Your Experienced Team

Chris Johnson, EA

Senior Partner

Chris Johnson is a pilot who soloed his first airplane at the age of 16 and received his private pilot's license shortly thereafter. “Flying high above the countryside gives you a rewarding perspective of the landscape.” As a financial advisor, Chris helps his clients gain a similar perspective of their financial landscape.

A self-professed “numbers guy,” Chris brings more than 30 years of income tax experience to his clients. He started his tax and accounting practice in 1989. That is when he realized that many people in his community were not prepared for retirement. “Seeing many people struggle with retirement led me to get registered as a financial advisor so I could help people pursue their financial goals and plan for their future.”

With his income tax experience, Chris helps his clients with the many complex tax implications that surround their financial planning. He also takes pride in helping young individuals and families get started with retirement planning. “I believe everyone deserves the help and guidance required to achieve whatever financial goals they may have.”

Chris is a graduate of Iowa Western Community College with an agricultural business degree and Nebraska College of Business with an accounting degree. He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®, and he passed the Enrolled Agent exam in 1991.

Chris is committed to his community and he has been involved in the Sidney Chamber of Commerce, Sidney Housing Development, Shenandoah Fire and Rescue, Sidney Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Nishnabotany Lodge #153, Sidney United Methodist Church, and Sidney United Faith Church.

Chris and his wife, Kathryn, a teacher at Glenwood High School, have been married for 38 years and live in Sidney, Iowa. They have a daughter, Abby, who is a beautician, a son, Brandon, who is in the U.S. Navy, and five grandchildren. Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, working in his yard, boating, water skiing, hunting, hiking, motorcycling, and flying

Colin Kramer

Senior Partner

Colin Kramer grew up in a coach’s house. He has always loved sports and like most winning coaches, Colin is knowledgeable, supportive, trusting, experienced, and goal-oriented. Today, he brings that same passion for coaching to his Pathfinder Wealth Advisors clients as he helps them strategize and make the right moves with their wealth to achieve their goals.

 Colin is committed to rolling up his sleeves and doing the hard work that is required to develop a solid game plan for his clients. “Behind the scenes, I am doing all the strategizing and planning for my clients so I can present them with a detailed game plan that they can execute to pursue their goals. And I am by their side every step of the way, monitoring their progress and making adjustments to help keep them on track.”

 With more than 18 years of experience serving as a financial advisor, Colin has delivered hundreds of financial plans. He holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network® and has a life and health insurance license. Colin is passionate about creating detailed financial plans and working with his clients on their unique financial situations to implement solutions that achieve their goals.  

 Colin earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree from Bellevue University. He is driven to give back to the community he loves and has been involved in several local organizations, including Papillion LaVista Schools Foundation, Papillion Downtown Business Association, Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He also sponsors several local sports teams, including youth baseball, soccer, basketball, and a swim club.

 When he isn’t coaching his clients, Colin enjoys spending time with his kids.  His son, Nate, is attending Kansas University and his daughter, Addie will be attending University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  Colin also enjoys golf, basketball, projects around the house, traveling, and attending Husker and Jayhawk games as well as other sporting events.

Kevyn Sopinski

Senior Partner

Kevyn Sopinski’s grandfather was a brilliant man who taught Kevyn many valuable lessons. Perhaps one of the greatest passions he passed on to his grandson was the love of working with his hands and carpentry. After his family lost their lakeside cabin in the floods that devastated Nebraska in 2019, Kevyn completely rebuilt the home from the ground up. He displays the same attention to detail for his Pathfinder Wealth Advisors clients, serving as their financial architect to design and build their investment and financial plans.

“Sound, strategic financial planning is at the core of everything I do. I invest the time to get to know every detail about my clients’ fears, dreams, and aspirations. This approach allows me to craft their personalized blueprint for financial independence.”

Born and raised in South Omaha, Kevyn started his career managing the margin and options desks at TD Ameritrade, where he was employed for 11 years. From 2008 to 2016, Kevyn served as managing principal for the Omaha Division of Waddell & Reed. In 2017, he forged a partnership with several advisors and friends to create Pathfinder Wealth Advisors. Once again, Kevyn picked up his tools and remodeled an office building for his practice.

Kevyn graduated from Creighton University with a degree in economics, and he received an MBA from Bellevue University. He holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®.

Kevyn was taught at a young age the importance of serving others. That's why he is committed to giving back to his community. He currently serves on the Papillion Police and Fire retirement committees, is a board member for Midlands Community Foundation, and also serves on the finance committee for Daniel J. Gross High School. He has been active for years with the Papillion Downtown Business Association and recently finished a term serving on the Papillion LaVista Schools Foundation.

