Financial Success for Life

—Don’t compete with Mike.

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If we had one word to describe Mike, it would be tenacious. Whether it’s being reviewed via Member satisfaction surveys or racing with his kids at the BMX track, he likes to come in first. He was our first advisor, is our most tenured advisor, and has been with us since the start, well over a decade. If there is one thing we’ve come to know about him after all these years, it’s that he delivers results. Perhaps that’s why his clients are so fond of him.

Mike is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who centers his practice around estate and inheritance planning. He likens it to a jigsaw puzzle: “People come to me with all the pieces; they just need help putting them together. I help them with that.” As a father of three, he knows that true wealth extends beyond what’s in the bank.

Many of the people Mike helps have some anxiety about their finances. If they have a plan, sometimes they feel uncomfortable about it. Mike believes this is often because they have not articulated their values and applied them to their financial decisions. He tries to help his clients articulate their values. Clearly defining values can help create a plan that not only looks good on paper, but can inspire follow-through. Mike helps his clients realize what’s important to them, works to align their financial choices with the life they want to live, and inspires them to continuously work toward that.

Mike is married, has two daughters and a son, and is an avid outdoorsman. If he’s not in the office taking care of his clients, you can probably find him hunting on his ranch, playing guitar, or coaching his kids and their friends on various sports teams.

Get to Know Mike

What is the one food you would never give up?
“Beef Fajitas.”

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“Stevie Ray Vaughan.”

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“The best way to teach kids about taxes is to eat 30% of their ice cream.” — Bill Murray

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

—Member education is essential to success.

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Mark is a story person. He likes to know the unique backstory behind each of his individual clients. He’s interested in how they became the person they are today. Why? Mark says, “In my experience, our different life experiences mean that we all tend to bring certain biases to our decision-making processes. Sometimes this can actually undermine our ability to create, implement, and adhere to a plan.”

As a self-described creative type working in an analytical and data-heavy industry, Mark prefers an approach that is individualized for each Member. He’s learned that finding a reliable advisor to offer guidance through all of life's financial challenges can seem intimidating at times, and he prides himself on presenting easy-to-understand solutions in a relaxed environment. Mark believes that educating Members is an essential component to any successful, long-term relationship. Plus, he believes that it’s critically important for Members to feel at ease with their decisions before, during, and after implementation.

Get to Know Mark

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“Money often costs too much.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is your favorite sports team?
“The 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs! Stop by the office to see my authentic Wrigley Field seats!”

What is your favorite holiday?
“July 4th, because it’s summertime, it’s baseball season, and it means grilling out with family and friends. And I always take a moment during the fireworks to think about how lucky I am to live in the USA.”

2016-2018 Five Star¹ Award Winner

¹ Five Star Professional is an independent third party research firm. The five star award is not indicative of an individual's performance. Inclusion on the five star list should not be construed as an endorsement by Five Star Professional or the magazine. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com for additional details about the Five Star Wealth Manager award.

—If there’s a story to be told, Jonathan is the one to tell it.

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Jonathan is a natural communicator. As a lifelong author and screenwriting enthusiast, Jonathan knows what it takes to tell a great story. The narrative might begin as one big mess, but by the end everything comes together nicely. In a way, wealth management follows the same path. Clients may not know where they stand when they first step into his office, but Jonathan helps to frame the narrative, create a plan, and bring it all together in the end.

He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a 23 year industry veteran who joined us a little over five years ago from a competing firm. He focuses on holistic, all-encompassing planning that covers everything from basic cash flow to complex investment and estate planning strategies.

“Everything is interconnected. I can’t adjust one thing without it affecting another, so I take into account the whole picture and plan with my client’s end goal in mind. It just works out for the best that way.”

Jonathan is a University of Richmond graduate, a devoted father of two wonderful children named Jakob and Kate, and is married to his sweetheart, Kristen. When he’s not in the office, he likes to read, write, and stay active.

Get to Know Jonathan

What is your favorite holiday?
“Halloween.”

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“John Sayles — He’s an independent writer/director in Hollywood and I’ve always been a big fan.”

What is the one food you would never give up?
“Sushi.”

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

—Excellence in Execution.

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A former US Marine with combat experience,Rodney understands the value of discipline and the importance of a well-designed plan. He credits the success of his practice to the skills and habits he developed while in service to his country.

