Meet the Instructors

CFP^® certification
B.S., Education, University of North Texas

Melissa Brennan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional with a background in education and a longstanding commitment to financial literacy. She began her career as a high school teacher before pursuing coursework in personal financial management through the University of North Texas.

Melissa continues to combine her financial planning expertise with her passion for education. She volunteered with the Texas Education Agency to help rewrite the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards for high school economics and personal finance courses. An active member of the Financial Planning Association, she serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth and has been recognized by her peers as one of D Magazine’s Best Financial Planners every year since 2012. Melissa also supports financial education and financial planning through pro bono work with her church, the Financial Planning Association, and Wings for Widows, a nonprofit she helped bring to North Texas. She brings practical financial planning expertise and an educator’s perspective into the classroom, helping learners build the confidence and skills to make informed financial decisions.

CFP^® certification
SMU CAPE, Financial Planning Certificate Program
CEPA^® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor^®)
CPFA^® (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor^®)
M.B.A., Webster University
B.S., Management, Park University

Erick Carlos is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and co-founder of Texas Private Wealth Advisors and Texas Private Wealth Insurance Group in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He holds a Bachelor of Science in management from Park University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. Erick completed the SMU Certified Financial Planner^® Certificate before earning his CFP^® designation. He also holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses through LPL Financial, as well as General Lines insurance licenses through the state of Texas.

With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning and insurance, Erick helps clients develop personalized strategies to better understand and navigate complex financial decisions. He brings practical experience in financial planning, investment services and insurance into the classroom, helping learners connect financial concepts to real-world client needs and build the confidence to support informed financial decision-making.

CFP^® certification

CFA^® charterholder

B.S., Finance, Oklahoma State University

Jordan Cowart is a financial planning and investment management professional at Westwood who specializes in serving ultra-high-net-worth and family office clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Oklahoma State University and is both a CFA charterholder and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional.

Prior to joining Westwood, Jordan worked at two Dallas-based registered investment advisory firms where he gained experience guiding clients through investment management, tax planning and complex estate and legacy planning strategies. His commitment to the profession extends beyond client work through leadership roles with the Dallas Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth, where he previously served on the board. Drawing on this combination of investment, tax and multigenerational planning experience, Jordan helps learners see how financial planning concepts come together in real client situations. His instruction emphasizes thoughtful decision-making, long-term strategy and the practical considerations involved in supporting clients with complex financial needs.

CFP^® certification
SMU CAPE, Financial Planning Certificate Program
CRPS^® (Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠)
B.B.A., Finance and Real Estate, University of North Texas

Matthew Dann is a Senior Vice President and Investment Officer with one of the nation’s largest financial services firms. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and real estate from the University of North Texas and completed SMU’s Financial Planning Program. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and a Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™. Matthew holds Series 7, 65, 63 and 31 registrations, as well as a Group 1 insurance license.

Since entering the industry in 2001, Matthew has specialized in wealth and portfolio management for retirees, business owners and high-net-worth individuals and families across more than 20 states. Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping clients navigate retirement, investment and wealth-management decisions, Matthew brings a practical, client-centered perspective into the classroom. His instruction helps learners connect financial planning concepts to the real-world needs, goals and long-term priorities of individuals, families and business owners.

CFP^® certification
AIF^® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®)
CPFA^® (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor^®)
B.S., United States Naval Academy

Eric Dyson is the executive director of RFP 401k Advisor and a financial services professional with 28 years of experience, primarily advising retirement plans and plan sponsors on ERISA-related matters. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and is both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®.

Eric’s work includes conducting ERISA advisor searches and requests for proposals, providing expert witness services and serving on ERISA plan committees for defined contribution and defined benefit plans. Throughout his career, Eric has served as an ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) advisor and has supported both ERISA and non-ERISA retirement plans. He has also served on the board of the Southwest Benefits Association, volunteered with the CFP^® Board’s enforcement and investigations team and has assisted the U.S. Department of Labor with plan investigations. Eric brings extensive retirement plan, fiduciary and regulatory experience into the classroom, helping learners understand the practical responsibilities, compliance considerations and decision-making processes involved in supporting retirement plan clients.