Kevyn and his wife, Martha, have been married for 27 years as of November 2024. They have twin daughters, Piper and Cameron, who are sophomores at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kevyn enjoys carpentry, golf, yard work, volunteering, and cheering for Creighton basketball and Husker football.

Daniel Shultz

Financial Advisor

Dan Shultz started saving at an early age. In fact, he still has the two silver dollars he earned tap dancing at a retirement home when he was just 9 years old. You could say his destiny with helping people plan and invest so they can enjoy retirement was minted back then. “I realized early in my professional career that I would not likely earn a lucrative pension, and I needed to be accountable for my own financial success,” says Dan.

Dan likes to take a historical perspective to understanding a client’s financial progress. He believes when he explains their potential growth trajectory in a way that is clear, it helps clients make better decisions going forward. Dan has been implementing this practical, no-nonsense approach to wealth management ever since he was registered as a financial advisor in 2012.

“As a continual student of financial planning and investing, I’m a goals-based behavior advisor who helps clients avoid emotional decisions.” He does this by “utilizing patience and discipline, and by practicing asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing.” He believes if he and his clients can identify, quantify, and prioritize their financial goals, he can create a strategic plan to help them pursue those goals, while also addressing any issues and concerns they may have.

Before joining the Pathfinder Wealth Advisors team, Dan spent more than 30 years in institutional commercial real estate investments. He worked on valuations, acquisitions, asset management, financing, and dispositions for an insurance company, pension fund manager, mortgage banking company, mortgage REIT, and a commercial bank.

Dan holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, has his Life Insurance license and earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 1975 from Iowa State University.

When he’s not visiting National Parks and exploring more of his bucket list trips with his wife, Laurie, Dan enjoys spending time with family and friends.

John Hogeland

Financial Advisor

John Hogeland knows the satisfying feeling a teacher gets when the lightbulb comes on for a student. John was a high school business teacher for seven years and he was always inspired when he was able to help a student learn. Today, John experiences a similar feeling of satisfaction when he helps his clients understand complex financial concepts on their journey to greater financial confidence.

A teacher at heart, John is committed to providing the financial knowledge, experience, and education his clients need to make more informed financial decisions. John started as a financial advisor in 2013. Before that, he was a bank loan officer for nine years. John specializes in helping his clients with their unique situations involving financial planning, retirement income planning, and risk management planning.

“I have been fortunate to work with some great mentors here at Pathfinder Wealth Advisors. I continue to learn from financial advisors who each have more than 20 years of experience. I put the lessons I have learned from my mentors to work every day for my clients, so I can continue to bring my clients innovative thinking to help meet their financial planning needs.”

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, John earned a bachelor’s degree in business education. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®. He also has his life and health insurance license.

His extensive work on various local boards and his volunteerism have always kept John connected to his community. He has served as board chairman of the Nebraska City Utilities and as a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, the Nebraska City Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, Leadership Nebraska City, and Ducks Unlimited. John is proud of the role he played in guiding children who could benefit from his direction as part of the TeamMates Mentoring program.

John and his wife, Linda, have been married for more than 30 years and live on an acreage outside of Sidney, Iowa.  They have two grown sons, Alex and Brock.  In his spare time, John enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and playing basketball.

David Pease, APMA^®

Financial Advisor

The roots of Dave Pease's financial advisory career were formed in the middle of the ocean on a Navy submarine. While studying business administration in college during the energy crisis of the late 1970s, Dave decided to join the U.S. Navy in its nuclear power program. That experience led him to a 30-year career in the nuclear power field, and he eventually served on the retirement fund committee of a power plant. That role sparked Dave’s interest in the financial services industry.

“While serving on the retirement fund committee, I met my mentor, John Russon, a consultant who emphasized the importance of providing employees with a range of options so that they could diversify their portfolios. That planted the seed for me, and it is the reason why I am so passionate about helping my clients take advantage of the benefits of diversification and asset allocation.”

After retiring from the power plant, Dave became a registered financial advisor in 2006. He enjoys working with clients who need help matching their retirement goals with available assets. He also has developed investment portfolios that address the needs for growth and income.

An Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA^®), Dave holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^® and has life and long-term care insurance licenses.

Dave has run 12 marathons to help raise money for Project Purple to fight pancreatic cancer. He and his wife, Susan, live in Peru and have been married for 38 years. Dave enjoys spending time with his family, including stepson, Jarod, daughters, Emilee and Erica, and grandchildren, Alan, Lee and Zella.

