Our Story
Our story

We want Christians to feel empowered to make financial decisions that reflect their values personal visions of success. We work daily with clients to feel less stress and more confident when approaching money matters. Our strongest desire is for our clients to have the support they need to shape their family’s future, while extending generosity to their communities and those in need. 

 

Our team understands how easy it is to feel deluged by the flood of financial information available. Because of this, we commit our work to help Christians navigate those waters with expert, customized guidance.

From protection for a growing family to living in retirement, we can guide you through every stage of life to help you achieve your goals and dreams – no matter what those are. Your success is our success.

From our office in the growing, historic riverfront neighborhood of St. Charles, Missouri, we’re well positioned to help you become ingrained within your community. We raise families here, worship in area churches, cheer for the Cardinals and the Blues, as well as participate in charity events and other efforts that strengthen our neighbors. 

Get to Know Our Team

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Brent Stewart
Brent StewartWealth AdvisorCFP®, ChFC®, FIC

Brent finds joy in guiding clients on their financial journeys. He helps people prepare for retirement—employing tax-efficient money management strategies and more. He also strives to help Christians live abundant lives and achieve their goals. Brent has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity International in Paraguay, Poland, Macedonia and Malawi. He and his wife, Shanna, live in Saint Charles with their three daughters. He enjoys treating the family to his trademark slow-cooked barbecue.  

Carol Grebing-Duggan
Carol Grebing-DugganFinancial ConsultantFIC, RICP®, CLTC®

Carol enjoys creating financial strategies aligned with client values. She is passionate about helping them accomplish their goals, while building meaningful relationships along the way. Carol and her late husband, Duke, have a daughter, Shannon, and son-in-law, Scott. She takes great pride in spending time with her grandson, Julian, who calls her Oma! Carol enjoys singing in the Perry County Lutheran Choral, traveling and Chiefs football.

Boone Jackson
Boone JacksonFinancial ConsultantFIC, CKA®

Boone once studied to be a pastor, but later determined his most fulfilling ministry was to help people achieve financial clarity and lead lives full of meaning and gratitude. He combined his backgrounds in faith and finances by becoming a Certified Kingdom Advisor®, a designation with training in providing biblically wise financial counsel. Boone lives with his wife, Jill, and their three sons. He enjoys “Jeeping,” Rucking and working out with F3. 

Tim Gerler
Tim GerlerWealth AdvisorCFP®, FIC, RICP®

Tim is passionate about helping individuals and families create the life they envision. He is committed to fostering an environment where clients feel comfortable, informed and empowered to make important decisions. He believes it is his responsibility to meet people wherever they are on life’s journey and provide guidance as they pursue what is important to them. Away from work, Tim contributes his time to Habitat for Humanity and the Missouri Stream Team. He values time spent outdoors with his family, including fishing, hiking, and four-wheeling, and can often be found in his garage working on classic vehicles.

Zachary Gerler
Zachary GerlerDirector of Investment Operations

Zach and wife Alex are the parents of three energetic, young boys, Henry, Elijah and Thomas. Zach enjoys volunteering with St. Jude and The Little Bit Foundation. If he finds free time, it’s filled with staying active at the gym, playing softball (close to the competitiveness of MLB minor leagues), and BBQ’ing for his extended family. 

Mark Gerler
Mark GerlerAssociate

Mark provides a wide range of services but particularly enjoys estate protection and helping clients efficiently transfer their wealth and legacies from one generation to the next. Mark and his wife, Su, have six children and 14 grandchildren. He keeps busy watching those grandkids at sporting and school events, and enjoys time at his family farm in Altenburg. 

Taylor Stevens
Taylor StevensAssociate Financial AdvisorBFA™

Taylor and her husband, Seth, have two children. She enjoys reading, drinking coffee and chasing those toddlers. Taylor remembers learning at a young age the importance of saving and making smart financial decisions. She chose to pursue this career to help people understand the path to achieve their goals. Taylor enjoys volunteering at Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau.

