Meet the Willis Johnson
& Associates Team

Willis Johnson serves as the CEO of Willis Johnson & Associates. As a Certified Financial Planner^®, Mr. Johnson provides a full complement of financial services to individuals as they go through the transitions in their corporate life. Most corporate professionals will retire once in their life, but Mr. Johnson has assisted hundreds of clients to navigate through the retirement process over the course of his career.

In the span of over 35 years, Mr. Johnson has honed decades of experience assisting clients as they struggle with almost every important financial decision you can imagine. He has helped these corporate professionals to overcome their emotions and objectively assess their available options.

Mr. Johnson’s ability to listen to his clients’ motivations, paired with his acquired wisdom enable him to guide clients down a retirement path that maximizes their benefits while taking advantage of their unique opportunities along the way. Mr. Johnson considers himself both a financial advisor and a life counselor as he assists his clients in prioritizing their personal needs, offers realistic advice, and accompanies them on their path to financial success.

During his 35 years as an advisor, 13 years with a national financial advisory firm and 22 years as a principal at his own firm, Mr. Johnson implemented exclusive estate and financial planning techniques. His structured methodology-- customized for each client-- is still the basis of his approach today.

Building grounded, long-term relationships while understanding client objectives and goals is the foundation of Willis’ success as a Certified Financial Planner^® professional. Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Houston. He also practiced with a national CPA firm before obtaining his CFP^® designation.

Nick Johnson CFA^®, CFP^®, believes that financial planning is more than numbers on a balance sheet and a standardized process. People are unique and should be treated as such. As President and wealth manager at Willis Johnson & Associates, Nick’s goal is to develop a solid understanding of his clients while providing a proactive approach to comprehensive wealth management.

Nick is responsible for monitoring the financial health of his clients and providing timely updates regarding changes to their financial plans. To effectively monitor a client’s financial well-being, an advisor must have a firm grasp of the life passions and/or goals specific to that individual. It is Nick’s job to initiate productive conversations where he can combine his own financial planning wisdom with the unique emotional elements of a corporate professional’s life.

Overall, Nick measures financial planning success by his ability to help corporate professionals maximize their hard-earned money. However, Nick considers himself successful as an advisor when clients naturally turn to him for financial advice as they would like a trusted family member or close friend. In addition to serving as an advisor, Nick serves an integral role as a member of Willis Johnson & Associates Investment Committee.

The Investment Committee makes all of the decisions in regards to asset allocation, style/theme distribution, and security selection for their client portfolios. Nick’s strong analytical skills, dedication to the fundamentals of investing, and Chartered Financial Analyst designation bring unique insight to their investment decisions.

In school, Nick always had a passion for analytic research and analysis but found within himself the need to balance that with personal connections. These desires led him to pursue a dual major in finance and drama, along with a minor in economics from Trinity University. He thrived in the finance and economics classes, often finding himself leading study groups and teaching concepts that came easily to him.

While concurrently studying finance, Nick spent most of his free time in the theater department working on over 40 stage productions both in the department and the community at large. This in-depth study of the humanities let him deepen his understanding of the motivations and inter-workings of people, a skill he uses very much to this day.

After graduating from Trinity University, Nick began working as an investment analyst at Willis Johnson & Associates He started his studies for the CFA® exam during this time as well. After gaining experience on the investments side, researching funds, tracking investments, and trading large blocks of client accounts, he moved over to the financial planning arm of the company and later transitioned into a financial advisory role.

In addition to being a CFA^®, Nick earned his designation as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® after completing the board’s preliminary financial planning experience requirements and certification exam in April 2018.

Nick is a Houston native and uses his passion for learning to inspire the personal and professional development of the city’s working professionals and executives. He believes in the power of education to impact both the individual and their community by enabling more informed decision making in terms of their careers, their money, and most importantly, their life goals.

Nick is a strong proponent of continued education, which is reflected via his heavy investment in his personal career, the careers of the WJA team, and the lifetime careers of the clients he serves.