Robert Irby

Financial Advisor

Bob Irby’s entrepreneurial spirit goes back to his teenage years. What started as a summer job painting houses, became his first small business venture that paid Bob’s way through college. After Bob left his painting start up for a career in the electric utility industry – and later financial advising – the lessons he learned as a young business owner stuck with him. The biggest one was the importance of building a network and choosing the right people to partner with to achieve success.  This lesson helped Bob make the decision to join Commonwealth and Pathfinder Wealth Advisors in 2017.

Bob’s career in financial advising began in 2004. This move came with the encouragement from a retired financial advisor, who quickly became a mentor. Bob quickly realized how fulfilling it was to help people plan for their future, and ultimately realize their financial goals. “It’s critical to listen to a client’s ideas and develop an understanding of their vision. Then help them define a plan to realize that vision for their future.”

Beyond his career, Bob has been an active member in the community throughout his life.  He has served on or chaired committees and boards supporting each of the communities he has called home. He is a member of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Public Schools Foundation Board and previously served as Chairman of the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation Board. Bob has also been a longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts and has coached numerous youth sports teams.

Bob graduated from the University of Nebraska – Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, and his life and health insurance license.

Bob enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and enjoying time with his wife, Maureen, four kids, and his growing brood of grandchildren. His hobbies include enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and golfing.

Tylar Tierney

Financial Advisor

Tylar believes that everyone deserves a Financial Advisor who will serve in their interest with care and integrity. He is passionate about helping others and, as an advisor with Pathfinder, has the platform and tools that allow him to serve clients. A team-oriented approach and a consistent pursuit of excellence are what drew Tylar to want to be a part of this dynamic and client-focused firm.

Tylar strives to serve his clients in a manner that tailors investment strategy to meet their unique needs and financial goals. He especially enjoys working with young professionals to educate and guide them through the investment process. Tylar believes in developing solid, long-lasting relationships in which he assists his clients in achieving long-term financial growth and security.

Active in the community, Tylar serves as a sergeant and team leader in the Nebraska Army National Guard and a board member of the Nebraska City Rotary Club. Tylar is a graduate of Bellevue University, where he earned his B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He holds the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, and has a life and health insurance license.

Tylar currently resides in Papillion, NE, where he enjoys spending time with family, golfing and the outdoors.

John Kelly

Financial Advisor

John Kelly was born and raised in central Nebraska. At fifteen years of age, he earned his very first paycheck at the local grocery store that his dad managed. It was there, where he began to learn the value of money, the power of listening to the customer and understanding their needs. These life experiences have created the foundation of how John interacts and advises his clients today.

John is an experienced financial advisor with more than 25 years of experience helping clients build, preserve and manage their wealth. Prior to joining Pathfinder Wealth Advisors, he spent 19 years as a vice president & financial advisor of a regional bank. He has managed investments with numerous broker dealers such as Piper Jaffray, Spectrum Capital Inc., Cetera Investment Services and Raymond James. John graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a degree in finance and holds his FINRA Series 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, and his life and health insurance licenses.

It is evident how much family means to John through his actions as a devoted husband and father, always putting his wife, Jodi, and their four children first. He has been married to Jodi for 23 years and has supported her 25 year-long career as a kindergarten teacher. Together, they are blessed with one son, Clay (21), and three beautiful daughters, Kathleen (18), Lyla (13), and Claire (10). In his spare time, John cherishes taking family vacations and making memories. He likes going to his children’s college track meets and youth basketball and soccer games. Not to mention the occasional TikToks that he gets coerced in to doing.

Misty Newman

Financial Advisor

With 18 years as a financial advisor and over 21 years in insurance and group benefit plans, Misty Newman is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex financial landscapes.   She specializes in estate planning – helping clients organize their finances after the passing of a loved one – as well as holistic financial planning, investment management, and small business benefit plans.  In addition, she helps you build a clear path to retirement and beyond as she also specializes in insurance consulting including the transition from working benefits to retiree benefits such as Medicare.

Misty’s approach is rooted in holistic planning, ensuring that every aspect of her clients’ financial well-being is considered.  She believes in crafting personalized strategies that align with your long-term goals, offering guidance in wealth preservation, risk management, and retirement readiness.

A graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Finance, Misty has a strong foundation in business and financial management.  Here leadership skills were honed early in her career, as she worked her way up to managing a Target store at the age of 28.  This experience has given her a deep understanding of business operations and financial decision-making, which she applies to her work with clients. 

As a mother and now a grandmother, family is at the heart of everything Misty does.  She understands the importance of financial security for future generations and is passionate about helping families create lasting legacies.  Whether assisting with estate planning, investment strategies, or healthcare-related financial decisions, she is committed to providing clarity in every step of the process.

