Archives: Teams

Helen Stephens, CFP®, EA, is the President and Senior Advisor at Aspen Wealth Management. With over 34 years of professional experience, Helen oversees the organization’s operations, strategy, and growth initiatives. She works closely with the leadership team to drive the firm’s vision, cultivate a high-performance culture, and ensure exceptional service delivery to clients.

Helen’s areas of expertise include retirement planning and tax planning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. Helen has been recognized for her dedication and excellence in the field, receiving numerous awards, such as D Magazine’s Best Financial Planner in DFW every year since 2019 and being named one of USA Today’s Best Financial Advisory Firms in 2023 and 2024.

Helen’s passion for financial planning is palpable. It began with her desire to help others and her enjoyment of studying the capital markets. She lives by the mantra “The good you do comes back to you,” which reflects her commitment to doing the right thing and providing free advice to those in need, even if they do not qualify for her services.

Outside of her professional life, Helen is an active member of the community. From 2014 to 2020, she served on the Trinity Habitat for Humanity board. She supports Family Pathfinders, which offers financial literacy programs for nonprofits in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, and is a member of Jewel Charity, supporting Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. Helen is also a sustainer in the Junior League of Fort Worth.

Helen enjoys the outdoors, including gardening, hiking, and being near water. She is passionate about working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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John Stephens is the Chief Operating Officer at Aspen Wealth Management. With over 30 years of professional experience, John oversees daily operations, manages budgets, handles HR functions, ensures compliance, and contributes to revenue growth for the firm. His key areas of expertise include compliance and human resources.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Lawrence University and a Master’s in History from Xavier University. Before joining Aspen Wealth Management, John spent thirty years as a Middle School teacher and Principal, a background that has equipped him with unique leadership, organization, and communication skills. His transition into the financial sector was driven by a need to support his wife, who was managing both the internal and external aspects of Aspen Wealth Management and an out-of-state real estate company after her father’s passing.

John’s dedication to the success of Aspen Wealth Management is unwavering. Guided by his personal mantra from Vince Lombardi, ‘The Dictionary is the only place where success comes before work,’ he has always believed in the value of hard work and its direct correlation to success. As a devoted Packers fan, this quote resonates with him and has been a driving force throughout his career.

Outside of work, John is a man of many interests. He finds solace in the great outdoors, whether it’s through travel, ice hockey, boating, hunting, or fishing.

Candace Scholz is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and joined Aspen Wealth Management in 2015. Prior to joining the firm, she held various roles within the healthcare industry, from Director of Services to Physician Development. Dedicated and goal orientated, she is driven to evaluate and apply appropriate strategic solutions for our clients and their portfolios.

A graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in management, Candace went on to obtain a Master of Healthcare Administration at Washington University in St. Louis. She then received her Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University.

Candace is actively involved in Outsiders Ministry, Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and serves on the Glen Rose City Council. She and her two children reside in the DFW area and, when not at work, she can be found cheering her children.

Nathan Davis, CFP®, CFA, is the Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Wealth Management. With 11 years of professional experience, Nathan chairs the Investment Committee and is responsible for the overall investment policy for Aspen. He oversees research, asset allocation, portfolio construction, and trading operations. As a Senior Wealth Advisor, Nathan also works with approximately 70 families on their comprehensive financial planning needs. He leads the firm’s Exit Planning services for business owner clients, providing value estimates and guidance on preparing their companies for successful transitions to retirement.

Nathan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economic Management from Virginia Tech, focusing on personal financial planning. He has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2016 and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2021. His expertise includes investments, portfolio management, alternative investments, and business succession planning.

Nathan is passionate about explaining complex topics simply, ensuring that clients feel comfortable with the information they can’t process. He enjoys being a trusted advisor to good people and helping them achieve their most significant life goals.