During his free time, Nick lectures as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business, is involved in the CFA^® Professional Mentorship Program, and is an active participant in the University of Houston Bauer College of Business’s SURE Program, which fosters a partnership between students and Houston’s business thought leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities.

When he’s not teaching or being taught, Nick enjoys spending time outdoors and embarking on weekend rock climbing excursions across the states.

Alexis Long is the Managing Director of Wealth Management at Willis Johnson & Associates, which allows her to meet people from diverse backgrounds with different goals and help them reach those goals as efficiently as possible. After years of dedication to the firm, proven success, and exemplary leadership, Alexis was the first person beyond the Johnson family to be brought on board as a shareholder and board member of Willis Johnson & Associates. In her day-to-day activities, Alexis primarily focuses on empowering and managing our operations and financial planning staff while serving clients with their financial needs.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in French from Texas Tech University, Alexis’ career started with positions ranging from real estate to bankruptcy law while searching for her true career passion. It was not until attending the MBA program at the University of Saint Thomas that she started learning more about the financial planning and advising industry. Alexis recognized financial planning and advising was the career that best suited her.

Before joining Willis Johnson & Associates, Alexis started in the financial planning and advising industry, working at another wealth management firm in an operations role. She learned the basics of financial planning from the ground up and quickly expanded her knowledge. 

She joined Willis Johnson & Associates in 2014 as a Paraplanner and quickly transitioned to the Associate Wealth Manager role the same year. By November of 2015, she had passed the Certified Financial Planner exam and received her designation as a CFP^® in April of 2016. She began leading client relationships as a Wealth Manager in 2017. As Director of Wealth Management, Alexis spearheads the development, organization, and strategy for her department and the firm.

Alexis is a proud member of various leadership, community, and professional development organizations.

G2 Leadership Institute, Class of 2020: The G2 Leadership Institute develops the leadership and business management skills of professionals preparing themselves for leadership positions within their advisory firms.

Financial Planning Association of Houston: FPA Houston is an organization dedicated to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. Alexis has previously served on the Board of Directors for FPA Houston as the Career Development Director. 

Houston Estate & Financial Forum: Assisting the development and extension of professional skills in estate planning.

For Alexis, financial planning combines her interest in producing detail-oriented financial plans with a desire to help people reach their goals of retiring early, paying for a grandchild’s education, buying a second home, or leaving a legacy for their children.

Alexis is a native Houstonian who spent her childhood living and traveling abroad. Living abroad gave Alexis the chance to meet people from around the world and learn about the various passions and ambitions they hold.

Alexis has been married to her loving and supportive husband, Michael, for eight years, and they reside in west Houston. In addition to her professional accomplishments over the last five years, Alexis has become a mother to 3 precious little angels. Being a mother is what she would consider her greatest achievement, and she enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family. Now that her children are a little older, Alexis looks forward to traveling with Michael and her three children and watching them experience more of what the world has to offer. On the rare occasion that she has free time, Alexis enjoys trying new restaurants, running, and singing epic karaoke ballads.

 

John Siegel is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with over a dozen years of experience in the financial services arena, as well as many years serving in capacities throughout the legal and non-profit sectors. It was John’s experience working in the legal field that inspired him to become a financial advisor.

He witnessed firsthand how the improper setup of trusts and probate wills burdened families with issues that could have been easily prevented with proper proactive planning. When working with the families he advises, John’s experience allows him to combine his rich industry knowledge with his passion for providing clarity and confidence to each client’s unique financial vision.

John joined Willis Johnson & Associates in 2018 as a wealth manager. Before joining the WJA team, John served as a wealth strategist for a leading private bank, as well as vice president of wealth planning for a comprehensive financial planning firm. While fulfilling these roles, John worked with business executives, business owners, and family guardians on a host of planning matters, helping them grow, preserve, and enjoy their wealth.

Preceding his career in financial services, John was an auditor for a probate court where he oversaw the administration of over 1500 estates and trusts. In addition, he worked as a paralegal for an estate planning law firm where he drafted planning documents and managed estate administrations. John also worked as a fundraising/development officer for education and health care institutions.