LL.M., DePaul University College of Law
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law
B.A., Southern Methodist University

Brad Fletcher is a partner at Strasburger & Price LLP whose practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust law, as well as the representation of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. He also advises clients in disputes with the IRS and state taxing authorities. Brad holds a bachelor’s degree and J.D. from Southern Methodist University as well as an LL.M. from DePaul University.

Brad’s estate and trust practice includes preparing wills, trusts, marital property agreements, gift plans and family-limited partnerships, along with handling probate, trust administration and related litigation. He also works with clients on estate and gift tax returns, tax audits and other tax controversies. In addition, Brad advises private foundations, public charities and other tax-exempt organizations on formation, tax-exempt status and ongoing compliance. His experience includes preparing applications for tax-exempt status and representing nonprofit organizations before the IRS and state taxing authorities. Brad brings practical experience in estate planning, probate, trust administration and tax-exempt organizations into the classroom, helping learners understand the legal documents, procedures and compliance responsibilities that support clients and organizations in these areas of practice.

CFP^® certification
EA (Enrolled Agent)
M.S., Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University
B.S., Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University

Sergio is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and enrolled agent at Brennan Financial Services, where he works with individuals and families across all areas of financial planning. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University and maintains FINRA Series 7, 63 and 66 licenses.

In his work with clients, Sergio focuses on helping individuals and families better understand their financial plans and make informed decisions about their goals. He also remains actively involved in advancing the profession through leadership roles with the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth and the Dallas Estate Planning Council. His contributions to the field have been recognized through a peer nomination to D Magazine’s Best Financial Planners in Dallas list. Sergio brings a practical, client-centered approach into the classroom, helping learners connect financial planning concepts to real-world decision-making and the needs of individuals and families.

CFP^® certification
Kaplan University, Certificate in Financial Planning
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Roy Gray is vice president of Munn & Morris Financial Advisors Inc., an independent branch of Raymond James, where he has helped individuals and families develop financial plans and strategies since 2001. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional with education from Kaplan University and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. He also served in the U.S. Navy and maintains Series 7, 63 and 65 registrations, along with Property and Casualty, Life, Health and Long-Term Care insurance licenses in multiple states.

Roy’s practice spans all areas of financial planning, including spending plans, family protection, risk tolerance assessments, investment and income planning, tax-reduction education and wealth-transfer strategies. Drawing on more than two decades of financial planning experience, Roy brings a practical, client-centered perspective into the classroom, helping learners understand how financial strategies can support individuals and families as they work toward long-term goals.

CFP^® certification
B.B.A., James Madison University

Bryan C. Jackson is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors who has focused on the complex financial planning needs of the business community since 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional. Bryan also maintains a Texas Department of Insurance Group 1 license and a Series 65 securities license and is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Bryan specializes in the design of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, working closely with C-suite executives, business owners and human resources professionals to develop strategies that support meaningful retirement outcomes. In addition to retirement plan design, Bryan provides comprehensive financial planning and specialized consulting in areas including succession planning and executive retention. He brings practical experience in retirement strategy and business-focused financial planning into the classroom, helping learners understand how financial professionals support organizations, executives and employees through complex planning decisions.

CFP^® certification
AEP^® (Accredited Estate Planner^®)
Graduate Certificate in Charitable Planning, Texas Tech University
M.S., Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University
M.B.A., Auburn University
B.B.A., Finance, Angelo State University

Carl is a director and market leader for Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma at Mercer Advisors, where he also serves as a senior wealth advisor to some of the firm’s largest clients. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Angelo State University, a Master of Science in personal financial planning and a graduate certificate in charitable planning from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and holds a FINRA Series 65 license.

Since beginning his financial services career in 2013, Carl has focused on multigenerational wealth planning, helping individuals and families align financial goals with long-term legacy and philanthropic priorities. Before joining Mercer Advisors, he worked as a financial advisor at Pegasus Advisors in Dallas and as a financial planner at Baldwin & Associates in Melbourne, Florida. Carl is also a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Dallas Estate Planning Council and the Texas Guardianship Association. Carl brings practical experience in wealth management, charitable planning and multigenerational financial strategy into the classroom, helping learners understand how financial professionals guide clients through complex planning decisions and long-term wealth objectives.

