Scott Underwood first found his passion for financial planning through an internship with Northwestern Mutual in 1991. After being a Top 10 Intern for three consecutive years with one year as the top intern in the entire company, Scott began his full-time career with an insurance-focused business. As the industry evolved, so did his vision for the future. Today, as CEO of Socium Advisors, Scott leads a large team to develop comprehensive financial plans for individuals, families, and businesses all over the country.

Over and over, he has proven his dedication to delivering industry-leading services for his clients, and he has been recognized for his ceaseless efforts to navigate the complexity of each person’s unique situation. Throughout his career, Scott has had numerous things to consider accomplishments, but none so much as the trust and partnership he has built with his team and clients. Scott continues to earn the Barron’s Top 1200 Advisors award year after year.

When he’s not working, you could find Scott and his two boys, Billy and Peter, anywhere from the mountains of St. Lucia to riding four-wheelers around their farmland in Missouri.

As a Partner at Socium, Tripp Kelly specializes in solution-based planning through aggregating clients’ needs with high level resources.  While his perceptivity is innate, he first found his aptitude for problem-solving and finance with the hobby of stock trading in high school and a short stint working with a civil engineer in college. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, he served a tenure as an accountant for a small local business until starting with Northwestern Mutual in 2008 as a Financial Advisor. Tripp is originally from Newport News, Virginia, where he comes from four generations of individuals dedicated to professional service and considers his career a full embodiment of that tradition.

Tripp and his wife Sarah reside in Arlington, Virginia, where their house is filled not only with sounds of chaos from their three boys: Ford, Beau, and Quinn, but also sweet smells of barbeque from his Big Green Egg.

As Partner of Socium Advisors, Michelle Magner specializes in solution-based planning through aggregating clients’ needs with high level resources. Prior to joining the firm in 2010, she was a Portfolio Manager with a regional bank & trust company, where she handled investment portfolio design and implementation. In 2021, Michelle became the first ever non-contracted equity Partner at Northwestern Mutual.

Today, Michelle’s breadth of knowledge in investment management continues to serve her in her efforts to help clients decipher their financial portfolios and oversee Socium’s Investment Committee. She’s proud of her team, but she’s even more excited for what the future holds.

Away from the office, Michelle moves quickly. Whether she’s chasing her three boys, Walter, Hank and Max, or running a marathon, she rarely sits still. While she enjoys a nice, long jog in her free-time, Michelle has bridged her love running with an organization close to her heart: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. She has raised money for and participated in St. Jude’s Marathon several times and describes running through the hospital’s campus seeing patients and their families in the surrounding area as one of the most moving experiences of her life. Most recently Michelle added a Boston Marathon under her belt.

Justin serves as Partner at Socium Advisors and Founder of Athletes Advantage Financial. After joining Northwestern Mutual through the internship program in 2007, Justin built a successful career by narrowing his focus and becoming one of the foremost experts in financial planning for collegiate and professional (NFL, NBA, MLB, and Olympic) athletes. 

Throughout his career as a wealth management advisor, Justin has been awarded several prestigious internal awards at Northwestern Mutual while also earning the #2 spot on the 2022 Forbes Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list in the state of Arkansas. He is passionate about providing innovative solutions to help clients accomplish their personal, professional, and financial objectives.

He attended Assumption College in Worcester, MA for two years where he played middle linebacker and earned his bachelors from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. It was here that he met his wife, Megan. Justin and Megan reside in Fayetteville with their 3 children. Justin and Megan are members of The Grove Church in Fayetteville and their passions include supporting their charities of choice, The Arkansas Children's Hospital and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2022, October 2021), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Research and ranking provided by SHOOK Research. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.

Adam is the Chief Operating Officer at Socium Advisors. Since joining the firm in 2017, he has led the planning teams while overseeing financial planning training, standardization of processes, and planning-related projects. Adam is a trusted advisor who provides expert guidance to families, individuals, and business owners, helping them make informed decisions about their finances.

Adam takes a caring approach to planning by attentively listening to clients, engaging them in meaningful conversations, and educating them about their financial situations. He practices a comprehensive integrated financial planning model that takes a systematic approach to wealth building. Adam addresses relevant areas of personal finance, including investment management, income and estate tax planning, insurance, wealth accumulation and preservation, charitable giving, and cash flow generation. He works collaboratively with his clients' CPAs, estate planning attorneys, mortgage brokers, and other professionals to create a comprehensive financial plan.

In his free time, Adam enjoys running marathons and triathlons, as well as working on his golf game. He is also an active member of the community and supports Big Brother Big Sisters, which he considers one of the most rewarding experiences he has had in St Louis. Adam grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Elon University’s Love School of Business.

Adam is a highly experienced and knowledgeable financial planner who provides a personalized approach to his clients' financial needs. He's committed to helping them achieve their financial goals while building long-lasting relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

PJ McDaniel, the Chief Growth Officer at Socium Advisors, spearheads business development, corporate strategies, and M&A oversight. Formerly a partner at Hill Investment Group, acquired by Focus Financial Partners in 2021, PJ not only led the Financial Planning Committee but also instituted a systematic approach for sustained growth, showcasing his strategic acumen.