John earned his Bachelor of Arts at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and completed his Certified Financial Planner^® studies at Rice University. He attained his Enrolled Agent (EA) designation with the Internal Revenue Service in 2019, allowing him to represent taxpayers on matters related to the preparation and filing of their tax documents before the IRS.

John is active in the professional community as a member of the Houston Estate and Financial Forum and of Houston Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, which has recognized John for distinguished service. John also has served as both president and treasurer of the Planned Giving Council of Houston, as well as treasurer for the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School of Houston.

Bringing over 15 years of experience within the financial services industry, Brandon joined the WJA team as a Financial Planning Analyst and became an Associate Wealth Manager in 2022. In this role, Brandon provides detailed research and technical analysis to assist Wealth Managers in preparing relevant recommendations for our clients.

While attending Texas A&M, he started his wealth management career earning college credit as an intern at UBS Financial Services. There, he could see the positive impact one could have as an advisor firsthand. He graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Business.

Upon graduation, Brandon accepted a job at an investment firm in client services. He focused on customer service with clients and assisted advisors in account management, executing trades, and addressing client inquiries. Brandon grew from his role in Client Services to an Internal Sales Consultant where he worked alongside financial advisors in selecting investments for their clientele. Brandon enjoyed helping advisors get, keep, and grow their business, and knowing the positive impact his work resulted in for his client’s retirement.

Outside the office, Brandon lives a busy and fulfilling life. He and his wife, Viki, have been married since 2006 and have two sons, Cannon and Cade. He coaches both boys in baseball, basketball, and flag football. When he’s not coaching, he can be found grilling or smoking meals in his backyard. Brandon and his wife are very involved with their church where he serves as a Confirmation teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Brandon loves rooting for Houston’s sports teams and supporting local breweries. Brandon and Viki own multiple gyms where they find satisfaction in helping people reach their health and fitness goals.

Andrew Calhoun joined Willis Johnson and Associates as a Financial Planning Analyst in October 2023. He brings a comprehensive skillset and a client-centric approach to financial planning. He excels in data analysis, crafting financial plans and presentations, and seamlessly managing client cases from initiation to conclusion. Andrew's meticulous approach ensures efficient task completion and optimal client satisfaction. 

Equipped with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Texas A&M University and the coveted Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, Andrew possesses the academic rigor and industry expertise needed to navigate complex financial landscapes. His prior experience at a College Station financial planning firm, focused on university professionals and small business owners, provided invaluable insights into diverse financial situations. This hands-on experience honed his ability to tailor personalized strategies to meet unique client needs. 

At the core of Andrew's philosophy lies a steadfast commitment to client empowerment. He prioritizes active listening, in-depth understanding, and clear communication to guide clients towards informed financial decisions. Andrew firmly believes that financial planning goes beyond mere strategizing; it's about building trust, imparting knowledge, and fostering lasting relationships built on mutual respect and open communication. 

Outside the professional realm, Andrew embraces an active lifestyle and a zest for learning. He is a passionate soccer player, cherishing the teamwork and camaraderie of the sport. His culinary pursuits, driven by a love for experimentation and new flavors, further illustrate his dedication to personal growth and exploration. Andrew is happily married to Stephanie, and together they share a loving home with their rescue dogs, Rango and Atasi. 

Austin Hilscher is an Associate Wealth Manager at Willis Johnson & Associates, where he leverages his diverse background and experience to craft comprehensive financial plans tailored to each client's unique situation. His role allows him to outline the necessary steps for current and prospective clients to help achieve their unique goals efficiently and effectively. 

Austin's passion for financial planning was ignited during his time at Texas A&M University, where he earned a BS in Economics with a minor in Financial Planning. His college years were marked by active involvement in the Fighting Texas Aggie Band and leadership in the Financial Planning Student Association. His summers were spent developing his entrepreneurial spirit, gaining valuable business experience operating a shaved ice food truck.  

