About Us

Gary started his financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 1984. Prior to that he graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Business with a Marketing major. In his career, Gary has served as a Financial Advisor, Branch Office Manager, and Complex Manager across Central Illinois. During this four-decade journey he has found that his passion is helping individual investors identify and achieve their goals, while staying within their risk tolerance. In addition, providing exceptional service that creates an exceptional client experience.

This passion is at the root of LMZ Wealth Management’s culture and shared by everyone on the team.

Gary’s greatest strength is the experience he has gained over the past four decades. He uses that knowledge to guide his clients and his team every day.

Gary has a long history of community service. He has served on the boards of many organizations in the Springfield area during his career, including Vice Chair of the HSHS St. John’s leadership council, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Parents Advisory board at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital. Currently his focus is the 4 the Kids Fund founded by Gary and his original LMZ partners.

As a 42-year resident, Gary calls Springfield home. He and his wife Jill have two sons and are currently raising two Golden Doodles.

Gary enjoys most all sports, while calling the Cardinals and Bears, his favorite teams.

Darin has spent more than 30 years as a member of LMZ Wealth Management. Upon interning and gaining his initial industry training at Merrill Lynch, Darin found that he truly enjoys helping people identify their goals, construct plans, and advise families on their personal investment decisions. Darin is committed to providing exceptional service to clients in a personalized way.

Over the years, Darin has deepened his financial industry knowledge by participating in specialized courses and conferences including the Wharton School of Business, First Trust Annual Investment Forum, Wells Fargo Advisors Institute, and several company-specific ongoing training programs.

A native of Central Illinois, Darin is a loyal Illini and Cardinal fan. He resides at Lake Petersburg with his wife, Tracy, and has four adult sons. In his spare time, he enjoys sporting events with his family, boating, and an occasional round of golf.

Arkansas Insurance License 2091324
California Insurance License 0M73425, Resident State IL.

Before entering the financial services industry, Dustin graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Dustin furthered his education at the University of Illinois at Springfield, where he earned his teaching license for secondary education in the spring of 2013. Although teaching was extremely rewarding and a profession that Dustin was eager to start, he chose a different route as an opportunity presented itself with LMZ Wealth Management.

At LMZ Wealth Management, Dustin focuses on listening to the needs of clients as he builds individually tailored investment plans.  Dustin’s mission is to help clients plan for a secure financial future in a way that best meets their goals. He believes in serving clients on an ongoing basis to ensure that their plan is adjusted as needed based on changes in their lives or based on the ongoing changes in the financial environment.  Dustin strives to provide the best service possible to every client, and client satisfaction in his service is one of Dustin’s highest priorities.

Dustin’s community is important to him, and he looks to volunteer as much as he can.  In the past, Dustin spent several years working as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Springfield, IL.  Dustin has also spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in the Springfield area.  One of Dustin’s top priorities is to continue volunteering his time and resources with local charities.

In his spare time, Dustin spends most days with his wife, Kristin, and their 3 children, George, James, and Vivian.  His hobbies include, chasing his children around constantly, watching movies, cooking, playing golf, and watching a football or baseball game as time allows.

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California Insurance License 4039534, Resident State IL.

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Matt joined the investment industry to build lasting relationships with clients. He enjoys educating clients on their investment planning to help them understand the process and feel comfortable with the plan. Matt does this by speaking to clients as friends and avoiding unnecessary industry jargon.

Matt joined LMZ Wealth Management in the spring of 2021, after two years working out of the Wells Fargo Advisors Downtown Chicago office. Matt believes LMZ Wealth Management prioritizes client relationships and service above all else. Matt attended the University Of Iowa Tippie College Of Business, studying Finance, Insurance, and Risk Management. Matt met some of the best people he knows through the University of Iowa; and he will forever be a Hawkeye.

Away from the office, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany as well as his friends and family. Matt is a water sports enthusiast, and he will not pass up a chance to be on a lake. Matt also attends the occasional sporting event, cheering for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and of course, all things Iowa Hawkeyes.

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California Insurance License 4024535, Resident State IL.

Nicole brings more than 12 years of industry experience to LMZ Wealth Management. Attention to detail and efficiency are what Nicole strives to bring to every client experience.

Outside of the office, Nicole can be found spending time with family & friends. She and Dakin have been married for 10 years. They love to travel and watch their children (Emerson, Eislee & Ellis) play sports.

Bethany Barnes joined LMZ Wealth Management in April of 2024 as a Client Associate. 

Bethany has experience working in both the private and public sectors, as well as being a small business owner. Bethany has over 20 years of experience in client services. Bethany is new to the financial services industry, and she is eager to focus on helping clients achieve their goals.

In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy watching our two children play on various ball fields throughout the Midwest.

Diana Fortney joined LMZ Wealth Management in March of 2019 as a Client Associate. 

Diana spent most of her career working at a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Springfield, IL. Diana’s experience in Human Resources and assisting the executive team allowed her to grow and work within all levels of the company.  Working with honesty and integrity was instilled during her tenure and this has translated well to her career in the financial services industry. 

Diana and her husband, Rick, have two grown daughters who both reside in Cleveland, OH. During their free time they love to travel, enjoy some wind therapy on their Harley, and of course cheering for the Illini, STL Cardinals, and STL Blues.

Mary Wallace is a Client Associate who believes in always putting clients first.

Mary is a motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual with extensive financial service experience. She began her journey with financial services 37 years ago, with the past 17 years within the brokerage industry. Mary is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed.

Mary and her husband are from the Springfield, Illinois area. She loves going on motorcycle rides, fishing, and getaways to Florida. She is also an avid St. Louis Blues and Cardinals fan.