AUSTIN PRIVATE WEALTH - Key Persons
AJ Wagner, CFP®, CRPC®, BFA™ Partner, Director of Financial Planning Phone: 512-886-4114 Email: AJ.Wagner@AustinPrivateWealth.com AJ joined Austin Private Wealth in 2007, a few years after earning his BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He's a consummate people person, able to quickly build connections and develop strong relationships. He understands that money means different things to different people and enjoys helping clients align their financial plans with their goals and values. AJ's passionate about helping clients get more of what they want out of life by finding the balance between enjoying the present while making responsible plans for the future. Areas of Focus Social Security Retirement Benefits Estate Planning Strategies Domestic Partner Planning Family Finances But underneath the professional background and credentials, here's what makes AJ tick: Influences: My mom and dad provided a great example of the importance of helping others, and I've always been interested in saving money. My wife would tease me about the books I read when we were dating and early in our marriage (see: The Millionaire Next Door, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Estate Planning to Die For). I was at a crossroads in my career in the mid-2000s, and she gave me the courage and support to relocate and start my practice in Austin. I was lucky enough to meet up with Dan and Raoul and the rest is history… Perspective on Work: I feel very fortunate to do work that is so meaningful. Helping people accomplish the things that are most important to them is incredibly rewarding, and it's equally fulfilling knowing that people rely on us for help during their times of need as well. Favorite Things: I'm definitely a fan of Mizzou and the professional sports teams from Kansas City. I'm also pretty passionate about photography. I try to keep some of my favorite pictures hanging on the walls of my office and my goal is to update them over time with the new places we visit. Favorite Travel: Road trips with our kids. We have a blast creating our own traditions and seeing new things. I also love my family's cabin in the Ozarks ("The Farm"). Tons of memories there from my childhood and it's just a very special place. Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie. I watched it with my mom when I was growing up and I've loved introducing it to my kids. Favorite Apps: Shazam. I love listening to music and discovering new songs. I'm amazed at its ability to identify music as I'm hearing something for the first time. I've also been organizing our travel wish list in Google Maps. I recently found out you can bookmark destinations, attractions, hotels, etc. and I've been saving places there to make sure we actually visit them. Something most people wouldn't know about you: I was a semifinalist at the Nintendo World Championships in 5th grade. Favorite Quote: "It's only a matter of time." - Dan Kraus and Raoul Celerier Anything else you love or that gets you excited? Live music, Kansas City (aka real) BBQ, Tex-Mex
Alison graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Management but found a career as an Operations and Information Systems Manager, in the philanthropic division, for a local non-profit. While learning software programs and organizing sizable amounts of data was a large portion of her responsibilities, working with clients and taking care of their needs was her favorite.
Alyssa graduated from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business in 2020 with her master's in professional accounting. During 2021 she completed the educational, experience and ethical requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant. Alyssa spent a few years servicing large global clients in the public accounting sector and subsequently realized her want to serve smaller, individual clients. Austin Private Wealth was exactly the kind of firm Alyssa was looking for, and she joined the team in March of 2023.
Dan has more than twenty-seven years of financial services experience. Prior to his current role, Dan held numerous positions in both trading and marketing at Fidelity Investments and American Express. Wanting to leave corporate America and pursue an entrepreneurial path, Dan and his wife Rochelle moved from New York City to Austin in 2004. It was there that he met Raoul Celerier. Together, they founded Austin Private Wealth.
Dan holds a BA in economics from Binghamton University and an MBA (magna cum laude) from the Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. He is the recipient of numerous awards during his career.
With a degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University- Idaho, Georgina began her career in financial services as a broker at Charles Schwab in Austin, Texas. During her time there, she obtained her Series 7 and Series 63 certifications and developed a passion for financial planning.
Having grown up in poverty, Georgina witnessed many families (including her own) accumulate enormous debt just to meet their basic needs. As a result, she has made it her mission to empower individuals and families to take control of their finances and reach their financial goals.
Hayley Swaim, CFP® Planning Team Lead PHONE: 512.886.4109 EMAIL: Hayley.swaim@austinprivatewealth.com Here's what makes Hayley tick: Influences: My family has always been my backbone. They always encouraged me to shoot for the stars, and I felt free to do so because I knew I had them to fall back on. This is why I have been able to accomplish what some would say is a lot for my age, with five internships before graduating college and starting my own student organization in the McCombs School of Business that has been a partner of the new wealth management program. Throughout all of this, my family's support has always been most important Favorite Things: I love spending time with loved ones, going to farmer's markets, sitting in a hammock reading a good book, traveling to see different cultures, my Longhorn football team, playing volleyball, hanging out with my cats Remy and Ricky, re-watching old Disney movies, and playing piano. Favorite Books: The Energy Bus, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, and my current favorite fiction series is Raybearer! I have recently started to love reading, so I'm looking forward to adding more to this list. Favorite Apps: Amazon (a love-hate relationship) Sudoku Spotify Something most people wouldn't know about you: My volleyball team finished 13th in the nation when I was 16. It was a great time! Anything else you love or that gets you excited? I love wealth management as a career and I cannot wait to be a CFP®. I have wanted to enter the field since I was a Junior in high school, because I wanted a career where I got to help make a difference in peoples' lives and I found personal finance so interesting. Some would say I'm a nerd getting this excited over personal finance, but if that makes me a nerd then I'm fine with that!