After graduating, Austin embarked on his career in financial planning, starting in an operations role in Austin, TX. This provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, allowing him to progress into a financial planning role. He also honed his skills in a similar position in The Woodlands, expanding his proficiency in various aspects of wealth management. In 2023, Austin showcased his extensive knowledge of financial strategies and earned his Certified Financial Planner^® certification, which underscores his dedication to continued education, upholding the fiduciary standard with clients, and commitment to professional excellence before joining Willis Johnson & Associates in the fall of 2024.  

At WJA, Austin focuses on developing tailored financial strategies, conducting in-depth financial analysis, creating clear and actionable plans, and guiding clients through complex financial decisions. His approach combines attention to detail with a desire to help clients achieve their financial aspirations. 

Austin views financial planning as the perfect blend of analytical problem-solving and personal relationship-building that allows him to make a meaningful impact on clients' lives.  

A proud Texan, Austin embraces an active lifestyle outside the office. He can often be found exploring Texas state parks with his wife, Alondra, or cheering on the Astros at Minute Maid Park and the Aggies at Kyle Field. Austin also enjoys hiking, spending quality time with family and friends, and indulging in his hobby of refinishing vintage furniture. His diverse interests and experiences contribute to his well-rounded approach to financial planning, allowing him to connect with clients on a personal level while providing sophisticated financial guidance. 

Cameron Sauer joined the Willis Johnson & Associates team as a Financial Planning Analyst in the spring of 2024. In his role, he creates financial plans for clients and prospective clients that illustrate their financial future and the steps to achieve their financial goals.

A key element of Cameron’s approach to financial planning is creating a level of connection with his clients as if they were his own family. He believes the financial planning process goes beyond creating financial plans for his clients in that there is an even greater importance in understanding the client’s motivations and goals to provide a more comprehensive experience. Throughout his time in the industry, he’s learned about the uniqueness of each client’s situation and tailors his guidance and service to serve them best. When clients realize they can comfortably retire, Cameron knows he has left a positive mark. But, his true indication of success is the lasting relationships he creates with his clients.

Before graduating from Texas A&M with a BS in Economics and a minor in Financial Planning, Cameron was an active participant in several athletic and philanthropic endeavors. Most notably, he coached the Texas A&M men’s water polo team and served as the Philanthropy Officer for the Century Men’s Society to organize an annual event benefitting Camp Kesem, a camp for children affected by their parent’s cancer diagnoses.  

Upon graduating, Cameron gained experience through multiple financial firms. In these roles, he learned how to create financial plans and presentations that empowered his client’s decision-making on their journey to financial freedom. His experience in the industry has provided him with the wisdom to understand that capturing the entire client picture is the cornerstone to an effective relationship over time. With this as a guidepost, Cameron seeks to understand his clients’ values deeply to reflect what they care about most in the financial plans he creates for them.  

When he’s not at the office, Cameron leads an active and social lifestyle. He spends much of his time running through local parks, exercising, or hosting his friends for dinner parties and game nights. An avid sports fan, Cameron can often be found cheering on Texas A&M or one of Houston’s many sports teams.  

Leah joined Willis Johnson & Associates in 2019 as a Tax Manager. Prior to joining the firm, Leah climbed up through the ranks of public accounting, beginning at Ernst & Young. She has extensive experience in individual and business taxation, as well as the foreign filing requirements for U.S. citizens and residents. For Willis Johnson & Associates, she will be leading the development of the tax division which will offer year-round tax planning and compliance for our clients, as well as education on tax topics. She is a gifted tax researcher and enjoys computing different scenarios for tax planning. She is eager to help clients easily maneuver through the ever-stressful tasks of tax planning and tax filing.

Leah completed her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Accounting through the prestigious integrated MPA (iMPA) program at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the AICPA, and the AICPA’s Tax and Personal Financial Planning divisions.

