Associate
.Farmers
Tax Efficient Planning
Healthcare Professionals
Retirement Planning
Business Owners
Born from my desire to provide personalized financial guidance for all of life's moments, I founded my practice on June 28, 1995, in DeWitt, Iowa. I enjoyed growing WhiteOak Financial Group, (previously named Mississippi Valley Associates) to multiple locations with a team of amazing, caring professionals who help Christians be wise with money. Along with my wife, Rose, I live on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, next door to the house where Rose grew up. Blessed to raise my family in America's heartland, it is a privilege to apply my knowledge, experience, and expertise to serve the unique needs of my clients.
Giving back and living generously are at the heart of my core values that spring from my faith. It has been a joy to guide WhiteOak Financial Group in organizing community outreach events where our Thrivent members and many other volunteers have joined us in numerous avenues of service. In 2016, our practice became a Thrivent Community. Since then, we have partnered with a team of volunteer leaders to organize and sponsor over fifty community service projects, including Take Away Hunger meal packaging for food banks and disaster relief, Special Olympics events, DeWitt Referral Center Christmas boxes, HACAP Operation Backpack, care packages for area Deployed Soldiers, fundraisers for various nonprofits such as Project of Hope Wells for Ghana and CareNetworkCR, and homeless veterans projects in partnership with the Willis Dady Homeless Shelter and Veterans Stand Down, to name a few.
I'm here to provide financial guidance that matches how you live and what you believe so you can experience a life rich in meaning and gratitude. Believing that humanity thrives when individuals make the most of all they've been given, I'm here to help you do just that.
Check out our Fall 2026 WhiteOak Financial Group Connections newsletter by clicking HERE!
- Investments
- Solutions for businesses
- Retirement income planning
- Income tax planning
- Estate planning
I support these charities and causes:
- Special Olympics
- Take Away Hunger-Cedar Rapids
- Eastern Iowa Liberian Association, Inc.
- Cleveland Area Neighborhood Association
- Habitat for Humanity
- BFA™ (Behavioral Financial Advisor™), a designation granted by Kaplan Financial Education
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Professional, a designation granted by CFP® Board, Washington, D.C.
- Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation
- LUTCF® (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow SM®), a designation jointly granted by The College for Financial Planning® a Kaplan Company and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
- FIC (Fraternal Insurance Counselor), a designation granted by the Fraternal Field Managers Association
- FINRA Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam
- FINRA Series 7 General Securities Representative
- FINRA Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor
- Life & Health Insurance License in IA, AZ, IL, CO, WI, MI, MO, MN, NE, NY, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA, FL
- Thrivent Financial Representative since 1995
- Alumnus of Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
- Life Underwriter Trainers Council Fellow®
- Fraternal Insurance Counselor
- Certified Kingdom Advisor®
- Behavioral Financial Advisor™
- Series 6 - Investment Company Products and Variable Contracts Limited Representative
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative
- Series 63 - Licensed Securities Agent
- Series 65 - Investment Adviser Representative
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Insights
Join us at an upcoming eventWe’d love to have the opportunity to meet you. We host financial workshops, volunteer opportunities and Thrivent market updates.
Planning for special needs individuals and their familiesSep 29, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC - Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Join us for a workshop where Thrivent Financial Advisor Hannah Magrum will discuss the unique complexities that go into planning for special needs individuals and their families. Hannah holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant®️ designation, is a parent to a child with special needs and is an ambulatory wheelchair user herself.Topics discussed will include:Resources: state, local and federalMedicaid and MedicareSupport optionsHow personal financial planning impacts special needs planningIEP vs. 504Special needs trustsABLE accountsTax considerationsEnjoy a complimentary meal provided by our WhiteOak Financial Group Thrivent Community, followed by Hannah's livestream presentation and an opportunity for Q&A. For meal planning, please sign up by September 24, but walk-ins are welcome!Call 319-366-2991 or email teresa.burkett@thrivent.com if you have questions.This educational event is designed for our clients and families who wish to learn more about special needs planning. We encourage you to invite anyone who youthink may benefit to attend.No products will be sold.Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Thrivent.com/disclosures.Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals.Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s BrokerCheck for more information about our financial advisors.Ushers Ferry Lodge | 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Leaving a Thriving Legacy - Watch Party LunchOct 14, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC - Oct 14, 2026, 6:15 PM UTC
Join us for a special educational event featuring guest speaker Eric W. Bilger, FIC, Financial Advisor at Thrivent. Our team is committed to helping you plan for your future - and the future of those that you care most about. Better prepare yourself for the “what-ifs” by joining us as we address:Essential estate preservation documents you should haveThe purpose and role of a willEstate taxes and annual gifting limitsHow the probate process worksAdvantages of naming beneficiaries on your accountsThe SECURE Act 2.0 and how it impacts retirement accountsLong-term care planning: costs and optionsCharitable giving strategies and opportunitiesHow Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) workLife Insurance: Creating stability for every stage of lifeThis workshop is designed for you and your adult beneficiaries to help address their concerns about aging parents and protecting family assets. We encourage you to invite your beneficiaries to attend this educational opportunity. Enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by our WhiteOak Financial Group Thrivent Community while we watch Eric’s livestream presentation together. A brief discussion and an opportunity for Q&A with our advisors will follow.To register, call our office at 563-659-2991 or email teresa.burkett@thrivent.com. Please sign up by October 8 if able, but walk-ins are welcome.No products will be sold.DeWitt Community Library | 917 5th Ave, DeWitt, IA
Office locations
Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.
Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.
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.
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.
Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.
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.
