What fuels me:
I am in awe of my dad. Born in Waxahachie, Texas, to immigrant parents who never had much money, he put four kids through college, built a business from scratch, and taught us and his clients how to save, protect, grow, gift, and spend and leave a legacy – not just money but a life of meaning. He’s 96 now and still living comfortably, and my 91-year-old mother remains active and independent on their financial mountain. I’ve spent the past 40 years making sure more families – and more employees can say the same.
What I do really well:
I hear what matters and collaborate with others to help make it real. Whether guiding employers through plan design or individuals through personal planning, I simplify complex financial decisions so clients can move forward with clarity and confidence. In the qualified plan space, I know how to architect plans that work, reducing taxes, helping participants prepare, and staying compliant in a world where fiduciary risk is real. For families and individuals, I turn broad goals into clear strategies. The conceptual becomes tangible. The “someday” becomes a plan.
Why I get up in the morning:
I love people. My energy comes from conversations with my five children (ages 34 to 20), my six grandkids (ages 6 to 6 months), our team, our clients, my friends, and colleagues. I’ve learned that identifying problems, finding solutions, reducing risk, acting with purpose, and working with good people make all the difference. This gives me the opportunity to carry on the calling of helping others save, protect, grow, gift, and spend, and leave a legacy.
Clients I work best with:
Those who care deeply about their family, their employees, and their legacy. Whether they run a company or a household, my favorite clients are those who see planning not as a transaction, but as an act of responsibility and love.
Experience (not just a resume):
- Principal since 1988
- Founded (STEP) Strategies in 1994
- Former TPA owner (1987 to 2009)
- 40 years of financial services experience
- MDRT member 38 years | Court of the Table 28 years | Top of the Table 9 years
- Proud Texas Longhorn (class of 1985)
- Spoken in conferences and to clients across the U.S. and internationally
What’s hot right now:
Retirement Plans:
Cash balance plan strategies for income tax reduction. Investment selection tuned for increased volatility and longevity. People are realizing the need for individual financial planning beyond the 401(k) plan itself.
Personal Planning:
If real estate is location, location, location, financial planning is taxes, taxes, taxes. Keeping more of what you earn and using life insurance properly (when done right) can create confident, tax-efficient outcomes. What opportunities will the recent tax (big, beautiful) bill updates bring?
What I tell plan sponsors:
Start with your people, not the market. A good 401(k) plan should deliver better outcomes, not just better optics. Our approach is steady, repeatable, and focused on what actually helps participants succeed.
Who am I really:
I am grandfather/father/son/brother, a lifelong learner, lover of local food, enthusiastic traveler, and someone who tries not to take time with family and friends for granted. I still run, still laugh often, like to help others smile and laugh, and still believe that the best financial plans begin with listening – and caring.
-Walter