Operations
Team
Operations
Team
Barbara Stewart
Client Relationship Manager
Happy Holidays!! 2022 marks another year for us as empty nesters, as well as year 2 for me as a member of the TRPG family!
Garry and I took two great trips this year, one to Boulder, CO and the other to Portugal – our first trip to Europe. I have to say we’re a couple of foodies! Wherever we go, we love to try the local restaurants. In Portugal, sampling some of the traditional Portuguese dishes was a highlight, as well as beautiful beaches and architecture. We also really enjoyed e-bike tours in both Boulder and Lisbon.
My son JT traveled from Denver to join us here in KC for Thanksgiving this year. Garry, my son Alex, and I will be packing the bags one more time in 2022 to have some family time in Estes Park, CO over Christmas.
Thank you to all our clients for continuing to place your trust in us, and all the best for 2023!
Chris Bouffard, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Wow! It doesn’t seem possible that I’m already writing my second holiday note at TRPG! 2022 marked my first full year at TRPG… and it absolutely raced by, time really does fly when you’re having fun! Despite a challenging year in the markets, I’m thankful to be part of such a terrific team and have the opportunity to work on behalf of our wonderful clients.
Chrissy Hatcher
Marketing Manager
2022 has been a year of change. A change of scenery, a change in routine, and a change of heart. My precious girl KC Mae turned the big 1-0 this year, so I decided to have a custom portrait made of us together to celebrate. We’re starting over in 2023 and I’m looking forward to new adventures with my regal K9 companion by my side.
Happy Holidays!
Chrissy & KC🐾
Connor Small
Senior Operations Specialist
2022 has been a year of growth and accomplishment for us. In the summer, we were able to escape to the east coast and enjoy a relaxing trip to the beach with our family. Our cat, Rocky, has also grown and continues to be a loving and playful companion. He may still be small, but he always has his eye on the future, always looking for the next adventure.
My girlfriend, Julia, had a particularly exciting year. She was recognized for her dedication and hard work as a 4th-grade teacher by winning the Lawrence School District Horizon Award. We are so proud of her and all that she has achieved and are super excited to see what the future holds.
As we look forward to the new year, we are filled with hope and anticipation for what the future holds. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season.
Craig Garrett
Client Service Associate
Happy Holidays, everyone!
After graduating from MidAmerica Nazarene University with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I started my journey post-grad at a counseling private practice. While I did find this extremely fulfilling, something was missing. Fast forward, my friend David Nyman called me up and told me about an amazing opportunity opening here at The Retirement Planning Group. I was very hesitant at first. I mean, what would a psych major be able to do in finance? However, since joining the TRPG team I have met so many stunning people and learned a lot!
In addition to my title at TRPG, I also gained the Funcle title. My first nephew was born in May, and it has been so fun seeing him grow. My roommate and I found an apartment in Kansas City and we love to host family and friends. I also have been helping my family with their venture into the wine world. Whether that be selling wine at farmers’ markets or harvesting grapes off the vine.
I am really looking forward to what 2023 brings me and everyone here at TRPG. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
– Craig
Heather Markovich
Senior Client Relationship Manager
Happy Holidays! 2022 has been a very busy and emotional year for my family. I hope your 2022 was a great year for you! My mom and I made a few trips to Los Angeles to see my niece and they made it here to visit with us throughout the year. We always have a great time when we are there and things have eased up in LA since Covid restrictions so we were able to do a lot more sightseeing and running around. We are going back to LA to celebrate my niece’s 4th birthday at the end of November, man how time flies!
My son (Luke) finished up his senior year of high school in May and my dad came in to see him graduate, we had not seen him for 5 years. It was bittersweet watching my “baby” walk down to accept his diploma, I can’t believe how quickly those 4 years of high school flew by. I spent most of the summer getting my son squared away with everything he would need for Mizzou. My ex and I made a trip to Mizzou with Luke in June for orientation and then drove him down on August 17th for the dorm room set up and drop off, that was the hardest thing I ever had to do!
Over the summer my boyfriend and I took our UTV (side by side) out trail riding at some great parks. We also fixed up and sold two of our rental homes, starting to downsize the number of rentals we have. We also continue to update our own home; the kitchen is about finished and we plan to have our bathrooms remodeled by the end of the year. In July I celebrated my 6th anniversary with TRPG. I can’t believe how fast the years have gone and how grateful I am every day to be a part of such an amazing company with the most amazing coworkers!
As 2022 starts to come to an end we look forward to a safe and healthy holiday season and a very happy new year. We are always thankful for our health, happiness, amazing friends, and family. I hope this year was as wonderful for you and I hope you and yours have an exceptional holiday season and a very happy new year!
