Hello, I am Ben. I started Simplified Planning and Investments out of a deep desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of guiding individuals and families through some of their most important financial decisions. Over time, I realized my greatest fulfillment comes from building meaningful relationships, truly understanding people’s stories, and helping them find peace of mind in areas that often cause stress and uncertainty. This led me to create a firm centered on people first - where financial planning is about more than money; it’s about impact, purpose, and simplicity. At Simplified Planning, everything begins with a passion for people. This firm was built on the belief that the foundation of finacial planning is built on relationships, trust, and helping others live with greater peace and purpose. Our purpose is to equip you to make confident financial decisions with clarity and ease. Every story is unique, and so is every financial plan. Exceptional financial planning starts with listening and understanding. That’s why we take a holistic, relationship-driven approach - thoughtfully blending overarching strategies with the important details that matter most to you. Because we work on a fee-only basis, our only focus is providing sound advice that puts your best interests first. By viewing your financial life as an integrated system - cash flow, investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate considerations - we ensure each piece works together seamlessly, so your money serves your goals and values. Our aim is to simplify complexity, bring clarity to uncertainty, and provide a roadmap that balances today’s priorities with tomorrow’s vision. Outside of work, my life is centered around my family. We love traveling and discovering new places together. I stay connected to my community through commitments to my church, volunteering, and teaching personal finance. I’m also a high school football official, a passionate sports fan, and yes - one of those lawn guys. I look forward to connecting, understanding your story, and helping you create a financial life that reflects both your goals and your values - bringing clarity, confidence, and meaning every step of the way.

Stoy Hall is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Black Mammoth LLC since 2020. His prior experience includes roles at Centric Advisors, Majors and Mondragon, MWA Financial Services, and Modern Woodmen Of America. Outside of his advisory work, he is president of the board for the nonprofit Starts Right Here Movement and owns consulting firms LNC Financial and Legacy Fiduciary Services, Inc. Black Mammoth LLC provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, family office, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers business advisory services including CFO consulting and investment banking support, typically managing assets through firm-developed model portfolios and third-party sub-advisers where appropriate.

Christina Lueders Ochanpaugh is a financial advisor at Kingdom Wealth Development, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with Cambridge Investment Research and Trinity Financial Group, where she also serves as an independent insurance agent. Kingdom Wealth Development provides financial planning and portfolio management services to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on written financial plans and ongoing portfolio oversight. The firm employs an asset-allocation framework primarily using mutual funds and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management with regular portfolio reviews.

Kyle Thompson is the sole advisor at Leetown Advisors, an independent firm based in Ankeny, IA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has nine years of industry experience, including prior roles at Waddell and Reed, Park Avenue Securities, and Guardian Life. Outside of financial advising, he is involved with KT Constrictors, a non-investment-related business. Leetown Advisors serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, offering investment management, financial planning, business consulting, and retirement plan management for employer plan sponsors. The firm primarily uses passive, asset-class-based portfolios with index funds and ETFs, supplemented by fundamental and technical analysis, and provides institutional retirement plan services and paraplanning support to other advisers.

Jayme Bresnahan is a financial advisor with Successful Resource Management, Ltd. in Johnston, Iowa, holding a Series 66 credential and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked with Successful Resource Management and Investacorp Inc. and is also involved in managing a family limited partnership and serving as an officer of a holding company. Successful Resource Management provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering discretionary portfolio management, qualified-plan account management, financial planning, estate-planning services, and occasional CFO engagements. The firm uses documented investment objectives and technical analysis tools to guide asset allocation and security selection.

David Cunningham is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in financial advising. He founded Cunningham Wealth Management, L.L.C., doing business as LW Advisors, L.L.C., where he has worked since 2015. He also operates as a sole proprietor and holds a Series 63 designation. In addition to his advisory work, he is licensed as an insurance agent. LW Advisors, L.L.C. provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $35.9 million across about 76 client relationships. The firm develops investment programs tailored to each client’s objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance, employing both fundamental and technical analysis, and offers educational seminars and workshops open to the public.

Shawn Terrell is a financial advisor with Dentist Exit Planning in Windsor Heights, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Park Avenue Securities for 10 years and has been with Terrell Advisors, LLC since 2021. In addition to his advisory work, Terrell is the author of the book "The Professional Practice Trap." Dentist Exit Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to dental-practice clients and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on exit planning. The firm offers portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and ongoing consulting, using a combination of direct implementation and third-party managers, with an emphasis on tax considerations and tailored strategies.

Samuel O'Brien is a financial advisor with Capital View Wealth Management, LLC in Des Moines, IA. He holds a Series 63 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. O'Brien has been with Capital View Wealth Management since its founding in 2003. Capital View Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides personalized portfolio management and advisory consulting, focusing on exchange-traded equities and other investments clients bring to the relationship, using fundamental analysis, long-term purchase strategies, and selective option-writing.

Matthew Ford is a CFP® and CFA® with three years of industry experience, currently serving at BlackOak Advisors LLC. Prior to his current role, he worked at Freemark Partners Management LP and Bregal Investments, Inc. He is also the founder and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Klima Capital Advisors LP, an investment firm specializing in regulated carbon markets. BlackOak Advisors LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm’s investment approach focuses on strategic asset allocation and long-term diversified portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, U.S. Treasuries, and investment-grade bonds, with the option to incorporate alternative investments and third-party managers.

