Our Team

Born and raised in communist Poland, I immigrated to the U.S. in 1983. I began my career in the middle of the roaring '90s when the average investor believed it was her God-given right to consistently rake in equity returns of over 20 percent a year. Boy, how things have changed. Over the past several decades, I have helped families like yours to establish specific, measurable financial goals for the attainment of wealth—however, YOU define wealth, be it retirement with no compromise in lifestyle and personal dignity, the education of your children or grand-kiddos, leaving a legacy to your favorite charity, etc.

My practice emphasizes comprehensive planning, asset allocation, and discretionary, fiduciary portfolio management. I can also help with income planning, education funding goals, structures for charitable giving, and estate planning issues. My network of trusted local professionals is deep and carefully cultivated.

I joined Conestoga Wealth Partners in 2021 after a combined 25 years with UBS Financial Services and Morgan Stanley.

As a lifelong Washingtonian since arriving in this country, all of my charitable and community efforts focus on our neighbors. I work and serve various local organizations including the Rescue Mission, The TEARS Foundation, Hope Sparks, and the Pierce County Heart Walk/American Heart Association.

My husband, Craig, and I live in Gig Harbor, Washington, with our fur-child Gemma, a 16-pound Norwegian Forest Cat, who is also the reason I usually begin my day around 4:30 in the morning. Craig and I enjoy boating, vacationing, and caring for our deer family, which came with the home we built in 2020. Our favorite sunny getaway is Cabo San Lucas, where we've been relaxing once or twice a year since 1999.

Fees: generally speaking a range of 0.25% (fixed income/bonds) to 1.00% (balanced and growth) for managed accounts.*

*In addition to the annual management fee, clients may pay platform fees, administrative charges, and miscellaneous account fees and charges, as described in the Master Services Agreement (MSA) or PPS Client Agreement (as applicable) and Commonwealth’s ADV Part 2A Brochure.

I began my career with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in 1995 as a financial advisor in Tacoma, Washington.

In 2002, I was promoted to branch manager of the Gig Harbor, Washington, office; I functioned as a financial advisor and branch manager. In 2002, I achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional certification. In 2005, I was promoted to the Silverdale office as a full-time branch manager.

In 2010, I decided to focus completely on clients as a financial advisor and co-founded Conestoga Wealth Partners in 2011.

I have lived in Olalla since 1993 with my wife of 39 years, Denise. We have three children: a son, Andrew, and two daughters, Brooke and Brittany. We also have three granddaughters—Rae, Belle, and Jayden—and one grandson, Charlie. I am a past volunteer wish grantor and bureau speaker with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. My education includes a BS in business administration from the University of Phoenix (1996); an AS from Riverside Community College (1993); and CFP^® from City University in Seattle (2001). I have also taken advanced coursework within the firm, focusing on areas of financial, estate, insurance, and retirement planning.

Prior to my career in financial services, I owned my own business as a real estate appraiser; prior to that, I held positions in law enforcement and fire service.

I am a licensed private pilot and enjoy photography, hiking, horses, ranching, landscaping, golfing, and travel. I have a golden retriever named Scout.

Fees: Generally speaking, for investments managed, my fee is 1%–1.5% a year.* For hourly planning, my fee is $450/hour.

So that I can give 100% of my attention to existing clients, I am no longer accepting new clients. Please reach out to one of my very capable Partners. If you are a referral from someone I know, I am happy to talk with you to assess your situation.

*In addition to the annual management fee, clients may pay platform fees, administrative charges, and miscellaneous account fees and charges, as described in the Master Services Agreement (MSA) or PPS Client Agreement (as applicable) and Commonwealth’s ADV Part 2A Brochure.