Rodney serves Members primarily in the Coastal Region at our Galveston and Victory Lakes locations. An industry veteran, he specializes in serving the medical community and is heavily involved with The University of Texas Medical Branch. He applies a regimented and thorough discovery process that surpasses the expectations of many of those who meet with him. Why? Rodney doesn’t like mistakes. His objective is to add confidence to his clients’ financial world, and he does so by investing his time and energy in the lives of those he serves.

Originally from Kansas, Rodney has lived just about everywhere at one time or another. It wasn’t until the birth of his son that he and his wife finally decided to lay down some roots. After work and family, he has no free time. (Or so he tells us!) On the rare occasions he isn’t working or involved in his son’s extracurricular activities, he enjoys flyboarding, fishing, and relaxing with family and friends.

Get to Know Rodney

What was your favorite TV show growing up?
“Cheers.”

What did you want to be when you grew up?
“Like my dad.”

Tennis shoes or flip flops?
“Flip Flops, I live on an Island!”

—If he’s not watching the market, he’s probably deep into the numbers with one of his fantasy sports teams.

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Michael loves baseball. A lifelong Texas Rangers fan, he is used to big wins — and big losses. What he’s come to understand about baseball is that, much like investing, it’s all about being in the right position to succeed. Perhaps that’s why Michael is so passionate about his clients’ successes.

In 2014 he was recruited away from a position in banking to join the UFCU wealth management team, available through CFS,* where his tremendous tenacity has been a welcome addition. He prides himself on his results-oriented approach and pragmatic style of helping clients make smart choices with their assets. When asked why he made the switch to this line of work, he replied “because no two days are the same, and the decisions I help people make are the kind that actually make a difference in people’s lives.”

Michael is an Austin transplant by way of McAllen, TX, but has called our town home for nearly seven years. He is married and has a very precocious daughter that keeps him busy. When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching the Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys, and diving deep into his fantasy sports teams.

Get to Know Michael

Who is your favorite superhero?
“Batman! Because Batman has great toys and an awesome house. Who doesn’t love that?”

What is your favorite holiday?
“Thanksgiving – family, food, and football!”

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“My favorite quote is the one our President, Tony Budet, often references: Relationships are all there is.”

—The first thing clients notice when they step into his office? It’s the burnt orange.

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As an economics graduate of The University of Texas at Austin^TM and a graduate of UT’s Financial Planning Certificate Program, it’s safe to say James is a die-hard Longhorns^® fan.

“I was in college during the Great Recession of ’08, and I needed a deeper understanding of the economic phenomena going on around me. Studying economics helped me to develop habits of careful thought, engage the world of current affairs, and explain why economic phenomena occur and how performance might improve. These are skills I use every day when helping Members,” he says.

To James, every dollar has a story, and he’s passionate about what he does. His first clients were his parents. His second? His sister. He practices what he preaches and jokes that if he weren’t doing a good job, his whole family would have to move in with him! James focuses his practice on education and transparency.

“I’m genuinely interested in the financial well-being of our Members, and when you meet with me, I’m going to treat you like family. It’s the best way to foster a solid foundation of trust.” Whether you’re just starting out as an investor, planning for retirement, or looking to protect your wealth, James is here to help you through all of life’s stages.

James is a native Austinite, but spent his early years in Colombia, where he became fluent in Spanish. When he’s not working or studying in his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, traveling, and spending time with his wife and four pups, Rocky, Marley, Mia, and Rico.

Get to Know James

What was your favorite TV show growing up?
“‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire.’ Will Smith is hilarious!”

What is the number one item on your bucket list?
“Definitely skydiving! I want to experience the thrill but I just don’t want to do it alone.”

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” — Robert G. Allen

—It isn’t just a job. It’s his life’s work.

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For Logan, the world of financial planning isn’t just a career. It’s a calling. He was living and working in California when the dot com bubble burst in 2001. His friends, family, and even he struggled through the economic collapse. At that time, Logan wasn’t the knowledgeable planner he is today and he didn’t have the tools and training to handle the downturn appropriately. He made mistakes.

By the time he finally had his head back above the surface and was treading water, he knew he wanted to help others avoid the mistakes he made with his own money. He jumped into the financial planning industry shortly thereafter and never looked back.

Logan comes to us by way of San Diego, California, and has been a valuable addition to the Wealth Management team, available through CFS.* A fluent Spanish speaker, he is a finance graduate of California State University San Marcos, has over a decade of industry experience, and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation. Analytical by nature, Logan prides himself on being able to pull apart complex financial problems, separate them into components, and devise an overall strategy that addresses each facet of the problem at hand.

