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Our Team

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Our Team

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Bernadette Salazar

LPL Registered Representative

719-486-3917
 

       

 

Bernadette started in the industry over 8 years ago. She has experience working with individuals, businesses and non-profits.  Bernadette has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Financial Planning.

Bernadette is an LPL Investment Advisor Representative and holds the following securities registrations through LPL Financial:

Series 7 General Securities

Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law

Bernadette’s Story

Since I ask my clients to provide very personal information about themselves and their families, I feel that it is fitting that I do the same.

I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From an early age, I was taught the importance of working for what you want, and I had my first job at 14 in a fast food restaurant. It paid off and that job ethic has stuck with me through the years. I recognize and appreciate the hard work behind every dollar we invest for our clients.

I grew up taking family trips to Colorado and fell in love over the years. I knew from early on that I wanted to call Colorado home and raise my family here too. My son Paxton is 6 and couldn't agree more that Colorado checks all the boxes for him. I started taking courses at CMC in Leadville and really enjoyed Economics. I knew that finance was my goal and so I started looking for a job in the field in 2011. 

I interviewed for an Office Management job at the only Financial Planning office in town. John Wells and Bob Deister had decided before the interview was up, that not only was I going to be a great fit, but also a great succession plan for them too! Well, I had my work cut out and immediately started working towards my securities registrations and learning everything I could about the business. I am so lucky, in that, I could not have had a better couple of mentors. They taught me that however and whenever you start planning, all paths are equally important. A single dollar client is as valuable as a client that has a million.

I really do love what I do. It is a privilege for me to work with our clients to help them manage their financial goals. Our clients have become  extended family in Colorado and beyond. It’s so exciting when I get introduced to new families that share the same work ethic and want our guidance.

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Samantha Brookes

LPL Registered Representative

719-587-5102
Samantha.Brookes@LPL.com
609 Main St. Suite 102
Alamosa, CO 81101
 

       

 

Samantha currently manages the Elk Mountain Financial branch in Alamosa, Colorado. In 2017, she joined the industry as an Office Assistant for LPL Financial in Leadville, CO. She has an Associate of Arts in Psychology through Colorado Mountain College and is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology through the University of Colorado Denver.

 

 

 

Samantha is currently an LPL Registered Representative and holds the following securities registrations through LPL Financial:

  • Series 7 General Securities 
  • Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law 

 

Specialties: 

  • Comprehensive Financial Planning
  • IRA/ROTH, 401k, Individual Investment Accounts, College Savings
  • Employer Rollovers 
  • Business Retirement Plans
  • Fixed Income
  • Managed Portfolios
  • Values-Focused Investing

 

About Me

I grew up in Arvada, Colorado and my family spent much of our free time exploring the outdoors. I knew from an early age that I wanted to live in the same places I love to play, so I moved to Leadville, Colorado after graduating high school to pursue higher education at Colorado Mountain College. I studied Outdoor Education for some time, but decided it wasn’t what I wanted for my career. After taking hiatus from higher education, I went back to school to get my degree in psychology in order to help coach people on how to accomplish their goals in life. 

At that point, I like to say that my finance career found me. When I came into the Leadville financial planning office to start my own personal retirement account, I met a wonderful group of professionals who were in the business of planning and helping people prepare for their futures. After talking with them about my personal and career goals, they invited me to be a part of their team. My specialty is working with people using a focus on behavioral finance to make sure people feel confident and informed about their investments. 

In early 2020, our Alamosa representative announced his retirement. We began the process of transitioning the business, and I officially stepped into my current position in July of 2021. This office services the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado including Alamosa, Monte Vista, Saguache, Blanca, Antonito, San Luis, Del Norte and more. I am managing the accounts for our existing clients, and I invite any new clients who would like to join us on our money management journey to give me a call or drop by our Alamosa branch location. My mission is to encourage people of all backgrounds to embrace their wealth management options in order to make informed decisions about their financial picture.

I still have the adventurous spirit from my upbringing, so in my free time I enjoy exploring, traveling, cooking new foods, and seeing new sights. I can often be found hiking with my yellow lab, Zoe. My excursions have taken me across the U.S. and have included various trips overseas. I plan to continue exploring and am passionate about helping others along the way. 

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Joshua Schrecongost

LPL Registered Administrative Assistant

719-486-3917

I am originally from Willamsport, PA, the home of the Little League World Series, but have spent the majority of my life in New Mexico.  My greatest passion is movies and the history of cinema, specifically silent films.  My first job was an usher at a movie theatre when I was in high school.  I was so excited to be working with something I loved, that I stayed with the company for 15 years.  I finally decided to step away from that industry due to the decline of the theatrical market. 

Growing up my career goal was to be a teacher, and when searching out a new career path I realized I could combine my personal interest in finance with my desire to educate.  I began my career in the financial industry in 2016 and proceeded to work towards my securities registrations.  After years of regular visits, I finally moved to Leadville in 2020 and I am looking forward to building my future here.    

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Kim Luedke

Administrative Assistant

Kim started with Elk Mountain Financial in April 2022 as an Administrative Assistant.

About me:

I have had an interesting and varied work life! It began with a Social Work degree and working with people with traumatic brain injuries, followed by several years working with New Hampshire Human Services. After moving to Colorado in 1997, I decided to work as a temp for a while to find something other than social work. At COPIC Companies I found an affinity for accounting and pursued a second degree. After 8 years in the insurance industry, I co-founded a marketing and business services company where we provided everything from graphic design, website design and maintenance to event planning. I also ran the business side of things. After 11 years we decided to move on and I found myself back in accounting for a solar company, followed by a fun, but hectic stint as Operations/Practice Manager for an autism therapy organization. In January 2022, I decided it was time to slow down a bit and started looking for part time work. I have always enjoyed the finance side of things and working with my own investments, so this seemed like a natural fit. For fun I enjoy camping, bird watching, gardening, reading, quilting, and cooking and spending time with my husband, Ken and our sweet dogs Nate and Ned.

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  • 211 Tabor Street
    Buena Vista, CO 81211
    Phone: 719-486-3917
  • 115 W 6th St, Ste 205
    PO Box 979
    Leadville, CO 80461
    Phone: 719-486-3917
  • 609 Main Street, Suite 102
    Alamosa, CO 81101
    Phone: 719-587-5102

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