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.

Alexandre Ducharme is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Woodlands Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2014. He has 10 years of industry experience. Woodlands Capital Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving a small client base, including high-net-worth individuals, with approximately $5.8 million in discretionary assets under management. The firm offers long-only and long/short equity strategies based on fundamental analysis, emphasizing risk control and client objectives, and employs a performance-based fee structure for its long/short strategy with qualified clients.

Joseph Hart is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience. He founded Hart Wealth Management in 2025 after working at West Financial Advisors, L.L.C. and RSM US LLP. Hart Wealth Management is an investment manager that primarily manages pooled or institutional assets through discretionary investment management, financial planning, and investment-related tax planning. The firm employs multi-asset allocation strategies based on charting, fundamental and technical analysis, and incorporates tax-sensitive practices such as tax-loss harvesting and tax-aware asset location.

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.

Brian Weckman is a financial advisor with Actis Wealth Management in Waukee, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at LPL Financial and ownership of several business ventures, including Central Iowa Resellers, which focuses on purchasing and reselling estate sale items. Actis Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers tailored investment programs that utilize a mix of analytical approaches and portfolio strategies, and it provides pension consulting services including ERISA 3(38) investment management.

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.

Steven Reed is the principal of Reed Financial, LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Urbandale, IA. He holds the ChFC® designation and has 36 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Reed Financial, he held various roles at Northwestern Mutual and has operated his own sole proprietorship since 1987. He is also the managing member of Reed Commercial Lending LLC, which facilitates financial transactions between small business owners and lenders. Reed Financial provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, including qualified retirement plans. The firm employs tailored investment strategies and offers pension consulting services, including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary roles and preparation of related disclosures.

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.