In-House Team
Each of our team members is wholeheartedly committed to your financial journey. Our industry-leading credentials are evidence of our firm's commitment to lifetime learning. We proudly serve clients all across the United States and are registered and licensed in over 25 states.
View our bios below to learn more about your APEX team.
Brian A LaValle CFP®, CLU®, MBA, RICP®
Co-Founder and Wealth Management Advisor
Brian LaValle is Co-founder and Wealth Management Advisor and the leading visionary at APEX Wealth Advisors through which he provides his clients world-class wealth management and asset protection strategies. Brian co-founded APEX with the vision of delivering financial expertise for multi-generations. Brian is renowned for his ability to simplify complex financial concepts, making it easy for his clients to understand the possibilities of their financial future.
Over two decades of experience in asset & portfolio management across multiple market cycles helps to set Brian apart from other financial experts. He uses this knowledge to drive investment recommendations and the strategic financial planning process, giving his clients the confidence needed to pursue their financial goals. His background in engineering allows him to think outside the box when tailoring portfolios to each client's unique needs. Brian is passionate about creating a vision with his clients, understanding their values, and helping them define their goals to achieve financial success.
Brian grew up in a rural Missouri town, where he learned the value of hard work, discipline, and loyalty within his small community. Brian attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering and then earned a Master of Business Administration with a Financial Emphasis at Saint Louis University. His desire to connect with people personally while exercising his leadership abilities and business acumen led him to Northwestern Mutual in 2003.
Brian holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 26, 63, 66 registrations and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Chartered Life Underwriter®.
Matthew Collier WMCP®, RICP®
Co-Founder and Wealth Management Advisor
Matt is the Co-Founder and a Wealth Management Advisor at APEX. His early interest in finance was influenced by his family. Matt greatly admired the resilience and determination of his mother while his father’s success in toy sales provided him with valuable insights and a different perspective, both of whom shaped his journey into the world of finance.
At 15, Matt's interest in finance was piqued when a high school friend started having success with investing. This curiosity grew during his deployments as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, where his mother sent him books on stocks and investments. Eager to learn as much as he could, Matt's passion for finance continued to develop.
Early in his career, Matt assisted in successfully establishing multiple businesses in the St. Louis area. In 2007, he was introduced to Northwestern Mutual as a client and in 2012 became an Advisor and established his own practice and team. Matt admired the time, research, and effort that Brian LaValle's team invested in growing their firm and in 2023, Matt and Brian joined forces as partners in APEX Wealth Advisors.
Matt takes great pleasure in connecting with clients and helping them with investment and planning strategies tailored to their needs. He often finds opportunities to do more for his clients without taking on additional risk. His unwavering desire to help clients pursue their financial goals led to the co-founding of APEX and growing it into the comprehensive firm it is today. Matt primarily works with high-net-worth individuals aged 45-65 who need guidance on their personal planning.
Matt's favorite quote is from Ben Franklin: “Doing well by doing good.” He actively listens to his clients' goals and approaches each strategy as if it were his own. Driven and determined, Matt is excited about the potential to help clients achieve their financial aspirations. His personal mission statement is to motivate and assist his clients toward financial security through an engaged and caring relationship.
Matt and his wife, Lorrie, live in Webster Groves with their two sons, Miles and Liam. Miles enjoys snowboarding and Liam is a skier. Matt and Lorrie recently celebrated their 20th anniversary and enjoy traveling throughout the U.S. to hear their favorite bands. Matt is an adventurer – he grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, and loving music. He enjoys barbecuing and considers himself a plant enthusiast, with a keen interest in succulents and cacti.
Christian Henley CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, MBA
Wealth Management Advisor
Christian earned his Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Business Management and a minor in Finance from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2001. He also earned his Executive Masters in Business Administration from Washington Universities OLIN School of Business in 2010. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and fiduciary, and has obtained the following designations: Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, as well as Retirement Income Certified Professional.
Christian graduated with honors from Washington University and joined the Betta Gamma Sigma Honors Club. Christian spent 9 years in the health care industry with Abbott Laboratories where he was named the Presidents Club award winner in 2006 and was a recipient of the Presidents Award in 2008. Christian joined Northwestern Mutual in 2011 and has since ran a balanced practice utilizing insurance and investment solutions as appropriate to meet every client’s unique goals. He currently serves as a mentor and Field Director for many of the younger advisors in the office. Christian enjoys this career because it allows him the ability to help clients make complex financial decisions seem simple and seamless.