Jason Schoppenhorst
Jason SchoppenhorstInvestment AnalystMBA, CFP®
Jack Bedtke
Jack BedtkeFinancial AdvisorBFA™

Jack is dedicated to helping clients achieve both comfort and clarity in their financial lives. He takes pride in making a meaningful impact by improving each client’s financial situation with every conversation. Outside of work, Jack values time spent with those closest to him. He and his wife, Lydia, enjoy being with family and friends, as well as relaxing with their fun‑loving pets. When he’s not working or at home, you’ll often find him on the golf course.

Blake Wager
Blake WagerInsurance Associate

Following his desire to help others, Blake supports clients in achieving their financial goals through personalized planning and strategic guidance. Blake and his wife, Jackie, life in St. Charles where they enjoy hosting friends and family. They also love to spend time traveling and trying out the next best restaurant in town or watching the newest released movie.

Helen Williams
Helen WilliamsOffice Manager

Helen is the team’s go-to resource. Over the course of almost 30 years with Thrivent, she has served in various positions, dedicating her time to improving every client’s experience. Helen enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren as well as traveling with her family.

Tonya Goslin
Tonya GoslinCustomer Service Coordinator

Tonya enjoys getting to know clients and helping them in any way she can, especially with scheduling appointments and assisting clients with fraternal generosity programs. Tonya and her husband, Mick, enjoy spending time with their family, including their sweet granddaughter.

Pat Layton
Pat LaytonCustomer Service Coordinator

Pat enjoys talking to clients and co-workers within the Thrivent network. She has been married to her husband, Don, for 55 years with whom she shares two children and 4 grandchildren. She is passionate about supporting organizations surrounding cancer research in memory of family members.

Matt Schlake-Kruse
Matt Schlake-KruseOffice Professional

Matt enjoys helping clients feel welcomed and supported. He enjoys using data to boost efficiency and serves as an Interim Pastor in the Central States synod of the ELCA outside of Thrivent. In his free time, he enjoys life with his wife, Delaney, and their young son, Milo. He is also an avid crossword puzzle solver, non-fiction reader and supporter of the St. Louis Crisis Nursery and LuMin on the Washington University Campus.

Jed Farmer
Jed FarmerOffice Professional

Jed finds great joy in being a part of team dedicated to helping others. Using his degree in accounting, he also volunteers as treasurer for a nonprofit as well as assisting in training dogs to help people with disabilities in the St. Louis area. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Jed enjoys time with his family, attending sporting events of his 5 nieces and nephews, playing video games with them or being entertained by their stories. He also loves bowling, watching he St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with friends.

Elizabeth Stewart
Elizabeth StewartLicensed Client Service Administrator

Passionate about teamwork and helping others, Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting the relationships between clients and advisors. She finds fulfillment in providing valuable information to others to help them reach their goals. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys caring for houseplants, capturing moments through photography, and exploring the outdoors through hiking and traveling. She loves volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as well. Through these experiences, she finds joy in working alongside her dad while also giving back to others.

Andrea Sellers
Andrea SellersOffice Professional

Andrea works with marketing campaigns, sharing valuable updates on generosity, market trends, and upcoming events with clients. She and her husband, J.C., have three children – Alaina, Grayson and Jameson. In her free time, Andrea loves being with friends and family, spending days at the lake, golfing and cheering on her kids at their sporting events. She’s also active in her community, volunteering regularly at her children’s school and her church as well as running a local gym.

Ready to connect?

We'd love to answer any questions you may have and start learning about your goals. We can meet however you're most comfortable—phone, virtual or in person.

Or call us directly: 636-493-9220

Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.

Not all team members may provide all products, programs and services in all states.

Not all team members may office at the locations listed.

* as of December 31, 2024

** Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Rating is based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability. Does not apply to investment product performance. For information on this rating, visit the rating agency's website.

Designations
For additional information on professional designations and the requirements to earn them, visit https://www.thrivent.com/designations

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.