Des Moines, Iowa

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.