At Briaud Financial Advisors, we are dedicated to our clients, and we do everything we can to help them in their financial life. In part, this dedication comes from Janet Briaud’s personal experience and harkens back to the reason she became involved in the financial advisory industry in the first place. Janet emigrated from Canada, moving to Texas in the late 70s with her husband, a civil engineering professor. Planning to start a family and wanting to secure her children’s future, Janet, a physical education teacher at the time, engaged a well-known commission-based investment broker to manage her modest savings.
The broker, well meaning though he may have been, invested her money following the pattern so common in commission-based financial service firms. He invested much of Janet’s money in a high cost mutual fund that guaranteed him a generous commission regardless of how well the investment performed. The fund lost money, and between the advisor’s commission and the poor performance of the fund, Janet lost half of her initial investment.
For a short while she was frustrated, but the difficulty of the experience created a resolve in her. Janet began learning everything she could about sound investment practices and began to invest for herself and her family. As her expertise grew, she started an hourly consultation business and then began writing advice columns in the local newspaper. What began as a pastime had evolved into a genuine fascination, and ultimately a career.
Janet opened Briaud Financial Advisors in 1986 and became a Certified Financial PlannerTM a short time later. Janet had seen firsthand the conflicts that arise out of
the commission-based model, so she established her business from the start as fee-only. This was considered a risky decision at the time, but it has proven to be the right one. Today, Briaud Financial Advisors is recognized nationally as a leading provider of financial planning and asset management services. In addition to Janet, who still sees clients and chairs the investment committee, the company boasts seven other CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioners and a dedicated back
office of client service professionals.
Given its relatively humble beginnings, Briaud Financial Advisors has been an incredible success. We attribute that success to Janet’s founding principle that clients should always come first. As we write the next chapter of our story, we will remain dedicated to the idea that our job is to help clients achieve happier, more prosperous and fulfilling lives.
Our Story
We are a financial
services company
made up of people
like you – people
who have put their
savings and trust
in the hands of
advisors with the
hope that they
and their families
would have a
brighter future.
Our Team
Janet Briaud, CFP®
Janet Briaud is an internationally recognized expert in investment management
and financial planning. She founded Briaud Financial Advisors in 1986 to fulfill her desire to help individual investors, particularly physicians and professors, manage their finances on a fee-only basis. She received her Certified Financial PlannerTM designation a short time after launching the company.
Janet has been widely quoted in national magazines and newspapers and is featured in a chapter of a book authored by Mary Rowland, In Search of the Perfect Model: The Distinctive Business Strategies of Leading Financial Planners.
Janet’s unique investment approach was lauded in an article titled The Golden Touch in Morningstar Advisor Magazine’s winter 2008 edition. She has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Wealth Management in Wealth Manager’s April 2008 edition and has received numerous other accolades from investment related publications over the span of her career. A member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, she served as its president in 1993 and as Chairman of its Board of Directors in 1994. Janet served on the TIAA-CREF Advisory Board from 1999 to 2002 and 2005 to 2006 and the Vanguard Investment Advisory Board from 1996 to 1998. She currently serves on the Texas A&M Finance Advisory Board.
Janet graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.A. in Physical Education and shortly after went on to receive a Masters degree from the University of Ottawa also in Physical Education. An intellectually curious person, Janet is well read on numerous subjects. As a former P.E. teacher, she also enjoys leading a fit lifestyle making time for yoga, running and biking.
Janet enjoys family life and values her time with her husband, two children, and two grandchildren.
Chief Investment Officer, Partner
Natalie Briaud, CFP®
Natalie joined Briaud Financial Advisors in 2007 as an Investment Analyst. After
completing her CFP(R), she expanded her role to that of Financial Advisor, including both financial planning and wealth management. Natalie became a partner in the firm in 2011. Before joining Briaud Financial Advisors, Natalie worked for New York-based distressed debt hedge fund Davidson Kempner in London. When she joined in 2004,
Roger Pine, CFA, CFP®
Roger joined us in 2008 as a Financial Planner, after working in the energy industry for eight years. Prior to joining, he was an independent business and technology consultant to energy trading companies, serving some of the largest names in the industry on three continents. His duties included the analysis of complex derivatives contracts and strategies, and the calculation of appropriate risk management measures. Over time, he learned a great deal about the global oil, natural gas, and power markets.
Roger’s interest in finance began with an internship he held at the Lloyd’s of London insurance market while in college. Since then, he has continued to pursue a genuine interest for economics and investing, culminating in his attainment of the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial PlannerTM designations.
Roger received a BS in electrical engineering in 2000 from Rice University in Houston Texas.
Roger is married to Natalie Pine and has two children. In his spare time he enjoys playing music and distance running. He is currently working on a goal of completing a marathon in each of the 50 states.
Financial Advisor, Partner
Peggy Sherman, CFP®
Peggy joined Briaud Financial Advisors in 2007 after working 10 years with a national financial planning firm providing comprehensive fee-only financial advice. She has also worked in tax accounting and trust services roles.
