Greg McLaughlin, CEPA®
Partner & Financial Advisor
Greg McLaughlin
Founder & Partner
Greg started BFS in 2001 after completing his finance degree from the University of Iowa. After competing for five years as a member of the Iowa football team, Greg began laying the foundation of what has now become an ensemble practice at BFS; a team of advisors working together to create holistic financial plans based on the individual needs, wants and wishes of each client. Over the years, Greg has built businesses outside of wealth management, giving him additional insight and experience when working with business owners to create unique strategies for the betterment of their retirement. Greg is a visionary for BFS and continues to help BFS grow through acquisitions while continuing to serve the personalized needs of individual and families of BFS.
Greg enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah, and their two daughters, Ella and Addison. In his free time, Greg follows the Hawkeyes in all sports and participates in Triathlons. Greg also enjoys serving on various boards and volunteering opportunities.
Kurt Vitense CFP®
Partner & Financial Advisor
Kurt Vitense
Owner & Partner
Kurt joined BFS in 2003 and is now an owner and partner in the firm. Throughout his career, Kurt has built and developed relationships with his clients that are based on his desire to be an honest and disciplined wealth management advisor. Kurt is passionate about the need for every client to have a progressive financial plan that is based on our firm’s commitment to fiduciary responsibilities. Kurt strives to find out ‘What is important to every client’ to efficiently manage their assets with the goals, needs, wants and wishes of the client in mind.
Kurt graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in finance and resides in Iowa City with his wife Teesa, son Cal and daughter Eve. They have a pit bull, Gracie and a cat, Wrigley. Kurt was a short stop at the University of Iowa and has coached baseball at City High since 2012. Kurt is an avid fan of the Hawkeyes, Cubs and Packers.
Dale Handley
Partner & Financial Advisor
Dale Handley
Owner & Partner
Dale joined BFS in 2011 and became an owner and partner in 2019. Dale is committed to helping individuals and families reach their financial goals. In addition to working with Dale's focus is on building personalized financial plans, helping BFS clients to navigate life's financial challenges using a comprehensive roadmap. Dale's other specialties include, retirement income planning, wealth accumulation strategies, life insurance, college funding, and tax minimization strategies. He prides himself on working hard for his clients, providing them with information they need to make informed decisions to help them succeed.
Dale attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. Dale and his wife Anna have two children Faye and Walker and live on an acreage just outside of Solon.
Stacie Bedford
Director of Operations, New Business
Stacie Bedford
Office Manager New Client Services
Stacie joined Business & Financial Strategies in September 2013. She has over twenty year’s experience in marketing, communications and relationship building. Stacie leads our new client relations division and enjoys working with the newest members of our wealth management family and continuing to build relationships with our existing clients. She enjoys spending time with her family, Bob her husband, and daughter Sierra and son Trenton as well as her dogs, Iris and Harper. Her hobbies include following the Hawkeyes in all sports, Chicago Cubs baseball and Bears football, golfing, biking, gardening and cooking.
Mike Brown
Senior Advisor
Sue Busta
Director of Client Operations
Sue Busta
Office Manager Client Services
Sue joined Business & Financial Strategies in 2013 and has since taken on the role of Office Manager of Client Services for our existing clients. Sue ensures that the goals and recommendations outlined by our financial plans are continuously being met for our clients. Sue helps ensure that all current clients are scheduled for reviews and their files are updated as life events occur. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a major in Health Promotion and a minor in Business. Outside of the office, Sue enjoys golfing, kickboxing, bartending and spending time with family, friends and her rescue dog, Baxter.
Dominique L'Heureux
Director of Client Experience
Dominique L'Heureux
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Dominique joined BFS in September of 2020 as the Director of First Impressions. She has a background in the beauty industry and working in customer service for 13 years. Dominique is passionate about working with clients and creating a memorable guest experience.
Dominique lives in West Branch, Iowa with her husband Trent, their two dogs, Rudy and Burton. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, DIY projects and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes' football and basketball teams.
Kathy Kahn
Director of First Impressions
Kathy Kahn
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Kathy joined BFS in April of 2022 as the Director of First Impressions. She joins us with over 20 years of experience in business management and customer service. Her primary role includes initial client relations, scheduling meetings and performing operational tasks to guarantee the office is running as efficiently as possible and creating an optimal client experience.
