Dean Barber is a managing director at Modern Wealth Management. After serving as the CEO and founder of Barber Financial Group since 1996, he was thrilled to team up with Modern Wealth co-founders Jason Gordo, Mike Capelle, and Gary Roth in effort to provide a full scope of wealth management services to people nationwide. 

When Barber founded Barber Financial Group in 1996 in Lenexa, Kansas, he had the goal to help as many people as possible with getting them to and through retirement. He accomplished that and more with the team of CFP® Professionals, CPAs, estate planning specialists, insurance experts, and other professionals he built at Barber Financial Group.  

Under Barber’s leadership, the Barber Financial Group brand became a staple of the financial services industry in the Kansas City area. In 2009, Barber Financial Group took a big step forward Bud Kasper’s Lee’s Summit, Missouri-based team from Kasper Steck Wealth Management came aboard. Kasper and former Osiwala Financial Group President and CEO Ken Osiwala joined Barber as managing directors of Modern Wealth.  

At Barber Financial Group, Barber and his team created The Guided Retirement System, which is a comprehensive financial planning process that begins roughly a decade prior to the client’s desired retirement date and goes through the entirety of their retirement. Gordo, Roth, and Capelle liked what they saw in the Guided Retirement System and Barber Financial Group’s core services. It was an easy decision for them to reach out to Barber and present the opportunity to carry out many of Barber’s ideals on the national level at Modern Wealth.  

Dean enjoys that his work quite literally has a family feel to it at Modern Wealth. His brother, Shane, is an executive advisor, two of his five children, Nic and Cydney, are client service specialists, and his nephew by marriage, Chad Webb, is the vice president of people and operations. One last fun act about Dean is that his career began with Waddell & Reed on October 19, 1987, also known as Black Monday, which marked the worst stock market crash in Wall Street’s history. 

Bud Kasper is a managing director at Modern Wealth Management. After serving as the president of Barber Financial Group’s Lee’s Summit, Missouri office, Kasper was excited to join forces with Modern Wealth co-founders Jason Gordo, Mike Capelle, and Gary Roth in effort to provide a full scope of wealth management services to people nationwide.

Kasper’s career in the financial services industry has spanned four decades (fellow Modern Wealth managing director Dean Barber sometimes calls Kasper the original CFP® Professional). He spent 14 of those 40 years at Kasper Steck Wealth Management until it merged with Barber Financial Group in 2009. Bud’s career began with Paine Webber in 1983.

Bud feels blessed to continue working alongside his wife, Peggy, and son, Matt, with Modern Wealth. Peggy serves as the Chief Operations Officer – Lee’s Summit Office, while Matt is an executive advisor. Bud’s sons, Brad and Ryan, followed in his footsteps to the financial services industry, as they respectively serve as the president, CFO and partner of LSA Portfolio Analytics.

During Bud’s tenure with Barber Financial Group, he joined Barber in building a team of CFP® Professionals, CPAs, estate planning specialists, insurance experts, and other professionals that was offering asset management, estate planning, retirement planning, and insurance at an exemplary level. He and Barber are joined by former Osiwala Financial Group President and CEO Ken Osiwala as managing directors at Modern Wealth.

At Barber Financial Group, he and Barber implemented the Guided Retirement System, which is a comprehensive financial planning process that begins roughly a decade prior to the client’s desired retirement date and goes through the entirety of their retirement. Gordo, Roth, and Capelle liked what they saw in the Guided Retirement System and Barber Financial Group’s core services. It was an easy decision for them to reach out to Barber and present the opportunity to carry out many of their ideals on the national level at Modern Wealth.

With almost 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ken has extensive experience in providing strategies to retirees and pre-retirees to help protect and preserve their principal. Ken’s goal is to deliver unparalleled personalized service to each client as he helps develop comprehensive financial plans based on each client’s individual needs.

Prior to starting the firm, Ken was an accountant for one of the largest accounting firms in the world, Ernst and Young. Ken has previously passed his Series 6, 7, 22, 26, 63 and 65 securities exams and his exams for Life, Health and Variable Annuity insurance products. Ken is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).

Ken serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization in the Community, Promise Village Home for Children. Ken has been married to Beth for 29 years and counting they have three children.

He enjoys spending time with his family, boating, fishing, kite boarding and is actively involved in his church. As a public service, every Sunday from 6 to 7pm on WJR Radio, Ken co-hosts the “America’s Wealth Management Show” where investors are informed by various industry professionals regarding strategies that could have a profound impact for the financial future of many near term retirees as well as current retirees.

Favorites:

Favorite Book: Bible

Favorite Restaurant: Seasons 52

Favorite Sport: Kiteboarding/Surfing

Favorite Weekend Destination: Glen Arbor, MI

For over a decade, Shane has dedicated himself to helping his clients achieve financial independence, allowing them to retire with Clarity and Confidence. As a father and a grandfather, Shane understands that there are far more important things in his client’s lives than money, and he works diligently to ensure that they can focus on those things. Having spent nearly 20 years behind the scenes in the manufacturing industry, he gained a deep and unbiased knowledge of how the real economy works. Because of that experience, he believes that understanding the complex relationship between the economy and the financial markets is paramount in managing risk, providing sound advice and implementing wise solutions. His approach, of building a well-crafted wealth management plan that integrates the four pillars of Asset Management, Tax Planning, Risk Management, and Estate Planning puts the focus where it should be, on the client’s best interests. For Shane, the saying “you only get one life, so you should live it the best way you can” is the driving force behind his work for his clients…helping them to live their lives, the best way they can.

