Joel Drake
Managing Partner, Personal CFO
Joel's career in financial service began immediately after his graduation from Drake University (Finance) in 1991 when he joined Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company. His training included aspects of risk management, investment planning and estate planning with an emphasis on retirement planning. Through this emphasis, Joel became an Investment Specialist with Mass Mutual. There he worked as the go to person for all investment/securities related questions, was a liaison with the home office in Massachusetts and was a backup supervisory licensed representative.
In this light, Joel spends his time counseling pre‐retired and retired individuals as well as corporations seeking advice and consulting services with an emphasis on retirement, tax, investment and estate planning. After 15 years with Mass Mutual, Joel made the decision to join DFG in 2005 to provide his clients the potential benefits of a truly independent financial planning firm. In 2021, Joel joined the Wealth Consulting Group, and became a Registered Representative of LPL Financial. Joel is also a member with Retirement Plan Advisory Group (RPAG), a frontline alliance of accomplished advisors whose goal is to produce enhanced value for sponsors of and participants in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. As the nation's largest provider of retirement plan consulting, RPAG provides practice management for 370 subscribing firms, 740 advisors in 45 states, 21,000 plans and $86 billion in collective assets under advisement.
Joel and his wife, Trish, were married in 1992 and together have 2 children, Brennan and Lauren. In his spare time, Joel enjoys golf, trips to the lake and is a long-time fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes! Joel believes his clients are better served when they can make informed decisions and takes pride in his ability to turn complicated concepts into understandable action items.
"RPAG is not affiliated with The Wealth Consulting Group, WCG Wealth Advisors, LLC, or LPL Financial"
Pam Traeger
Partner, Client Operations
Pam Traeger joined Joel Drake at MassMutual in 2000 as a part-time assistant while her sons were in school. Now she is a full-time Client Services Manager. She spends her days working closely with our clients as a main point of contact for administrative questions. She is dedicated to the well-being of our clients and takes pride in the service she provides.
Pam and her husband Rich have 2 sons. Jeff and his wife live in Minneapolis and Bryan and his wife live in Denver. They all enjoy traveling together and celebrating milestones at various restaurants. Pam and Rich are happiest when friends and family are able to spend time at the lake enjoying the relaxing views of northern Minnesota.
Meredith Mussmann, MSF
Operations Manager
Meredith Mussmann, MSF, is a finance professional with deep expertise in financial planning, operational strategy, and client-centered solutions. Her career spans roles as a registered assistant to financial advisors, a financial advisor, and an advisor liaison at a broker-dealer firm—giving her a comprehensive understanding of the financial services industry.
Outside of work, Meredith enjoys gardening, singing, and playing both piano and bass guitar. She lives in Des Moines with her husband, Tim.
Tricia Drake
Event & Marketing Manager
With over 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and event planning, Tricia has built a career focused on connecting people, telling meaningful stories, and creating memorable experiences.
Most recently, Tricia spent two decades at Homesteaders Life Company where she shaped brand strategy, leading marketing, public relations and events. Her strengths include event management, branding, content creation, and customer engagement, supported by strong leadership and creative direction.
Today, she continues to bring people together through communications and events that inspire and leave lasting impressions.
Outside of work, Tricia enjoys spending time Joel and their daughters, playing tennis, and styling their mid-century modern home.
David "Finn" Claypool
Client Service Associate
Finn recently joined the team as an intern and is pursuing a career in financial planning and wealth management. He graduated from Drake University in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Law, where he was a member of the football team and served as team captain during his senior season.
Following graduation, Finn continued his collegiate football career at Fresno State while completing coursework toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Through his academic and athletic experiences, he developed strong leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills that continue to shape his professional approach.
A proud Des Moines native, Finn is passionate about serving his community and helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions as they work toward their long-term financial goals.”
Clinton Akerberg, CSRIC™
Managing Partner, Personal CFO
An entrepreneur by nature with a passion for finance, Clinton’s core competency lies in identifying effective and efficient solutions to complex problems.
