Shapiro Wealth Team Group Photo

Building a Plan from Your Priorities

Being financially independent means having sufficient personal income to live, without needing to work actively for necessities. Our role is to help you arrive at the day when we both agree: You can now choose to work. It means a great deal to us to be part of this journey for our clients.

About Us

An important aspect of my practice is that we are independent advisors. This means that we are not obligated to sell any proprietary products and have the ability to choose from a wide variety of investment choices.

We always start our process with you, your priorities, and your questions; we build the plan and portfolio from there. In addition to investment management, we provide comprehensive investment and financial planning to help you effectively save for retirement or other large goals. We can also help you utilize tax planning strategies and transfer wealth.

Our process begins simply with a conversation, where we can begin to find out the details of your situation. We’ll discern your most important goals and concerns, and we’ll answer all your questions. You can reach out to us by phone or email to set up a complimentary consultation.

Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Meet Our Team

Learn more about each of the dedicated members of the Eric J. Shapiro Wealth Team.

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Eric Shapiro

CFP®

Vice President, SageSpring 

402-884-7463

heather bruntz 1
Heather Bruntz

Financial Advisor, SageSpring | Investment Professional, RJFS

402-513-7002

chris cotignola 1
Chris Cotignola

Financial Advisor, SageSpring 

402-315-9679

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Carlleen Sturdivant

Client Service Associate, SageSpring

402-513-3146

aaron johnson 1
Aaron Johnson

Client Service Associate, SageSpring

402-884-7463

Download Our Financial Review Worksheet

Our Services

Retirement Planning

Retirement Withdrawal Planning
 Retirement Contributions
 Social Security Strategy
Goal-Based Planning
Pension Optimization
Medicare Planning

Investments

Investor Risk Assessment
Portfolio Management
Investment Selection
Education Planning 
Cash Management
Asset Allocation

Tax Strategy

 Charitable Giving Strategies
 Roth Conversion Strategy
 Tax-Efficient Investing
 Tax Loss Harvesting
Tax Return Review
CPA Coordination

Business Owner

Entity Structure Comparison
Retirement Plan Consulting
Buy Sell Agreements
Employee Benefits
Succession Planning

Estate Planning

Estate Document Coordination
 Trust Implementation
Beneficiary Review
Asset Protection
Legacy Planning

Risk Management

 Property & Liability Protection Analysis
Emergency Fund Determination
Long-Term Care Planning
Life Insurance Analysis
Disability Protection
Key Man Insurance

Employer

Employer Plan Contributions
Retirement Plan Investments
Option Execution Strategies
Deferred Compensation
Stock Plan Analysis

Other

Behavioral Financial Coaching
Divorce Settlement Consulting
Debt Reduction Strategies 
Windfall Investment Plans
Money Movement
Cashflow Analysis

*Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Utilizing an ESG investment strategy may result in investment returns that may be lower or higher than if decisions were based solely on investment considerations.

Connect with Us

SageSpring is invested in more than just your finances. We are invested in you.
Connect with us today, and discover how our unique, holistic approach to financial planning can guide you to long-lasting peace and prosperity.

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Our Location

Street Address
15808 W. Dodge Road, Suite 103

Omaha, NE 68118

Phone Number
402-884-7463

Recent Insights

866.712.1657
heather bruntz 1
Heather Bruntz

Financial Advisor, SageSpring | Investment Professional, RJFS
402-513-7002

Heather Bruntz

Financial Advisor, SageSpring | Investment Professional, RJFS

Bringing together her passions for teaching, financial planning, and relationship-building, Heather helps individuals and families reach their personal financial goals by serving as a Financial Advisor on the Shapiro Wealth Team.

Hailing from central Nebraska, Heather earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska Kearney, in Accounting and Business Administration, and minored in music. She then pursued a Master of Arts in Teaching and enjoyed teaching math in the Omaha metro area for several years. Having personally experienced the benefits of exceptional, comprehensive financial planning as a former SageSpring client, she is excited to provide the same level of service to others.

