Sara has been with Thrivent since 2013 and is a founding partner of Compass Wealth Advisors. She coordinates comprehensive financial planning based on customized goals and objectives of individuals, families, and organizations. She focuses on retirement income planning, wealth transfer, planned giving strategies, and nonprofit partnerships. Sara is a Certified Financial Planner®, Wealth Management Certified Professional®, and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Florida, graduated magna cum laude. 

Prior to coming to Thrivent, Sara spent five years in business management and three years in corporate finance. She has participated in three international trips with Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity, local Habitat affiliate volunteering, and the Leadership Academy with Seminole County Public Schools. She supports Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, Commission127, and serves on the board for Embrace Families, a tri-county nonprofit that supports youth who have experienced abandonment, abuse, and neglect. She is raising three children and loves to travel with them and extended family.

Mark has been serving Thrivent clients since 2016 and is a founding partner of Compass Wealth Advisors. He specializes as a Retirement Income Certified Professional, working toward comprehensive alignment of available resources to specific financial goals in a tax efficient manner. He works to assist in developing a view of money- not as a goal - but as tool that can build a life rich in gratitude and full of meaning. This can be accomplished through financial planning, investment advice services, on solutions-based services like life insurance.

Mark served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, one year of which was stationed in Iraq providing artillery support in the Al- Anbar region. He accepted an honorable discharge as a sergeant in 2008. He then attended Oklahoma Wesleyan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He implemented this education as a successful business owner of a retail sporting goods store in the Biltmore Park shopping center for three years before transitioning to Thrivent. 

Mark supports several local organizations, including Operation Gateway and the Asheville Dream Center. His family is also proud to provide financial support to the global organizations A21 to prevent human trafficking, Elevation Outreach to meet the physical and spiritual needs of communities around the world, and the Samaritan's Purse which brings physical relief and the hope of the Gospel to hurting people around the world. 

Mark married his best friend Shawna in 2015 at the base of beautiful Pearson Falls, just south of Asheville. Together they are raising their two energetic sons Kian and Declan. He builds the greatest memories with them exploring the remarkable nature around western North Carolina. The family favorite is Bent Creek Experimental Forest for hiking with our boxer-hound dog mix, London.

Michael joined Thrivent in 2018 and is a founding partner of Compass Wealth Advisors. He is responsible for portfolio management and investment selections. He also helps our clients plan for retirement, develop wealth transfer strategies, and address complex business structuring. Michael currently holds the Fraternal Insurance Counselor designation and is dual enrolled at the American College of Finance. He earned a bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and Spanish from the University of North Carolina Asheville, and graduated magna cum laude.

Prior to joining Thrivent, Michael served in the U.S. Army as an airborne infantryman before attending Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. He then served as a Senior Medic prior to retiring. Michael serves on the UNC Asheville Foundation Board of Directors and Alumni Board of Directors. His hobbies include stretching, grilling, and eating what he grills. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife, Vicky, their two sons, Oliver and Benjamin, and their dog, Georgie.

J Alan (“J”) Bennett joined Thrivent and Compass Wealth Advisors in 2023 after being a client for many years. He has earned two undergraduate engineering degrees and worked for Ford Motor Company for 12 years. While working at Ford, J completed his MBA at the University of Michigan. Upon leaving Ford, he successfully passed the CFP® exam to start his own financial planning firm, but was instead called to ministry. He received a Master of Divinity in 2002 from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. From 2005 to 2016, J taught economics and finance classes at Louisiana Tech University. In 2016, he followed his wife, Becky, to Florida when she took a new job at the University of Central Florida. He was also an adjunct professor at UCF before coming back to the financial world with Thrivent and the Compass Wealth Advisor team. He has professional passions for financial education and financial caregiving. His greatest earthly joy is spending time with his wife, their three sons and their families. He also might be just a bit besotted by his grandson, John Riley. 

Misty has been working for Thrivent since 2020, and with Compass Wealth Advisors since it was established. She currently has her life and health insurance license and is working on getting her securities licensing. She uses her years of customer service experience and strong work ethic to provide the best service to our clients. Misty earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. She is a very proud mother and grandmother. She enjoys traveling, learning, reading, and meeting new people.

Emily joined the Compass Wealth Advisors team in 2022. As an office professional, she is responsible for supporting excellent customer service and hospitality to our clients. She has an extensive background in restaurant management and operations. She also has valuable experience in the insurance industry supporting executive teams. She is originally from the Atlanta area and has attended Columbus State and Lee University. In her spare time, Emily enjoys relaxing at home with her cats, going to the gym, and taking walks outside.

Bridgett joined the Compass Wealth Advisors team in 2022. She loves to learn and help our clients get the answers they need. Bridgett has a background in customer service and hospitality, and is currently studying at Valencia College working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Her hobbies include painting and swimming. She also enjoys playing with her two dogs, Buttercup and Reese, and having weekly movie marathon nights with her friends and family.