
Annie Garland, CFP®
Wealth Advisor

Brian VanKeuren, CPFA®, MBA
Partner & Wealth Advisor

Darin Hammerschmidt, CFP®
Partner & Wealth Advisor

Keith Cusack, APMA
Partner & Wealth Advisor

Laura Wedow
Financial Advisor

Mark F. Tighe Jr., CPFA
Partner & Senior Wealth Advisor

Tim Gomez, CPFA®
Partner & Senior Wealth Advisor

Tyler Freeman, CFP®, CFA®
Partner & Senior Wealth Advisor

Lori Simpkins
Operations Manager

Nancy Harrison
Client Relationship Manager

Alex Smith, MBA
Business Development Manager

Daryl Christensen
LPL Registered Administrative Associate

Drew Morse
Office Manager & Administrative Associate
Would you like help selecting an Advisor?
Scheduling:
Annie’s Story:
Annie joined WealthClarity in 2020 with a passion for building trust, empowering clients, and helping them feel confident in every phase of their financial journey. Her mission is to ensure that financial plans are not only technically sound but also rooted in a deep understanding of what truly matters to each client, whether that’s protecting family with insurance, pursuing freedom in retirement, or building long-term wealth. She’s especially passionate about elevating women in financial decision-making, ensuring they have a seat at the table and the tools to succeed. Before her career in finance, Annie spent 20+ years as a health and fitness professional, which honed her ability to motivate clients and guide them through meaningful life changes. Outside the office, she enjoys Colorado’s great outdoors with her husband, two daughters, and their lively Goldendoodle.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Annie brings a strong foundation of planning expertise and client care to her role as a financial advisor. Her background and qualifications include:
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) practitioner
- FINRA Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses (held through LPL Financial)
- Bachelor of Science, Ithaca College
- Independent health and fitness professional (20+ years)
Specialties:
- Comprehensive financial planning
- Retirement income planning (creating a “paycheck” in retirement)
- Guiding families through life transitions
- Helping clients align financial strategies with life goals
- Tax-aware investment strategies
- Risk management
Community Involvement:
- Member of Financial Planning Association (FPA)
- Mountain Bike Trail Guide – GGB Women’s Organization
- Financial Educator – Backcountry Beauties
Fun Fact:
Annie has a twin sister. The twin connection is real – during childhood, they were unbeatable in Pictionary!
Scheduling:
Please schedule with Brian through the OnceHub portal or contact WealthClarity at (720) 613-0088.
Brian’s Story:
Brian’s mission is to establish a partnership with his clients to build personal financial plans that address what they care about most and serve as a foundation for working toward their goals. His purpose is to help build, manage, and preserve their wealth. Brian’s success is measured not by performance statistics but by his clients’ success in pursuing their goals. In his leisure time, Brian enjoys international travel, scuba diving, skiing, and spending time with his wife Shea and their twin daughters, enjoying the Rocky Mountains.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Brian brings a wealth of experience to WealthClarity, having transitioned from a successful career in law and finance. His professional background and qualifications include:
- Started his financial advising practice with Waddell & Reed in 2010
- Project Director at a nationally recognized law firm
- Analyst with Lehman Brothers in their Denver and London offices
- Series 7 & 66 Securities License (held through LPL Financial)
- Colorado Life & Health Insurance License
- University of Colorado: Master of Science in Finance (2004)
- University of Colorado: Master of Business Administration (MBA) (2003)
- University of Buffalo: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1999)
- Ambassador with the Golden Chamber of Commerce
Specialties:
Brian specializes in:
- Financial Planning
- Risk Management
- Retirement Planning
- Investment Strategies
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Education & Goal Funding
- Portfolio Allocation Strategies
Fun Fact:
Brian loves scuba diving and has explored underwater worlds in various international destinations.
Scheduling:
Darin’s Story:
Darin’s passion is people, and his purpose is family and community. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) professional, his mission is to explore, understand, and preserve his clients’ life values, while inspiring them to live the life they desire and deserve. Darin, his wife Jamie, and their three daughters have been residents of Colorado since 2008, and Wheat Ridge has been their home since 2015. Growing up in a small community in Kansas, Darin developed a passion for community development and enjoys giving back to his local community. Outside of work and community activities, Darin enjoys spending time with his family, practicing yoga, cooking, mountain biking, camping, and skiing.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Darin brings a wealth of experience to WealthClarity, having worked in various roles and industries. His professional background and qualifications include:
- Kansas State University: Bachelor’s Degree (2006)
- Started his Financial Planning practice with Waddell & Reed in 2008
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) since 2016
- Partner/Wealth Advisor at WealthClarity
- Recognized with honors such as Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2023/2024, 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager, and LPL Summit Award – Top 2% of Independent Advisors
Specialties:
Darin specializes in comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and helping clients align their financial strategies with their life values and goals. He believes that financial planning can be a catalyst towards pursuing one’s life purpose.
Community Involvement:
- West Metro Chamber of Commerce – Member since 2008, Board of Directors (2010-2016), Chair of the Board (2015), Young Professional of the Year (2010)
- Kiwanis Club of Lakewood – Member since 2009, Board of Directors (2010-2013), Chair of the Board (2012)
- Leadership Jefferson County, Colorado – Graduate (2010)
- Wheat Ridge Business Association – Member since 2016, Board Member (2018-Present)
- Localworks Non-Profit – Member since 2018, Board of Directors (2018-Present), Chair of the Board (2022)
Fun Fact:
Darin never misses the opportunity to get dressed up for the annual Father/Daughter dance, where he proudly takes his three daughters as his dates.
Scheduling:
Keith’s Story:
Keith is a financial advisor with WealthClarity who enjoys helping people pursue their dreams while they continue to enjoy their lives. He has been assisting clients in understanding, defining, and working towards their goals since 2000. Keith guides clients by managing their investments, offering tax management strategies, and cash management advice to make their financial journey as surprise-free as possible. He works with them throughout each year by having regular meetings and virtual calls to review their progress.
Outside of the office, Keith loves traveling all over the world with family and friends, having ventured to places like Taiwan, Ireland, England, Wales, the Isle of Man, both coasts of Mexico, Canada, and all over the United States. Closer to home, he enjoys camping, wakeboarding, wake surfing, barefoot water skiing, riding his side-by-side, and snowmobiling in colorful Colorado.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Keith brings a wealth of experience to WealthClarity, having worked in various industries. His professional background and qualifications include:
- Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA) 2023
- General Securities Sales Supervisor since 2004
- Financial advisor since 2000
- Application and Project Engineer in the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and cryogenics industries from 1992 to 2000
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines
Specialties:
Keith specializes in small business owner planning and retirement plan customization. He excels at explaining complex financial matters in a way that anyone, whether a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, or a construction worker, can understand.
Fun Fact:
To pay his way through college, Keith was a lumberjack in Washington state and Colorado.
Scheduling:
Laura’s Story:
After a lengthy teaching career in high school & college level mathematics, and raising a family, Laura decided on a second career as a Financial Advisor. She incorporates financial planning, when working with clients, using a holistic approach, which includes retirement planning, tax planning, goal setting, cash flow analysis, reviewing insurance needs, debt resolution, and accumulation/management of assets. Services over time, from college savings to estate and legacy planning, are all considered so that your financial plan evolves along with you throughout your life.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Laura brings a unique perspective to WealthClarity, having transitioned from a long career in education to finance. Her professional background and qualifications include:
- University of Northern Colorado: Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics
- 31 years as a high school mathematics teacher in the Colorado mountains
- Series 7 & 66 Licenses held through LPL Financial
Specialties:
Laura specializes in client care, focusing on making clients feel comfortable, safe, and knowledgeable about their finances. She understands the importance of financial planning and assists in areas such as saving, investing, wealth management, tax savings, insurance advice, estate planning, and navigating Colorado PERA plans. Laura prides herself in taking a complex topic and simplifying it, giving her clients more clarity in their finances.
Fun Fact:
Laura enjoys trying unusual events like wadlopen, which is mud walking. It’s an activity where you tape your shoes on and walk the sea bottom to islands in Holland while the tide is low. It got a bit scary at the end when the tide was coming in and she had not yet reached the island!
Scheduling:
Mark’s Story:
Mark has been in the financial services industry since 2006. Before that, he spent 21 years in the telecommunications industry, the majority of which was at AT&T. Originally from northeastern New Jersey, Mark moved to Colorado in 1997. In his spare time, he coaches baseball, enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending time with his wife and three kids. Mark is an avid bird enthusiast, loves the outdoors, and for vacation, you might find him near an ocean with his family.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Mark brings a wealth of experience to the financial services industry, having transitioned from a successful career in telecommunications. His professional background and qualifications include:
- 21 years in the telecommunications industry, primarily at AT&T
- In the financial services industry since 2009
- Member of West Metro Chamber of Commerce and Evergreen Chamber of Commerce
- Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce: Finance Committee since 2018
- University of Dayton: Bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in Mathematics
- National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA): Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)
Specialties:
Mark is certified to help manage 401k plans at a firm, specializing in 401k plan guidance and corporate 401k investments. He emphasizes managing clients’ emotions, not just their money, and is a big proponent of education, seeking to guide his clients through their financial journey. Mark focuses on managing money with tax efficiency in mind, helping with current and future tax liabilities.
Fun Fact:
Mark once witnessed a bald eagle catching a fish while camping in a remote part of Canada, which he reached via seaplane.
Scheduling:
Tim’s Story:
Tim is a dedicated Wealth Advisor at WealthClarity who helps guide individuals and families through personalized financial planning, risk management, investment management, and tax planning. He also works with business owners to provide and manage retirement plans for their businesses. Tim’s goal is to develop long-lasting relationships with clients, foster direction as they journey towards their financial goals, and measure his success by their success. Outside of work, Tim enjoys yoga with his wife and going to concerts.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Tim brings extensive experience and qualifications to WealthClarity. His professional background and qualifications include:
- Partner & Wealth Advisor at WealthClarity since 2023
- Financial Advisor since 2015
- FINRA Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses held through LPL Financial
- Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)
- Adjunct Professor at Red Rocks Community College from 2010 to 2015, teaching finance and marketing
- Finance, Marketing, Business, and Computer Science Instructor at Jefferson High School from 2006 to 2015
- University of New Mexico: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (1998)
Specialties:
Tim specializes in:
- Personalized financial planning
- Risk management
- Investment management
- Tax planning
- Retirement plans for businesses
Fun Fact:
Tim likes to help his daughters with gymnastics in their yard.
Scheduling:
Tyler’s Story:
Tyler opened his financial services practice in 2013, transitioning from a rewarding career in social work and international development. Tyler provides comprehensive, holistic, and human-centered financial planning, helping to both develop the initial plan and implement action steps throughout the year. His purpose is to combine financial planning with comprehensive investment management to help drive better financial outcomes for his clients.
Professional Experience & Qualifications:
Tyler brings a diverse background and extensive qualifications to WealthClarity. His professional experience and qualifications include:
- Colorado Christian University: Bachelor of Science (2005)
- Worked 8 years in social work and mental health counseling before becoming a Financial Advisor in 2013
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) (2016): Gained expertise in estate planning, tax planning, and investment management
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter Holder (2023): Enhanced expertise in investment management within both public and private markets, as well as business financial statement analysis
Specialties:
Tyler specializes in:
- Comprehensive financial planning, focusing on wealth-building disciplines of prudent financial management and tax planning
- Discretionary portfolio management services for all clients, incorporating both passive and active investment strategies in public markets
- Tactical asset management and alternative investment exposures for clients with over $100,000
- Trading and individual stock portfolios for select clients with portfolios over $1 million
- Avoiding complex financial products such as annuities and various types of whole life policies, and seldom selling products in which I would receive a commission, except 529 college savings plans and term life insurance at the client’s request
Fun Fact:
Tyler plays basketball weekly at Golden Community Center, where he lives out all his childhood dreams.












