
Get to know WhiteOak Financial Group
Our WhiteOak Financial Group Thrivent team has been privileged to help clients build their financial futures and live generous lives since its founding in 1995. With offices in Cedar Rapids and DeWitt, Iowa; Geneseo and Geneva, Illinois; Comstock Park, Michigan; and Overland Park, Kansas, we are professionals equipped to provide personalized financial guidance and resources for every stage of life.
In 2026, our team’s name changed from Mississippi Valley Associates to WhiteOak Financial Group, but you’ll see the same faces and will receive the same personalized guidance and expertise. Our practice is growing and has expanded to include more geographical locations. Like the sturdy tree that can live for centuries and is found in many areas of the country, WhiteOak reflects our well-established, reliable practice.
One aspect that sets us apart is the holistic pairing of financial expertise with a deep commitment to supporting local causes important to our clients. Each year our Thrivent Community invites volunteers to join in a variety of community outreach projects that we organize and host. We also present educational workshops and social events to foster connections with our clients and their families.
Anytime you’re ready to explore your financial goals, we’re ready to help with purpose, heart, and clarity.

In 2026, WhiteOak Financial Group supports these and other causes:
- Take Away Hunger meal packaging projects for food banks and disaster relief
- Thrivent Night at the Ballpark for Special Olympics
- Habitat for Humanity
- DeWitt Referral Center holiday food boxes
- Educational workshops to help individuals and families to make the most of what they have been given
- Inspirational community events with popular speaker Jay Payleitner presenting "What if God Wrote Your Bucket List?"
- Special Needs Planning education
Meet Our Team
DeWitt Office

Alex Carr
MBA, FIC
From my desire to help others make the most of what they've been given, I began working for Thrivent in 2020. I have also been privileged to serve in the United States Army Reserves.
I treasure my experience working out of the Cedar Rapids and DeWitt, Iowa, offices and at other locations in Illinois and Kansas as the leader of the WhiteOak Financial Group team. I am surrounded by professional and caring colleagues who share my dedication to providing personalized and quality service to help protect and grow our clients' assets.
With my wife, Julia, and my Yellow Labrador Retriever, Crystal, we live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AL , AR Insurance Lic. #19828228 , AZ , CO , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MD , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , OH , OK , OR , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , WA , WI , WY
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404; 908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/alex-carr
- alex.carr@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891 (Cedar Rapids); 563-659-2891 (DeWitt)

Casey Walker
CLU®, LUTCF®, FIC
- Title
Financial Consultant
- State(s) Licensed
- CA Insurance Lic. #0L70126 , CO , FL , IA , IL , MI , MN , WI
- Location
908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/casey-walker
- casey.walker@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 563-659-2991
- Fax
563-659-2891

Gaylon Heetland
CFP®, LUTCF®, FIC, CKA®, BFA™
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.
- Title
Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- AZ , CO , FL , GA , IA , IL , KS , MI , MN , MO , NE , NM , OK , TX , VA , WA , WI
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404; 908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/gaylon-heetland
- gaylon.heetland@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 563-659-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891 (Cedar Rapids); 563-659-2891 (DeWitt)

Maurie Nelson
LUTCF®, FIC
- Title
Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- IA , IL , WI
- Location
209 W. Exchange St., Geneseo, Illinois 61254
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/maurie-nelson
- maurie.nelson@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 309-944-4538
- Fax
309-945-1961

TJ Harkins
FIC
My career as a financial advisor is rooted in a deep desire to help others faithfully steward what the Lord has entrusted to them. Guided by my Christian faith and a commitment to integrity, I began my work with Thrivent in 2025, where I am grateful to serve individuals and families through personalized, values‑based financial guidance.
I believe strong financial planning starts with strong relationships. My goal is to provide quality service and genuine care to every individual and family I work with. Because I believe one Man demonstrated the ultimate example of sacrificial love, I strive to extend that same compassion, integrity, and commitment to others in my work each day.
My wife, Morghan, and I enjoy active involvement in our church and local community. 2026 is bringing exciting changes as we have relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with our baby expected in November and our Golden Retriever, Maverick. I will continue to be supported by the experienced and dedicated WhiteOak Financial Group that shares my commitment to personalized service, thoughtful retirement planning, and helping to protect and grow our clients’ assets.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AL , AR Insurance Lic. #21574653 , AZ , CO , FL , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MD , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , OH , OK , OR , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , WA , WI , WY
- Location
5900 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/thomas-harkins
- thomas.harkins@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 616-805-7207

Bryce Andresen
Coming from my desire to serve others, I began working for Thrivent in 2024. I've also been serving in the United States Navy Reserves since 2016, including a deployment to Africa in 2022. Prior to that I had four years of active-duty service from 2012-2016. I am blessed with my experience working out of the DeWitt, Iowa, office as a member of Thrivent's WhiteOak Financial Group team. I am surrounded by professional and caring colleagues that share my dedication to providing personalized and quality service to help protect and grow our clients' assets.
My wife, Jessica, and I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We enjoy going to Iowa Hawkeye sporting events (especially wrestling and football), going to concerts, and hiking together! I'm also an avid bow hunter and fisherman.
At Thrivent, we view money not as a goal, but as a tool — one that can afford you a life rich in meaning and gratitude. We believe humanity thrives when individuals make the most of all they've been given. I'm here to help you do just that!
- Title
Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- IA
- Location
908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/bryce-andresen
- bryce.andresen@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 563-659-2991
- Fax
563-659-2891

Andrew Haase
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- CO , IA , IL , IN , MN , MO , MT , NE , VA , WI
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/andrew-haase
- andrew.haase@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891

David King
- Title
Practice Supt Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- IA , IL
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404; 908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- david.king@thrivent.com
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891 (Cedar Rapids); 563-659-2891 (DeWitt)

Cole Eberly
- Title
Insurance Support Associate
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891

Allison Thede Everman
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891

Kallie Barnhart
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Phone
- 563-659-2991
- Fax
563-659-2891

Kathy Drury
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
908 6th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
- Phone
- 563-659-2991
- Fax
563-659-2891

Teri Burkett
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Phone
- 319-366-2991
- Fax
319-366-2891

JoAnne Renfro
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
3349 Southgate Ct. SW, Ste. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
- Phone
- 319-899-6555