Melanie Avery, CFP®, CRPC®, CPWA®

Although born in Fort Scott, Kansas, Melanie Avery wasn’t born into military base life, but born to Janet and Paul Fredstrom, a nurse and dean of a college in Pittsburgh Kansas respectively. Paul, although formerly military police after WWII, was a sensitive and emotionally propelled man who was inspired by his Swedish heritage. With the last name meaning “peaceful stream,” it’s no wonder he was drawn to Janet who balanced him with her stoic and kind nature. Both of Melanie’s parents were passionate about equality of race, sex, culture, and creed and that was a topic at the dinner table a lot growing up, sparking a passion in



Melanie as well and teaching her that, like her dad, she could be passionate out loud, or passionate deep in her heart like her mom. A duality she brings to her everyday life to this day.
Melanie rounded out this family as the baby sister of three. 13, 11 and 9 years her senior, her sisters doted and loved her, one of them even praying to have a baby sister until Melanie materialized. They all live in the same state now and are close but as a child the age difference made a lonely sort of existence for Melanie. She was sensitive like her dad, shy like her mom and with her sisters into things way too old for her, she was quietly alone with her thoughts a lot. When Melanie was just a 1st grader, her mother developed a brain tumor. This made for a resilient kid as well. And Janet was also resilient, surviving that tumor and going on to live a happy life until her passing at the age of 84.

 

When asked the best piece of advice Melanie had ever received, she said it was from her mom, Janet. She heard Melanie on the phone once saying something rather catty, in her youth and her mother told her to look at her mother’s face and when she held her gaze, she said not to ever say anything about someone you wouldn’t say right to their face. Janet can rest easily knowing that Melanie heard her. She isn’t that kind of person. She is a champion of other women and other people for that matter. So, it’s safe to say, “She heard you..”

 

Melanie loved high school. She had an excellent group of friends, a steady guy, she got into musicals and softball and worked. She was busy. The long-legged first baseman didn’t want anything getting by her. Not on the field or in life, she grabbed it all by the horns. She enjoyed singing and performing and still does, mostly not for an audience although the author did request a sample, she insisted on making me wait it out.

Although a singer at heart, her passions outside of her obvious passion for her career and family now lie with personal development. She is a veracious reader, journals as much as she reads and practices yoga. She tries to search for diverse ways to be of service to the earth the people that inhabit it. You can tell when you talk to Melanie that you aren’t in average company. She doesn’t want to just meet you; she wants to know you. She wants to know your heart and what lights you up inside and I can’t think of a better way to touch others than to know their heart. When reflecting on this career path that Melanie has chosen, the slightly left-brained artist inside being so financially and economically and analytically minded as well can seem like a square peg fitting in a round space but when looked at from the perspective of the whole, holistically  if you will, when someone knows your heart, knows what you are passionate about, is a student of life all the time, always learning not only about their craft but also about their clients isn’t that where they have truly become a steward in the realest sense?

It is a part of this personal development that when I inquired what she is currently learning about she mentioned the art of the death doula. I have always known about birth doula, but this was new to me. They do not provide medical care but collaborate with medical teams like hospice to ensure the individual's wishes are honored. When we spoke about it, the idea of holding someone’s hand and guiding them out of the world just as a birth doula guides them in is such a beautiful concept my breath caught at the mere thought of it. And if anyone I have ever met is

qualified to gently ease someone into the warm water of afterlife, it is Melanie. The only things sure in life are death and taxes. Coincidentally, those are two things that Melanie deals with daily here at work. To guide people through the most important and sometimes challenging times in their lives is truly an honor for those who are blessed enough to do it. An oft cited Serbian Proverb, “Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars.” is one of the beautiful sentiments that Melanie is so drawn to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then I shook my head because it was getting so deep even I was getting misty-eyed. Melanie has been through a lot this year, but she is self-sufficient. She knows how to unwind, how to recharge. She likes to take long walks outside with her dogs Shep and Shoney.


