Grant Knox

Ascension Advisors was created to deliver a more personalized level of service and financial planning. I believe an investment strategy should align with one's values, priorities, and purpose. I created a firm where advisors have the flexibility, technology, and autonomy to craft tailored strategies that empower clients to pursue their goals with intention and confidence. Early in my career, I learned to value quality over quantity—sometimes, less is more. Deep, meaningful relationships built on empathy and trust are the foundation of delivering true client value. Managed growth enables me to cultivate these relationships with intention and provide exceptional client experiences, regardless of client net worth. The need for comprehensive, personalized fiduciary financial planning continues to grow—particularly among select client segments. Ascension Advisors was created to meet that demand. While the core principles of building, managing, protecting, and transferring wealth remain constant, the broader economic and capital markets landscape is dynamic and continuously evolving. Clients are well served when partnering with an advisor who genuinely understands and appreciates their journey—and is committed to helping them reach their destination.

Hi, I’m Dale L Shafer II, founder of Life Moves Wealth Management, an independent, fee-only wealth and exit planning advisor for business owners and professionals located in Scottsdale, Arizona, serving clients in multiple states. I am proud to hold professional designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), Certified Business Exit Consultant (CBEC®), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA®), and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®). Out of the office, I am most likely found exploring outdoors, hiking, road cycling, and camping. You might also see me rocking out behind a drum kit or a guitar. I enjoy reading books on finance and leadership, and collecting deadpan “dad jokes” to try out on our kids. They’re big fans.

Townsend Financial’s typical clients are successful, high income/high net worth individuals with a complex financial life. They don’t have the time to manage their finances. They want to make the best use of their financial resources to have the life they want - today and tomorrow. If this sounds like you, here’s how we can help: BUSINESS OWNERS share similar concerns: *How much do I set aside for taxes? *How much should I pay myself? *My cash flow is uneven, how do I make my business and personal life feel stable? *How do I effectively use my business profits for a rewarding life / business scenario? *Should I delegate by hiring others? *Which operating costs make sense to keep – and which to cut? *What kind of retirement accounts should I have? *What benefits should I offer my employees? *And how do all my business decisions impact my tax planning and financial goals? We work together to answer your questions and set you up for success. HNW INDIVIDUALS share the complex concerns of making the right moves with the resources they have: *What is a smart distribution strategy? *How much can I take a year? *Do my investments align with my goals? *Am I saving as much in taxes as I can? *Do I have the right insurance? We'll create a sustainable plan for true financial freedom. BIO: I’m physically located in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, but I work virtually with clients all around the country. Beyond my fondness of numbers, I love yoga, cooking, wine, travel, fast cars and a never-ending plate of peanut butter pancakes (I literally eat them every single night!) Heather graduated from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business, with a BS in Accountancy. She then worked in the San Francisco and New York offices at Ernst & Young, advising high net-worth individuals and Fortune 500 companies. In London, she served as Financial Director for a top-end property development firm, counseling owners on the best ways to use profits. She is a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CSLP® (Certified Student Loan Professional), and RLP® (Registered Life Planner). In 2020, Heather was named as one of the top Financial Advisors for Millennials by Business Insider. Townsend Financial is a member of NAPFA and XY Planning Network.

I started in the advice business in 2012 as an intern at First Allied Securities. Lucky for me, I got to see the inside of a lot of classic wealth management firms - how the sausage was made. Fast forward to 2016, I've worked a few years in the industry, but I'm not happy with my trajectory; I want to write my own story. A couple of industry guys create a platform called XY Planning Network, seemingly tailor-made for me & my dreams. I want to serve the next generation of clients in a fair & transparent way, and I'd like to do it on my own terms. XYPN's little push, their "Yes, you can do this" at the September 2016 conference in San Diego, was the catalyst for launching my firm, Montebello Avenue Limited Company, which went live in February 2017. Today, my firm serves 50+ clients locally & throughout the country. I couldn't be more proud of our clientele or more hopeful about the future of the firm. Some more personal quick-hits: BS, Computational Mathematical Sciences, Arizona State University CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Barron's, and the Alpha Architect blog Mississippi native Youngest of 4 siblings I love basketball, baseball, sushi, and my dog's underbite Married on 10/10/2020 to the love of my life

As a CFA and CFP® in the U.S. and Canada, with over a decade of experience in cross-border wealth management, I bring a wealth of expertise and a unique cross-border perspective to my clients. Having lived and worked extensively in both the United States and Canada, I have an intimate understanding of the financial landscapes, regulatory environments, and investment opportunities in both countries. Moving to Canada, and then back to the U.S. again, allowed me to experience the things many of my clients go through when moving across an international border. Some things can only be learned through experience. This diverse background allows me to provide comprehensive financial advice tailored to the needs of clients on either side of the border. In practice, I specialize in helping individuals and families achieve their long-term financial goals through personalized financial planning, investment management, and wealth preservation strategies. I am particularly adept at working with clients who have cross-border financial interests, ensuring seamless integration and optimization of their financial plans.

I began my career as grain trader gaining valuable experience with the futures market. I spent time as a brokerage specialist with New York Life providing me with a background in Life, Disability and Health Insurance. I then became a commercial loan officer at First Interstate Bank (now Wells Fargo). Before I moved to Vanguard, I worked with my father in a family business. After successfully transitioning him to retirement, I merged and then sold the business allowing me to pursue my passion which was to become a Certified Financial Planner, a CFP®. To accomplish this goal, I began with The Vanguard Group in their brokerage area as an equity specialist in 2006. I then successfully secured my CFP® designation getting my marks in the spring of 2009 which coincided with my promotion to the Fixed Income area. Another promotion to become a Senior Fixed Income Specialist followed allowing me to gain valuable experience with more complex bonds. When Vanguard began Personal Advisor Services in 2015, I moved into that area and assumed a role as a Financial Advisor. After a decade as a Senior Financial Advisor for Vanguard, I made the move to Luminvest Wealth Management as a Wealth Advisor. As a boutique with a limited number of clients, Luminvest allows me to be truly present for my clients. Further, I am empowered to be a Fiduciary on my client's behalf with low fees and full transparency. We specialize in building tax efficient, low-expense portfolios. In addition, I am very experienced in withdrawal strategies for my clients. With cutting-edge and dynamic financial planning tools, we can guide our clients forward amidst the ongoing uncertainty and volatility inherent with today's financial markets. Having been through the Great Financial Crisis, the Covid Crash, and the inflationary spiral of 2022, I stand with my clients as a calm and experienced professional partner allowing you to focus on your life while I focus on your finances.