Stephen J. Blum
CEO and Founder
CFP®, AEP, CLU, ChFC
Steve founded Strategic Wealth Planning in 2003 and built the firm around client input. Before founding Strategic Wealth Planning, Blum served as an accountant, financial analyst and business planning specialist. Steve, an Overland Park, KS native, graduated from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University with a double major in accounting and finance. Texas Monthly has honored Steve multiple times as a Five Star Wealth Manager. Mr. Blum holds the designations CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP).
Check the background of this associate on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Email: sjblum@awealthplan.com
Wesley Holloway, MBA
President
Wes Holloway is the president of Blum Management Group, bringing more than 15 years of executive leadership in finance and strategy. A native Texan, Wes has a proven track record at industry-leading companies, PepsiCo, Southwest Airlines, and Freeman Company, where he has led high-impact initiatives driving growth and operational excellence. In addition to leadership at large organizations, he has played a pivotal role in building and scaling small to mid-sized businesses as a CFO and COO. Today, Wes leverages this expertise to support clients at Strategic Wealth Planning, helping them navigate financial complexities and achieve long-term success. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from SMU’s Cox School of Business.
Crystal Gonzalez
Operations Manager
Crystal Gonzalez joined SWP in 2020 as our Operations Associate. Crystal grew up in Granbury, TX and graduated from UNT in 2006 with a degree in Business Administration. After university, she spent six years working for a broker dealer and another six years with a financial planning firm where she earned the designation of Financial Planning Qualified Paraplanner. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys reading, spending time with her family and watching her son and daughter at their sporting events.
Email: cgonzalez@awealthplan.com
Kaniqua Washington
Senior Administrative Executive Assistant
Kaniqua Washington joins Strategic Wealth Planning as our Senior Administrative Executive Assistant. Kaniqua has over 12 years of experience in the insurance and finance industries. Kaniqua has served as an Underwriter for two Fortune 500 insurance companies and has experience as a Corporate Trainer for one of the world’s largest investment banks. Kaniqua earned her B.A. in psychology from Texas Woman’s University in 2015 and is actively pursuing her master’s degree. Kaniqua’s knowledge, education, and communication skills are valuable to SWP’s success, helping our firm build strong and lasting relationships with our clients. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, cooking, exercising, and spending time with her family.
Kathy Papenmeier
Senior Staff Accountant
Kathy is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. She brings over 20 years of experience as a senior accountant and more than a decade as an Accounting Services Manager. Her career has been dedicated to supporting small businesses, providing a broad and deep understanding of financial management across diverse industries. Kathy is passionate about helping entrepreneurs gain clarity and control over their finances, enabling them to focus on the growth and vision of their businesses. Outside of her professional work, Kathy enjoys baking and pastry arts, fostering cats, leading Girl Scouts, and raising two wonderful children. She is also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.
Reann Rodriguez
Executive Administrative Assistant
Reann Rodriguez has joined Strategic Wealth Planning as Executive Administrative Assistant. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington and brings experience as an Executive Assistant of Business Operations. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, creating art, and exploring DFW trails with her two dogs.
Jenifer Smith Blum
Chief Compliance Officer
As Chief Compliance Officer, Jenifer is in charge of preparing and overseeing SWP’s policies and procedures. Jenifer completed her compliance training through National Regulatory Services. An attorney licensed in the states of Kansas, Missouri and Texas, Jenifer continues to practice law with a focus on business and real estate transactions.
Email: jblum@awealthplan.com
Ace, our team mascot
Ace, the team mascot, is a Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain dog & poodle mix) weighing in at 115 pounds.
Despite his size, Ace is a gentle soul who holds the special position of client greeter.