When he’s not helping people plan for the future, Logan likes to spend time outdoors and relax with his family. He enjoys the occasional hike and picnic by the pool.

Get to Know Logan

If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
“Thoughtful. Friends and family have told me that. And that means a lot to me.”

What is your favorite sports team?
“The Golden State Warriors. I’m from San Francisco. It’s practically in my blood.”

What is the one food you would never give up?
“Mexican food! But I’m not sure about the flour tortillas that come standard with Tex-Mex. I’d choose corn tortillas and California-style Mexican food every time.”

—When our clients need something, they know they can talk to Melody.

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Melody is the team coordinator for Mark Spirk and also our ad hoc office superhero. She helps to manage the client experience from the word go. Whether she’s opening accounts, fielding questions, or just being proactive and reaching out to make sure everything is ok, Melody does it all. She joined UFCU after working for a competing firm in 2014 and when she came on board, we added an irreplaceable member to our team. She is a well of talent and a natural coordinator of people, projects, and calendars.

Melody is originally from Los Angeles (a Lakers fan, but we forgive her) and has been in Austin for the last 5 years. A Cal State Northridge graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, she holds an MBA from South University, and carries the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS^®) designation. A dog lover, she has two fur babies named Beau and Jelly Bean, both of whom are rescue animals. When she’s not in the office earning fantastic reviews from clients, Melody likes to spend time outdoors hiking and playing with her dogs.

Get to Know Melody

What was your favorite TV show growing up?
“Rugrats, or maybe Full House. It depends on how far back we’re going.”

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“Elvis.”

What is the number one item on your bucket list?
“Bungee jumping.”

—Emily always accepts the challenge !

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Some people just have a knack for making friends, and Emily is one of those. This people person arrived in Texas from Colorado not knowing a soul, and has since created a community of friends and acquaintances from scratch. Emily has strong core values and a strong work ethic. Her creative problem-solving skills make her an excellent addition to the team.

Emily is the CFS^* Licensed Investment Coordinator for Michael Guthrie. She attended Southwestern University and has four years of financial services experience, two of those at our Scofield Financial Center as a personal financial representative. Emily’s experience with the financial centers makes her well-rounded in both CUSO and Credit Union services.

Emily considers herself a “swammer” as she swam competitively at the collegiate level, but these days she just enjoys relaxing by the pool. Emily has a one-year-old German Shepard (85 pounds and growing) that she loves spending time with.

Get to Know Emily

What is the one food you would never give up?
“Dairy. I’ve had to give up enough because of the other dietary restrictions I have.”

What is your favorite holiday?
“Any holiday I spend with family is my favorite.”

Who is your favorite superhero?
“Marvel’s Doctor Strange”  

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Karina’s passion could be summed up in two words: helping others. Nothing brings her more pleasure than helping others gain clarity on their financial goals and business aspirations. It’s one of the things that makes her so good at her job as a CFS* Financial Associate at UFCU. For Karina, making a positive impact on Members’ lives truly makes her day.

Whether she is working with clients, business partners, or senior management, Karina is a great communicator. Her thorough communication skills have helped her identify her clients’ goals and maintain many successful relationships at Morgan Stanley, Moody’s, and more. Determined and focused, Karina is a three-time competitor in the New York City Marathon. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her two-year-old rescue puppy from New Mexico and cuddling with her 14-year-old kitty from New York.

Get to Know Karina

What is your favorite movie? 
“The Matrix”

What is the number one item on your bucket list? 
“Climb Kilimanjaro”

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” — Warren Buffett

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It’s not often you find a true people person and detail-ops geek all wrapped up into one. Will pulls off that combo with finesse. An Austin native, Will joined the CFS* Wealth Management team three years into his UFCU career. Beginning in Member Services as a representative, he was able to learn operations and exercise his talent for service. His adaptability, ability to build relationships, and resourcefulness make him perfect for coordinating three books of business.

Today, he is the CFS* Investment Coordinator for CFS* Financial Advisors James Gallego, Michael Garner, and Rodney Nelson. He attended The University of Texas™ where he received his degree in economics.  

When not in the office, Will loves connecting with people through social events such as game nights, two-stepping, and cook outs. He also enjoys sailing J/22s and J/88s at Canyon Lake on the weekends.

Get to Know William

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.”

What is your favorite quote or saying?
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein

What is the number one item on your bucket list?
“Go to a FIFA World Cup Championship game.”