With a rich career spanning over 20 years in financial services, PJ has held senior sales leadership roles, raising over $3b in investor capital. His ability to cultivate deep relationships with financial advisors nationwide stands out, reflecting in his instrumental role in fostering organic growth for RIAs.

PJ's academic foundation includes studying business administration and finance at Regis University, adding a unique layer to his skill set. Outside of the office, PJ is a family man, happily married to Jennifer, and takes pride in being a devoted father to three boys.

As a Partner at Socium Advisors, Christopher Koon is an accomplished professional with over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, achieving significant milestones while assisting thousands of individuals in protecting and providing for their loved ones. Having excelled at Northwestern Mutual, he has built a solid reputation for dependability and success in the field.

Chris is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a testament to his exceptional achievements and leadership in the financial services industry. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chris has also completed the 29029 Everest challenge, climbing 29029 vertical feet, exemplifying his passion for challenging himself both mentally and physically. He has completed 19 marathons including the Chicago and Boston marathons, breaking the 3-hour barrier twice.

Chris is not only a leader in his professional life but also a dedicated member of his community. He attended Marshall University and actively supports Camp Rhythm St. Louis and served on the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Development Board. His greatest success is his marriage to his wife, Lisa Rose, and their three children: Berkley, Ava, and Gunnar.

Chris continues to inspire thousands each year with his motivational message and personal story, embodying the ethos of professional dedication and personal triumph. His biography, “Unleashing Potential: A Blueprint for Exceptional Growth,” captures his journey and his commitment to helping others maximize their potential.

Suneel Garg brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Socium Advisors. With almost 20 years of experience focusing on wealth accumulation and effective tax strategies, Suneel has been widely recognized for his achievements and regularly speaks at industry events and training sessions for advisors. He is dedicated to anticipating the next developments for the industry, his business, and, most importantly, his clients' long-term financial success.

With a strong foundation in accounting, including a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Southern California and experience at Ernst & Young LLP, Suneel later pursued an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, further enhancing his financial acumen. His transition into financial planning was marked by a successful tenure as the CFO/COO of a privately held firm. In addition to his profound knowledge of accounting and tax codes, Suneel holds the esteemed Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation, enabling him to provide clients with a comprehensive planning analysis perspective.

Suneel is committed to giving back to his community and supporting education. He remains active as a mentor in the Career Advantage Program at USC and serves as President of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter for UVA's Darden School of Business. Outside of work, Suneel enjoys spending time with his family in Los Angeles, which includes his wife, Sharmila, their children, Kamran and Alia, and their Old English sheepdog, Madison. As a sports enthusiast, he is a dedicated Trojan football and Dodger baseball fan and also enjoys activities such as playing softball, riding his bike, and golfing in his free time.

Since Darren can remember he has always had a passion and desire to understand personal finances. As a young child, he was often found looking through the stock section of the newspaper, tracking the performance of companies as if he owned shares of their stock. This passion for financial planning and his desire to make a positive impact on people's lives led him to become an Associate Advisor at Socium Advisors.

After graduating from Radford University in 2009 with a degree in Accounting and Finance, Darren spent several years working as an Accountant. However, he soon realized that his true calling lay in researching financial strategies, and he made the decision to pursue this as a career.

At Veritas Financial, Darren honed his skills in preparing comprehensive financial plans and reports, leading meetings, building strong client relationships, resolving inquiries, and managing client accounts and money movement transactions while assessing risks.

Now a valued member at Socium, Darren brings a unique perspective and an unparalleled level of energy to the team. He is committed to ensuring that clients receive the best possible service, often going above and beyond to provide the support they need to achieve their goals.

When Darren is not in the office, you can find him coaching youth basketball, or playing golf with friends and family. He is one of the Founders of the NOVA GameChangers a Youth Basketball Organization based in Northern Virginia. He enjoys spending as much time with his two nephews, golfing and traveling.

As a Client Relations Associate, Bevan Gourley ensures clients’ needs are met by strategic and focused follow through. After graduation from Humboldt State University with a bachelor’s in economics, he started his professional career working at a private school as the Director of Extended Care and camps.

In this position, he developed a passion for building lasting relationships. His interest in finance and ability to work well directly with people led him to a wealth management firm in Long Beach, California, and eventually to Socium Advisors in January of 2020. Bevan enjoys helping others navigate the complexities of financial planning as well as forming genuine partnership.

In his leisure time, Bevan enjoys time spent at the golf course, walking his dog, or with his fiancé, Cheyenne.

Adam Heath graduated from Webster University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Computer Science. He started his career as an intern at AG Edwards, evolving into a full-time position. Joining Socium Advisors, he now serves as the Director of Financial Planning. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Adam leverages his industry experience and team-oriented approach to create comprehensive financial plans for clients. Outside of work, he values family time with his kids, Chase and Addyson, and enjoys activities like golfing and cycling.

Haig is a Wealth Management Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. His favorite part about what he does is cherishing the relationships of his clients to bring them one step further in achieving their legacies. Haig holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations in order to provide the expertise needed for his clients.