Outside the office, she is actively involved in the Austin County Texas Exes, the alumni association of the University of Texas. She serves earnestly, alongside other alumni to provide scholarships for deserving students graduating from Austin County schools. She and her husband, David, have two sons. In her free time, she performs in the professional flute choir, Brazos Breeze, based out of Bryan-College Station.

Lindsay Reichle is a Senior Tax Associate who joined Willis Johnson & Associates’ in-house tax team in the summer of 2024 as a Senior Tax Associate. In her role, Lindsay plays a pivotal part in assisting the tax team with meticulous preparation and strategic planning for clients. Lindsay views year-round tax planning as a vital element in enhancing clients' financial decisions. By focusing on maximizing credits and deductions, optimizing income and expense management, and strategically managing asset allocation to mitigate tax liability, she enables clients to achieve greater financial independence and pursue their life goals with confidence. 

In her role as a Senior Tax Associate, Lindsay actively contributes to her client's success by brainstorming strategies to maximize tax savings and offering tax projections for emerging client opportunities. With her focus on detail and precision, Lindsay diligently works to prepare and file tax returns with the utmost care. 

Lindsay believes that a thorough understanding of each client’s financial landscape and goals is essential for effective tax planning. She also believes that achieving this is only possible through ongoing collaboration with our wealth management team and by building strong rapport with clients. 

Lindsay defines success by the tangible benefits her clients experience from thoughtful tax planning. Though she works behind the scenes, seeing her clients’ lives being enriched by her efforts and seeing them feel more financially secure and supported is where she gains the most fulfillment. In her previous roles, Lindsay gained in-depth experience in trust return preparation, which she hopes to build upon in her tenure at WJA.  

Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Accounting from Sam Houston State University and is currently pursuing her CPA designation. With over 3 ½ years of public accounting experience across diverse industries and tax returns, Lindsay is eager to deepen her proficiency in trusts and explore new ways to provide exceptional value to clients in all areas of their financial lives. 

Beyond the office, Lindsay enjoys watching basketball with her husband, gardening, and immersing herself in a good thriller novel. She delights in cooking and savoring delicious meals with friends and family, and cherishes quality time spent with her two cats. 

Elena joined Willis Johnson & Associates in 2018 as the director of marketing. She came on board with the goal to build a comprehensive marketing program designed to serve our firm’s clients by providing them with the resources necessary to ensure an optimal experience when partnering with our wealth managers.

Elena believes a seamless and informed client experience is essential to establishing strong relationships founded on trust and understanding. Her objective for the marketing team is to supply clients and prospects with financial planning knowledge provided by WJA advisors catered to their unique life goals and needs.

Prior to joining the WJA team, Elena was the director of marketing at a global technology company where she developed client-focused marketing strategies for numerous business units. She also led the marketing team at a global genetics laboratory, which functioned to provide worldwide genealogy testing. Her desire to return to a more personable business environment fueled her decision to join Willis Johnson & Associates.

Elena earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Florida International University and completed her Master of Business Administration at Keller Graduate School of Management in Houston, TX. Elena is active in the professional community as a Houston chapter member of InterNations, Dress for Success and the American Marketing Association.

Jordan Lynch joined the Willis Johnson and Associates team in 2019 as a Digital Marketing Specialist before being promoted to her role as a Marketing Communications Manager. In her role, she oversees the strategic direction, production, and promotion of the firm’s educational content and events, and she manages the firm’s marketing internship program. Understanding how much freedom and peace can come from a well-defined plan, whether for her personal finances or to promote an upcoming event, is a key motivator for Jordan in her role.  

After graduating from Trinity University with a degree in Communication, Jordan’s first role in higher education introduced her to the value of ongoing mentorship and career development. She incorporates much of what she learned in that role as she manages her team to help empower students by understanding and refining their strengths, uncovering their key motivations, and making a meaningful impact within the organization. Jordan is also an active participant in WJA’s in-house mentorship program to help early career employees navigate the nuanced challenges that arise on the path to fulfilling their career aspirations. 

