GRANITE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Office Manager

Aretha is a former elementary teacher, and a valuable member of the Granite Financial team. She brings a broad range of information and organizational skills to the job.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Financial Consultant

Growing up in San Antonio, and graduating from Alamo Heights High School, Brandon headed north for college and graduated from Syracuse University, where he studied finance and accounting. Brandon then moved to New York City, where he worked in the Financial Services division of American Express Tax & Business Services. During his time with American Express, Brandon got to see the inner workings of hedge funds and broker/dealers, including some that owned a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2004 Brandon decided to move back to Texas. Having always enjoyed helping people with their money and investments, Brandon took a position as a Financial Advisor with UBS Financial Services, formerly Paine Webber. Brandon earned his series 7 and 66 securities licenses in the spring of 2005 and has been serving as a Financial Consultant to many happy clients for over 15 years now. Brandon married his wife Jawina in 2005 and they have 4 children: two boys and two girls. Brandon loves spending time with his family and attending the many sports activities his kids are involved in; football, soccer, basketball and baseball, to name a few. Besides being an outstanding wife and mother, Jawina also makes wonderful cakes, elaborately decorated with her homemade marshmallow fondant and many beautiful colors and designs.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Client Relationship Manager

Elizabeth is our Client Relationship Manager. She joined the GFS team in 2015, and works out of the West Des Moines office. Liz is more than happy to help you get connected with us, and answer any questions you may have.

Job Titles:

• Associate

Joan has worked in Financial Services and Asset Protection since 2008. From 1982 to 2008 she was licensed and practiced in the field of Medical Imaging. Both careers afforded her to work one on one with the public. Both fields, while quite different, have given her vast knowledge about planning for the future while living and experiencing life with its many unexpected changes. She has a desire to educate people in the area of finance and estate planning. She also teaches Social Security and Financial workshops to all ages. Her goal is to be of service to those who are looking for ways to help secure their financial future and to be a part of the strategy to the questions and or obstacles that may seem to be in the way of achieving your personal goals, especially in a time of economic uncertainty. She also understands how important every financial decision is for those who are retired or are nearing retirement. She is licensed in the State of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina with the Department of Insurance. She helps people understand that a true financial strategy consists of three main components - Income Strategies, Tax Strategies, and Estate Strategies. Leaving even one of these three out of a financial plan can result in devastating consequences to individuals as well as to their heirs.

Job Titles:

• Associate

John is in his fifteenth year as a financial planner, and is a Registered Representative and Registered Financial Consultant. He believes that whether the client is an entrepreneur, professional, or a dedicated employee, each is responsible for one's own financial success, and each can benefit from the systems, strategies, and products that John employs. Prior to becoming a financial professional, John enjoyed a career in commercial construction sales and management. He utilizes much of what he learned in that life experience when working for his clients' benefit.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• V.P. Operations

Karen works with Granite Financial Solutions, and provides sound advice and solid strategies to her clients. She works with a team of financial professionals and a wide variety of clients in Texas, Iowa and Georgia, focusing on advising working women and medical professionals on all of their insurance needs. Her recommendations provide a comprehensive approach in helping clients protect their existing assets. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, she helps her clients by developing customized strategies which are implemented, monitored, and as life happens, modified to meet the changing needs of the families she serves. With the uncertainty of what lies ahead, Karen's clients enjoy meeting and discussing their needs, goals and dreams, and along with the education she provides, they can make informed decisions about their financial future. Women clients in particular, appreciate Karen's knowledge of their unique needs and the strategies she develops that help them work toward the goal of having a secure financial future. Karen and her husband Larry volunteer at their church and love to spend time with friends and family, which include four grown children, and many grandchildren.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Assistant
• Associate

Kris works in our Evans, Ga office. She retired from the Cable Television industry after 30 years of service in the Augusta, GA area. She has been with our company for six years in the position of Administrative Assistant. She can help you with most of your administrative and paperwork needs, such as address changes, life event changes or any question you may have with your accounts. If she cannot answer your question, she will get you to the right person in our company that can assist you. She enjoys interacting with and helping our clients, and has a very special place in her heart for our military clients and their families. Her father retired from the US Army, so having been an Army brat herself, she understands the special needs that may arise due to deployments, retirements, etc. Her mother also served as a Sargent in the United States Marine Corp. Kris has lived in the Augusta, Ga area since her father retired from active duty in the 1960s. As a teenager, she walked the halls of the over 100 single story buildings of the US Army Hospital Specialized Treatment Center, currently known as the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, as a Red Cross volunteer, earning a 5-year pin as a Candy Striper. Kris has been married for 36 years to her husband, David. Together they have four adult children and eight grandchildren. Kris is dedicated to her faith and active in her church. She has a personal one-on-one ministry to women as well as a love for planning and speaking at Women's Retreats and churches around her area. She has led several bible studies and is very active in small groups within her church. Her passion is helping women grow and find strength in their faith.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Financial Consultant
• Owner

Larry earned his BS in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, and later his MBA at Drake University, graduating in the top 20% of his class and as a result he was inducted into the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma Graduate Honors Society. Larry Welder, earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University and went on to obtain his Masters in Business Administration, MBA at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated in the top of his class and earned induction into the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma Graduate Honors Society. Larry has more than 30 years of business experience with the past several years focusing on the advising of medical professionals and military personnel. Larry decided to pursue his passion for helping individuals, families, military personnel, small business owners and in particular, medical professionals, with their financial planning. This is accomplished through the creation of a series of financial strategies. Larry believes that planning is more than just numbers; it takes commitment, effective communication and trust between the Advisor and the Client, to plan out, implement, and monitor the progress of each strategy. Professional Experience Larry's firm provides consultative services that include retirement planning, disability income, life insurance, wealth accumulation, and college savings plans. Larry lectures and briefs medical college students, as well as medical residents, about the benefits of working with a professional advisor when planning for their financial futures.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Assistant
• Associate
• Office Manager
• Certified Life Coach
• Professionals

Melissa Endsley has assisted professionals in both accounting and finance for over 20 years. She is passionate about serving people, and she does so with a great attitude and excellence. Melissa grew up in Southern Louisiana. After high school, she moved to Texas to attend school near Houston, and this is where she discovered her passion to help and serve in an administrative role. In 2021, her journey has led her to Granite Financial Solutions, and we believe she is a vital part of our team. Melissa is also a Certified Life Coach and has been mentoring women of all ages for over 20 years. Melissa and her husband pastor a church in Corpus Christi, TX. She serves as the Executive Pastor and Women's Director. She enjoys hosting events in her church, entertaining in her home, and spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Financial Consultant

Peter brings 24 years of industry experience to the Granite Financial Solutions team; having assisted several families during that time in the pursuit of their financial independence. Professional services include strategies to help build tax advantaged income streams for retirement, protecting one's income in the event of disability, protecting one's freedom in the event of a long term care event, deferring capital gains taxes, and providing guidance on alternative investments.