Empowering You with Confidence to Meet Your Financial Goals
Cameron McCarty
Founder & Advisor
Cameron is a third generation financial professional and lifelong Iowa resident. He implements the highest level of integrity, work ethic, and professionalism to help retirees succeed, following in his grandfather’s footsteps after he founded Brokers International in 1955. Cameron, as founder and president of Vivid Tax, focuses on helping his clients implement tax-saving strategies to preserve their retirement and safe-guard their financial legacy.
Cameron is a SmartVestor Pro and Ramsey Trusted. He follows Dave Ramsey’s common-sense approach to investing and debt control. Cameron is also committed to educating and teaching his clients how their money works and creating a positive foundation for retirement. In the media, Cameron makes monthly TV appearances speaking on timely topics that impact everyday Americans.
Cameron and his wife, Kara, and their children live in Waukee, IA, and spend much of their time with family, traveling, and sporting activities.
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Kara McCarty
Founder & Managing Director
Kara grew up in eastern Iowa and attended the University of Iowa where she earned her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication & Spanish. After moving to West Des Moines, Kara fine-tuned her marketing and writing skills at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa, and John Deere Financial.
After meeting Cameron, the pair began Vivid Tax together and married in 2015. They currently reside in Waukee, IA where they raise their four children.
Caitlyn Hestness
CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER
Caitlyn is the Client Relations Manager for our West Des Moines office and has been with the company since May 2018, after attending Iowa State University. Caitlyn’s responsibilities include coordinating educational events, scheduling news and press interviews, and assisting with client on-boarding. She is passionate about ensuring everyone who walks through our doors has a positive experience.
Born and raised in the Des Moines metro, Caitlyn currently resides in West Des Moines, IA with her two dogs, Duncan and Sampson. In her free time, Caitlyn enjoys indulging in reality TV, interior decorating, and reading poetry books.
Michelle Kopacek
Administrative Assistant
Michelle started working at Vivid Tax in 2021 after graduating from Iowa State University. She now serves as our firm’s Administrative Assistant where she enjoys learning something new every day, preparing client files and building relationships with clients on the phone and in the office. Michelle uses her many talents to keep our office running smoothly.
Born and raised in the Des Moines metro, Michelle currently resides in Ankeny with her husband, Lance, and their two cats, Corra and Milo. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading the Harry Potter series, and traveling.
Steve Burgett
HEALTH INSURANCE CONSULTANT
Steve is a retired educator after 31 years as a teacher, principal and supervisor in Urbandale, Des Moines, and Simpson College. He also has over 14 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry.
Steve holds the National AHIP Medicare Certification and helps clients make sense of their Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage options so they can choose the plan that best meets their particular needs and goals.
Steve and his wife, Esther, live in Des Moines and enjoy gardening, raising backyard chickens, biking, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with their 3 granddaughters.
Andy Osby, VP
ADVISORY & INVESTMENTS
Andy is responsible for investment design and implementation of the Brokers International Retirement Ally portfolio strategies consisting of fixed-income, domestic equity, international equity, and alternatives. While at Brokers, he has realized the benefits of practicing a “risk-first” methodology.
Andy has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry that includes managed account portfolio construction at Principal Financial Group as the Director of Investments and Senior Product Manager where he was responsible for overseeing $5 billion in client assets under management.
Andy earned a B.B.A in Finance, holds a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation, and Series 7 (General Securities Representative), 24 (General Securities Principal), 53 (Municipal Securities Principal), and 66 (Uniform Investment Adviser – Combined State Laws) licenses.
Thomas Breitbach
SR. FINANCIAL ANALYST
Tommy supports the day-to-day management of the Retirement Ally portfolios and works with advisors to design and implement portfolio solutions for clients.
Tommy believes each client’s situation involves unique circumstances and finding the appropriate solutions can help each client achieve their financial goals.
Tommy currently holds the Series 7 (General Securities Representative), 24 (General Securities Principal), and 65 (Uniform Registered Investment) financial licenses. In his time with Brokers International, Tommy has completed the Level 2 CFA exam and plans to continue toward the CFA designation. Tommy also earned his Masters In Finance from Drake University.
Matthew Bollman
ATTORNEY
Matt grew up in northeast Iowa, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Economics in 1995. He then attended the University of Denver, College of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2000. He moved to Seattle, WA, and then to Phoenix, AZ. Matt and his family moved back to Ankeny in 2008 to return to the family environment Iowa provides.
Matt’s practice focuses on estate planning, probate/trust administration and elder law. He often lectures to the public and to professional groups.
Matt’s professional affiliations include: WealthCounsel; ElderCounsel; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); Iowa Bar Association; VA Accredited Attorney; Elder Law Answers.
Debbie Taylor
EA
Debbie has been a tax associate for 14 years with extensive experience in individual tax preparation and tax consulting. She has successfully handled a wide range of IRS audits and taxpayer inquires, working with the taxpayer and IRS to achieve positive results.
Debbie and her husband, Ken, have 5 children and 7 wonderful grandchildren. In her spare time Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, playing golf and reading.