Shane holds the Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) designation and has passed his series 7 and 66 exams.

Bruce Godke has been offering financial guidance and solutions to Kansas Citians for nearly his entire career, using an objective, process-driven approach that considers quantitative data as well as individual values, dreams, and desires.

Bruce, along with his team of subject matter professionals works closely with clients to customize, implement and manage comprehensive retirement plans that include investment, tax, insurance, and estate planning strategies. Bruce, a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) specializes in creating effective solutions for individuals, business owners, and professionals. His comprehensive, service-oriented approach to assisting clients is designed to help people transform their visions of retirement into reality.

William R. Doty serves as an advisor at Modern Wealth Management helping clients make smarter decisions and avoiding costly mistakes in planning for their retirement. Will joined Modern Wealth Management in 2007 after working as a Loan Officer. Now serving clients as an advisor, Will strives to view each situation from his client’s unique perspective to consistently provide wise counsel and excellent service.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, Will has a special appreciation for the educational basis of Modern Wealth Management’s investment approach. Will is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and has passed his Series 7, 63, and 65 exams. This has positioned him to act solely in the best interest of his clients in order to help deliver a sense of confidence and peace of mind. Will lives in Shawnee, KS and enjoys fishing, camping, sports, aviation (he holds his pilot’s license) and spending time with his family and friends.

Fun Fact

I have 100+ hours as a pilot in a Cessna 172R

Drew Jones began his career at Modern Wealth Management in 2008 as a Call Center Specialist. After hearing numerous stories from people who had fallen victim to a “Financial Salesperson” rather than a true Wealth Manager, Drew became a Financial Advisor in October of 2012. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Drew specializes in working with those 55 years or older, offering holistic financial planning for those preparing for retirement by building solid written plans that complement his knowledge of financial and insurance products, as well as tax reduction strategies and proper estate planning.

“I really enjoy seeing the reaction from my clients when they understand their complete financial picture and realize that they have a plan in place to help ensure they won’t run out of money in retirement.” Drew is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and has passed his series 7, 63 and 66 securities exams and holds licenses for Life, Health and Accident insurance products.

Fun Fact

My great great grandfather, Alexander Rector, discovered coal in Macon County Missouri (my hometown County) in 1860 while digging a well.

Logan DeGraeve is a member of our team of wealth managers and has passed his Series 7 and 66 exams. He received his undergraduate accounting degree in 3.5 years from Baker University with a minor in Economics while playing football. Logan began his career at Modern Wealth Management as a college intern before joining the firm full-time after graduation.

Logan fully embraces the holistic financial planning process and seeks to provide solid, professional advice on ways to work toward a client’s financial goals. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®). He takes an active role in educating clients about matters concerning investments, tax reduction strategies, risk management, and estate planning. His goal is to deliver professional wealth management through sound advice, helping create value, focus, and understanding. Once a plan is implemented, a timely review and update are consistent with his investment process.

Matt Kasper began his career in the financial industry in 2005 as a Trader and computer operator for Financial Securities. In 2007, Matt became a Para-planner for Kasper Steck Wealth Management until joining Modern Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor in 2012. A graduate of Missouri State College, he has passed his Series 7 and 66 exams. As one of the founding pioneers of LSA Portfolio Analytics and a current member of the investment committee, Matt understands how important his clients’ goals are and creates solutions to help them save and manage their wealth.

“What we do is intense. It’s about doing what’s right and having a plan in place for folks so they can work towards a retirement they have always wanted.” In his spare time, Matt coaches for the KC Legends Soccer Club and has completed 14 marathons and hopes to complete the 5 major marathons in the world (Chicago, New York, Boston, London, Berlin and possibly Tokyo).

Pete first entered the financial services industry as an intern with us in Detroit. It was during that summer that he developed a passion for helping people meet their financial goals and decided to pursue a career as a financial advisor. After graduating from Grand Valley State University, he joined the team as a Financial Associate. Peter has previously passed his Series 7, and 66 securities exams and his exams for Life insurance products.

Pete is a Metro Detroit native. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family, watching and participating in a variety of sports, and volunteering at his church.

Favorites:
Favorite Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Favorite Restaurant: The Brewery on Hayes (Clinton Twp)
Favorite Sport: Hockey (NHL)
Favorite Actor/Actress: Woody Harrelson
Favorite Weekend Destination: Spending time at my family’s cabin in West Branch

Chris Rett joined the Modern Wealth Management team as a Financial Advisor in 2021. Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and comes to Barber Financial Group from Metro Detroit and brings with him over 8 years of industry experience.   