As a marketer, Jordan finds creative ways to help families across the country gain awareness of the financial challenges they face and showcases how the advisors at Willis Johnson & Associates can ease them. To Jordan, financial education and awareness are crucial components for every stage of life. Between paying her way through college and seeking financial planning guidance amidst difficult seasons, she gained a first-hand appreciation for the peace of mind a financial plan can offer. Day-to-day, she continuously seeks to elevate the WJA brand and to communicate clearly, simply, and in an appealing manner. Her detail-oriented approach to all she does leverages her strengths across creative problem-solving, visual design, and comprehensive analytical skills. 

Before joining Willis Johnson & Associates, Jordan worked in marketing roles across a variety of industries ranging from higher education to technology to manufacturing. After working with a variety of teams in all shapes and sizes, what drew Jordan to WJA was the tight-knit, collaborative nature of the team and the high-value service the firm offers its clients.  

Outside of the office, Jordan maintains an active and social lifestyle with both her community and family. A native Houstonian, Jordan loves to explore new restaurants and events across the city with her husband and daughter. As a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, she also enjoys discovering new places to grab a latte with friends or colleagues. Jordan is active in her church, participating in weekly Bible studies and mentoring younger members. She loves to cook and entertain, often whipping up large, themed dinners for game nights with her loved ones. However, among all this, she considers her greatest accomplishment to be balancing her roles as a colleague, friend, wife, and mother and enjoying every moment these roles bring her way.

Christopher Polanco joined Willis Johnson & Associates as the Marketing Coordinator & Graphic Designer in 2023 after completing an internship with the firm’s marketing team. In his role, Chris creates all graphics for the educational content offered to clients and prospects through social media, emails, pamphlets, and more. Exemplifying the firm’s mission of making the complex simple, Chris works to transform complicated financial concepts into understandable and eye-catching graphics. 

Though his marketing internship led him to WJA, Chris brings many different experiences to his role here. Upon moving to the U.S., he worked at H-E-B in customer service, management, and special projects. Also, while at the University of Houston, Chris served as the Director of Communications for the HFTP (Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals) Cougar Chapter. He also brings experience from the hospitality and technology industries. These experiences give Chris a unique perspective on consumer behavior that he combines with creativity to achieve success as a Marketing Coordinator and Graphic Designer. 

Chris knows he’s succeeded when clients trust our reputation and recognize the WJA name because of our content’s efficacy, clarity, and relatability. Marketing content is often the first exposure that clients will have to the firm. Chris’ primary focus is showcasing the many ways WJA can help potential new clients with the financial challenges they face every day. Getting his eye-catching graphics and messages in front of those we best help is Chris’ way of creating new connections and building rapport with clients before they meet with our team. He believes in incorporating strategic and emotional marketing elements at each customer journey stage. Using his analytical skills, he extracts critical insights to improve the client experience, the perception of WJA’s value, and the firm’s educational content. 

Chris studied at the University of Houston, graduating with a degree in Global Hospitality Leadership and specializing in Project Management and Analytics. Among his accomplishments, Chris is proud to be a first-generation graduate student.

Before attending university, Chris spent much of his time volunteering as a teacher at a Honduran orphanage. There, he shared knowledge about social studies, art, and computers with kids from first to sixth grade. He also dedicated himself to coaching soccer and assisting in the school’s chorus as his passion for helping others grew. 

Chris believes curiosity, creativity, and positivity often lead to the best results. With each campaign or project, he eagerly looks to try something new and experiment with new approaches. He approaches his role with openness and persistence due to the trial-and-error nature of social media marketing and graphic design. Chris brings a positive and learning-first attitude to the firm, believing that doing so helps simplify everyone’s jobs and increase efficiency. 
Beyond the office, Chris enjoys traveling, painting, photography, and playing soccer.

Most often, he’s in search of new restaurants, particularly Houston’s best Italian food, to share with his friends.

Aria Daly joined the Willis Johnson & Associates team in 2024 as a Client Development Specialist. In her role, she serves as a point of contact for prospective clients and facilitates introductions between those individuals and our firm’s advisors.  

