Trey Barnes

"Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria."
-Sir John Templeton

Trey has nearly two decades of financial industry experience, specializing in retirement planning for small business owners, executives, and high net worth individuals. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, which is considered to be the pinnacle of financial planning standards. His focus is on helping individuals become goal-oriented in their thinking, understanding that the financial strategies and portfolio investments which comprise their plan should all be geared toward achievement of those goals.

Trey grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma before attending the University of Kansas, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Before joining Mariner, Trey was a financial consultant for A.G. Edwards, which became Wachovia Securities in 2007, where he held the title of senior vice president—investment officer.

Scott Wesley

"Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time."
-Scott Wesley

Scott is a senior wealth manager and financial planner for Mariner Wealth Advisors. He has an extensive background in the business community, and his entrepreneurial experience allows him to serve on the boards of several local organizations.

Prior to joining Mariner, Scott was second vice president of wealth management and financial advisor for The Plaza Group at Smith Barney. He has earned the designation of financial planning specialist and served as the financial planning coordinator for Smith Barney’s Kansas City branch.

Scott is a member of the Centurions Leadership Group with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, chair for TLC for Children's 1st Annual Motorcycle Event, member of the American Royal governorship committee, and member of the advisory board at the Henry W. Bloch School of Business at UMKC.

He received Smith Barney’s prestigious Rainmaker Award in 2004 and Smith Barney’s Blue Chip Award in 2004 and 2005.

Martin C. Bicknell, Chief Executive Officer

"The Top 100 Investment Advisors in America: #12: Martin Bicknell/Mariner Wealth Advisors."
-Barron's, August 31, 2009

Martin is the Chief Executive Officer of Mariner Wealth Advisors and Mariner Holdings. He is a former senior vice president—investments of A.G. Edwards & Sons, where he led a staff of professional financial consultants in providing customized wealth management solutions for public and private corporations, high net-worth individuals and their families, and charitable organizations.

Prior to founding Mariner, Martin counseled small- to medium-sized businesses, including Xceligent, Pitt Plastics, Zouire Incorporated, Bicknell Properties, and National Pizza, in a wide range of financial matters. A recognized leader in the field of financial problem-solving for companies and their executives, he has been a valuable resource for other successful entrepreneurs.

Martin has extensive personal and professional experience in the realm of closely-held family businesses and the complexities that are unique to this area. From strategic planning for the accomplishment of long-range goals, to succession planning and wealth transfer, he brings a breadth of knowledge to the table which encourages creative thought and visionary solutions.

Martin received his Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University. In August of 2009, Barron’s listed him as the 12th “Top Independent Investment Advisor in America."

Katie Dunn Fitzgerald

"I have no idea what the stock market will do next month or six months from now. I do know that, over a period of time, the American economy will do very well, and investors who own a piece of it will do well."
-Warren Buffett, CNBC interview, Oct 10, 2008

Katie is a wealth manager at Mariner with a focus on new business development. She works with business owners and senior-level executives primarily, helping them to formulate and implement all aspects of a financial plan. Prior to joining Mariner, Katie held the position of account vice president at UBS. She achieved the Pacesetter level of recognition, reserved for the top 5% of financial advisors based on level of service.

Katie is an alumnae of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Group, is active with various programs in the United Way, and serves as a board member of St. Luke’s Crittenton Children’s Center. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University, and holds multiple certifications, including the Series 7 securities license, the NASD Series 66 license, and a health and life insurance license.

Bruce Kusmin, Co-Founder

"We strive to help people do well,and to help them do good."
-Bruce Kusmin

Bruce is the co-founder of Mariner Wealth Advisors. He has 25 years experience as a financial advisor, and is a former senior vice president of investments with A.G. Edwards. Over his tenure, he has specialized in advising corporate clients and high net worth individuals on investment strategy, asset allocation, and wealth transfer. Bruce has worked extensively with closely held businesses in the areas of benefits and succession planning.

Bruce specializes in strategic planning for businesses and creating efficient solutions for business owners and executives. For the past three years (2007-2009) he has been recognized for his work in the industry by being named a 5-Star Financial Planning Manager by K.C. Magazine.

Bruce also has extensive experience in the field of charitable giving, helping families and foundations find the right solution for their philanthropic wishes. He and his wife, Carolyn, have made several trips themselves to very depressed regions of Haiti as ambassadors of the Global Orphan Project, an organization dedicated to housing and feeding orphaned and abandoned children.

Bruce graduated Southwest Missouri State University and performed graduate studies at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He is an active member of the community, serving as president of the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Foundation, past president of the Plaza Kiwanis Club, and working closely with the Kansas City Businessman’s Club, assisting their efforts to support children with Tourette’s syndrome. He is an accomplished instructor in the areas of investment management and financial planning.

Alana Scott, CFP^®

"Fiscal health and well-being begins and ends with a solid financial plan. This plan should be your blueprint to help you achieve your goals and objectives."
-Alana Scott

Alana is a wealth manager and financial planner for Mariner. Her role is to provide comprehensive, financial plan-based wealth management to clients, utilizing a number of advanced planning and financial management tools.

Prior to joining Mariner, Alana was manager of operations for O’Renick Companies, Inc.—A Kansas City based financial services firm providing investment and financial planning to high net worth individuals, trusts, corporations, and qualified retirement plans. Her duties included maintaining quality control and overseeing all areas of the department, including client services, operations, regulatory compliance, and client reporting.

Alana achieved her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, specializing in finance, from the University of Georgia. She received her Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University. Alana is a registered CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, completing her studies at the UMKC Bloch School of Financial Planning. She holds her Series 7, Series 63, and Series 24 securities licenses, and is a member of the Financial Planners Association of Greater Kansas City.

Alisa Roth

"Financial peace of mind, that is what I deliver to the families I work with."
-Alisa Roth

Alisa is a senior wealth manager for Mariner, specializing in financial planning for high-net worth individuals, families, and foundations. Alisa began her career as a financial advisor 20 years ago with Dean Witter.

Following her stint at Dean Witter, Alisa transitioned her business to Smith Barney to work with high-net worth families as Second Vice President in the Wealth Management Division. While at Smith Barney she formed The Plaza Group, subsequently adding three other advisors and a support team.

Alisa has been recognized for her leadership abilities, earning the acclaimed Pacesetter Award each year at Smith Barney, and being named one of Kansas City's top wealth advisors by KC Magazine for 2007 ,2008 and 2009. She is also very involved in the community as a founding member of the 360° of Giving at The Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City, which raises money for philanthropic organizations serving women and girls. 

Alisa is married with three young children, and is a graduate of William Jewell College.

Theresa Hultz

"Investing is a marathon, not a sprint."
-Theresa Hultz

Theresa is a senior wealth manager and financial planner for Mariner. She has been with this group for 10 years and left A.G. Edwards in May 2006 to help with the formation of Mariner Wealth Advisors. Theresa has 23 years experience in the financial services industry and specializes in financial planning for individuals, business executives and foundations. She holds the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 Securities Licenses.

Theresa also heads up the Mariner Foundation which is an employee based Charitable Giving Foundation with the primary focus of supporting local 501(c)(3) organizations in need.