Steven Aul, ChFC®, RICP®

President and CEO

Steven Aul holds ChFC, CLU, and RICP designations and graduated from Ball State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a recognized financial commentator, co-author, radio host, and licensed insurance agent.

Known to his colleagues and clients as a seasoned and experienced independent financial professional, he regularly conducts financial workshops and hosts “The Aul Financial Hour — Your Money Matters” radio show on KMOX 1120 AM every Saturday at 7AM. Steve has also co-written articles for CNN Money, Fortune, and Forbes.

Steve resides in Ballwin with his wife, Lori, and their dog, Sophie. His passions include motorcycles, scuba diving, Corvettes, volunteering with local charities, participating in church activities, and spending time with his family.

Steve holds a Series 66 designation and is bound by a fiduciary legal status to hold his clients’ interests ahead of his own. The core guiding principles of what Steve has vowed to do include:

• Putting your best interests first.
• Acting with prudence; that is, with the skill, care, diligence, and good judgment of a professional.
• Providing transparent, full, and fair disclosure of all-important facts.
• Mitigating and disclosing any conflicts of interest.

Mel Brandon

Senior Associate Financial Professional

Since 1991, Mel Brandon has worked in the areas of retirement preservation and income planning strategies for those in and nearing retirement.

Mel works with clients across the country, structuring customized financial strategies to address issues compromising their lifestyle. Realizing there are many options available to clients, Mel is careful to listen to the needs and concerns of each client’s financial situation before delving into a solution to help reach their goals.

By providing a suite of insurance products, he assists clients with life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance as they may apply to retirement strategies, legacy-planning strategies, asset protection, and income generation based on each client’s needs.

Mel enjoys interacting with people and prides himself on having a great sense of humor. Mel was a regular guest speaker for a national organization that trained and educated financial professionals from all over the country. This drove him to stay on top of new options available in the industry. He brings this experience to every client meeting, educating each client on their options before helping assist them in the execution of their decisions. Mel has written articles for Money, Fortune, and Forbes.

Mel has three sons, all of whom work in the financial services industry. He attended the University of Tennessee and from there joined the Air Force Strategic Air Command as a systems analyst. After leaving the Air Force, Mel worked in sales management and training before transitioning over to the financial realm. He enjoys reading a good book, loves to learn new strategies and concepts, and also happens to be a movie buff.

Deanna Orf, CFP®

Investment Advisor Representative

Deanna Orf is passionate about helping others, especially independent women, become intentional and excited about managing their financial future. After ten years as a self-proclaimed “Domestic CEO” to her seven children, Deanna began her career as a financial advisor in 2007, building a strong foundation of expertise in coaching and protecting her clients. During the recession, she actively worked with clients to ease concerns, identify opportunities and mitigate losses as part of rebuilding their individual investment and retirement savings plans. Deanna is committed to helping others design their own financial road map to achieve the lifestyle they envision for themselves and their family. In addition to financial consulting and advisory services, Deanna is developing educational workshops to engage and empower women to invest in themselves and their financial future.

Deanna is Series 65 licensed and is bound by a fiduciary legal status to hold her clients’ interests ahead of her own. The core guiding principles of what Deanna has vowed to do include:

• Putting your best interests first.
• Acting with prudence; that is, with the skill, care, diligence, and good judgment of a professional.
• Providing transparent, full, and fair disclosure of all-important facts.
• Mitigating and disclosing any conflicts of interest.