Haig earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the Centre College of Kentucky and his M.B.A. from the University of Baltimore.

Hailing from Reston, Virgina, Haig enjoys playing tennis, road and mountain biking, independent movies and fine arts. He loves to travel to Costa Rica, India and Europe as his favorite destinations. Haig is passionate about supporting various charitable organizations and spending time with friends and family.

Tommy is a dedicated advisor at Socium Advisors with over 7 years of industry experience. Known for his unwavering commitment to helping others realize their full potential, Tommy takes pride in helping each individual he encounters achieve goals they never thought possible. With a relentless drive to deliver an unparalleled client experience, he ensures that every interaction leaves a lasting positive impact.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Tommy’s greatest achievement is the lifelong commitment he shares with his grade school best friend, Anna. Together, they live in Saint Louis with their two beloved dogs, spending most of their free time with friends and family.

A sports lover since he was young, Tommy grew up spending most of his time playing golf, soccer, and baseball. More recently, he has found a deep passion for running – drawn by the sense of community and camaraderie, and the peacefulness of time spent outdoors. Always pushing his limits, Tommy's proudest moment so far has been conquering a grueling 75-mile ultramarathon. He now has his eyes set on qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon, needing to shave a few more minutes off his current best marathon time of 3:06.

In every aspect of his life, Tommy embraces each moment with infectious enthusiasm, cherishing every opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him. Whether on the trails, in the office or simply sharing a conversation, he embodies the spirit of living life to the fullest and spreading joy wherever he goes.

Ian Powers is an Advisor who believes in prioritizing his clients' financial goals and understanding their needs with attention to detail. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and has worked in various roles in the financial industry, including helping individual investors and plan sponsors navigate their Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit Plans.

Ian has always been passionate about money management, which was a fixture in his upbringing. This passion led him to join Socium Advisors in April of 2024.

When Ian is not working, he likes to spend his free time at his family farm, playing golf, or enjoying the company of his wife Whitney and their son Nolan.

Heather Stonebarger is an Advisor who specializes in proactively overseeing and coordinating the comprehensive financial planning needs of retired, active duty and reserve members of the military, government workers, medical professionals, business owners and their families.

As a military veteran and member of a fourth-generation military family, Heather has a deep understanding of military benefits and advises both active-duty service members and veterans on how to incorporate them into a comprehensive financial plan.

She is passionate about educating her clients on protecting, optimizing and growing their assets, so they have money, choices, and peace of mind in retirement.

Heather has earned numerous awards and acknowledgements for her client practice and services, including Northwestern Mutual’s Pacesetter First 40, Centurion Platinum and Pacesetter Second 60 Awards. Heather studied Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and has Associates degrees in General Studies from National American University and Community College of the Air Force. Heather and her family live in Saint Louis.

As an Associate Advisor, Sid values developing relationships with his clients. After starting his career in finance through an internship, Sid spent 14 years with Northwestern Mutual as an Associate Advisor, Wealth Management Advisor and within leadership as a College Unit Director. During this time Sid received several notable accomplishments within Northwestern Mutual. In 2019, Sid went on to expand his leadership experience within the industry before returning back to Northwestern Mutual and Socium Advisors in November 2021.

Sid co-founded The Dental Advisory Group which serves as a resource to dental practices around the country. As the President of the Gainesville, VA Chapter of Nexco National, Sid works to network and uplift others.

Sid earned his Bachelors in Finance from George Mason University School of Business to which he still sits on the Alumni Board today.

Sid and his wife Deepika reside in the McLean, VA area and enjoy travel.

John Unterreiner joined Northwestern Mutual in 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, John spent 12 years in healthcare and non-profit administration. In these settings, John discovered that people who envision their legacy and implement a thoughtfully created plan lead lives of personal fulfillment and enduring community impact.

In his 28-year career with Northwestern Mutual, John has built a successful practice grounded in a deep understanding of each client.  Building upon this strong foundation, John has educated, equipped, and empowered his clients to reach their goals and achieve financial security.

John holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation.  John is thrilled to be a part of Socium Advisors and dedicate himself to helping clients make a lasting impact through philanthropic planning.  In Tacoma, Washington, John is active in both the South Sound Planned Giving Council and Leave 10, a regional non-profit organization promoting estate gifts of 10% to charitable causes.

Originally from Pasadena, California, John resides in Gig Harbor, Washington with his wife, Alison. Once competitive marathon runners, Aly and John still stay physically active walking, running, hiking, cycling, and gardening.  Most importantly, they cherish time spent with their son Miles, their daughter Avery and their spouses in California.

Britton brings a decade of experience in the property & casualty insurance industry to Socium Advisors.

He and his wife, Caitlin, along with their two young boys, Abishai and Atticus, reside in Northwest Arkansas. Actively involved in their local church, they lead a weekly small group for young married couples. With his parents living in Mountain Home, Britton often enjoys spending time on Lake Norfork or the White River. When not on the water, he can be found at the gym or on the golf course.

A proud graduate of the University of Arkansas, Britton is passionate about calling the Hogs and engaging in friendly banter with fans of other teams.