Just as a business employs a CFO to coordinate the many aspects of its finances, Clinton and the Wealth Consulting Group team specialize in developing coordinated strategies and tax-efficient solutions for our clients. As your Personal CFO and trusted advisor, Clinton delivers a customized Financial Planning Process and strives to bring the full spectrum of wealth management capabilities and resources necessary to address each client’s unique financial needs. Our other main passion at the Wealth Consulting Group is Socially Responsible Investing and aligning our clients’ core values with their investment portfolios.
A Lawrence, KS native, Clinton graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in International Business and Finance. He quickly put down roots in Des Moines and has worked closely with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Ingersoll Board of Restoration.
When he’s not managing our clients’ financial worlds, Clinton enjoys spending time with his English Cream Golden Retriever, Brinkley, as well as sailing, scuba diving, cycling, and skiing.
Sybil Poage
Financial Professional
Sybil has embraced the ever-changing landscape in the financial services industry for over 30 years. Earning a degree in the sciences and being involved in the retail services as a youth, instilled a passion for interacting with people to help them confidently manage through life changes. A career focused on assisting and guiding individuals through financial decisions with cutting edge resources and technology brought her to the Wealth Consulting Group and the team in Des Moines.
With decades of experience helping clients navigate life’s financial transitions, Sybil is committed to meeting people exactly where they are—whether they’re building a new plan or refining the one they have. She has a strong appreciation for how life stages, family dynamics, and unexpected events shape financial decisions, and she works closely with clients and the resources at The Wealth Consulting Group to create strategies that can adapt as their needs evolve. Through the Wealth Consulting Group, she can offer thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and resources that empower individuals and families to feel confident in their financial path today and in the years ahead.
Sybil is married and has four adult children, a blended family, and grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, snorkeling and working to improve her golf game. There are also some charities that she enjoys supporting and as retirement draws near, plans to become more involved in. There is also part of the year that she looks forward to spending time in Arizona.
Zoe Pins
Financial Advisor
Zoe recently joined the team as an Account Executive. She is currently a senior at The University of Iowa planning to graduate this May with a degree in Mathematics with a focus in Finance. Her mission is to channel her love for math into meaningful work that directly benefits individuals and society.
In her free time, Zoe enjoys working out and spending time with her silver lab Margo.
Nikki Reichardt
Director of Client Relations, Office Manager
Nikki’s core competency is her in-depth knowledge of wealth management and tax implications as well as her genuine care for our clients’ needs and attention to detail when supporting advisors in implementing their Personal Financial Plans.
Nikki came to the Wealth Consulting Group after spending years working with investments in the corporate world. She has built her career on exceptional customer service for her commitment to going above and beyond for every client. One of her favorite things about her career at the Wealth Consulting Group is the ability to build personal relationships with each client.
When she’s not being our customer service superstar, Nikki loves to spend time with her four wonderful children. She and her family like to take advantage of their downtown location by spending time outside, going for walks, and enjoying all Des Moines has to offer.
Julia McCormick, CDFA® RICP® CFP®
Managing Partner, Personal CFO
Julia McCormick, CDFA® RICP® CFP® is a dedicated Personal CFO focusing on holistic wealth management.
Julia is passionate about helping her clients reach their retirement, accumulation, and business goals through formulating and implementing holistic financial plans. She sets herself apart through detailed cash flow planning and a talent for creating wealth management plans that reflect her client’s values.
As a Retirement Income Certified Professional® and Certified Financial Planner™, she works with individuals, families, and small business owners. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, she is experienced in helping clients with their financial roadmaps during and after a divorce.
In addition to her work as a Personal CFO, she is a violist, playing in many Des Moines ensembles and an advocate for the live music scene in Des Moines. Julia and her husband, Kyle, and their three boys are proud residents of Urbandale, IA.
Rachel Rolfes
Client Services Manager
The best part about making a plan is watching it come to life—and that's where I come in.
I handle all the details behind the scenes so nothing falls through the cracks. I want to know you and make your life easier by anticipating your questions, keeping you in the loop, and celebrating even the smallest milestones along the way.
When I'm not working with clients, you'll likely find me covered in soil from my garden or flour from my kitchen.