CFP^® certification
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
B.B.A., University of Notre Dame

Bill is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and Certified Public Accountant whose financial planning practice focuses on helping early-career professionals, middle-income workers and retirees take greater ownership of their financial decisions. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and brings extensive experience in accounting, finance and corporate leadership to his work.

Bill provides fee-only financial planning services designed to make financial guidance more accessible and understandable. Earlier in his career, he was an audit partner at Touche Ross, now Deloitte, where he worked with clients across manufacturing, real estate, insurance, employee benefit plans and other industries. Bill later served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Commercial Metals Company, a Fortune 400 company, overseeing corporate accounting, treasury, tax, information technology, investor relations, compliance, human resources, payroll and enterprise risk management. He also has experience teaching national training programs and technical subjects. Bill brings a practical understanding of financial planning, accounting and corporate finance into the classroom, helping learners connect financial concepts to the real-world needs of individuals, businesses and retirement-focused clients.

CFP^® certification
M.B.A., University of Dallas
B.B.A., Management, Baylor University

Eric Michaud is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional who advises clients on financial planning and retirement preparation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from Baylor University.

Eric began his financial services career in 2005 in the brokerage industry, where he worked in margin and credit risk management for a national firm. Alongside his work with clients, Eric mentors new advisors within his firm and draws on his experience as both an advisor and manager to support the development of emerging financial planning professionals. Eric brings practical experience in retirement planning, risk management and advisor development into the classroom, helping learners connect financial planning concepts to the real-world needs of clients preparing for long-term financial security.

CFP^® certification
CPM^® (Certified Portfolio Manager)
CPWA^® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor^®)

Phil Nguyen is a branch director and wealth management advisor with more than 25 years of experience in financial services. He holds an electrical engineering degree and a Master of Business Administration and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, Certified Portfolio Manager^® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor^®.

Phil helps clients manage personal and business finances through investment strategy, portfolio management and risk management. Before entering wealth management, he spent 16 years at HP in technical, operational and financial leadership roles. Phil brings practical experience in investments, risk and long-term financial planning into the classroom, helping learners understand how financial professionals guide clients through complex financial decisions.

LL.M., New York University School of Law
J.D., Arizona State University College of Law
B.S., Arizona State University

Kyle Post is an attorney whose practice centers on federal income tax planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, wealth preservation and asset protection. He holds an LL.M. from New York University School of Law, a J.D. from Arizona State University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.

Kyle advises both U.S. and international clients on structuring business activities in a tax-efficient manner and helps nonprofit organizations qualify for and maintain tax-exempt status. His career has included work with an international law firm, a boutique firm, and as a sole practitioner, giving him a broad perspective on the legal and tax considerations clients face. Kyle has also taught tax and legal courses at several universities. Drawing on this combination of legal practice and teaching experience, he helps learners connect tax, estate and nonprofit law concepts to the practical planning and compliance decisions that support clients and organizations.

CFP^® certification
AEP^® (Accredited Estate Planner^®)
AIF^® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®)
CBDA (Certified in Blockchain and Digital Assets)
CLU^® (Chartered Life Underwriter^®)
CRPC^® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^℠)
RSSA^® (Registered Social Security Analyst^®)
TPCP^® (Tax Planning Certified Professional^®)
M.Jur., Wealth Management and Risk Management, Texas A&M University School of Law
B.B.A., Finance, Texas A&M University

Clark is the Director of Financial Planning at Creekmur Wealth Advisors, bringing more than 36 years of experience helping clients navigate complex financial planning decisions. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas A&M University and a Master of Jurisprudence from Texas A&M University School of Law. Clark is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®, Chartered Life Underwriter, Accredited Estate Planner^®, Registered Social Security Analyst®, Certified in Blockchain and Digital Assets and Tax Planning Certified Professional^®.

