About Brock Howard

I spent 10 years serving in local churches and ministers as a pastor. The opportunity to serve others and help them experience the love that God has for them was such a rewarding experience. My greatest joy was when someone was able to grow in their relationship with Christ and find freedom and purpose for their life. I thought this is what I would do for the rest of my life. I was thankful and I loved it. Around the time my wife was diagnosed with cancer and we had experienced several personal tragedies as a family, I had to step back from my position as a pastor to care for, be cared for, and rest. It was a scary time for us with all the transitions and it felt like we were entering uncharted waters. I struggled with my purpose and how I would find a path forward in a new career that aligned with my values and mission to help people the way I believed I was called to. But God had a plan. I started my journey at Thrivent years before as a client. My financial representative had helped us make some good choices and have the right resources in place to weather this storm. When Thrivent asked me to consider this position and I saw how it fit into my desire to help people create clarity for their lives while living out their purpose with meaning and gratitude; I had to say, “Yes!” Earning my Behavior Financial Advisory designation and working with some of the most accomplished professionals in the industry to help people align their financial situations with their goals has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Though my title has changed and my work looks different, my purpose is the same: Help people know that they are loved by God and they have the potential in making a difference in this world. 

FAMILY– Why I do what I do

My wife, Kristi, and I were married in 2011 and are blessed to be parents to two amazing young boys - Logan (2013) and William (2016). Our house is loud, fun, and a little crazy. As a family, we love to go camping, travel to Texas to see our cousins, and eat good food. For us, family is the most important relationships we have. They are the partners that make life worth living. They are the encouragers that pick us up when we are down. They are the supporters that help us stick to our values and goals. They are the clowns that bring us a smile when we need a laugh. For me, my family is why I do what I do. For me, I could not do what I do without my family. 

GIVING BACK – It feels good because it is good

As a Christian, I feel giving back to the communities that give so much to us is very important.  That is why my family and I enjoy participating in volunteer activities together and supporting organizations that help others.
Annual Family Project - Each Christmas we sponsor a family in need.  Hoping that by helping reduce their financial burden we will bring some joy to their holiday season.  
Supporter of Faith Through Fire – A Breast Cancer Support Group whose mission is “To reduce the anxiety and fear that breast cancer patients feel and replace it with hope and a path toward thriving.
Race for Reconciliation Participant – A 5k Walk/Run supporting the St. Louis Reconciliation Network.  They have a single goal: to heal the broken race relations in St. Louis.  They strive to network all of the faith-based organizations in the St. Louis region that are doing the difficult work of racial unity, education, and equality to our great city. 
Gateway Financial Group

Gateway Financial Group

Title

Team Practice

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/gateway-financial-group
    Rachel Sampl

    Rachel Sampl

    Rachel has worked in the financial industry for the past 6 years. She joined Gateway Financial Group in 2020. Her passion is to serve our clients in a caring, efficient, and timely manner. Her extensive financial services knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile is a huge asset to our team and our clients. She is a key member of our team as she manages our calendars, administrative tasks, client services and so much more. Rachel really shines in making sure that the day to day functions of our practice serve our entire Gateway Financial Group family.  

     

    Rachel and her husband Nick recently moved to O’Fallon, MO with their 3 dogs from Denver, CO. They have a passion for fostering shelter dogs and taking hikes in the Rocky Mountains. 

    Title

    Licensed Office Manager

    Phone
    314-783-4214
    Kari Lovera

    Kari Lovera

    Kari joined Thrivent over 20 years ago. She has a BSBM with an emphasis in Finance from Mizzou. Go Tigers! Kari enjoys getting to know her clients and their families on a personal level to help create a financial strategy that is sustainable and geared towards their individual values and beliefs.  For the past 15 years, she has specialized in helping individuals with their Medicare decisions by presenting their options in a clear and understandable way. 

    Kari and her husband, Jason, both come from large families and have 6 children of their own. They love having family dinners with the whole crew and are always looking for a new game for family fun night. Kari and Jason enjoy volunteering together with the Boy Scouts and at Salem Lutheran Church where they attend

    Title

    Associate

    Phone
    636-225-5206
      Theresa Janechek

      Theresa Janechek

      Theresa joined our team in 2019 to help us with our marketing efforts, practice management and events. She helps us run more efficiently to give our clients the best experience possible.

      Theresa enjoys spending time with her husband Jeff playing cribbage, listening to live music & going on long drives. What is most important to her is the happiness and well-being of her family and friends.

      Title

      Marketing Coordinator