Nathan is also deeply committed to his community and industry. He serves on the board of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition and has been its past board president. He is a Steering Committee Member for Worth, a young professional charitable giving organization part of the North Texas Community Foundation, and the Treasurer of the DFW chapter of the VT Alumni Association. Nathan also contributes to the industry by volunteering with the CFP Board for Exam Development Item Review and being a DFW CFA Society Events Committee member.

Originally from Annapolis, MD, Nathan moved to Fort Worth in 2012 with his wife, Emily. They have a 3-year-old son named Clayton. In his free time, Nathan enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, reading, traveling, and maintaining his yard. His favorite book is “Lonesome Dove,” and his favorite movie is “Forrest Gump.”

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Jim Davis, CFP®, is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Aspen Wealth Management. With nine years of professional experience, Jim manages marketing and client outreach for the firm, focusing on providing personalized financial planning services for investment, retirement, estate, tax, and insurance planning. Additionally, he drives growth by implementing targeted marketing strategies, including content creation, social media management, and networking initiatives. 

Jim holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication and a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, both from Abilene Christian University. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2019. His key areas of expertise include tax-efficient retirement income planning and estate planning.  

Jim’s career has been shaped by his diverse experiences working at a large national brokerage firm, a multi-family office serving ultra-high-net-worth families, a fee-based RIA in DFW, and now as a partner at Aspen Wealth. Jim is passionate about helping clients understand their relationship with money and how they can use their resources—time, money, talents—to create meaningful experiences for themselves and their loved ones. 

Jim is actively involved in his community and the industry. He serves as a Board Member for the Northwest ISD Education Foundation, which empowers NISD educators and engages the community. He volunteers with Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail, helping young people achieve economic success, and is a Financial Coach for Family Reach, providing personalized financial planning for individuals and families diagnosed with cancer.  

Jim’s professional life is balanced by his personal interests and family life. He is married to his college sweetheart and together they have three boys who keep them constantly on the move. When not at work, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, traveling, playing pickleball, and reading. 

Matt Quezergue, CFP®,  is a Senior Financial Planning Associate at Aspen Wealth Management. He is integral to new and existing client engagements, serving as second chair, taking meeting notes, and ensuring effective communication. Matt collects relevant client information to construct comprehensive financial plans and develops recommendations alongside the lead advisor. Additionally, he plays a lead advisory role for the firm’s young professional clients.

Matt joined Aspen Wealth Management right after graduating from Texas A&M, quickly becoming known for his empathetic nature and active listening skills. His expertise in lifestyle planning for young professionals and stock options analysis, combined with his attention to detail, make him exceptionally skilled in constructing and presenting financial plans. Matt’s critical analysis and problem-solving abilities facilitate smooth client engagements, allowing advisors to focus on delivering top-notch financial services.

Matt’s passion for financial planning began during his studies at Texas A&M, where he graduated with a BA in Finance and a minor in Financial Planning in May 2021. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, earning this certification from the CFP Board in 2023. Matt lives by the mantra “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything,” which resonates with his commitment to understanding his “Why” in all aspects of life, guiding his decisions and actions.

Outside of his professional life, Matt is an active member of SteerFW, an organization focused on developing emerging leaders and increasing civic engagement in Fort Worth. He has also worked with the young professional group for the North Texas Community Foundation. Matt enjoys cooking and exploring farmers’ and specialty markets, staying active by working out and walking trails, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. He also loves attending and watching sporting events, particularly basketball, soccer, and baseball.

Ella Radberg serves as an Associate Financial Planner at Aspen Wealth Management. In her role, she guides clients through the financial planning process, creating plans tailored to their current financial situation and building alternate scenarios based on their future goals. As a CFP® candidate, Ella is committed to becoming a certified professional.

Ella earned her bachelor’s degree in Risk, Insurance, and Financial Planning from the University of North Texas in December 2022. At UNT, she contributed to the financial planning community by volunteering with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and facilitating a Charles Schwab campus career speaker series. She has also participated in UNT’s financial planning day panels to promote the program.