Christian and his wife Erin have four children, Averyana, Chase, Estella, and Jacob. Christian also serves as the Board President of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s local Mid-America Chapter and is an active member of St. Louis Family Church. They enjoy spending time with their kids and extended family, and giving back to the community is very important .
Shane T. OBrien CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®
Partner and Director of Wealth Management Services
After 4 years of playing collegiate football at McKendree University, Shane worked as a finance manager & bookkeeper for a non-profit. Shane then joined Northwestern Mutual in 2014. At APEX, he assists clients in building and maintaining their financial plans and case design. Shane also supports the firm’s performance monitoring of its portfolios and individual client accounts. Shane also supports portfolio trading and tracking.
Shane is a CFP®, CLU®, RICP® and ChFC® and holds his Series 7 and 66 registrations.
Shane and his wife, Katie, have two children: Kaelyn a HS student who excels at arts and theatre, and Madden a younger twin of his father who excels at athletics. In Shane’s free time, he enjoys being outdoors, coaching, fishing, camping, and making memories with friends and family!
Before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2015, Meggen worked in accounting for 7 years. Meggen became passionate about insurance as a teenager and continues to develop professionally as she continues to expand her industry knowledge. At APEX, Meggen oversees many operational and service duties to ensure clients have an exceptional experience working with our firm. Meggen is also responsible for insurance underwriting for the firm's clients.
Meggen has her CLU® designation, Series 7 and 63 registrations and Life, Health, and Long-Term Care licenses.
Meggen and her husband, Colt, spend their time with their children either participating in softball tournaments, discovering and trying new recipes together or hiking.
Miranda first joined Northwestern Mutual in 2017 as a College Intern in the Carbondale, IL office. She graduated in 2018 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. On team APEX, Miranda builds and prepares financial plans and portfolio analyses for client meetings and services all investment accounts.
Miranda holds her RICP® designation, Series 7, Series 6 and 63 registrations and Life, Health and Long-Term Care licenses.
Miranda has two dogs, Gunner and Zip. She enjoys reading, dog sitting in the St. Louis area and spending time with her family. Miranda’s favorite book series is Game of Thrones.
Rachel is the newest extension of APEX Wealth Advisors. Starting the summer of 2023, Rachel joined Northwestern Mutual. Rachel’s experience in the non-profit world, as an elementary school teacher and a work-at-home mom are a great fit on our team as our Scheduling Coordinator! Rachel enjoys client interactions and will be the voice our clients hear when it’s time to coordinate yearly reviews or a meeting is needed with your advisor.
Rachel grew up in Saint Louis where she currently lives with her husband and two boys. Some of her favorite things to do are traveling, spending time with friends and family, reading and high intensity work out classes.
Mindy joined Northwestern Mutual in 2012 and worked in another prominent firm before joining APEX in 2019. Like most of our APEX team, Mindy is like a jack of all trades. Mindy typically corresponds with clients for service and scheduling, case preparation and underwriting.
Mindy holds her Series 6 and 63 registrations and Life, Health and Long-Term Care licenses.
Mindy grew up in Saint Louis where she currently lives with her husband and children. When she is not chasing around her two adorable boys, she enjoys reading, cake decorating and spending time with friends and family, especially her Golden Retriever, Watson.
Katie joined Christian’s team at Northwestern Mutual in 2017 as his Director of Operations. Her main focus is managing the day-to-day operations along with providing excellent client services. Prior to joining Christian’s team, she worked as the Office Manager and a key part of the Sales Executive Team within the Northwestern Mutual- Chesterfield office.
Katie grew up in St. Louis where she attended Marquette High School. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Truman State University. Katie is married to Joe and they have two children, Maddie and Adam.
Katie’s favorite pastimes are watching her children play a variety of sports. You’ll either find her at the rink watching her son play hockey and on the softball field cheering on her daughter. Katie does enjoy other outside interests such as baking, shopping and spending time with her extended family & friends.
Tracy started in 2005 as an Associate Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual in downtown St. Louis. Tracy has had the opportunity to advance in different capacities within the greater organization before joining APEX in 2022. Tracy oversees marketing and assists in case preparation and providing excellent service to the firm’s clients.
Tracy holds her Series 6 and 63 registrations and Life, Health and Long-Term Care licenses.
Tracy and her family recently relocated to Wisconsin, but they remain loyal St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fans. Tracy is married with one daughter, Alison, who is attending college at SIUE and a son, Beckham, an artistic elementary school student. Tracy enjoys exploring her new community by discovering local restaurants, attending festivals and outdoor venues.
Brendan Marsden
Associate Financial Representative
