Meet the Retire SMART Team
We're committed to helping you work toward achieving the retirement you want. We do this by providing guidance to help you develop an overall retirement income strategy and offering a variety of insurance and investment products to help achieve the objectives of that strategy.
The team at Retire SMART is here to help ensure you receive all the assistance you need, not only in developing your retirement income strategy but in maintaining it
throughout your retirement.
DAVID BROOKS CIS®
PRESIDENT & FINANCIAL ADVISOR
David is in his third decade as a financial advisor helping people realize their dreams in retirement. He is a nationally known keynote speaker at events all over the country on various aspects of financial planning, especially tax strategies. He is a Certified Income Specialist and a go-to guy for national events and for media because he uses plain language that normal people use, and because his approach is both unique and comprehensive. He has been published in numerous newspapers and magazines. He appears on local radio as a guest commentator and on his weekly show, "Retire SMART with David Brooks." He also has a weekly 30-minute show on local television and shorter "SMART Money Minute" interviews. David and his wife, Melissa, are devout Christians with two sons and numerous adopted local and national charities.
MIKE SCHUDEL
CFP®, CLU, ChFC, CFS™, CAS™
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Mike grew up in a family with a background in both financial services and the law. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, juris doctorate, and other financial service designations, he then served as an adjunct professor in the Certified Financial Planning program at Creighton University's College of Business. He enjoys translating complex concepts to help clients better understand tax planning, estate planning, and income planning.
“I have a lot of family experiences where either taxes or a health event caused us financial stress. I have also seen how proper planning and the right solutions can change a family’s life by providing the security that they need. I’m on a mission to help clients keep their wealth through tax planning and protect their financial future by making every dollar they have work as hard as possible.”
Mike struggled to find a firm earlier in his career that did anything other than just “sell products”. Retire SMART was instantly attractive in that he finally found a great fit with a firm and a leader in David Brooks who proactively seek strategies and comprehensive solutions that can make a significant and positive impact on people’s retirement.
Mike inherited his love of cars from his family, and he will gladly debate and engage in conversation on the subject! His strong faith helps guide him to continue to serve and give back to his community.
SEAN SWANSON CLU®, RICP®, LUTCF
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Sean has 22 years of experience helping people succeed financially. Now, as a Senior Fiduciary Advisor with the resources and shared expertise of the entire Retire SMART team and planning process, Sean believes there’s a winning formula for client success. “I am a servant and coach at heart. I became a financial advisor to help coach and educate clients on how to make wise financial decisions. I greatly enjoy helping people live out the retirement of their dreams”.
He met David Brooks through his son Ian’s first radio program, and once Sean understood what David was doing and building at Retire SMART, “I knew it would be a great fit for me and provide an opportunity to pursue my passion for helping people succeed in retirement.”
Sean has been married to his lovely wife Julie for 33 years, has three adult children and two grandchildren. To appreciate all his talents, watch Sean and his daughter Allie perform their version of a father-daughter wedding dance, with over 2.4 million views online. Search YouTube for “best father daughter dance Swanson”.
BRAD STARKEN
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Brad was drawn to Retire SMART once he learned how unique and different the firm was in their approach at looking through the tax lens first to dramatically impact someone’s retirement. He comes from a family of accountants, though he wanted to direct his love of numbers and analytical mind to financial planning. Brad shared, “I get tremendous satisfaction seeing the impact of the work we do for our clients. It excites me and gives a sense of purpose to attack each day and know I’m truly making a difference. Retirees need the most help with all the knowns & unknowns in navigating retirement, and I want to be the one to help them.”
Brad has more than a decade of financial planning experience and has earned his CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM) designation. He grew up in Wisconsin, came to Nebraska to play basketball at Wayne State College, was named a team captain and had the 7th best 3-point shooting percentage in the nation his senior year! Being a Wisconsin Badger fan, thankfully he met his Husker-loving wife Shelby in college, and they have a darling young daughter that Shelby is grooming into a little lady-Husker. Brad stays active playing golf, racquetball and competing in just about everything.
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The Next Step?
For more information about any of our products and services, schedule a meeting today or register to attend a seminar.
