wealth management strategies. George has since moved from San Diego to Dallas, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, along with attending local music or sports events.
Danielle Frazier
Sr. Manager, Client Service
Danielle Frazier
Sr. Manager, Client Service
Danielle began her career in the financial services industry in 2005, working at large RIA firms such as Washington Mutual and JPMorgan and at a local asset management firm in Houston. She’s passionate about providing high-quality, detailed customer service to support the Mercer Advisors team and its clients. Danielle graduated with a BA in psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. She serves on the steering committee of the Mercer Advisors Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative and leads the financial literacy-community outreach division. She’s also the partner-firm executive sponsor for 3rd Decade as well as a liaison to Junior Achievement. In her spare time, Danielle volunteers with Houston Dress for Success, offering financial literacy classes to veterans. She loves traveling with her husband, going to the theatre, and reading.
Josh DeForest
Executive Managing Director
Josh DeForest
Executive Managing Director
CFA, CFP®
Josh joined Mercer Advisors in 2010, after beginning his financial services career in 2007. He serves as managing director for the firm’s southern division, overseeing nearly 20 offices. Josh also manages large client relationships, providing customized financial planning, investment management, and estate planning to help meet their distinct objectives. Josh is a member of the firm’s executive leadership council and investment committee. He has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2021), the Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2023), and the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2024). Josh graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California with degrees in economics and Spanish. A native of Phoenix, he resides there with his wife and three boys and works out of our Scottsdale office.
The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion—mostly gained through telephone, virtual, and in-person due diligence interviews—and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of four years’ experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm additionally weighs factors such as service models, compliance records and industry experience, and focuses on those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients.
Please Note: Limitations. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals are engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A fee was not paid by either Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals to receive the award or ranking. The award or ranking is based upon specific criteria and methodology (see ranking criteria/methodology). No ranking or recognition should be construed as an endorsement by any past or current client of Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals.
Forbes: Josh DeForest (forbes.com)
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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.
October 8, 2024