Our Company

Our Financial & Insurance Professionals

%%COMPANY NAME%% serves Kansas City, MO, San Antonio, TX and surrounding communities. Our mission is to provide the families and businesses we serve with innovative financial strategies, solutions and planning that result in financial clarity, security and overall financial health. Making strong commitments to our clients and building lifelong relationships are tenets of success at %%COMPANY NAME%%.

We provide investors custom-tailored strategies to meet short- and long-term needs. Our goal is to help our clients realize their financial dreams by offering creative solutions through an open and transparent process utilizing innovative solutions to achieve financial independence.

Barb Gulin

President & Owner

Originally from Chicago, Barbara spent most of her childhood living throughout the US while her parents were Civil Service employees. Kansas City became her adopted home, where she was fortunate enough to attend college and raise two daughters. Although she studied electrical engineering in college, she knew she was destined to choose another career path. She eventually found her calling in the financial services industry, where she has had the privilege of helping other federal employees like her parents and others create their version of a successful retirement. Her ability to take complex financial concepts and explain them in down-to-earth language puts her clients at ease.

To Barbara, clients become like family. When she isn’t helping others achieve their financial dreams, you can find her with her nose in a book, spending time outdoors with friends and family, or cooking a meal (or dessert) to share. Her dog and cat keep her amused at home, and she loves serving at her local church.

Michael “Mike” Porembski

Investment Advisor Representative

Michael (Mike) Porembski is an Investment Advisor Representative & Fiduciary. His credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Biology, and a Master of Science degree in Banking and Financial Services Management from Boston University. Additionally, Mike was a financial Controller for a company in KCMO with $10M+ in revenues for 17 years. Concurrent to that, he has been a firefighter for 21 years with the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. As such, his unusual background has resulted in having a unique perspective in understanding the benefit options of KPERS, as well as the many opportunities afforded by the 457(b) plan, and the HSA.

Kristina Shewmaker

Junior Advisor

Kristina Shewmaker, a dedicated junior advisor and licensed agent, rooted in the heart of the Kansas City metro area, started her career in the financial industry at the age of 18. Kristina later took a 12-year hiatus to be a devoted stay-at-home mom to her two children. As a married mother of two kids actively involved in sports, she has reentered the industry with a renewed mission – not only to build her own retirement but to assist others in catching up for a comfortable retirement. Beyond her financial expertise, Kristina is often found playing chauffeur to her kids and cherishing family time with her husband. With a relatable understanding of the challenges families face, Kristina Shewmaker is your dedicated ally in working towards securing a prosperous financial future.

Walter Meierarend​

Investment Advisor Representative​

Walter Meierarend is an Investment Advisor Representative and fiduciary, with a bachelor’s degree in business. Committed to guiding clients towards financial prosperity, he also serves as an active firefighter/EMT, embodying a spirit of service. A proud husband and father of two, Walter values family and financial security.

Amanda Moore

Schedule Coordinator

Amanda uses her organizational skills to keep things moving in our office. With over twenty years of experience working with small businesses, she ensures communication with clients is easy and efficient. If you’ve attended a webinar or scheduled an appointment, Amanda is the voice behind the texts, emails and phone calls. When she isn’t busy coordinating everyone at BG, you’ll find her spending time with her family, binging her favorite show or walking her favorite trails.

Adriana Cruz

New Business Administrator

Adriana Cruz is our New Business Administrator. She was born and raised in Southwest Kansas. She is currently living in the Kansas City Metro area. When she isn’t working hard in the office you can find her spending time with family, watching sports, or working out in the gym.

Strategic Partners

MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®

President of Gradient Investments, LLC

Mr. Binger is the President of Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2012 and has more than 30 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Binger’s prior roles include managing multi-billion dollar investment products for a large institutional asset manager. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA® charterholder. We believe that he brings a depth of market experience that is rare within the industry and has been a featured contributor with several media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and The Wall Street Journal.

JEREMY BRYAN, CFA®

Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC

Mr. Bryan is a Senior Portfolio Manager for Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2016 and has over 15 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Bryan’s job history includes equity research and portfolio management roles for institutional asset managers in Minneapolis and New York. He has been a frequent contributor to media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Bryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University, earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and is a CFA® charterholder.

KEITH GANGL CFA®

Portfolio Manager of Gradient Investments, LLC

Keith joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has more than 25 years of industry experience. Prior roles include asset management for a multi-billion dollar portfolio with a large institutional asset management firm. Keith is a CFA® charterholder, managed a Lipper Award winning mutual fund, and has been featured in media outlets such as Investor’s Business Daily, Nasdaq, Reuters, and Bloomberg.

This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.