FINANCIAL PARTNERS - Key Persons
Christian graduated from The University of Missouri's Financial Planning program with his degree in Financial Management. Through this program Christian was able to complete the education requirements for the CFP and is continuing to work toward that designation.
Immediately after graduation, he entered the world of Financial Services working at Prudential Advisors as a Financial Professional Associate. After three years with Prudential Christian was motivated to join Financial Partners Group and continue to work with his clients in a fiduciary capacity. FPG, an independent wealth management firm, has given Christian the platform to impactfully engage with his clients and take his financial planning practice to the next level.
Connor has a passion for helping people and anything to do with Kansas City sports. He has been with FPG for 2 years now after graduating from The University of Arkansas Finance program with his degree in Financial Investment Management. He currently holds his Series 65 and is currently taking coursework to eventually sit for the CFP exam in November of 2024.
Immediately after graduation, he accepted a position with Financial Partners Group as an Investment Advisor Representative. After four years of education in finance at The Sam Walton School of Business, he is eager to learn from the industry's best. FPG has given Connor the foundation and support needed to help his clients get to their financial goals.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Operations Manager
Derek is a native of central Iowa and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003. Before joining his brother TJ's financial practice in 2011, he began his career in the wealth management industry with ING in Des Moines, IA.
Derek serves as the Operations Manager providing clients technology support with their investment accounts and portfolio plans based on their lifestyle and financial needs. Derek takes an active role to ensure clients receive valued customer service and customized investment strategies with a comprehensive approach to wealth management.
Derek and his wife Valerie reside in Olathe, KS. During his free time, Derek enjoys golf, going to Royals & Chiefs games and spending time with his family.
Dick works primarily with small business owners and high net worth professionals with their broad and specialized needs in the areas of investments, tax reduction strategies, estate and legacy planning, and the wealth management needs from the accumulation phase through the distribution phase of retirement.
He brings more than 35 years of varied investment experience. He served on the investment oversight and monitoring group at a prior firm that was responsible for constructing and adjusting the firm's investment model portfolios used to manage several hundred million dollars of client assets.
Dick is a native of Emporia, Kansas and graduated college from the University of Kansas. After being discharged as a Captain from the U.S. Army, he returned to KU where he got his JD degree in 1975. He then practiced law in Emporia for 15 years, building his practice from a solo practice to a firm permitting him to focus his work on family business issues, estate and business succession planning; and corporate, tax, and real estate development law. Then, he served the next decade in public service positions at the federal, Kansas, and local levels. He began his career in financial services in 1999.
He has been selected to receive the Five Star Wealth Manager™ Reward in 2012.**
Dick is active in the community. He is a member of the Overland Park South Rotary Club and the Leawood and Olathe Chambers of Commerce and has served each in various capacities over the years.
James is a native of Northeast Missouri and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from University of Central Missouri. Since entering the investment and financial planning industry in 1990, James has earned three professional designations to include Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). His certifications were awarded through the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
In 2010, James resigned from another large independent local investment firm and became the founder of Financial Partners Group. His Commitment to provide financial strategies allowing his clients to enjoy the quality of life and financial peace of mind they pursue has always been his top priority. His transition to build an independent wealth management firm in 2010, allowed James to better serve his client's needs under the highest level of fiduciary standards in the financial services industry.
He is an active member of the Financial Service Professional Society (FSP) where he has served as President, board member on the Business Ethics Award Steering Committee and Chairman of the Board Election Committee. James has also served on the board of Directors and Investment Committee for the University of Central Missouri Foundation. He is a published author, has been selected to receive multiple FIVE STAR Wealth Manager™ Rewards** He was also recognized in the January issue of KCB Magazine and is on the 2006 list of "The 10 Most Dependable"™ Wealth Managers of the Central Region as shown in the November 2006 addition of Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine.*
Josh Britton - Chief Investment Officer
Josh is a native of Western Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance with an emphasis in Estate Planning from Fort Hays State University. Josh has over 15 years of experience in the financial service industry and has attained the designation of Chartered Mutual fund Counselor (CMFC.) The CMFC is designated to those professionals who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of mutual funds and their various uses as investment. The CMFC designation is awarded by the College of Financial Planning and is the only mutual fund designation recognized in the financial services industry.
