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
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 RICP®
Co-Founder and Wealth Management Advisor
After serving 4 years of active duty in the United States Army, Matt attended the University of St. Louis and completed his degree at Webster University. Having grown up in St. Louis, Matt has an appreciation of many of the wonderful things it has to offer. Matt spent 10 years of his early career helping multiple venues in the city of St. Louis successfully launch. It was in 2012 that Matt was introduced to and began a career with Northwestern Mutual.
Over the last 10 years in wealth management, Matt has taken great pleasure in connecting with clients and helping them to financial solutions that fit their needs. Matt’s unwavering desire to work with clients to help them pursue their financial goals led to the co-founding of APEX Wealth Management and growing it to the comprehensive firm it is today.
Matt is a RICP®. He holds his Series 7, 6, & 63 registrations.
Matt and his wife, Lori, live in Webster Groves with their sons, Miles and Liam. Matt enjoys staying fit, playing drums and refining his master grilling skills. Matt considers himself a plant enthusiast with a special interest in cacti and succulents.
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Shane T. OBrien CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®
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.
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.
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.
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.
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