About Us

We are your resource, auditing financial products for professional advisors, individuals, and business owners.

We proactively review, audit, and design strategies for our clients.

It’s challenging to be confident that you are making the right financial decision in a world with so many opinions. DeNovo Advisory Group members have been providing process-driven, fact-based options to financial advisors, accountants, attorneys, business owners, and high net worth individuals for over a decade. There are hundreds of financial institutions, thousands of financial vehicles, and millions of opinions.

Our job is to simplify the complicated.

In a historically transactional industry, DeNovo Advisory Group has systems in place to equip our clients with a better understanding of their financial products and how to manage those assets in the most efficient manner possible.

Meet the DeNovo Advisory Group Team

Our Purpose:

Serve Others to Affect Generations

What Do We Value at DeNovo Group?

Trust

Teamwork

Integrity

Service

Your clients have a lot of professional support. Let us support you by having a seat at the table.

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"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."

- Proverbs 15:22

Managing Director, Founder

David Means, Jr., CLU®, AIF®, NQPC™, AEP®

Read David's Full Bio

David graduated early with honors from Austin College with a double major in Economics and Business Finance while captaining both the football and baseball teams. He was “the voice of the Roos” color commentating AC’s football games for many years and was inducted into the Austin College Hall of Honor for his various achievements. David holds his FINRA Series 7, Series 66, Series 24, state insurance licenses, as well as the CLU, AIF, NQPC™, and AEP® designations. He has also obtained post graduate degrees to further his education in financial services from the Wharton School of Business, American College and Cannon Financial Institute.

With the success that the DeNovo Advisory Group has experienced, David gets the opportunity to speak nationally to industry professionals regarding sophisticated risk and tax management strategies. Much of his time is spent understanding the financial landscape and helping businesses and individuals navigate how to best position themselves. He is committed to deepening his understanding of the industry through memberships in Forum 400, Top of the Table, EARC, FINSECA, and the Dallas Estate Planning Council.

David currently resides in Allen, TX with his wife Mallory and their two children, Maren and MacArthur. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, taking spontaneous outings, and can often be found hanging out at their place on Lake Texoma. David is an avid supporter of all DFW sports teams and Manchester United.

AR Insurance License #13209827

CA Insurance License #0N12547

Director of Corporate Retirement Planning

Austin Webb, AIF®, CPFA®, NQPC™

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Austin graduated with a degree in finance from Texas A&M University. He holds his FINRA series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, state insurance licenses, as well as the AIF, CPFA and NQPC™ designations.

Austin leads the Corporate Retirement Planning division at DeNovo. His passion to serve others is shown in each of DeNovo’s thousands of plan participants. His goal is to deliver talented and dedicated employees with retirement confidence within the qualified and non-qualified plan design.

Austin married his high school sweetheart, Britton, and they have three children together. Austin and his family are members of Restoration Church in Montgomery where they serve in the ReGeneration Ministry. In his free time, Austin loves exploring God’s creation, golf, hunting, and fishing.

CA Insurance License #4379359

Director of Planning & Investment Oversight

Richard D. Barton, MBA, AIF®

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Ricky graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Texas and has a Master’s degree of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in strategic leadership from Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) Cox School of Business.

Ricky holds his FINRA series 7, FINRA Series 66 registrations, and State Insurance licenses. Ricky has obtained professional designations including the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).

Ricky is absorbed with helping clients remain focused on the “whys” of what they plan to do. Through a comprehensive planning process Ricky provides wealth management and insurance planning strategies designed to guide clients to reaching their goals and dreams they have for their family or businesses.

Ricky married his high school sweetheart Erica, with whom he has a son and daughter, Lane and Brooklyn. In their free time Ricky and Erica love being outdoors and staying active. They enjoy wake surfing, CrossFit, and coaching their children’s sporting teams. Ricky and Erica are longstanding members of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX.

Director of Research and Analysis – Financial Planning

Steven Pirtle, CLU®, ChFC®

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Steven graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Agri-business from Texas A&M University in College Station and has a Master's degree of Supply Chain Management from the University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindall School of Business. Steven holds his FINRA series 7, FINRA Series 66 registrations, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Credentialed Holistic Financial Coach designations as well as State Insurance licenses.

Steven is committed to building long-term relationships with his clients and professional advisors. He has a passion in coaching others to reach their potential both personally and professionally. As the Director of Research and Analysis for Financial Planning Steven is able to come alongside his clients to help them achieve their goals through personalized and strategic planning.

Steven currently resides in Dallas with his wife and their three sons. He enjoys reading, flyfishing, traveling, and spending times with his family. Steven and his wife are founding members of Eastside Community Church in East Dallas where he previously served as a deacon and Treasurer of the Board.