Heather and her husband Tyson have been married for over 15 years. They have two sons, Briggen and Lucas, and a daughter named Marley, along with their first addition and loyal dog, Tucker. When not running to and from sports practices, tumbling classes, and music lessons, Heather and her family spend time playing outside, competing in family games, or traveling. 

Heather holds her Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, and is an independent, registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

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Aaron Johnson

Client Service Associate, SageSpring 
402-884-7463

Aaron Johnson 

Client Service Associate, SageSpring 

Aaron is the newest member of the Shapiro Wealth Team. After years of dedicated work in the customer service contact industry, he took an interest in finance in 2017. This led him to work for a large retail broker and later moving to advisor support. It was extremely important to Aaron, when moving to the next phase of his career, that any new venture would be customer centric with an emphasis on putting people first. In his role with the Shapiro Wealth Team, Aaron will be the primary point of contact for clients; making sure every client is served in a way that will continue to bring them success!

What attracted Aaron to the SageSpring and The Shapiro Wealth Team is their clear dedication to keeping the client first by making the relationship the priority and servicing clients accordingly. Aaron looks forward to adding value to this already amazing team!

In his free time Aaron is an avid gamer and sneaker collector. However, his favorite way to spend time outside of work is being a dad to his boys Aaron Jr. and Noah. They enjoy playing basketball, football and an infinite amount of made up games. They also love wrestling and making as much noise as possible. 

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Chris Cotignola

CFP®

Financial Planner, SageSpring | Investment Professional, RJFS

402-315-9679

Chris Cotignola 

Financial Planner, SageSpring | Investment Professional, RJFS

Originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Chris brings with him a diverse background, having spent the first 9 years of his career as a high school band director. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Messiah University and a Master of Music degree from Central Washington University. Every day he gets to draw from his experience as an educator to help guide clients to achieve their financial goals.

As leader of the Cotignola Wealth Team, Chris specializes in retirement planning, investment management, tax strategies, and personalized behavioral finance coaching. Chris first came to know of SageSpring Wealth Partners as a client of Eric Shapiro after going through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Having worked hard to live on a budget, get out of debt, and save for the future, Chris knows the importance of having a financial plan and carrying it out. As a client of the company, joining SageSpring as an advisor felt like coming home. Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and holds his Series 7, Series 66, Insurance, Annuity, Long Term Care, and Disability licenses and is an independent, registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

Outside of the office, Chris maintains an active schedule as a professional musician. He runs his own private saxophone studio in addition to playing with various bands throughout the region. In the little free time he has, you’re likely to find Chris on the soccer field or golf course.

Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. 

Eric Shapiro
Eric Shapiro

CFP®

Vice President, SageSpring  
402-884-7463

Eric Shapiro  

Vice President, SageSpring

Growing up in Wayne, Nebraska, Eric learned the values of a strong Midwestern work ethic and a long term, conservative approach to money. After studying both finance and communications in his undergraduate studies, he realized the importance of financial literacy for folks working towards long-term goals. A passionate advocate of education, he obtained his MBA while working full-time. It’s important to him to stay educated about important factors in financial planning and capital markets as well as better ways to teach and guide others as they work towards their own priorities. Eric has great respect for Dave Ramsey and his track record of helping people get out of debt and create a better relationship with their giving, saving, and spending. He is a member of the SmartVestor Program and has taken and facilitated Dave Ramsey’s personal finance program called Financial Peace University.**

Eric is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner and holds his Series 7, Series 66, Insurance, Annuity, Long Term Care, and Disability licenses and is an independent, registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

Life is not meant to be lived for money, but with it! Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Hillary, and his faithful four-legged friend, Eleanor Rigby (Ellie), exploring the country and world and appreciating the many delicious restaurants that Omaha has to offer. When he wants to take a break from numbers, he also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and making the best sounds he can on his guitar.

