Carl began his career in financial services in 2013. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors in 2016, he gained valuable experience as a financial advisor at Pegasus Advisors and a financial planner at Baldwin & Associates. Carl enjoys helping his clients establish and achieve their financial planning goals. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Angelo State University, Master of Science in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University, and MBA from Auburn University. Carl is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Dallas Estate Planning Council, and the Texas Guardianship Association. He holds the FINRA Series 65 license and Accredited Estate Planner® certification and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. In his free time he enjoys coaching youth soccer and attending sporting events.

“I’ve always believed that we are only as good as the team upon whose shoulders we stand. I have been remarkably blessed to have been surrounded by exceptional partners in my journey. Joining Mercer Advisors gives me the opportunity to extend my career and continue to help our friends and clients. That matters.”

Stan comes to Mercer Advisors after 35 years in the financial services business, first as a broker, as a bank Trust Officer, and then eventually as an entrepreneur building Bivin & Associates, a successful fiduciary registered investment advisory firm in northern Oklahoma. Stan graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1971, served as an officer in the United States Navy, in the Pentagon, then onboard the U.S.S. Laffey (DD-724). Stan is an Eagle Scout and the recipient of the Silver Beaver award and served as President of the Will Rogers Council of the Boy Scouts of America for three years. He and his wife Suzy have been active supporters of the community and their church. Stan is an average golfer, a want-to-be chef, a pretty good fisherman, and grows good tomatoes!

Julie has many years of experience in the financial services industry. She held several key positions in the banking industry prior to joining Bivin & Associates, Inc. in 1994. She holds an Associate Degree in Business from Northern Oklahoma College and received her certification as a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ in 1991 and as a Certified Retirement Planning Counselor® in 2011. She is responsible for account administration and assists with compliance, operations, and office management. Julie and her husband Paul were born and raised in Ponca City, OK and she is actively involved in her community and has served on numerous boards. She and her family are active members of their church. Julie and her husband Paul are parents of daughters Allison and Mollie.

Shanon has over 15 years of client service and staff management experience in the financial services industry. She earned a BS in Business Administration from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2007 and began her career in banking. Most recently she managed a key branch of a regional bank and led 15 employees. She joined Bivin & Associates, Inc. in 2022. As a Client Service Specialist, she supports the Ponca City wealth management team with account transfers, new account processing, managing client data and correspondence. Shanon brings extraordinary people skills and relationship-building culture to the office and is a key component of client experience. Outside of the office, Shanon is busy gathering with family and friends. She enjoys the outdoors, air boating, and exercise.

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 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 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.

Todd LaLuzerne began his financial services career in 2000 at Fidelity Investments. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, he honed his client relationship and strategic investment solution skills in his roles as a financial advisor with A.G. Edwards, investment consultant and then branch manager at TD Ameritrade. Todd applies a solutions-based, value-enhancement approach to his work with both institutional and individual high-net-worth clients. He is passionate about delivering a comprehensive and cohesive wealth management experience. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, holds the FINRA Series 66 License, and Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College for Financial Planning.

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.

Laura began her career in the financial services industry in 2004. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, she helped manage a small Houston-based boutique wealth management firm that cleared through LPL Financial. She brings superior client service and organizational management skills to the firm. Laura’s professional background allows her to develop and execute processes that enrich the client experience and help the Central Team grow. Laura holds the FINRA Series 65 license.

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.

Forbes: Josh DeForest (forbes.com)