Our Financial Professionals
We work closely with our clients to design financial strategies that provide confidence and clarity while also helping to protect their future. Using customized plans that are created through a true partnership, we empower our clients to weather the inevitable challenges that our complex financial world presents.
Jim entered the financial services industry in 1971, founding today’s Lord’s Financial Planning in 2009. He grew up on a farm near Kincaid, Kansas and attended the University of Missouri. After college, he served in the United States Air Force, and spent four years with Sperry Rand Corporation. In 1980 he was honored as one of The Outstanding Young Men of America. Jim is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), a Licensed Life and Health Insurance Agent, and holds Series 6, 63, and 65 Security Licenses. In addition, Jim is an Investment Advisor Representative, operates as a Fiduciary, and is a member of Kingdom Advisors, Inc (CKA).
Jim and his wife, Debbie live in Ozawkie. They have six children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. When he is not in the office Jim enjoys bicycling, reading, and traveling.
Debra Cobler
Personal Assistant to Jim Lord/Office Assistant
LORD'S Financial Planning
Debra brings a wealth of experience, organization, and heart to Lord’s Financial Planning as the personal assistant to Jim Lord. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing, earned in 1990, and has spent much of her career as an entrepreneur—successfully running several small businesses, including Won by One Crafts and Debra’s Cleaning.
Before joining Lord’s Financial Planning in January 2025, Debra served as a team lead at God’s Storehouse Thrift Store from 2020 to 2025, where she was known for her leadership, compassion, and dedication to serving others. Debra has been happily married to her husband, Scott, for 35 years. Together, they have a wonderful family of 6 children and 10 grandchildren. Outside of work, Debra enjoys singing, helping lead worship at her church, and encouraging those around her—bringing a spirit of joy and support into everything she does.
Debbie Lord
Client Relations Coordinator
LORD'S Financial Planning
After attending Washburn University, Debbie worked for Southwestern Bell, Memorial Hospital, a mortgage company and an insurance company. In 1982 she married Jim and together they have raised six children. During the children’s school years Debbie devoted her time and energies to home schooling, and over the years has taught a number of woman’s Bible studies. She has now returned to the workforce at Lords Financial Planning as the person who contacts existing clients for annual reviews and coordinates workshops and client events for the firm. During her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her husband Jim.
Nikki Foley
Owner Investment Advisor Representative
Paladin Financial
*Disclosure: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 4 organizations that offer 125 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Nikki Foley is co-owner of Paladin Financial and has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She serves as a natural resource for clients and team members and focuses on providing support related to Medicare products and services. She is passionate about educating and empowering individuals to understand the intersection of health and retirement within their wealth management objectives.
Nikki is a valued leader for Paladin Financial and also lends expertise related to marketing, communications, business development, legal, and all things “people.” She is also the self-proclaimed “Director of Happiness” for the organization.
Nikki is insurance licensed in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kansas, and she holds the Series 65, 6 and 63 registrations. She has also obtained her commission to be a notary public.
Nikki is a graduate of Washburn University in Kansas where she focused on human interaction with degrees in communications and sociology, and she holds a Master of Science in Management degree with concentration in organizational development and human resources from Regis University in Colorado.
Nikki serves on the Gradient Gives Back Foundation board and on the Gentry Academy school board, and she volunteers her time for numerous youth activities. She regularly seeks opportunities to promote and be active in our local community.
*Disclosure: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 4 organizations that offer 125 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Matt Bryant
Investment Advisor Representative
Paladin Financial
As a financial professional with Paladin Financial, Matt Bryant partners to provide investment advice and comprehensive financial planning to clients, and he specializes in federal benefits and their complexity to offer support and clarity to federal employees. Matt began his financial services career in 2011 with a Minneapolis-based money manager where he trained investment advisors across the United States and helped them to navigate the financial planning and investment landscape. Matt holds his Series 65, 6, and 63 registrations and is a licensed insurance agent. He has also formally trained in the FERS and CSRS benefits packages.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Economics, and International Studies from the University of Kansas. He is married to Amanda and has a son, Parker, and they all enjoy a busy house with two rescue dogs–Harley and Brooks–as well as a handful of chickens. Matt is an avid reader, enjoys listening to music, finds time to camp in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and is a sports enthusiast, staying loyal to his home teams in Kansas. Go Jayhawks! Go Chiefs! Go Royals!
Alissa Gustafson
Client Services Representative
Paladin Financial
As a Client Services Representative with Paladin Financial, Alissa supports our team and clients alike. She utilizes her excellent attention to detail in preparing client paperwork, executing operational workflows, and multitasking various projects. Her welcoming personality and passion for exceptional client care are consistent with our dedication to maintaining relationships throughout the Paladin services.
Alissa has her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She also has her life and health insurance license. She has over five years’ experience in the finance industry and over 20 years’ experience in business operations. Outside of work, Alissa likes traveling, crafting, and spending her time with family and friends. Her favorite activities include cheering on her two kids in their various endeavors and telling outstandingly bad dad jokes.
Paraplanners
Meet the Paladin Financial Team
Strategic Alliances
MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®
President of Gradient Investments, LLC
KEITH GANGL, CFA® Senior Portfolio Manager Gradient Investments, LLC
TYLER ELLEGARD, CFA®
Portfolio Manager Gradient Investments, LLC
We have strategically partnered with Gradient Investments, LLC, an independent, fee-only SEC registered investment advisor to provide our clients with professional money management services. Our firm and clients have unique access to Gradient Investments’ portfolio managers who bring a depth of market experience and insight and actively manage our clients’ accounts.
The Gradient Investments team can be seen regularly on national media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg Barron’s, and The Wall Street Journal.
Affiliations
For nearly 100 years, the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation has been sought by financial professionals. CLUs (this should read ARE instead of who) professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge in life insurance, estate planning, and risk management. They have an in-depth understanding of life insurance’s intricacies and applications to meet client goals in financial planning, estate planning, business continuity, key person, and related employee benefits.
A Kingdom Advisor CKA is a financial professional who has been trained to provide biblically-based financial advice. CKAs are specially certified to integrate biblical principles with financial planning, ensuring that clients’ financial decisions reflect their Christian values. They are trained to counsel clients on a wide range of financial matters, including budgeting, investing, retirement planning, and estate management. CKAs bring an additional layer of guidance by incorporating biblical teachings into the decision-making process, helping clients view their finances through the lens of their faith.