Director of Research and Analysis – Insurance Planning

Kyle B. Lynch, CLU®

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Kyle graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Finance from Sam Houston State University. Kyle holds his FINRA series 7, FINRA series 63, FINRA 65 registrations, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU ®) designation as well as State Insurance licenses.

He began his career in finance in 2013 gaining experience in various parts of the insurance business. In 2016, he made partner with the DeNovo Advisory Group to help continue serving clients for the next 30+ years. Kyle spends his time understanding client situations then compiling data within their existing strategies to help offer guidance. He also councils the DeNovo team relating to industry products and their applicability to client situations. Kyle has the tools and resources needed to help you develop and implement a personalized financial strategy.

Outside of assisting his clients, Kyle spends the majority of his time with his wife to be, Sarah, and their two children Holden & Blake. Outside of a running a household, Kyle spends his time skydiving, working on his golf game, and keeping up with Formula One & the Dallas Stars.

Director of Research and Analysis – Estate Planning

Cameron Michalski

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Cameron is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He holds his FINRA series 7, series 63, series 65 registrations, and state insurance licenses.

Cameron joined his current broker-dealer, now Equitable Advisors, in June of 2014 where he gained exposure to numerous aspects of the business. In 2018, Cameron began partnering with members of the team and was officially invited to join the DeNovo Advisory Group in April of 2020 as the Director of Research and Analysis for the Corporate Retirement Planning (CRP) division. Alongside our CRP Director, Cameron provides the team with insight into the retirement plan design process as well as assistance with advanced business planning strategies.

Cameron married his better half, Emily, in September of 2019. In their free time they enjoy cooking and trying new restaurants, traveling with friends, and staying active around Houston.

Regional Director

Thomas Visintine

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Tom began his financial services career with his current broker-dealer, now Equitable Advisors, in 1992. By 2010, he had been inducted into Equitable Advisors’ Hall of Fame. He has obtained his FINRA Series 7, 65, 24, and 53 registrations, as well as state insurance licenses. Additionally, Tom has furthered his financial education by receiving the Retirement Planning Specialist title from Equitable Advisors based on receipt of a certificate in Retirement Planning through the Wharton School of Business and attending the Equitable Advisors Institute at Harvard University.

Today, Tom partners with DeNovo Advisory Group as a Regional Director, focusing on life insurance strategies, wealth management, legacy planning, and financial planning for his clients. He currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, Tina. Outside of spending time with clients, Tom enjoys quality time with his family and friends, golf, and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Corporate Retirement Planning Specialist

Crockett Speer, CPFA®, NQPC™

Read Crockett's Full Bio

Crockett graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agri-Business from Texas Tech University. Crockett holds his FINRA series 7, FINRA Series 63, FINRA Series 66 registrations, State insurance licenses, as well as the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) and Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC™) designations.

Crockett became a financial advisor in 2018, where he gained valuable knowledge of the financial advising landscape working with individuals and businesses alike. Early on in his career, Crockett began partnering with members of the DeNovo team and officially joined DeNovo Advisory Group in May of 2020. Since May of 2022 he has been working alongside DeNovo’s CRP Director as a Corporate Retirement Planning Specialist. He has built an extensive network with other industry leaders that work with business owners to increase DeNovo’s outreach and help their clients maximize their qualified and nonqualified plan design.

Crockett has been living in Dallas for 6 years. In his free time, Crockett loves golfing, hunting, trying new restaurants, traveling to visit family and rating golf courses for Golfweek.

Regional Director

Jacob Ahlbrand, CPFA®

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Jacob graduated with a degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana
University. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 65, and 24 registrations, state insurance licenses,
and has obtained the designation of Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®).

Jacob is dedicated to ensuring his clients have confidence and clarity in their financial plans. By taking an in-depth planning approach, he provides wealth management, insurance planning, corporate retirement planning, and estate planning strategies designed to guide clients from their current state to achieving their preferred future.

Beyond tailoring solutions to meet his clients' needs, Jacob spends most of his free time
with his high school sweetheart wife, Kennedy. They enjoy traveling, being outdoors,
staying active, and spending time with friends and family. Jacob is an avid golfer and a
longtime member of Precious Blood Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana.
CA Insurance License #4421057
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Client Relations Coordinator

Erin Bookout

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Erin graduated from the University of Alabama, where she earned a degree in Public Relations with a minor in Management Communications. She is committed to providing DeNovo clients with exceptional support throughout and after the onboarding process. By cultivating strong personal relationships, Erin delivers attentive, high quality service and ensures clients receive consistent care in managing and maintaining their accounts.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Associate Advisor

Jacob Rombs

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Jacob graduated with undergraduate degrees from the University of Dallas. He is currently pursuing a masters through Texas Tech as well as the CFP designation. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations, along with state insurance licenses.