She likes to look at the sky for a long time and see the depth of it. She knows how to calm herself and ground herself. Talents that take some of us a lifetime if we ever get to that place at all.

 
Melanie loves anything that opens your world up a little wider. Whether that be a book about telepathy, a sci-fi movie like Contact with Jodie Foster, a (someday) bucket list trip to India – she is fascinated with the culture and how open-hearted, generous, and appreciative the culture seems to be, her strong urge to learn the

 

 
 
harmonica and breath in and out music, her urge to consume things that feed her body and soul like electrolytes water with lime and salt potassium and magnesium, fish, sushi, or like the way your lungs open up on a long walk or a hearty laugh.

When asked what her favorite thing about our team was, she said humor. Melanie said “There are some really funny people on this team. That even when we are tired or there is stress it breaks with laughter and it is unique about our team, and I am really grateful for it.” And as someone who gets to hear that laughter echo in the halls of our office now and again, and frankly, as someone who sometimes really aims a joke just to hear the bells it makes coming from her diaphragm, the author is grateful for that joyful noise of Melanie’s laughter. It’s part of what we are FOR.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PM-01172028-5761747

Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice.

Team Member Spotlight - Rick Hagedorn

It’s first thing in the morning, the door swings open at FOR Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors headquarters. About 30 seconds before Rick Hagedorn, Financial Advisor, enters the suite, you’re struck by a head of hair, sparkle in the eye and genuine smile of greetings. He’s a guy who precedes himself, whose presence is immediately felt in a room. I imagine this is part of what makes him a great leader of his practice along with a true sense of responsibility to his client’s and their best interests. I imagine his passion for his family, his two amazing daughters and the love of his life, Melinda, a talented interior designer, with whom he has spent 43 years, that same dedication to their care, happiness, and best interests is part of what has shaped him into the treasured team member he is to all of us at FOR.

He met Melinda at a birthday party. He saw her dancing, put on his sparkly smile and asked her out. The rest is their love story of friendship, companionship and the building of a family of which they are both so proud, as they say, is the stuff of legend. Elizabeth went to Mizzou Journalism School and graduated with honors. She lives in DC covering the State Department and Middle East Policy for Al-Monitor. Catherine went to Belmont University in Nashville, always a flair for theater, after school, she then moved to California where she has a truly exciting career in entertainment and now works running a Production Company. When Rick talks about Melinda, Elizabeth and Catherine, his sparkle sparkles.

Rick grew up in St. Louis with his parents and 1 older sister, 1 younger sister and 1 younger brother. Two of them are West Coasters and the other lives nearby. His mother was a stay-at-home mom and his father was a successful Manufacturer’s Rep at Hagedorn and Gannon. Although a St. Louis guy, Rick has friends all over the country and travels when he can to visit them. He also loves to visit mountains when he can. And if those mountains happen to have a great layer of new snow to ski, he isn’t going to complain. He sheepishly admitted he’s pretty good at it.

When asked where he would go if he could go anywhere, he said Croatia because of the mountains and the Dalmatian Coast. Portugal. Italian Riviera. He says “I’m a mountain guy.” And I tend to believe him. He’s also a gym guy. He said that it makes him feel like he accomplished something for himself when he works out. He also loves an early morning coffee with cream (no sugar!) outside watching the birds, squirrels and rabbits flitter about in the back yard. It’s obvious that Rick has mastered the art of being present.

Not to say he can’t take a trip down Memory Lane. He obliged the author and waxed reminiscent on high school for a minute. We talked about his best friend in high school and how he is still his best friend (Elizabeth’s godfather even!) and they ski together sometimes. I love a good longevity friendship story. Any long relationship is difficult to maintain. Rick seems to be good at it. He liked soccer in high school. He tried it all, but he stuck with soccer for a while.

We reminisced about music—something we do often because our tastes are similar. Eclectic, harmonic, lyrical and deep; his music taste runs the gamut from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to Black Sabbath to 70’s jazz/rock fusion. His wife, Melinda, is a Deadhead, go figure.
He assured me he can sing and that he enjoys it. We agreed that singing is biochemically good for you so sing loud, often and everywhere. He sings every opportunity he has but especially at church. Now I want to sit next to Rick in church.

