Get To Know The Team at Schulz Wealth
Robert R. Schulz, CFP®
President
I grew up in a small, Central Texas town and attended The University of Texas. In 1990, in the span of only six months, I got married, graduated with my accounting degree, was commissioned as a naval officer, and subsequently lost my dad to a sudden heart attack. I grew up quickly that year. Over the next four years, Shelly and I lived on the East Coast (Newport, RI, Virginia Beach, VA, and Charleston, SC) while I served as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS John Rodgers, a Spruance class destroyer. I loved my job but found it difficult to balance sea duty with home life, so I resigned my commission in 1994 and we moved back to Texas.
I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to do it so I took a commission job with a financial services firm – The Principal Financial Group. I learned a lot from some really great people at Principal, but after a few years, I decided to launch into an independent firm called First Texas Financial Services with four other partners. It was during this transition that I achieved my Certified Financial Planner designation. At First Texas, we specialized in businesses and their owners. We were a one-stop shop for insurance, benefits, 401(K), and investments so I found myself wearing many hats.
What I really love and enjoy doing is financial planning and asset management. With this in mind, I sold a big chunk of my business and launched Schulz Wealth on my own in 2014. Now I am able to focus solely on my true calling.
I spend a lot of my time writing on financial planning and investment topics. The best way to get to know who I am and what I think is to read the blog posts on our website. In 2020, I finished my first book entitled Thoughts on Things Financial: Your Guide to a Chaotic Money World.
In my 25-year career, I have earned many awards and accolades. As a result of my peers' considerations and public recognition, I have been named Best Financial Advisor in Arlington & Mansfield in 2022 Living Magazine, Five Star Wealth Manager of 2019, as well as an Investopedia Top 100 Investment Advisor in 2019. I have also taught Retirement Planning for the Certified Financial Planning Certificate Program at Texas Christian University and The University of Texas at Arlington.
My wife Shelly and I have lived in Mansfield, Texas since 1994 and raised our four wonderful kids here. Both of us have maintained a very active role in the community, serving and leading several boards, organizations, commissions, and foundations over the last three decades. Outside of my work as an adviser, I am an avid sportsman, golfer, traveler, and woodworker. On any given weekend you may find me in the shop, a duck blind, on the golf course, or seeking adventure somewhere on the road with Shelly.
Austin M. Smith, CFA®, CFP®
Chief Investment Officer
I grew up just down the road in Flower Mound before attending college at Southwestern University, in Georgetown Texas. At Southwestern, I majored in Business and graduated from the Financial Analyst Honors Program in August of 2017. During my time at Southwestern, I represented the university as a pitcher for the Southwestern University Pirates baseball team as well as in various leadership positions within the Financial Analyst Program.
Upon graduation in 2017, I joined a financial firm in Austin, Texas where my focus was more on the Institutional Asset Management side of the industry. After getting my feet wet, I discovered my true calling: to work directly with families and individuals towards their personal financial success. I joined Schulz Wealth in March of 2018 as a Junior Adviser and have grown my role from there.
I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. I currently live in Fort Worth and when not traveling, I enjoy playing and watching sports with my friends and family.
Karen Alexander
Operation Specialist
I bring over twenty years of experience working in the financial securities industry. I’ve assisted several financial advisors with a variety of administrative duties, managing over a thousand accounts. My responsibilities included opening new accounts, updating existing ones, handling account transfers, moving funds, processing contributions, withdrawals, and distributions, as well as managing the annual IRA-RMD process.
I’m well-versed in working with various custodians, including Fidelity, Schwab, Pershing NETX360, Trade PMR, and Altruist. I also manage multiple CRMs like Advyzon, Junxure/Advisor Engine, Redtail, Salesforce, and Wealthbox.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, family, and friends. I also love gardening, spending time outdoors, painting, sewing, and other crafts.
Alondra Matute
Executive Assistant
I grew up in sunny California and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Mass Communications. With a decade of experience as an Executive Assistant to C-level executives and a robust background in project management, I joined Schulz Wealth in 2024. I am dedicated to providing high-level administrative support to Rob and the team, planning and executing events, improving automation and workflows, and enhancing overall operations to ensure the best client outcomes.
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in managing complex schedules, coordinating cross-functional projects, and streamlining processes to boost efficiency. My proactive approach, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence foster a collaborative and efficient work environment, perfectly aligning with the firm’s mission to deliver exceptional wealth management services.
Outside of work, I am a proud mom of a 2-year-old son and three dogs. I enjoy traveling and playing music, balancing my professional and personal life with enthusiasm and joy.
Sadie Larsen
Receptionist
I joined Schulz Wealth in 2024 as the Front Office Receptionist. I provide essential support with phone communications, paperwork, client scheduling, and essential administrative tasks.
With a friendly and professional demeanor, I am dedicated to making a positive, lasting impression on all clients who visit our office. My mission is to ensure every interaction is welcoming and efficient, contributing to an exceptional client experience.
You work too hard to settle for good enough.