Investment Advisory Services, Financial Planning, Wealth Management and Retirement Plan Services in Denver, CO
Beacon Pointe is a Denver based wealth advisor and is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisor firms (RIAs) in the nation working with individuals, families, institutions, and defined contribution plans. Our team of investment advisors and financial planners in Denver focuses on full service financial planning and research driven investments. We help the families we serve build wealth, live off their wealth, and leave a legacy for future generations.
Our fiduciary responsibility to clients and our holistic allWEALTH® approach addresses all aspects of your financial well-being including but not limited to wealth and retirement planning, estate and tax strategy planning, insurance reviews and risk assessments, charitable giving and education planning, values-based (SRI/ESG) investing, life transition support for divorcées and widows, financial planning for business owners and multi-generational family wealth and legacy planning.
We look forward to connecting with you virtually or at our Denver office to see how best we can assist you with your investment portfolio and financial planning needs.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Alison Kauffman
Office Manager
Alison is an Office Manager in the Client Service department at Beacon Pointe Advisors. She is responsible for client communications, database organizations, oversight of internal processes and general office management duties. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Alison was the Office Manager for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Born and raised in Colorado, Alison enjoys attending live music events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the summer and Avalanche Hockey games the rest of the year. Outside of the office, Alison enjoys crafting and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews.
Brad Meyer, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
As a Wealth Advisor for Beacon Pointe, Brad is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Brad was a Wealth Planner Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023) and before that, worked at Edward Jones as a Wealth Advisor. Brad earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Brad enjoys watching sports, spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and playing pickleball.
Bryton Kessel
Associate Wealth Advisor
Bryton is an Associate Wealth Advisor and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide the firm’s clients with a personalized wealth management experience. His duties include investment strategy implementation, asset allocation modeling, portfolio performance reporting, and client services. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Bryton was a Wealth Planning Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management, (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Bryton graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, earning his bachelor’s degree in Economics. Outside of the office, Bryton enjoys golfing, spending time with his dog, Chop, and rooting for all the Colorado sports teams.
Ellen Schmitz, FPQP®
Operations Associate
Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Ellen was the Communications Director for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Ellen graduated from California State University Northridge where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is also a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation holder. Outside of the office, Ellen enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, spending time outdoors, rooting for the Denver Broncos, and actively volunteering at her church and the Girl Scouts of America.
Gail Hansen, FPQP®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Gail Hansen is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Gail was a Wealth Advisor at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Gail earned her Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Business from the Red Rocks Community College and is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Gail enjoys spending time at church and the Jeffco Action Center (a non-profit donation center supporting those in need and experiencing homelessness), enjoying the outdoors, and spending family time with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
Hope Hernandez
Client Service Associate
Hope is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, and communicating with clients to provide the highest levels of service. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Hope was a Client Service Associate for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Hope earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver. Hope is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time with her dog, Benji, friends and family, and rewatching her favorite comfort shows, outside of the office.
Tom Stefaniak, CFP®
Managing Director, Partner
Thomas (Tom) Stefaniak, CFP®, is a Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for client service and new client development. With more than 30 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Tom has a passion for building relationships that go far beyond finances. Tom started his career as a Financial Planner with IDS/American Express in 1987. He quickly rose to the level of District Manager and received numerous awards for client service. In 1998, Tom co-founded Pinnacle Wealth Management, a boutique firm in Denver, Colorado (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in Real Estate and Finance, holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Outside of the office, Tom enjoys golfing, traveling (whenever his schedule can allow it), and spending time with his wife and his three adult children.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Alison Kauffman
Office Manager
Alison is an Office Manager in the Client Service department at Beacon Pointe Advisors. She is responsible for client communications, database organizations, oversight of internal processes and general office management duties. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Alison was the Office Manager for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Born and raised in Colorado, Alison enjoys attending live music events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the summer and Avalanche Hockey games the rest of the year. Outside of the office, Alison enjoys crafting and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews.
Brad Meyer, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
As a Wealth Advisor for Beacon Pointe, Brad is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Brad was a Wealth Planner Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023) and before that, worked at Edward Jones as a Wealth Advisor. Brad earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Brad enjoys watching sports, spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and playing pickleball.
Bryton Kessel
Associate Wealth Advisor
Bryton is an Associate Wealth Advisor and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide the firm’s clients with a personalized wealth management experience. His duties include investment strategy implementation, asset allocation modeling, portfolio performance reporting, and client services. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Bryton was a Wealth Planning Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management, (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Bryton graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, earning his bachelor’s degree in Economics. Outside of the office, Bryton enjoys golfing, spending time with his dog, Chop, and rooting for all the Colorado sports teams.