Cars. That throaty growl of an old muscle car. Luxury vehicles and how they move like a cloud and how you don’t really understand the value of that until you’re older. It helps when your wife’s family is in the pre-owned luxury/collectible car business. We talked about cars too. He talked about this ‘68 mustang his mother had that was Forest Green with tan leather interior and a tan rag top. I could almost hear her start up. He always wanted to have a Shelby or a MG.

Rick is very involved in his St. Vincent De Paul Conference at his church as Co-President, working as an instrument to help others less fortunate, he says, is good for the soul. I tend to believe him again.



His favorite thing about being an advisor? The stories. His clients’ stories. He loves hearing them when he meets them, the depth of them when they get to know each other better, and most of all being a part of their lives by helping them live those lives in the way they see fit and find comfort and joy in. That is what it is all about. Finding that joy and being secure enough to enjoy it after the toil of your life is done. He loves being a part of every part of that. Kids going to college, getting married, his clients retiring, their grandkids being born, meeting their grown children, remembering when they were born, this is what is humbling and valuable about this career: the vantage point you get into the lives of people you can help. And the incredible honor of being there to see it to fruition.
Cheers!

Team Member Spotlight - Tom Schlag

Meeting Senior Financial Advisor Tom Schlag, from the author's perspective, is jarring for two reasons. On the exterior; unassuming and all business, you don't expect the impeccable comedic timing, the boisterous kindness with a hint of wryness, the almost romantic out-loud devotion to family, country, nature and song. You don't expect it, but it delights when you find it.
Working with Tom is like a prize-bag you never know what will be coming out of him next and that along with an absolute steadfastness as an advisor and a friend is a combination few can pull off and none as well as him.

Where did this guy come from anyway? The answer is Ferguson, Missouri a happy childhood with 2 brothers and a sister. At the time of this interview, the Schlag siblings had already texted each other five times that day. From what Tom describes as “typical and normal” parents; mom stayed at home and dad was a CPA. Both had full work days, with four kids to raise and the only things in life being certain, death and taxes, both of them worked hard to raise their children in a nice, normal existence for which the author could tell, Tom was grateful.

Tom enjoyed his childhood and his adolescence, describing his mother as a "sweet saintly mom who was always kind and never had an unkind word to say about anyone", describing his time in band playing the trumpet and then French horn and the incredible places he visited traveling with them like the Washington National Cathedral, and the Capitol Steps in D.C. and Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, the sheer delight he took in risking his very life as a light and sound nerd hanging from self-built rafters to hang high voltage lights all for the putting on a show.

His band director, Mr. Frede, Mrs. Black, Ms. McDonnell (who may or may not have called him out on his goofing off in early Junior high school and the shame of it stuck with him enough to put an end to that), Sam Land, his bookkeeping teacher, these are all teachers who helped mold Mr. Tom Schlag. Then they broke that mold.

Tom went to school initially wanting to be a stockbroker. he got his finance degree at Mizzou but he liked accounting, and he shifted toward accounting and attended UMSL for his accounting education and then later worked in Corporate Accounting. He never considered UMSL a misstep just because he ended up being a financial advisor, aside from the great amount of satisfaction he derived from being a corporate accountant, making a book balance, a solid answer to the equation every time, he also found something more incredible at UMSL, the love of his life, his wife, Kathy.

When he isn't figuring out the formula it takes to get to his client's goals, his passions are his family, first and foremost, always, followed closely by St. Louis Blues hockey, Mizzou sports, Indy 500 racing and snow skiing. His office is covered with sports memorabilia and photos of his family. Kathy, the cool, smart, organized accountant who's so funny and who's laugh in 1982 changed his life, married him and brought him Joseph, an architect and Patrick, a musician, 4 years apart, very different from each other but brothers in every sense of the word. Tom's pride in them glints in his eyes when he talks about them.

