Benjamin Burgeson

Matt Montgomery is the sole advisor and owner of his independent firm, Matt Montgomery, based in Jacksonville, Texas. He holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and has 40 years of industry experience, including over three decades at Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as chairman of the board for a nonprofit focused on international ministries and acts as treasurer for a local church. Matt Montgomery provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to advisor-managed model portfolios for individuals, small businesses, and retirement plans. His firm utilizes both fundamental and technical analysis, supported by third-party research and portfolio optimization tools, to manage accounts with a focus on risk tolerance and regular performance reviews.

Tom French Jr. is a financial advisor at Grimes & Company with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Grimes & Company since 2017, following an 11-year tenure at TD Ameritrade. Grimes & Company Wealth Management provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, business entities, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and government entities. The firm manages approximately $5.6 billion in assets across a multi-team platform, offering customized investment strategies that include mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and alternative structures, along with retirement plan services and sub-advisory arrangements.

Heather Bates is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Troup, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Paouerhouse Financial Group, Island Wealth Strategies & Insurance Solutions LLC, Bates Wealth Strategies, LLC, Johnson Financial Strategies, LLC, and New York Life Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory work, she serves on the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Foundation Women’s Board and owns a residential cleaning business. Eagle Strategies LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients by providing financial planning, investment advisory, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm emphasizes client-directed solutions and uses third-party managers and model portfolios rather than firm-controlled discretionary mandates.

Richard Stone Jr. is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with 39 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Commonwealth since 2014. Outside of advisory work, he owns gas, oil, and mineral rights in several Texas counties. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and back-office support, including operations, trading, technology, investment management, and compliance, allowing affiliated advisors discretion in portfolio construction alongside managed model portfolios.

Taylor Gray is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Rusk, TX, and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he held positions at AEP Swepco, Datamax, and Hospice Source. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Cecil Staples is a financial advisor at Cetera with over 32 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation along with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. In addition to his advisory work, Staples owns and operates Staples & Associates, PC, a tax preparation and accounting firm. Cetera Investment Advisers serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and retirement-plan clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, fiduciary solutions, and access to third-party money managers, supported by a range of advisor-managed and firm-sponsored investment programs.