(FINRA Series 66 and 7 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network and Life/Health Licensed)

Megan McHugh

Financial Advisor

Megan McHugh began her career in the financial services industry in 2015 at the Columbus office as an administrative assistant. She quickly developed a deep appreciation for the importance of strong client relationships. She is passionate about guiding individuals and families through the process of defining, achieving and adjusting their financial goals at every stage of life. 

Megan is a graduate of Wayne State College and received her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network and has her life and health insurance license. 

Megan lives in Columbus with her husband, Ty, and their three daughters, Emma, Hadley and Lainey.  Outside of work, she is actively involved in her community and family life.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, supporting her daughters in their activities.

Kyle Ryan, CRPC

Financial Services Associate

Born and raised in Papillion, Nebraska, Kyle is proud to serve the community where he grew up, just down the street from the Papillion office. He was raised in a household of hardworking parents who instilled in him the importance of dedication, accountability, and doing the right thing. These values have shaped Kyle's approach to both his professional life and personal relationships.

Kyle attended St. Columbkille Grade School and Papillion-LaVista High School, building strong ties to the area. After high school, he pursued a college education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before completing his degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

With over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, including his time with Pacific Life, Kyle has developed a deep passion for helping individuals and families simplify their finances. His goal is to guide clients toward financial freedom by assisting our advisors who provide sound advice and tailored solutions.

Outside of his professional life, Kyle is a dedicated husband to Brooke and a proud father to two children, Millie and Nolan. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kyle holds Series 6 and 63 financial licenses and is committed to providing his clients with the knowledge and resources needed to secure their financial futures.

Cooper Talich, EA

Financial Services Associate

Cooper is a dedicated and driven wealth consulting assistant with a passion for helping individuals and families navigate the complex world of finance. A firm believer in the value of personal integrity, Cooper strives to bring back the days of old-school handshake deals—where trust and strong morals were at the heart of every business relationship. His focus is on building genuine connections with clients, based on mutual respect and a commitment to doing what’s best for their financial well-being.

 Cooper received his bachelor’s degree in Finance, with a minor in Financial Counseling and Planning from Iowa State University. He holds his FINRA series 7 securities registration as well as his Enrolled Agent designation with the IRS. Shortly after college, Cooper started his own Tax & Accounting practice where he specializes in tax and accounting services, bringing a blend of expertise and enthusiasm to every client interaction. His approach is rooted in a genuine desire to offer the best financial strategies and solutions, ensuring that each client feels empowered and supported in their financial journey through all aspects of personal finance.

 When he's not assisting our advisors in helping clients reach their financial goals, you can find Cooper spending time outdoors, tinkering with cars, in a deer stand or at the golf course. He also values quality time with his family and friends and enjoys traveling to new destinations, embracing new experiences, and trying things outside his comfort zone.

Cooper is here to help you navigate your future with confidence.

Christiane Vaverek

Office Manager, Nebraska City Office

Christiane Vaverek began her career with Pathfinders in 2021 after several years in the municipal and commercial insurance industry. She enjoys working with the Nebraska City team and helping clients get the tools they need for financial success.

Christiane and her husband, Brennan have six children and eight grandchildren. In her free time, Christiane enjoys sailing, travel, and spoiling her grandkids.

DeEtte Moore

Office Manager, Papillion Office

DeEtte Moore has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years, serving customers mostly from the “backroom” in Word Processing and Technology.  Doing what’s right for the customer is always her focus.

DeEtte and her husband, Gary have two grown children.  She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and gazing at the stars with her new telescope.

Brock Hogeland

Wealth Consulting Assistant

Colin H. Albers

Retired Senior Partner

Raised on a farm in Northeast Kansas, Colin was intrigued by the business side of farming. After college, he began his banking career, working as a lender with farmers and small businesses. “My goal was to become a bank president,” he says. “I eventually reached that goal, but after a few years, I wondered when the fun was going to start.” At age 41, Colin made the life-changing decision to start his own financial planning practice. He worked for Waddell and Reed for 23 years.

As the Senior Partner in W&R, he made the move to join six advisors to start Pathfinder Wealth Advisors in 2017. It was a leap of faith that made retiring eight years later much easier.

Colin is committed to philanthropy. A man of faith and family, Colin is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebraska City, where he serves on the church’s finance committee. He has worked on several endowment committees as well as the city economic development board. He is also a supporter of EDGE Nebraska City, a nonprofit organization aimed at reducing poverty rates in Nebraska City.

Colin retired from Pathfinder Wealth Advisors on December 31, 2024, after 19 years as a commercial banker and 31 years as a financial advisor.  He enjoys spending time with his wife, Teresa; his two children, son Derick and his wife Melissa, and daughter Megan and her husband Andrew; and 16 grandchildren, including four sets of twins. In his free time, Colin enjoys traveling, hiking, golfing, biking, and watching Husker football.