I hold a degree in Economics from Duke University and studied at the College for Financial Planning prior to becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional. I also studied at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to become a Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® professional.  I guest lecture at the University of Puget Sound on behavioral finance and financial planning, and have taken advanced planning coursework on investments, estates, insurance, retirement, taxes, charitable giving, and employee benefits. Specialties include

• Advising high net worth families across their entire financial life
• Tax-efficiency planning
• Stock plans, restricted stock, and employer stock options
• Retirement planning and pension analysis
• Developing estate planning strategies to help minimize taxes

Besides providing financial advice, wrestling has long been part of my identity. While at Duke, I was captain of the varsity wrestling team and a three-time All-American. I was even televised nationwide on ESPN prime time for the national semifinals. Fair disclaimer: I lost! I have spent the last decade coaching at South Kitsap High School.

I enjoy CrossFit with my lovely wife, Brooke, who I met in 5th grade when we both lived in the same little neighborhood in Olalla. Family is important to me—most Sundays you will find us visiting both sides of our family. We have two beautiful children; our special needs daughter Belle and our son Charlie. I am a proud Rotarian and past president of the South Kitsap Rotary board, previously served as treasurer for the Gig Harbor Young Professionals, and have volunteered for the Duke Alumni Association.

Fees: Generally speaking, for investments managed my fee is 0.7%–1.25% a year.* Most financial plans cost at least $5,000 and can be more depending on the scope of the project.

*In addition to the annual management fee, clients may pay platform fees, administrative charges, and miscellaneous account fees and charges, as described in the Master Services Agreement (MSA) or PPS Client Agreement (as applicable) and Commonwealth’s ADV Part 2A Brochure.

I have been the Client Experience Coordinator here at Conestoga since 2019. I make sure our clients are well taken care of, that we are doing all we can to make their life easier, and that they feel how much we appreciate them. I also manage our marketing efforts, the many sponsorships we do for non-profits in our community, and a bit of client account management as well.

I grew up in the Colorado mountains, lived for 20 years in Alaska, and have lived in Washington state since 2010. I was a stay-at-home mom for most of my kids’ lives, then got a certification as a Nutrition Consultant and ran my own wellness business for over a decade.

I have three grown and amazing kids who live nearby; Kodi, Kianne and Holly. I live and work from my home in Indianola with my dog Eva and 2 cats, Pepper and Dusty.

In my free time you will find me playing ball with Eva, exploring the woods and the beach, reading, rowing crew, and spending time with friends—especially with my kids and their partners.

I have been working in the capacity of Client Service Associate since November 2021 providing administrative support to the advisors as well as assisting clients when they call or come into the office. My goal is to elevate each client’s customer service experience.

I am originally from northern California but relocated to Gig Harbor in 2018 after a wildfire decimated my hometown of Paradise. I started out as a stay-at-home mom, raising three marvelous kids before entering the work force in 2007. My first job was with UnitedHealthcare, and I ended up working in the managed health care world for the next fourteen years. I assumed multiple roles during my time with UHC but always with an emphasis on customer service.

Away from the office, you can find me spending time with my cats, listening to audiobooks, swimming at the YMCA, enjoying my yard, feeding the birds, or nurturing my houseplants and orchids.

I am an Oakland, CA native and a graduate of the University of Southern California, where I earned both my Master's in Finance and Bachelor's in Business Administration. In my role, I support the advisory team with administrative and operational responsibilities, helping ensure our clients receive efficient, high-quality service. Outside the office, I enjoy bodybuilding and spending time in nature.

Financial planning is often an emotional journey. As clients' financial partners, we celebrate their successes and empathize with their loss. As Chief Compassion Officer, my job is to improve client smile ratios, increase the Warm Atmosphere Index, and welcome you to a place where we are genuinely happy to see you. You may not see me every day in the office—I often work remotely, leading seminars and workshops with our advisors in an effort to make them better humans.

My favorite pastimes outside the office include chasing goats, tug of war, hugs, and belly rubs. I also love spending time with my two nephews, Smith and Wesson (also dogs). My favorite quote is from Merrill Markoe: "I sometimes look into the face of my dog Stan and see a wistful sadness and existential angst, when all he is actually doing is slowly scanning the ceiling for flies."

We work tirelessly to ensure clients prosper. We also work hard not to take ourselves too seriously.