Chris Sercu

Hi, I’m Justin. I am the founder of Wealth Mode Financial Planning. My team and I have a primary focus in helping those with over $100,000 in federal student loans create a plan to minimize loan payments and save taxes – without sacrificing meaningful goals like buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement. Our clients with high student loan debt: – Usually 30-35 years old – Graduated in the last 5 years – $250,000 in average household student loans – $200,000 to $250,000 in annual household income – Want to buy a home and start a family within the next few years - Are or plan on being a business or practice owner in the future We'll help you examine all your options – 10-year standard plan, refinancing, the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans like IBR/PAYE/SAVE, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). For married couples both working, you need to look at whether you should file your taxes Married Filing Separately. From there, we can identify how you can save the most money in paying off your loans while still saving enough money toward other goals. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about setting up the right investment portfolio for you, and which accounts you should be using. Then, we'll set you up with an easy-to-follow budget and cash flow system that will make it all happen. Last of all, let’s make sure you’re protected with the proper life insurance, disability insurance, and estate planning documents you need. Many of our student loan clients have a spouse/partner with equity compensation (ISO's, non-qualified stock options, RSU's, ESPP's, etc.), and we've become quite adept at strategic planning for that as well. We place a heavy emphasis on tax planning and prepare our clients' tax returns as well if they would like. Our clients include physicians, dentists, chiropractors, lawyers, and veterinarians - really, any high-student loan debt trade or profession. Our clients live across 25+ U.S. states in all four time zones, and some countries internationally. I love what I do, and how it helps my clients focus on enjoying their lives and careers instead of worrying about debt or money. _ _ Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and best friend AnnAlyse, our 4-year old daughter, and our newborn son (as of spring 2025). We love traveling, attending concerts and musicals, jigsaw puzzling, and anything else we can do with our kids.

As a Principal and Financial Planner at Outpost Advisors, Mark spends his time creating unique financial plans that power our clients’ family visions and dreams for life. Mark is raising three girls in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife Amelia, who practices medicine as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. After graduating from Princeton University, Mark began his career at the International Monetary Fund teaching central bankers how to budget (whilst managing interest rates, monetary policy and political instability). In his free time he taught classes in financial literacy to DC-area families dealing with poverty. From there, he moved on to mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac, where he helped to execute the largest preferred equity capital raise in US history. Next, he spent a year at Jones Lang Lasalle managing a $750M asset portfolio for the Army, before relocating to Utah where he helped to build the outdoor retailer Backcountry.  Before leaving to found Outpost Advisors Mark spent 5 years as a leader at ExpertVoice, a technology startup funded by Bain Capital and Sorenson Capital. Mark has had the great joy of leading individuals and families in budgeting, family visioneering and financial stewardship for several years – both at work and through volunteer roles at church. Mark can also often be found blogging about all of these at the website Abraham’s Wallet. Mark holds an MBA from The George Washington University with a focus on finance. When he’s not playing with spreadsheets, Mark enjoys everything on offer in the mountains of Utah, whether it’s skiing, trail running, hunting, climbing or riding bikes with his family.

We focus on helping Christian outdoor focused individuals and churches

Jason Pierce is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a partner of a wealth management group in the Philadelphia area. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2014, he has worked with affluent individuals and families to address their financial goals and streamline their wealth management services through a planning-based, process-oriented approach. Jason focuses on family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and small business strategies. Jason holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Scranton and has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His expertise spans wealth management, investment analysis, and estate planning strategies, with an emphasis on simplifying clients’ lives so they can focus on what matters most. He prioritizes building long-term client relationships, offering tailored guidance for changing market conditions and life stages. Outside of his professional work, Jason is involved in the Chestnut Hill Community Association. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Ellen, and their children. His personal interests include adventure sports, basketball, golfing, racquetball, and tennis. He also coaches basketball for high school and grade school teams, sharing his passion for sports with younger generations.

L Morgan Daines is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a role he has held since 2002. He provides investment advice and guidance to high-net-worth individuals and families, with a focus on financial and estate planning strategies, investment management, and tax-aware investing. Morgan primarily works with business owners, corporate executives, and professionals across the United States, constructing and reviewing diversified portfolios that include equities, fixed income, structured investments, hedge funds, and private equity partnerships. Prior to joining Merrill, Morgan served as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs and as an associate at JPMorgan’s Private Bank, advising wealthy families, individuals, and institutions. He holds a Master's and a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and has earned professional designations as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Morgan is bilingual in English and Spanish. Outside of his professional career, Morgan enjoys biking, fishing, music, skiing, and spending time with his family. He emphasizes building lasting relationships with a limited number of clients and collaborates closely with clients’ attorneys and tax professionals to develop customized, goals-based financial strategies.

Austin Taylor is a Private Wealth Advisor with the Taylor Group at Merrill Private Wealth Management. He works closely with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, guiding them through complex wealth decisions and purposeful planning to help them prepare for future opportunities. His expertise includes pre-transaction analysis, business structuring, tax-sensitive investing, wealth transfer, charitable giving, and managing family-wealth dynamics, with particular experience working with business owners and founders of venture-capital-backed companies. Before joining Merrill Private Wealth Management, Austin spent over a decade at J.P. Morgan Private Bank as a Vice President and Private Banker, where he led initiatives focused on the Technology sector in Utah and Idaho. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Austin and his wife, Jessica, reside in Lehi, Utah, with their four children and are active in their church. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, camping, and snowmobiling.