SmartVestor is an advertising and referral service for investing professionals (“SmartVestor Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions (“Ramsey Solutions”). Pursuant to an arrangement between Ramsey Solutions, SageSpring Wealth Partners and your advisor, your advisor pays Ramsey Solutions a flat monthly fee to: (a) be a SmartVestor Pro, (b) advertise services through the SmartVestor website, and (c) receive client referrals in the form of an initial introduction to interested consumers who are located in your advisor’s Pros geographic region. SageSpring Wealth Partners does not endorse and are not affiliated with Ramsey Solutions, except with respect to the arrangement described above, and neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are officers or employees of SageSpring Wealth Partners. Further, neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are authorized to provide investment advice or act in any way on behalf of SageSpring Wealth Partners, except in connection with providing your contact information to your advisor.

Ramsey Solutions’ relationship and agreement is between SageSpring Wealth Partners only. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the solicitor arrangement between Ramsey Solutions and SageSpring Wealth Partners.

**Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of the SmartVestor Program or the Financial Peace University program.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. 

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Carlleen Sturdivant

Client Service Associate, SageSpring 
402-513-3146

Carlleen Sturdivant 

Client Service Associate, SageSpring 

Before joining SageSpring, Carlleen Sturdivant previously worked in the travel industry as an HR talent coordinator for two years. Prior to that, she worked in the human services field for 10 years, assisting individuals with preparing and gaining employment.

Carlleen has been with SageSpring for two years assisting financial advisors and providing clients with quality service. She routinely contacts internal and external customers to obtain, clarify, or provide facts and information. Carlleen also schedules and coordinates meetings, events, and appointments for advisors.

When it comes to what Carlleen loves most about working at SageSpring, it’s the support she receives from everyone in the company. Carlleen truly enjoys her amazing team, and she comes to work with a smile on her face, knowing that the work her team completes every day positively impacts the lives of others.

Outside of work, Carlleen enjoys dancing in Zumba class and hanging out with her husband, their two adult children, and their families. Carlleen loves being a grandma, and she has a passion for helping family and friends find work and life balance. 

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Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS 
615-861-6102

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Beyond crunching numbers and investment strategies, at SageSpring, we’re about building relationships. When you encounter Founder & President of SageSpring, Jeff Dobyns, it’s easy to understand why this is at the very heart of who we are as a firm. You won’t find stuffy formalities with Jeff; instead, you can expect to find him sharing a warm smile, communicating a compelling vision, or patiently untangling life’s complex challenges with clients. He believes in truly getting to know clients, understanding their aspirations and priorities, and navigating their financial plans with a tailored, comprehensive approach. Our team members have often been caught taking notes on Jeff’s effortless relationship skills from a distance, and we admire them for striving to learn from one of the best. 

Jeff’s financial expertise and wisdom are the perfect match to his innate people skills. Jeff holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChLU®) designations, and has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades. 

His dedication extends beyond the office to the boardroom and the local community, where Jeff is passionate about giving back. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. Jeff also serves on the board of Send Musicians to Prison, which shares hope, healing and restoration with the imprisoned through musicians & artists. Jeff actively supports other initiatives in the community by sitting on the board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee and the Halftime Institute of Nashville. 

Witnessing his four children, Gracyn, Hunter, Tanner, and Logan, excel on the field is almost just as rewarding, if not more, than celebrating the victories of seeing his clients overcome obstacles and build wealth. Spending weekends boating on the lake, hiking mountain trails, and fishing with his family are the moments Jeff cherishes most. It’s this grounded perspective that reveals the true meaning of wealth for Jeff: not just numbers on a page, but the freedom to create experiences that enrich your life and the lives of those you love. When you choose the Dobyns McMillin Wealth Team, you choose more than financial expertise. You choose a partner who champions your dreams, celebrates your victories, and walks besides you on the path to achieving your unique goals.

**Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.