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator
- Office Administrator - Corpus Christi
Job Titles:
- Partner, Director of Investments
Joshua Dvorak, CFP® Partner Phone: 512-886-4114 Email: Joshua.Dvorak@AustinPrivateWealth.com Josh started his career in 2012 with Fidelity Investment. He held many different roles while with the firm including positions in their active trading department before finally settling on their investment solutions team. Josh moved down to Austin in 2016 where he joined the Austin Private Wealth team. Josh currently advises on all of the firm's corporate and retirement plans and investment strategies while also serving clients on the wealth management and financial planning side of the business. In 2019, he completed the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Estate Planning Council of Central Texas. Here's what makes Josh tick: Influences: There have been two people who have had the most influence on what I do and how I think; Warren Buffett and my mother, Kelly. Warren has shown me how to find true value not only in investments but in life. My mother was the one who instilled the work ethic and drive to be a better person for humanity. Perspective on Work: My true happiness comes from seeing others succeed. My job as an advisor is to be thoughtful, selfless, and empathetic when discussing any situation, no matter how big or small. My goal is to always provide more depth or education around certain areas so that we may make the best decisions in that moment. I am naturally an intellectually curious individual, which helps when problem solving or thinking through a complex decision for a client. Favorite Things: I am universally attracted to all sports due to my competitive background. On a personal level, I still try to compete in golf and tennis but love to watch football, basketball and baseball. Favorite Travel: Boston. I love the history and grittiness of the city. Favorite Books: I am an avid reader and these are a few that I would recommend: Poor Charlie's Almanack, Charlie Munger Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman The Birth Of Plenty, William J. Bernstein Factfulness, Hans Rosling Favorite Apps: Wall Street Journal Barron's Austin Business Journal Spotify Something most people wouldn't know about you: I love playing and listening to the piano. Favorite Quotes: I am an avid reader and these are a few that I would recommend: "The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken." "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." Anything else you love or that gets you excited? My guilty pleasure is a nice glass of whiskey on ice over the weekend.
Ken Daly joined Austin Private Wealth in 2017. His father worked on the floor of the stock exchange and Ken started working for brokerage firms during summers while in college.
He loves trading, following the markets, basketball and traveling to places with natural beauty.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
After five years in management consulting (at Deloitte) and corporate finance (at IBM), Kevin decided to pursue his dream career as a financial advisor in 2003. Over the subsequent 18 years, he developed a successful solo practice. However, he was drawn to a team-based approach and the ability to serve clients as fiduciary, fee-only financial advisor, which led him to join Austin Private Wealth in 2021.
Kevin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM, practitioner, completed the Financial Planning Certificate Program at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned a BA in economics from Trinity University in San Antonio.
Kieu has always loved numbers, but more than anything she loves creating a safe space for people to express their essential selves, their hopes and their dreams. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner with more than 15 years of experience, she draws on her communications background to ensure that her clients understand their financial situation and the advice she is providing.
Kieu is a Houston native, having moved there as a young girl with her family when they emigrated from Vietnam in 1980. She earned her BS at the University of Texas at Austin with a combined major in advertising/marketing and communications.
Kyle grew up in Maineville, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. He graduated from Centre College, a liberal arts school in Danville, Kentucky, where he majored in Financial Economics. Upon graduation he attended a yearlong training program for young financial advisors in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon completion of the program, he moved to Austin, Texas and began building financial plans to help clients accomplish their financial goals.
McKenzie is a Native Texan who enjoys floating in the river, watching films, and meeting new people. She is currently attending Texas A&M University Central Texas, studying for her BBA in HR Management. McKenzie has a passion for connecting with people from all walks of life and for creating harmonious spaces wherever she goes.
Melissa loves being part of Austin Private Wealth because she believes so strongly in the work they do - helping people achieve their financial goals. She cherishes being able to develop relationships with them and helping them on a personal level as well.