Jacob joined his current broker-dealer Equitable Advisors in 2024 and officially joined the DeNovo team in 2025. He assists multiple advisors across the three divisions to support clients in achieving their preferred future.

In 2023, Jacob married his better half, Gabrielle. Living just north of Dallas, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, hosting events, and travelling to Europe. Their family regularly attends mass at Our Lady of the Angles Catholic Church in Allen, Texas. When not at work or grilling with the family, Jacob can be found supporting Juventus and watching Italian soccer.

Associate Advisor

Garrett Sampson

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Garrett Sampson is an Associate Advisor with DeNovo Advisory Group. He graduated from the SMU Cox School of Business with a major in Finance and a minor in Mandarin. Garrett holds his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, along with state insurance licenses.

Garrett focuses on helping clients define and achieve their preferred future by navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape. He works closely with individuals and business owners to design and implement thoughtful strategies across wealth management, advanced planning, tax efficient strategies, and life insurance solutions. Garrett takes a client focused approach, ensuring clients understand their options and feel confident making informed decisions aligned with their long term goals.

Born and raised in Vail, Colorado, Garrett enjoys spending time in the mountains skiing and snowboarding. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and is an avid golfer. He also has a background working in fine dining restaurants and enjoys exploring new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes.

Client Onboarding Coordinator

Paige Lyons

Read Paige's Full Bio

Paige Lyons is an Onboarding Specialist at De Novo Advisory Group, where she plays a key role in supporting the seamless setup and maintenance of new and updated client accounts. With a strong focus on organization and client service, Paige ensures that internal processes run efficiently while helping deliver a smooth and positive experience for clients.

Paige began her career in the financial services industry as a Fraud Specialist, where she developed a keen eye for detail and risk awareness. Over time, she discovered her strengths in organization and client relations, which ultimately led her to transition into her current role supporting advisory operations.

Originally from Houston, Paige relocated to Dallas to attend the University of North Texas, where she graduated in 2021. She has since made Dallas home for nearly a decade.

Outside of the office, Paige enjoys spending time with her husband, and together they consider themselves self-proclaimed TV show critics, always on the lookout for their next favorite series. She also enjoys taking coffee walks with friends, diving into her next book series, and renovating and decorating her home.

Associate Advisor

Justin Sambado

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Justin graduated with an undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University. He holds FINRA series 7, 63 and 65 registrations, along with state insurance licenses. Justin joined his current broker-dealer Equitable Advisors in 2024 and officially joined the DeNovo team in 2026. He works alongside all three divisions supporting his associates and clients.

Justin is originally from the Central Valley of Northern California where he grew up in the orchard fields before coming to North Texas in 2020. Justin enjoys athletic activities including basketball and golf, he loves traveling around the world, and spending time with family and friends. Justin is a huge bay area sports fan and an avid movie watcher. When not a work, you can find him on the Katy Trail going for a run or at The Nelson Club in Las Colinas.

CA Insurance License #4431600

Analyst

Ryan Kolakowski

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Ryan graduated from Bentley University in 2024 with an undergraduate degree in Finance and a minor in Psychology, where he was also a member of the baseball team. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, along with state insurance licenses.
Ryan joined his current broker-dealer Equitable Advisors in 2024 and officially joined the DeNovo team in 2025. He assists multiple financial advisors across the three divisions to support clients in achieving their preferred future.
Outside of work, Ryan lives in Dallas, where he enjoys international travel, trying new restaurants, and cooking for family and friends. A lifelong Boston sports fan, he can usually be found cheering on his teams when he isn't exploring a new city or firing up the grill.
Ryan Kolakawski is registered with Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN), and provides administrative support services only. DeNovo Advisory Group is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors, LLC.
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After going through our process, our clients can be confident that there is no better strategy in the industry for their needs.

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Duly registered and licensed financial professionals offer securities through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY
212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN), offer investment advisory
products and services through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor, and offer annuity
and insurance products through Equitable Network, LLC (Equitable Network Insurance Agency of California,
LLC in CA; Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC in UT; Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc.).
Financial Professionals may solicit and transact business and/or respond to inquiries only in state(s) in which
they are properly qualified. The information in this website is not investment or securities advice and does not
constitute an offer. For more information about Equitable Advisors, LLC you may visit https://equitable.com/crs to review the firm’s Relationship Summary for Retail Investors and General Conflicts of Interest Disclosure. Important Information & Disclosures: LINKED DISCLOSURES

DeNovo Advisory Group is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors or Equitable Network.

PPG-7203952.1 (10/24) (Exp. 10/28)

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