Heather, George & Luke (19)
Jennifer Williams
Office Assistant
I am Jennifer Williams, and I am so happy to have joined TRPG this past June in our St. Louis office.
I am married to my husband Joe, and we have three kids Austin (19), Owen (17), and Annie 13. This past year we took the kids on a cruise to Aruba, Grand Cayman, and Curacao along with spending a few days in South Beach Miami which was a wonderful vacation.
Austin, our oldest started his sophomore year at Mizzou he is majoring in Journalism and is a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity where he was just recently elected Vice President of Internal Operations, we are so proud of him and all his accomplishments thus far.
Owen is a senior in high school and like his older brother has decided to attend Mizzou this coming Fall to major in Electrical Engineering. Owen keeps us busy with this being his Senior year of high school and his last year to play hockey. It sure is bittersweet as we have watched him grow up on the ice over the years.
Our daughter Annie started a new adventure this year as she decided to move from public to private school for her 8th grade year. She has really enjoyed her new school and made some great friends. She also keeps us busy as she does competitive dance and is at the studio five days a week!
Finally, Joe and I managed to sneak away to Barbados this past September for a very much needed adult-only trip with some great friends! I am very thankful and blessed that we all have been healthy and had a great year. I want to wish you all Happy Holidays and I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year! Cheers to 2023!!!
Kael Stoaks
Client Relationship Manager
2022 has been a year of change and excitement for my family. This year I traveled to Colorado and hiked five mountains, while we were there, I proposed to my girlfriend. We then quickly planned our wedding and married this year. Soon after the wedding we were able to move into a house together. Our two dogs have fallen in love with their large backyard. Here is to hoping 2023 is an exciting but more calm year.
Kayla Coleman
Office Manager
To my TRPG Family,
What an incredible year 2022 has been. My son turned 9 years old (seems like he skipped a few years), we added two new fur babies to the pack (yes, I’m crazy) and I got a promotion! While this all happened over the last year, it seems like it went by in a few days. I’m incredibly blessed and grateful to have shared the highs and lows of this year with my team. When I say I wouldn’t have made it through the year without them – both personally and professionally – it couldn’t be more true. With that being said, I am looking forward to ending this year on a high and can’t wait to see where next year takes me.
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and New Year!
-Barry, Kayla, Greyson & fur babies
Kelly LaBruzzo
Client Relationship Manager
I felt like 2022 flew by! I celebrated my first anniversary working here at TRPG and am still so grateful to be working for this amazing company. I traveled some and visited friends out in Georgia and Nebraska and went to the Omaha Zoo for the first time ever. I had a “dream come true” moment and saw Reba McIntyre in concert! I also participated in the Lenexa Citizen’s Police Academy which was very surreal. My father was a Lenexa police officer when he passed away, so I felt extremely close to him. It was a great experience and a blast. I stayed busy this past year and see 2023 being even busier and more exciting!!
I hope you and your family have a great Holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Kevin Jaegers, CFA
Chief Operations Officer & Principal
Now in my seventh year at TRPG, I always enjoy writing these messages. It’s a great opportunity to show our appreciation and reflect upon the year. Like many of you, there have been some ups and downs along the way but overall, our family is doing great.
We were able to make a few trips throughout the year, doing some of our favorite things- skiing, fishing, trying new food, being in the mountains, and in general, disconnecting from the normal day-to-day.
Our kids continue to grow in many ways – Kaleb is now a junior in high school and has his first car and girlfriend (so yes, we see a little less of him now). Kameron started his first year of middle school and keeps active playing baseball, basketball, and spending time with friends.
Back on the farm, the year hasn’t gone so great keeping our beloved animals alive and well, but all things we can learn from and do better next time.
I’m fortunate that TRPG continues to grow and improve the lives of our team and the clients they serve. I hope everyone has a great holiday season and a happy and healthy 2023!
Kevin, Kristianne, Kaleb (16) and Kameron (12)
Lexie Barling, IACCP
Chief Compliance Officer
Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday TRPG Family!
As the year comes to a close it’s nice to reflect and think about all that happened. We were thrilled to welcome our first grandchild. He’s a sweet, fun baby and we love spending time with him. Many weekends were spent with family and friends. There were trips to Arizona and New York to visit family. It was beautiful scenery and loads of fun. Lexie’s dad passed away in September after a difficult year with his health. He will be missed.
As we look forward to 2023, we will decide which home projects to work on next or maybe take a trip though it may be more fun to stick close to home. We have two more grandchildren on the way and could not be more excited.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
Lexie and Brian
Michelle Burchard
Director of Human Resources & Client Services
Every year seems to pass more quickly. Maybe it’s because I have so much more time to reflect and appreciate life now that things have slowed down at home. There is much to appreciate.