Noe joined Austin Private Wealth in 2021, as a Financial Advisor. Prior to joining Austin Private Wealth, Noe was an Associate Advisor at a local firm. In 2019, Noe completed the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
Born and raised in Edinburg, a town in South Texas, Noe earned his Bachelor's in Finance at the University of Texas-Pan American and furthered his education by receiving a Master's in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University
Outside of the office, Noe often entertains visiting friends as a mock-tour guide for Austin. He also enjoys spending quality time among family with activities such as traveling and fishing.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Co - Managing Partner
Raoul has been a financial advisor for more than 18 years and, together with Dan Kraus, co-founded Austin Private Wealth in 2006. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, a Certified Estate Planner® (National Institute of Certified Estate Planners) and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® (College for Financial Planning.) Over the years he has been the recipient of numerous awards and was most recently named to the 2022 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list.
His prior experience as a marketing executive and small business owner taught him the precious value of time and the importance of planning while working with busy professionals.
Born in France, Raoul received his BA in marketing from the European University of America in Paris followed by his MBA in marketing and international business from the International University of America//California State University Hayward. He completed the Financial Planning Certificate Program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Reagan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 with a BBA in Finance, a minor in Accounting, and two certificates in Wealth Management and Risk Management. Joining the Austin Private Wealth team in 2022, he has always enjoyed aligning the values and dreams of individuals with their finances. A native of Austin, he is passionate about giving back to the community that has influenced and supported his life.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
Ryan McConeghy Director of Client Services Phone: 512-886-4119 Email: Ryan.McConeghy@AustinPrivateWealth.com Underneath the professional background, here's what makes Ryan tick: Influences: Too many to list individually, but Jim Rohn is a significant one. Perspective on Work: Ask yourself the tough questions, be accountable, embrace change, and don't be afraid to seek out unique and compelling opportunities. Favorite Things: Quality time with the people I love; Asian food; playing guitar; getting emotionally invested in a song or a book or a movie; the moment inspiration strikes, and I need to learn as much as I possibly can about a thing or topic. Favorite Travel: Colorado was home for a long time, so I enjoy getting back to visit family whenever possible. Bucket list trips include Japan, Fiji, Australia, and the Maldives. Favorite Movies: Anything James Bond, Batman, or Indiana Jones. Favorite Apps: Audible, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts Anything else you love or that gets you excited? Did I mention Asian food? Favorite Quotes: "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." - Jim Rohn
Job Titles:
- Manager of Business Development and Marketing
Sadie joined Austin Private Wealth at the beginning of 2024 as Manager of Business Development & Marketing. Prior to joining APW, Sadie was director of business development at a wealth management firm in Denver, CO.
Sadie was born and raised in Dallas, TX and got her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Alabama. After college, Sadie moved to Spain to teach English. After two years in Spain, she moved to Denver, CO to enjoy everything living near the mountains has to offer. She started her professional career in pharmaceutical sales until she found her way to wealth management in 2021. In 2023, Sadie decided it was time to move closer to home and moved to Austin.
Sadie enjoys spending time with her dog, Boo, keeping an active social and travel life, and seeing live music.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Security Officer, Vice President of Operations and Compliance
Sarah earned her BS in Applied Computer Science, Information Systems and System Analysis along with a minor in business administration from Illinois State University. During that time she also worked on the engineering team of a Fortune 100 company, where she learned how large corporations function. After graduation, she ran the customer service department and managed a network for a smaller local company, where she was immersed in meeting the needs of clients in a fast-paced industry.
After spending time out of the workforce raising three children, Sarah was thrilled to have the opportunity to put her customer service, operations and technical skills to use at Austin Private Wealth.
Job Titles:
- Senior Implementation Analyst
Sujatha is a graduate of S V University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Computer applications and Master of Business Administration in Finance.
She has been working in financial services for the last 15 years and joined the Austin Private Wealth team in 2020. As a Client Service Specialist, she works closely with the advisors and their clients, ensuring that details are coordinated, helping to prepare for client meetings and handling follow-up activities.
Taynia's past includes working in different laboratory settings as well as a hiatus enjoying her time as a boy mom. Prior to joining Austin Private Wealth she worked at a hybrid RIA in Utah upon graduation from the University of Utah. There she learned of the power of the private investment space and real estate, while also creating and leading the financial planning department. She completed the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in 2022.
Taynia's sense of gratitude and desire to serve were instilled at a young age by her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from islands in the Pacific. Work and hobbies are often intermingled as she loves financial planning and is passionate about self-growth while sharing that with others. Outside of that you can catch her at her boys' activities, or exploring with them, and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- HR and Operations Manager
Wanda joined the Austin Private Wealth team in 2021, as our Human Resources Operations Coordinator. Prior to Austin Private Wealth, Wanda was the HR Manager for a motor coach transportation company in Michigan. Wanda believes that the greatest resource at a company will always be the human resource..