Josh's extensive background and skills play a key role in his ability to build client relationships and providing the best service possible to all of FPG's client's. Prior to joining FPG Josh served as a Financial Advisor in Wichita, KS. Josh moved to Overland Park in 2005 where he became an advisor assistant and stock/mutual fund research associate for a local independent registered investment advisor. Josh went on to spend over 4 years with one of the largest independent advisors in the United States before moving to Camas, WA where he served as an Investment Counselor in the private client group for Fisher Investments.
Kelly joined TJ's wealth management practice in 2008 and serves as the Client Service Manager, bringing more than 25 years of customer service experience. Her passion for life and to help others, provides a level of customer service that our clients have come to know and love.
Kelly grew up in Shawnee, Kansas and has lived in the Johnson County area her entire life. She is very family oriented and enjoys spending time with the love of her life Tim and their amazing three boys. Kelly also gives of her time freely as a volunteer at her church, helping the homeless and is a part of the Irish American Club of Johnson County.
Mark is a seasoned Financial Advisor with 27 years of experience helping his clients with Business Planning, Investments, Estate Planning, Group Benefits and Property Casualty programs.
He is committed to the development of high-quality products and services tailored to his clients' needs. Mark is focused on staying ahead of industry trends, financial concepts and client service analytics.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Drake University. He a native Kansas Citiian and his wife Karen live in Leawood with two children.
Matt is a wealth manager whose passion is to work with families, executives, professionals and small business owners helping them define, plan, achieve and enjoy their financial goals allowing them to focus on the other aspects of the their life including their family, friends, career, and health. Matt believes that every client is unique and deserves a customized strategy to achieve their financial goals.
Matt's experience as an attorney and a professional money manager is utilized to help each client from wealth accumulation to retirement planning and income distribution to finally, estate and legacy planning. Matt's background assists him in developing investment portfolio design, tax planning strategies and multi-generational wealth transfer plans.
Matt attended Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Matt then attended the University of Kansas where he earned his Juris Doctorate (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). After law school, Matt practiced law full time, before moving into the wealth management field 15 years ago. Matt continues to attend continuing educational events in both Estate and Financial Planning.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Specialist
Stephanie joined the FPG team in October 2020. Prior to working at FPG, Stephanie had been living in China, where she studied Mandarin Chinese and received a master's degree in Public Administration from Shanghai Jiaotong University. Stephanie is fluent in Mandarin- including both reading and writing in characters.
Stephanie grew-up in South Africa and moved to Kansas in 2009 when she enrolled at K-State for her undergraduate degree. Stephanie's family all live in South Africa, except for her aunt and uncle who live in Manhattan, KS.
Stephanie has a green thumb and enjoys gardening and growing fresh vegetables. She also loves running and ran her first marathon in 2021, where she was the first female to cross the finish line, with a time of 3 hours and 10 minutes. She plans to run many more marathons in the future.
TJ is a native of central Iowa and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Creighton University. After joining the wealth management industry in 1996, TJ earned his CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) professional designations through the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
After 19 years in the wealth management industry, TJ and his longtime friend and business associate, James Claiborne, founded the Registered Investment Advisory Firm, Financial Partners Group in the fall of 2017. As an Independent Financial Advisor, TJ takes a comprehensive approach to wealth management providing clients with customized investment plans based on their lifestyle and financial needs. He values customer service, expertise in investment strategies and a positive working environment for his dedicated support team.
TJ and his wife Katie reside in Lenexa, KS with their three children- Nick, Ben and Ellie who keep them busy with school activities, sports, and girl scouts.