Our oldest son Chace and his wife Yare celebrated their wedding with family and friends at the end of August. Two years ago, we celebrated their marriage in an intimate celebration in a park. It was amazing to share this day with them again, surrounded by their family and friends. My heart was full when I looked around at the beautiful celebration they planned and all of the wonderful people they have in their lives.
After a yearlong search, our middle son Nick finally landed the role he’s been hoping for since he graduated K-State with his Bio degree. He began his journey of training to become a Clinical Research Assistant in early November. He has switched from using brawn loading trucks at Fed-Ex to using his big, beautiful brain in this new role and seems to be loving it.
Our youngest daughter Sydney is in her 3rd year at K-State. She switched from architecture to business and seems to have found her groove. She’s living in an apartment for the first time this year and loves it. She’s been talking about adopting a pet…we’re hoping she holds off on that for a while.
Chris and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past year by heading to the island of Maui. It was our first time there and it was breathtaking. We both came home with Aloha in our hearts and a reminder of why we made the decision to say “I do” 25 years ago.
I am so grateful to be a part of this TRPG family and to have the opportunity to work with each of you. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers to 2023!
Michelle
Mike Russell, CFP®
Investment Manager
I’m thrilled to have joined the TRPG team in March of this year! It’s been a fun year for me and my girls. My oldest daughter, Madison, turned 15 this year and obtained her driver’s permit. Madison has been involved in photography and theater during her first year of high school. While my youngest, Avonel, turned 11 and has grown to enjoy school, in particular math.
Both of my girls enjoy skating, which I’m always thrilled to tag along having played hockey as a kid. Although we took fewer trips than usual this year, we enjoyed a few staycations in the KC area and for the first year hit up the state fair in Hutchinson.
I hope everyone has a wonderful time over the holidays and a great 2023!
Morella Williams
Marketing Associate
Happy Holidays TRPG Family! 2022 has gone by incredibly fast, and what a year it has been. I joined the TRPG family in May of this year and have loved every minute since!
This year has been busy! My fiancé, Sid, and I have spent a lot of the year cherishing being engaged and planning out the details of our fall 2023 wedding. We can’t wait for the day to finally be here! On top of wedding planning, we took several amazing trips. We were able to visit friends in St. Louis (MO) and Indianapolis (IN), family in Colorado Springs (CO) and Erin (NY), and hike the beautiful Mountains in Shenandoah National Park (VA).
All in all, 2022 was an amazing year and we look forward to what 2023 holds for us!
– Morella, Sid, and Patches (1 ½)
Reed Hersma
Operations Specialist
Another year of adventures, firsts, and transitions in the Hersma family!
Weddings, road trips, an expanding family, overnight flight delays, and much much more. Despite all the new and exciting things going on in our lives, we are hoping to settle into a more consistent rhythm as this year turns into the next.
After graduating college, getting married, and starting at TRPG in 2021, we came into 2022 anticipating the arrival of our newest family member! Arthur Douglas (Artie) was born on 4/27/2022 and is currently a road warrior, award-winning smiler, almost crawler, finger eater, and happy baby boy. Whether dancing the night away at one of several summer weddings, enjoying the views of 14 new states, or rocking out at his first concert, Artie is sharing his infectious smile with everyone he sees. Days at home with mom are the perfect environment for learning new tricks, being snuggled to oblivion, and taking walks around the block. Night and day, Artie’s squeals and shrieks grace our apartment and the ears of our very generous neighbors.
Meanwhile, Kahler and I are well practiced at operating on minimal sleep and extra coffee. In our “spare” time, Kahler has quickly become a master sourdough baker making everything from cinnamon rolls to bread loaves to pizza, and I have enjoyed getting back into reading, playing guitar, and running (to offset the baked goods). In all life’s craziness, something as simple as a smile from Artie or a night out alone reminds us that we have much to be thankful for in parenthood, marriage, and our community who have supported us so well. In extension to our family, Kahler and I both volunteer with the local Young Life group in Lawrence, spending time mentoring high school students in their faith and attending volleyball, football, and baseball games.
We are incredibly thankful that TRPG values our family, work-life satisfaction, and personal and professional growth.
Much love and blessings.
– The Hersmas (Reed, Kahler, & Artie)
Tim Caseria
Operations Specialist
2022, what a year! So much has changed and is continuing to change in my family. My brother, Brendan, got married in March, my nephew turned two in September, and my brother, Dave, is welcoming his second child to the world in just a few days!
As for me, I started my journey at TRPG in April, and it was such an amazing decision! I find joy in the work I am doing and the people I am working with. I am continuing to learn new things in my role with this company and in my personal life. I began learning piano, training jiu-jitsu, and I continue to expand my love for playing the guitar and sports.
I’m excited to see where life will take me in the coming year, and I hope everyone has a joyful 2023!