Cory Dawkins is a financial advisor with Elite Wealth Partners, LLC in Johnston, Iowa. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 14 years of industry experience, including prior work at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of advising, Dawkins is involved in consulting on alternative investments, assists clients with debt reduction strategies through United Financial Freedom, and supports estate planning services with Estate Docs Pro. Elite Wealth Partners provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm manages client assets primarily through model portfolios with third-party sub-advisors and structures client engagements around a comprehensive financial health checklist covering various planning areas.

John Flynn is a financial advisor at Prospective Value Partners LLC in Des Moines, IA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Prospective Value Partners since 2015. Prospective Value Partners provides discretionary asset management and portfolio supervision to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and some institutional clients. The firm employs a fundamental, value-oriented investment approach focused on long-only positions in publicly traded businesses, managing approximately $76 million across 36 client accounts.

Joel Fortney is a CFA® charterholder affiliated with Koios Private Family Offices, LLC in Des Moines, IA, with over 20 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Principal Global Investors and was previously CEO of Stategy Capital, LP. Outside of advisory work, he is co-owner of Ultra Skin Science, LLC, a company engaged in the distribution of beauty products. Koios Private Family Offices, LLC provides discretionary asset management and comprehensive financial planning to a limited number of high-net-worth and business clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis to build diversified portfolios aimed at managing risk and reducing volatility.

Graham Jepsen is a financial advisor with The Planners Professional Services, Inc. in West Des Moines, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial LLC, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, and VOYA Financial Advisors. The Planners Professional Services, Inc. provides financial planning and consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plan participants, and small business entities. The firm serves a primarily retail client base with written plans, hourly consultations, and investment and insurance recommendations, using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in forming investment advice.

Hello, I'm Mike. I founded Teacher Wealth to raise the standard of financial advice to educators. As a former teacher, I understand the challenges that educators face with their finances; as well as the unique opportunities. Unfortunately, in many ways, the financial services community has ignored the profession. I am trying to change that. Teachers deserve better! Many families just need someone to walk with them as they make important decisions. To really get to know them. To ask them the right questions. To challenge them. To offer them accountability. I am honored to be this person for my clients. At Teacher Wealth, we like to say that "it's not just about the money." Instead, the focus is on how money can best create clarity, security, and fulfillment in our lives. The K-12 financial literacy education movement is a passion of mine and I try to help with that by serving on the board of the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition. On the personal side, I've been married to my best friend Tisa for over 20 years. We live in chaos most of the time in our Des Moines, Iowa home as we raise our four awesome kids. We do our best to prioritize our marriage over everything else except our faith. We are active members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines.

James Weiss is a financial advisor with Weiss Financial Group, LLC in Johnston, Iowa, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 22 years of industry experience and previously worked at Global Financial Private Capital and Weiss-Merkle Financial, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of JW Elite Holdings, Inc., a holding company that includes branding and insurance businesses. Weiss Financial Group, LLC is a state-registered investment adviser providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, newsletters, and educational seminars primarily to individual and corporate clients. The firm employs a value-oriented, long-term investment approach combined with tactical and strategic asset allocation, utilizing a variety of instruments and offering a proprietary wrap-fee program that integrates advisory and execution services.

Stephen Forrest is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in financial advising. He has been with Forrest Financial Services in Des Moines, IA, since 1996. Forrest Financial Services provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and tax planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm combines investment advice with in-house tax preparation and planning, emphasizing fundamental analysis and strategic asset allocation through diversified portfolios.

Cory Millmier is a financial advisor at BSC Capital Partners, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Athene USA from 2014 to 2019. Millmier serves as a finance committee member for St Ambrose Catholic Cathedral, where he reviews budgeted and actual expenses as well as planned capital improvements. BSC Capital Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients through ongoing asset management and financial planning. The firm employs a long-term, Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, and is closely affiliated with an accounting practice to offer integrated planning opportunities.

Travis specializes in working with those nearing and in retirement. He takes a transparent and collaborative approach to helping clients define their best life and outlining the steps necessary to get there. His services include cash flow analysis, tax planning, investment management, risk management, and estate planning. This can be offered via one-time Planning Engagements or ongoing Full-Service Advisory offerings.

Jon Christensen is a financial advisor at Christensen Capital, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been involved with both Christensen Capital and the Target 3 Fund, LP for over three decades. Christensen Capital provides discretionary investment management to a private pooled investment vehicle and separately managed individual accounts. The firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, focusing on value stocks and special situations through detailed fundamental analysis and a low-turnover investment approach.

Katie Stych is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Pearl Wealth LLC. She previously worked at Abacus Wealth Partners and Morningstar Investment Management. Outside of her advisory role, she provides financial coaching through Your Watershed Moment, LLC and participates in group financial literacy coaching with Deeper Than Money. Pearl Wealth LLC offers advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, estates, foundations, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental-analysis investment approach, utilizing ETFs, diversified mutual funds, independent managers, alternatives, and impact funds as appropriate.