Before joining Creekmur Wealth Advisors, Clark managed his own financial planning practice, developing a broad perspective on retirement, investment, tax and estate planning needs. In addition to his advisory work, Clark has served on the Advisory Board of the Journal of Financial Planning and the Dallas-Fort Worth Financial Planning Association Board of Directors. He brings extensive planning experience and industry insight into the classroom, helping learners connect financial concepts to the real-world decisions clients face.

CFP^® certification
SMU CAPE, Financial Planning Certificate Program
CLTC^® (Certified in Long-Term Care)
LUTCF^® (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow)
B.S., Human Ecology, The University of Texas at Austin

Lisa Rapfogel-Ostroff is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional with 30 years of experience in financial services, specializing in the planning needs of small business owners. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and completed SMU’s Financial Planning Certificate Program. Lisa also holds life, health, disability income and long-term care licenses, along with FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 registrations and the Certified in Long-Term Care designation.

Lisa has built her practice around helping clients navigate financial decisions involving business ownership, protection planning and long-term financial goals. An active member of the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth and an instructor in SMU’s Financial Planning Certificate Program, she brings practical experience in financial planning and client education into the classroom, helping learners connect planning concepts to the real-world needs of business owners and families.

CFP^® certification
Ph.D., Personal Financial Planning, Kansas State University
M.S., Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University
M.B.A., The University of Texas at Dallas
B.B.A., General Business and Marketing, Texas Tech University

Brandon Ratzlaff is a partner and director of wealth planning at Cypress Point Wealth Management, where he focuses on financial planning, investment management and family office services, helping clients make informed decisions around complex financial goals. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a Master of Science in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and is currently pursuing a doctorate in personal financial planning at Kansas State University.

In addition to his advisory work, Brandon serves as president of the Texas Tech Personal Financial Planning Alumni Advisory Board and has held leadership roles with the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth and several nonprofit organizations. He brings practical wealth planning experience and an active commitment to the profession into the classroom, helping learners connect financial planning principles to real-world client needs.

LL.M., Taxation, University of Florida
J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law
B.B.A., Texas Tech University

John K. Round is co-chair of the Tax and Estate Business Unit at Clark Hill Strasburger, bringing 40 years of experience in estate planning, probate and trust law. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University, a law degree from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Florida.

John’s practice includes advising clients on wills, trusts, charitable planning, marital property agreements and estate and business planning for closely held businesses. He also has extensive experience in estate, trust and fiduciary administration, including probate and trust litigation, fiduciary-duty matters and gift and estate tax audits. Drawing on decades of experience in estate, tax and trust planning, John brings practical insight into the classroom, helping learners understand the legal documents, planning strategies and administrative processes that support clients and families.

CFP^® certification
CPWA^® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor^®)
PFS^™ (Personal Financial Specialist)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
M.S., Accountancy, Taxation Specialization, University of North Texas
B.S., Finance, University of Virginia

Trudy Turner is a senior wealth manager with United Capital Financial Advisors and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist^™. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in accountancy with a tax specialization from the University of North Texas.

As former chair of the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, Trudy has also contributed to committees for the Financial Planning Association, CFP^® Board and American Institute of CPAs. She has supported the development of future financial planners through mentoring and career-focused education. Trudy brings practical wealth management, tax and professional leadership experience into the classroom, helping learners build the technical knowledge and client-centered judgment needed for financial planning careers.

CFP^® certification
CEBS^® (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist^®)
CEPS (Certified Elder Planning Specialist)
CMFC^℠ (Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor^℠)
M.B.A., The University of Texas at Dallas
B.S., Business Administration & Finance, University of Denver

Christian Yoss is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional with 35 years of experience in wealth management leadership, advisor development and client strategy. He holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Denver. Christian also maintains a Texas Department of Insurance Group 1 license and FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 licenses.

Christian has worked with leading financial services firms including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America, TIAA and Fidelity, supporting advisors serving clients from the mass market to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. Drawing on his experience leading, coaching and mentoring wealth management advisors, Christian brings a practical perspective into the classroom, helping learners understand the client needs, professional skills and decision-making processes that shape financial planning careers.