Kathy is originally from Solon and currently resides in North Liberty with her husband, Aaron and their two children: Asher and Everett. She majored in Health Promotions and minored in Communication Studies at The University of Iowa where she competed on the women's gymnastics team from 1998-2002. Kathy has always had a passion for fitness/wellness and enjoys exercise but her favorite way to spend free time is to watch her boys thrive in sports.
Alicia Mitros, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Alicia Mitros, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Alicia began her career with the FDIC as a Bank Examiner, after receiving her degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She spent 10 years working for the FDIC, in the Hiawatha, IA and Milwaukee, WI field offices. She then stayed at home with her young kids for 6 years. In 2021, Alicia began the education and training for her Candidate for Certified Financial Professional, CFP®, certification. She started with BFS in early 2022, and became a Certified Financial Professional, CFP® certificant on June 22, 2022.
Alicia and her husband, Chris, reside in Coralville and stay busy with their four kids; Olivia, Audrey and twins, Henry and Harper. When not cheering on the kids at their activities, Alicia can be seen walking in the neighborhood with their black lab, Pepper.
Jeff Pacha
Partner & Financial Advisor
Jeff Pacha
Partner & Financial Advisor
Jeff joined BFS in 2011 after graduating from the University of Iowa, where he earned his degree in Finance and competed as a four-year varsity letter winner for the Iowa Baseball team. Jeff’s focus is in building personalized financial plans to help navigate his clients through achieving their retirement and estate planning objectives. He emphasizes fostering lasting relationships with his clients by focusing on what matters most to them and designing strategies tailored to what they are striving to accomplish.
Jeff and his wife, Molly, and their two children, Henry and Emmie reside happily in Iowa City. Jeff is a life-long Hawkeye fan and supporter, and is currently an executive board member of the Johnson County I-Club.
Derek Parker, BFA™
Senior Advisor, Director of Planning Solutions
Derek Parker, BFA™
Advisor
Derek started working at BFS in 2011 after graduating from The University of Iowa with degrees in Finance and Economics, along with a Risk Management & Insurance Certificate. Derek focuses on creating a unique plan for each family and individual based on their goals. He uses strategies in retirement planning, insurance planning and wealth accumulation. Derek was born and raised in Iowa City and is a life-long fan of the Hawkeyes. He enjoys watching and playing sports and spending time with family and friends. Derek enjoys building strong relationships with his clients and finding out their "Why" to help pursue financial goals.
Ryne Schooley
Financial Advisor
Ryne Schooley
Financial advisor
Ryne joined BFS in 2024 as a financial advisor. He played baseball at Iowa Western Community College, Wichita State University, and Mount Mercy University. Ryne helps individuals, families, and businesses create a financial plan for their life journey. Ryne enjoys listening to clients' stories and is humbled to be a part of their successes. Ryne specializes in retirement income planning, distribution methods, life and disability insurance, tax strategies, and estate planning. He focuses on tailoring strategies to the clients wants and needs while creating a meaningful, life-long relationship.
Ryne lives in Solon and is an avid Hawkeye fan. In his free time, he enjoys meeting new people, watching sports, golf, and spending time with family and friends.
Sam Zoske
Director of Expansion and M&A
Sam Zoske
Director of Expansion and M &A
Sam joined BFS in 2022 after 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry. Sam spent a majority of those years acquiring, managing and operating multiple retail pharmacy locations throughout Iowa. In the later part of his pharmacy career, he was successful in raising multiple rounds of venture capital as co-founder and Senior Vice President of Innovation and Strategy of a high growth pharmacy start-up. Sam has knowledge and experience of both the buy and sell sides of numerous transactions. Sam uses this expertise of acquisitions, growth and networking to help lead BFS’s expansion strategy. Sam holds his bachelors in Business Management after attending Kirkwood, Iowa State, and Buena Vista University.
Sam and his wife Samantha reside in Solon with their three children Isaiah, Zoey and Leyton. Sam enjoys spending time with his family, watching youth sports, his daughters dance and playing golf.