Aria takes a consultative approach to her role on the client development team. She recognizes the individuality of each person’s financial situation and asks questions to gain insight into what they’re looking to accomplish. With a better understanding of the full picture, she can steer them toward the best resources to reach the future they envision.  

After earning her bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Aria went on to tackle various business development roles in the healthcare, staffing, and technology industries. Over time, she’s developed a strong proficiency for overseeing business development teams and understanding how to connect people with the individuals or services that are most beneficial to them.  

In her role, Aria aims to ensure that every individual feels valued, heard, and assured that she’s working in their best interest to pair them with the advisor best suited to their needs. She believes that attentiveness and effective communication are foundational for providing an excellent client experience. By being an active listener and truly understanding what prospective clients are looking for, she can readily provide them with resources and direction that offer clarity. 

Outside the office, Aria is an active participant in the lives of others and the community around her. She volunteers for organizations such as the Houston Humane Society and Dress for Success in her spare time, which aligns with her passions for animals and empowering women to take steps towards their financial independence. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, or trying out new recipes. Additionally, Aria spends time training for the Boston Marathon, which she will run to support the Newton Police Memorial Association and the families of fallen officers.  

Cecilia Gomez joined Willis Johnson & Associates as a Client Development Specialist in 2024. In this role, she cultivates meaningful relationships with prospective clients, serving as a trusted facilitator on their financial journey.  

Cecilia is proud to be bilingual, speaking fluent Spanish, which allows her to connect with and serve a diverse range of prospective clients. Through empathetic listening and expert analysis, she identifies and addresses the unique needs and aspirations of each individual, strategically matching them with the ideal financial advisor, and helps these prospective clients catalyze their financial growth and success. 

With the firm's fiduciary principle as what guides her, Cecilia makes decisions that prioritize prospective client's best interests, holistically.  She draws on her background as an educator to foster strong relationships built on attention to detail, care, and trust. She measures her success when prospective clients feel truly heard and understood and when she can create a harmonious partnership with advisors and clients that sets the stage for long-term financial success. 

Cecilia earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Texas at Austin. She is also a licensed educator in Texas. Her expertise in communication, adaptability, problem-solving, planning, and organization enables her to build strong relationships with prospective clients. Additionally, her commitment to continuous learning allows her to stay up to date with industry trends. 

When she’s not in the office, Cecilia unwinds by spending quality time with loved ones, exploring new destinations, and immersing herself in captivating fiction novels - nurturing her personal connections, broadening her horizons, and fueling her imagination. 

Adrian Gomez joined Willis Johnson & Associates in 2020 as an Investment Operations Manager. He is in charge of the systems, processes, and integrations the firm uses and is always looking to improve inefficiencies. Adrian’s role allows him to assist in the portfolio administration of current and new clients, focusing on the trading of model portfolios.

Adrian received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University in December 2016. In previous roles as a trader and operations specialist, Adrian gained experience in RIA firms of various sizes. Within these firms, he learned the best practices needed for a firm’s success as it looks to scale.

Outside of the office, Adrian enjoys traveling and keeping up to date with the NFL (especially his Dallas Cowboys). In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Maritsa Parkman, Office Manager at WJA, leads the firm's administrative efforts with expertise in operations, HR, and compliance. Joining WJA in 2016 as client concierge, Maritsa witnessed the firm's remarkable growth firsthand, a journey she actively contributed to. 

Prior to WJA, Maritsa's passion for office management blossomed in the medical industry. Since joining, she's spearheaded countless projects, implementing new technologies and streamlining processes. Maritsa thrives on mentoring new employees, instilling WJA's values and fostering a more inclusive environment. Her dedication extends to continuous learning, with a recent SHRM-CP certification in 2023. 

Outside WJA, Maritsa enjoys traveling with her husband, whipping up culinary delights, and pampering their mini-goldendoodle. Fitness remains a priority, with daily exercise classes fueling her spirit. Family ties draw her back to San Antonio, where she reconnects with loved ones as often as possible. 