His love of sports and hockey also showed up when we spoke about his guiding principles and the author always likes to see if there are quotes or mottos that can help the subject express those ideas. One was The Great One, Wayne Gretzky who said "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take", The Good Grey Poet, Walt Whitman who said "Be curious, not judgmental" and a short discussion on our oft cited Man in the Arena Speech by Theodore Roosevelt. This is a good round view of what kind of man Tom is. Integrity and grit are ingrained in his personality just as much as a quick joke or a spot-on observation on life.


Man In the Arena – Speech by Theodore Roosevelt. April 23, 1910

The author gets the privilege of watching Tom do his thing, take care of people, learn and grow and also stay steadfast in the things that shouldn’t ever change. Like having an annual coffee with his razzing partner on the team, Rob Bagby every 9-11 because on 9-11-2001, although they barely knew each other on that fateful day, they happened to watch the coverage together. They have a standing engagement to honor that day the same way every year. Together. 

Pictured R to L: Rob Bagby, Tom Schlag, Rick Hagedorn, Travis Luebbehusen and Randy Cathcart. Team FOR’s snow-bound team members.


Whether it Kathy or clients or Stanley Cups or M-I-Z, friends or country or the current state of the markets, kids or song or life in general, Tom unabashedly puts himself in it with ferver and gusto to spare. May we all keep a little bit of Tom-like qualities in our pocket, in case we want to take a bite out of life like him.

Team Member Spotlight - Amy Clark

If you’ve spent any time with our team, you’ve likely gotten to know Amy. She has a mind like a steel trap. It’s incredible to witness her total recall of the entirety of her client’s needs, wants and preferences of money movement and so much more. We are in awe of it. The only thing it pales in comparison to, is her massive heart. Amy may seem like her friendship is hard-earned, but it really isn’t. Being a friend of Amy’s is so simple. Do what you say and say what you mean, be a stand-up person and tell her the truth and she will have your back in any situation. You have the best support that any team can offer.

Amy grew up in St. Ann with her family and moved to St. Charles 26 years ago. An outdoorsy child, she loved to play but eventually gave in to having to be indoors and enjoyed high school and college. She played volleyball and basketball there. Her mom’s nickname is “Dude” but her real name is Susan. She used to work in medical records and has a meticulous nature. We wonder if that rubbed off on her perfectionist offspring. She did that work for 51-52 years. Her dad passed away on April 21st, 2016. His name was Kenneth and he was previously a Federal Express delivery driver and was laid back and easy going. Although gone far too soon, he lived life dynamically, leaving an impression on his daughter that lasts in full technicolor and shows when she speaks of him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was generous and would help anyone. He was very handy. Her eyes sparkle when she speaks of him.

A lesson that always stuck with her was to always be honest with her parents because they were going to find out anyway and they always did. She grew up with a large family of cousins that would spend days at their grandmother’s house together and she still spends time with those same cousins and has a close relationship with them. When asked what makes her laugh the hardest, she talked about scouring the neighborhood as kids with those same cousins and making go karts out of spare parts. Knowing Amy, it doesn’t surprise us in the slightest that she was able to be so adaptable and inventive to forage and create a car out of found things. She doesn’t really know the word quit. She said it was a miracle they survived and they still talk about it to this day almost without having to use words and they laugh hysterically.

Speaking of having an abominable spirit, Amy raised her daughter Gabby on her own who now lives in Manhattan. They visit each other often and she is the pride of Amy’s life. Gabby has that same gumption and drive that her mother has and her mother before her. A legacy of fortitude in that family that suites them so well and makes problems that would stunt other people seem to roll off like water off a duck’s wings.

Amy is married to a firefighter, Scott, and they live a life filled with laughter and friends. Scott gave her two step daughters, Morgan and Casey with whom she enjoys spending time also. She loves to play board games, go on walks, read and visit with her family and friends. Her favorite way to spend a day off is to read, go on walks, cleaning relaxes her as well as organizing and self-care.