Peggy is a National Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)-Registered Financial Advisor. She serves as a presenter in the organization’s Financial Planning Fundamentals education program at national conferences. She has been quoted in industry publications, including Investment News magazine, the Wall Street Journal and Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.
Peggy is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Architecture with directed studies in community/ urban design. She obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification
in 1990.
Much of Peggy’s community service revolves around her interest in community development and architecture, her financial expertise, and her faith. Peggy has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years. She has also presented and lead financial counseling programs through both church and community organizations.
Financial Advisor
John Bohnsack, CFP®
John Bohnsack is a Client Service Associate at Briaud Financial Advisors. He joined our team in 2011.
Before joining Briaud, John worked as a Customer Service Representative for the Bank and Trust of Bryan/College Station and as an Account Manager for Discovery Benefits, a third party administrator for employee benefit plans. John is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Family Financial Planning. He obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification in 2012.
Originally from North Dakota, John has quickly grown accustomed to Texas’s warm climate. His personal interests include reading, movies, golfing, and supporting his favorite sports teams. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his daughter Audrey and wife Melissa, who works at Texas A&M University in Scholarships and Financial Aid. John annually volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site, sponsored by the United Way of Brazos County, which provides free income tax preparation for low to moderate income households in the Bryan/College Station communities.
Financial Planning Associate
Patrick McGinty, CFP®
Patrick joined Briaud Financial Advisors in May 2011 after graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Business Management. Patrick’s enthusiasm as a team player and desire to challenge conventional thinking has been an excellent addition to Briaud. Before joining Briaud Financial Advisors, Patrick worked in the real estate industry in College Station, Texas. Prior to his arrival at Texas A&M, he lived in Japan for 17 years as the son of missionary parents. Today, Patrick is fluent in Japanese, and offers the company a unique perspective on the world.
Patrick’s personal interests include writing, music, singing, traveling, reading, home improvement, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Ellen have one son, and reside in College Station, Texas.
Financial Planning Associate
Bret Mulvaney, CFP®
Terry Sheeley, CFP®
Terry Sheeley is Briaud Financial Advisors’ Director of Client Service and is a valuable member of our leadership team. She joined us in 2004. Terry is a Certified Financial PlannerTM and a corporate professional member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).
Before joining our team, Terry worked as a certified CCCS counselor for 15 years with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Gulf Coast. She also has 5 years of experience as a loan officer for Aggieland Credit Union and five years as a Property-Casualty Insurance Agent with Harold Jarvis Insurance Agency. Terry has a Bachelors degree from the College for Financial Planning and a business associates degree from Tyler Junior College.
Terry’s personal interests include working in her yard, reading, travel, and a passion for Aggie baseball. She enjoys spending time with her husband Gary and her two children Sarah and David. She volunteers her time providing financial and debt counseling at the A&M Church of Christ and provides foster care for the Brazos Animal Shelter.
Financial Planning Associate
Adam Burch
Adam joined the Briaud team in 2013 as a Financial Planning Associate. Prior to that, he spent five years at Houston-based Sysco Corporation, where he was Manager of Supply Chain Planning and Analysis. He also worked at Texas A&M University as a Program Manager in the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Adam’s passion for personal finance and economics, as well as his experience with financial analysis, led him to the financial planning sector. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He also earned a Master of Agribusiness degree from Texas A&M University. Adam is currently enrolled in the Certified Financial Planner course with the Boston Institute of Finance.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Dana and their baby girl, Reese. His hobbies include fishing, playing sports, gardening, reading, playing guitar, competing in BBQ competitions, and attending Fightin’ Texas Aggie sporting events.
Financial Planning Associate
Georgene Jalbuena
Georgene joined Briaud Financial Advisors in 2013 as a Financial Planning Associate, and she is currently pursuing her Certified Financial Planner designation with Bryant University. Before beginning her career in financial planning, she received a degree in Mathematics from Rice University. Her research in Biology, Mathematics, and Computational and Applied Mathematics, (CAAM) has given her strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Her Biology research involved neural differentiation of carcinoma cells using retinoic acid. In her Mathematics research, she and another undergraduate derived a formula useful in exact sampling of Skew-Young Diagrams. Her CAAM research included the analysis of various mathematical models of hippocampal spatial memory with place cells.
In her spare time, Georgene enjoys playing the violin, cooking, trail running,
crocheting, DIY projects, spending time with her boyfriend Hector, and visiting her family in Houston.
Financial Planning Associate
Stephanie Cooper
Stephanie, a local to the Bryan/College Station area, joined Briaud Financial Advisors in 2013. She previously worked as an operations manager while studying Horticulture at Texas A&M. Shortly after graduating from A&M, she was added to the Briaud team as executive assistant because of her strong love for people and her willingness to serve. She devotes the majority of her time at work caring for clients and staff.
Outside of work, she sits on her church’s children’s ministry board and has been actively involved since her youth. Her hobbies include floral design and decorating. However, Stephanie’s favorite pastime is spending time with her husband, Micah, and her daughter, Arielle.