With a year and a half of professional experience, Ella brings a fresh perspective to the team. She emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and client support. She has been a member of the Financial Planning Association of Dallas-Fort Worth since 2023 and has a particular interest in expat planning for clients living abroad.

Ella’s passion for financial planning is deeply rooted in her love for understanding and supporting her clients. It began in her junior year of college when she discovered the field and realized its impact on providing financial and mental support to clients. Her ability to listen deeply to clients and her passion for learning about their situations drive her success in the profession.

Outside of her professional life, Ella is involved in her community through Steer Fort Worth, a nonprofit focused on civic engagement. She enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and attending live music events. A native of Denton, she now resides in Fort Worth and spends her free time studying new languages and spending time with her loved ones. Ella values being present in the moment and being appreciative for every new day.

Troy A. Fore III, CFP®, is a Senior Financial Planning Associate at Aspen Wealth Management. With nine years of professional experience, he focuses on holistic financial planning tailored to each client’s priorities and goals. Troy’s expertise includes investment, risk management, tax, and estate and legacy planning.

Troy earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance with honors from McCombs Business School at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. He is also a CFP® professional. Troy’s ability to relate to others and meet them at their level has been a significant asset throughout his career. He is a natural problem solver and a collaborative team player who enjoys working with financial problems to reach innovative solutions. His dedication to serving others, stewarding wealth, and better positioning those closest to him drive his professional aspirations.

Active in his community, Troy serves on the board of his local Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Chapter and offers pro bono financial planning services to those in need. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA) and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Troy believes in consistent personal growth, daily incremental improvements, and the importance of maintaining an optimistic outlook. Outside of the office, Troy loves to travel to broaden his experiences. As an active fan of the outdoors, he spends his weekends and spare time at his family’s farm, enjoying activities such as hunting, fishing, and playing tennis. Additionally, Troy is fluent in Spanish.

Meet Frank, our vigilant and ever-adorable Head of Security at Aspen Wealth Management. Frank is a distinguished black and brown dachshund with a keen sense of smell and an even keener sense of humor. While he may be small in stature, his presence is mighty, ensuring that all visitors are thoroughly greeted and every corner of the office is free from unapproved snacks.

Frank takes his role very seriously, patrolling the office with his characteristic waddle and occasionally pausing for belly rubs and treats. His favorite part of the job? The endless supply of compliments and the occasional game of fetch during lunch breaks.

When he’s not on duty, Frank enjoys long naps in sunny spots, chasing after squirrels (both real and imagined), and curling up with his favorite chew toy. With Frank on the team, we can assure you that Aspen Wealth Management is in the safest paws possible!

Michelle Davila is a Client Services Manager at Aspen Wealth Management. In her role, she is integral to the office’s administrative operations, handling the onboarding of new clients, setting appointments, and preparing reports and paperwork for client meetings. With 27 years of professional experience, Michelle ensures that clients’ current needs are met and supports the Aspen team in delivering top-notch financial services. 

Michelle joined Aspen Wealth Management in September 2013 and quickly became known for her servant attitude and ability to connect with clients. Her extensive experience in administrative roles has made her exceptionally skilled in managing office operations, greeting clients, and staying updated on their life events. Her creativity and problem-solving skills have facilitated smooth office functions, allowing advisors to focus on the financial aspects of clients’ lives. She is always willing to put in the effort and get her hands dirty to make sure the office runs smoothly and efficiently.  

Michelle’s passion for her work began in 1997, and she has found a fondness for the administrative side of financial services ever since. She lives by the mantra “Things will always work out, one way or another,” which resonates with her optimistic and determined nature. 

 Outside of her professional life, Michelle is a devoted mother who enjoys supporting her children’s activities. Her son is in the band at Aledo High School. Her daughter is studying sustainability at the University of Texas—Austin, and another daughter works for Southwest Airlines scheduling pilots. Michelle also enjoys gardening and spending time with her beloved Pug, Moe.