When asked her favorite board game, she said sequence because of the strategy involved. Amy is good at prioritizing and planning. This is probably why she is so stellar at client service.

She also thinks it’s important to know what she needs to improve on. She is currently learning how to let things happen, let people do what they are going to do and relinquish control over things that you cannot possibly control, not try to fix everything you couldn’t change anyway and not always inject yourself where you don’t belong. This is the subject of a book she is currently reading and finds it helpful to working on this within herself.

Her favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird.  She also likes mysteries and true crime books.

Her passion though is with animals. When asked if she won the lottery what she would do, she said she would try to do an animal rescue like a farm. But then she said but there are so many of those so she would try to spread it among existing rescues where it is needed. Most people who are animal lovers enjoy what the animals give to them, this answer told the author that this was true giving for giving’s sake.

She also mentioned wanting to help elderly people care for animals they need but they can no longer do all the care for such as walking their dogs or taking their animals to the vet. One of the great injustices that bothers Amy is that although she believes there is a registry for people that commit animal cruelty, there is seemingly nothing in place to ensure those offenders can then no longer get animals and do it all over again, especially in the case of puppy mills. She wants to find a way to stop that and find a way to build accountability into that system so that the system will no longer allow these offenders to continue the cycle of abuse on animals the way they have in the past. Although passionate about pets and dogs, Amy’s favorite animal is the brilliant, long memory-having elephant.

If she could travel anywhere, it would be Australia because it is so beautiful. With her drive and dedication and planning skills, she is going to make that happen someday and we cannot wait to watch her eyes light up at the sight of it. She deserves every moment of it.  

When asked about her job, said she has  passion to help people. She also likes to solve a puzzle with them. She likes the reward of their happiness when it’s done. She said when it comes to her team she couldn’t ask for a better team of people. That the founding members of our team want what’s best for us on a different level. That she never had this kind of warmth, love, respect, connection for people she works with and it’s often overwhelming. That the unity of the staff and advisors is something she would have never expected or asked for and has never laughed so hard at work.

 

When asked her favorite board game, she said sequence because of the strategy involved. Amy is good at prioritizing and planning. This is probably why she is so stellar at client service.

She also thinks it’s important to know what she needs to improve on. She is currently learning how to let things happen, let people do what they are going to do and relinquish control over things that you cannot possibly control, not try to fix everything you couldn’t change anyway and not always inject yourself where you don’t belong. This is the subject of a book she is currently reading and finds it helpful to working on this within herself.

Her favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird.  She also likes mysteries and true crime books.

Her passion though is with animals. When asked if she won the lottery what she would do, she said she would try to do an animal rescue like a farm. But then she said but there are so many of those so she would try to spread it among existing rescues where it is needed. Most people who are animal lovers enjoy what the animals give to them, this answer told the author that this was true giving for giving’s sake.

She also mentioned wanting to help elderly people care for animals they need but they can no longer do all the care for such as walking their dogs or taking their animals to the vet. One of the great injustices that bothers Amy is that although she believes there is a registry for people that commit animal cruelty, there is seemingly nothing in place to ensure those offenders can then no longer get animals and do it all over again, especially in the case of puppy mills. She wants to find a way to stop that and find a way to build accountability into that system so that the system will no longer allow these offenders to continue the cycle of abuse on animals the way they have in the past. Although passionate about pets and dogs, Amy’s favorite animal is the brilliant, long memory-having elephant.

If she could travel anywhere, it would be Australia because it is so beautiful. With her drive and dedication and planning skills, she is going to make that happen someday and we cannot wait to watch her eyes light up at the sight of it. She deserves every moment of it.  

When asked about her job, said she has  passion to help people. She also likes to solve a puzzle with them. She likes the reward of their happiness when it’s done. She said when it comes to her team she couldn’t ask for a better team of people. That the founding members of our team want what’s best for us on a different level. That she never had this kind of warmth, love, respect, connection for people she works with and it’s often overwhelming. That the unity of the staff and advisors is something she would have never expected or asked for and has never laughed so hard at work.