Ellen Schmitz, FPQP®
Operations Associate
Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Ellen was the Communications Director for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Ellen graduated from California State University Northridge where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is also a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation holder. Outside of the office, Ellen enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, spending time outdoors, rooting for the Denver Broncos, and actively volunteering at her church and the Girl Scouts of America.
Gail Hansen, FPQP®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Gail Hansen is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Gail was a Wealth Advisor at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Gail earned her Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Business from the Red Rocks Community College and is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Gail enjoys spending time at church and the Jeffco Action Center (a non-profit donation center supporting those in need and experiencing homelessness), enjoying the outdoors, and spending family time with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
Hope Hernandez
Client Service Associate
Hope is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, and communicating with clients to provide the highest levels of service. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Hope was a Client Service Associate for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Hope earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver. Hope is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time with her dog, Benji, friends and family, and rewatching her favorite comfort shows, outside of the office.
Tom Stefaniak, CFP®
Managing Director, Partner
Thomas (Tom) Stefaniak, CFP®, is a Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for client service and new client development. With more than 30 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Tom has a passion for building relationships that go far beyond finances. Tom started his career as a Financial Planner with IDS/American Express in 1987. He quickly rose to the level of District Manager and received numerous awards for client service. In 1998, Tom co-founded Pinnacle Wealth Management, a boutique firm in Denver, Colorado (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in Real Estate and Finance, holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Outside of the office, Tom enjoys golfing, traveling (whenever his schedule can allow it), and spending time with his wife and his three adult children.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Alison Kauffman
Office Manager
Alison is an Office Manager in the Client Service department at Beacon Pointe Advisors. She is responsible for client communications, database organizations, oversight of internal processes and general office management duties. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Alison was the Office Manager for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Born and raised in Colorado, Alison enjoys attending live music events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the summer and Avalanche Hockey games the rest of the year. Outside of the office, Alison enjoys crafting and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews.
Brad Meyer, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
As a Wealth Advisor for Beacon Pointe, Brad is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Brad was a Wealth Planner Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023) and before that, worked at Edward Jones as a Wealth Advisor. Brad earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Brad enjoys watching sports, spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and playing pickleball.
Bryton Kessel
Associate Wealth Advisor
Bryton is an Associate Wealth Advisor and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide the firm’s clients with a personalized wealth management experience. His duties include investment strategy implementation, asset allocation modeling, portfolio performance reporting, and client services. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Bryton was a Wealth Planning Assistant at Pinnacle Wealth Management, (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Bryton graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, earning his bachelor’s degree in Economics. Outside of the office, Bryton enjoys golfing, spending time with his dog, Chop, and rooting for all the Colorado sports teams.
Ellen Schmitz, FPQP®
Operations Associate
Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Ellen was the Communications Director for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Ellen graduated from California State University Northridge where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is also a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation holder. Outside of the office, Ellen enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, spending time outdoors, rooting for the Denver Broncos, and actively volunteering at her church and the Girl Scouts of America.
Gail Hansen, FPQP®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Gail Hansen is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Gail was a Wealth Advisor at Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Gail earned her Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Business from the Red Rocks Community College and is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP®) designation holder. Outside of the office, Gail enjoys spending time at church and the Jeffco Action Center (a non-profit donation center supporting those in need and experiencing homelessness), enjoying the outdoors, and spending family time with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
Hope Hernandez
Client Service Associate
Hope is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, and communicating with clients to provide the highest levels of service. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Hope was a Client Service Associate for Pinnacle Wealth Management (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Hope earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver. Hope is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time with her dog, Benji, friends and family, and rewatching her favorite comfort shows, outside of the office.
Tom Stefaniak, CFP®
Managing Director, Partner
Thomas (Tom) Stefaniak, CFP®, is a Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for client service and new client development. With more than 30 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Tom has a passion for building relationships that go far beyond finances. Tom started his career as a Financial Planner with IDS/American Express in 1987. He quickly rose to the level of District Manager and received numerous awards for client service. In 1998, Tom co-founded Pinnacle Wealth Management, a boutique firm in Denver, Colorado (which merged with Beacon Pointe in 2023). Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in Real Estate and Finance, holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Outside of the office, Tom enjoys golfing, traveling (whenever his schedule can allow it), and spending time with his wife and his three adult children.
Connect with one of our trusted Financial Advisors in Denver, CO.
We are here to be a partner with you on your personal wealth journey. Please contact us if we can be of service.