Bob Lowerre’s current position as a Portfolio Manager with Willis Johnson & Associates allows him to assist in the implementation of model portfolios aligned to meet one’s risk tolerance. Bob is passionate about keeping up with current events and melding the current environment with suitable investment ideas.

Utilizing technical analysis on the front end helps drive portfolio themes that are verified on the back end with fundamental analysis. Being a steward to the livelihood of others drives him on a daily basis. In addition, Bob handles a majority of the firm’s compliance tasks to ensure the firm is compliant with SEC rules and regulations.

Previously, Bob worked at a one-man broker-dealer. As a college student, he worked part-time helping create client review books and helping to open new accounts, all the while absorbing as much as he could with respect to the current markets and market history.

His boss opened his broker-dealer in 1962, so he gained a lot of valuable insight into market cycles and corresponding investment ideas. Bob eventually became so passionate about investments that he left the firm as an advisor to take his current position assisting in the modeling of client portfolios.

Stella Hoover joined the Willis Johnson & Associates team in 2024 as an Investment Analyst. She brings a wealth of expertise to her role and a proven track record of providing invaluable support to Portfolio Managers and Equity Research teams. Stella is dedicated to identifying potential investment opportunities and helping investors achieve their financial goals. 

Stella’s commitment to excellence extends beyond her professional roles, evidenced by her educational achievements and certifications. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Donghua University in Shanghai, her Chartered Financial Analyst Level II designation, and is studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst Level III exam. Additionally, she is a Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certified by the Corporate Finance Institute, is fluent in both English and Mandarin, and is expanding her language skills by learning Spanish. 

Born in Shanghai and after spending over a decade living and working in Singapore, Stella’s diverse cultural upbringing enriches her global perspective. Since relocating to Houston with her husband in 2023, she has embraced the city as her home and is proud to be a part of its vibrant community. 

Outside of her professional endeavors, Stella is an avid traveler who delights in exploring different cultures and cuisines. She also enjoys staying active by participating in fitness classes and tackling obstacle races alongside her husband. 

Ryan McDonald joined Willis Johnson & Associates in the summer of 2024, stepping into the role of Client Operations Specialist. Since his start, Ryan has been instrumental in efficiently handling clients' daily financial needs with precision. In his role, his primary focus is managing behind-the-scenes tasks such as account setups and money movements, which allows clients to concentrate on their personal and professional lives without the distraction of financial concerns. 

Guided by the belief that empathy is crucial in financial services, Ryan strives to make complex financial processes simple for clients. His personal experience in overcoming financial challenges has deepened his understanding of the emotional and practical aspects of wealth management, driving him to support clients with both compassion and expertise. Among his many accomplishments to date, he considers his greatest one to be securing scholarships that fully funded his college education, a milestone he hopes to build upon in the future. 

In his current role, Ryan's responsibilities include streamlining client operations and maintaining an organized and proactive approach to task management. He believes that success in his position is defined by the timely and accurate completion of tasks, anticipating potential issues before they arise, and ensuring clients feel secure and satisfied in their financial lives. Ryan's attention to detail and dedication to service are key traits that enable him to excel in his role. 

Ryan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, with a focus on Investment Management and Banking, from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. During his Wealth Management internship in the summer and fall of 2023, Ryan contributed to significant projects across wealth management, operations, and investments. Later in 2023, Ryan passed the Series 65 exam in preparation for his role at the firm. His industry experience is complemented by his prior internship in the homebuilding sector, where he honed his skills in project management and data analysis. 

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys watching college football, including the Longhorns, and spending time with his adopted Russian Blue cat, Luca, who has a unique penchant for playing fetch with Nerf bullets. He also enjoys hanging out with his mom and girlfriend, watching Marvel and Star Wars content, and discovering new TV shows and movies. Ryan is currently focused on preparing for the CFP® exam and values family time as a key aspect of his life.