Prior to joining Modern Wealth Management, Chris was a financial advisor specializing in Retirement Planning for the Motor City and surrounding areas. Chris takes great pride in the fiduciary responsibility of always doing what is in the best interest of the client and enjoys educating and empowering clients in their financial decisions.  

Chris is a graduate of Michigan State University and is an avid Spartan fan. When Chris isn’t busy taking care of his clients you can find him on the golf course or watching football.  

Jeff Ernest began as an Advisor at Modern Wealth Management in 2014 and has passed his Series 7 and 66 exams. A graduate from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, he assists clients with account requests and questions while also helping advisors prepare for client meetings. “If I can make even just one person’s day better, it’s a great feeling.” In his spare time, Jeff enjoys “all things Royals” as well as Nebraska and Michigan athletics. Along with his wife Kelsey and their two Shelties, Moose and Kali, Jeff likes to hit the road to the Colorado mountains and spending time with family and friends.

Fun Fact

I am a Nebraska native who started driving at 13 and started going gray at 16.

Wayne was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. After serving in the South African military, Wayne received his Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant management from Witwatersrand University in 1995.

Wayne immigrated to the US in 1996 and pursued a career in the food and beverage industry, ultimately working his way into upper management at the Shady Canyon Country Club in Orange County, California.

In 2005, motivated by family needs and his passion for helping people, Wayne changed his career path and pursued a profession in financial services and moved to the Midwest. After working for some of the most elite financial service companies in the role of sales and training, Wayne joined Modern Wealth Management in 2014. Wayne has passed his Series 6, 7, 63, 66, and insurance exams and has his CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations.

Wayne Robinson is an avid outdoorsman who loves nature, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, camping, bird watching, food, and wine. He is married with 2 children and also holds a certification as a Sommelier.

Fun Fact

I am a bird nerd and have bird wars with my neighbor to see who can attract more birds. I think I am always in the lead, he thinks he is always in the lead, either way, the birds win.

Craig Snedden began his career at Modern Wealth Management in 2016 as a Paraplanner after previously working in the financial services industry for over 15 years helping clients get the most from their investment savings by focusing on tax strategies, investment management, and strategic financial planning. Craig’s decision to work for Modern Wealth Management came after working for several companies locally but sought to work for a company with extensive investment knowledge, well known throughout the community, and that had the same “Client First” mentality that was #1 on his priority list. “It’s nice to see how other firms conduct business and know that we do things the rights way. A lot of advisors can guide you on how to help grow your money, not many can educate you on how to withdrawal your money the most tax efficient way.”

Craig is currently an Investment Advisor Representative and has passed his series 7, 63, 66 exams and is licensed for Life and Health insurance products. In Craig’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jennie and 3 kids, along with coaching his son’s baseball team.

Fun Fact

I enjoy relaxing in the bleachers watching my son play Baseball!

Kade Messner joined Osiwala Financial Group in the Spring of 2021. Before joining the team, he worked at multiple Fortune 500 companies in Metro Detroit as a Financial Analyst. Kade is an Oakland University alum with a finance degree. Kade is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and a Financial Coach through Dave Ramsey. He has also passed his Series 65 and Life Insurance exams as an advisor. Kade plays a pivotal role in attracting new clients as well as servicing current clients.

Outside of work, Kade enjoys to read, play guitar and piano, spend time with family, and help lead a young adult’s group at church.

Favorites:

Favorite Book: The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus

Favorite Restaurant: Bar Verona

Favorite Sport: Football

Favorite Actor/Actress: Leonard DiCaprio/Emma Stone

Favorite Weekend Destination: Family lake house in St. Helen, MI

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (913) 275-2446

Darren Newell, born and raised in Shawnee, Kansas, is a broker agent at Midwest Professional Insurance (MPI). He writes both personal and commercial lines of insurance treating each client as an extension of his own family. Darren’s passion for insurance coverage and the security it offers the community, coupled with his experience in the hospitality industry, prompted his transition into insurance in order to help provide a better quality of life for his family.

Darren’s life as an insurance agent allows him to take care of people and their assets at a very high level. He takes pleasure in getting to know his clients on a personal level so he understands how he can best help them feel at ease in the knowledge that when their worst day comes, they are protected.

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Thomas D. Clough joined Modern Wealth Management in 2015 as the President, where he oversees the entire business operation including Marketing, Operations, Compliance, Human Resources, and Finance. Prior to joining BFG, Tom was District Director for the Kansas City District Office of FINRA/NASD and also served in the capacity of President and COO of Pension Resource Institute. Tom is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Trulaske College of Business as well as the Securities Industry Institute at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Tom currently serves as the President of the Jake Clough Headstrong Foundation (their son Jake Clough passed away in 2005) and has been a past board member of the Finance Dept. Advisory Board at the University of Missouri and a member of the Chairman’s Club at the University of Kansas Hospital.

When not at work, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife, Otis and their children, Liza, Wen and Merrie at their sporting events along with Mizzou sports, along with traveling to the beach during the summer months.

Fun Fact

Tom’s favorite singers are Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and his favorite drink is a Dirty Martini.