About Us
At Oak Grove Wealth Partners, our mission is to ensure that our clients realize the full potential of their assets and achieve what matters most to them. As independent financial planners and wealth advisors, we offer a broad range of planning and investment services, with a focus on individual, family and business objectives and the most efficient strategies to implement them.
We have the resources and experience to help you navigate the complexities of managing wealth. Our proprietary process integrates wealth management with risk and debt management, income and tax planning, and philanthropy for successful families, professionals and business owners. We understand that every financial situation and life path are unique and strive to provide a comprehensive approach that is objective and customized.
What We Do
“A goal without a plan is just a wish”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
We are a full-service financial planning firm committed to helping successful individuals and families attain their financial goals. We work closely with clients to help them preserve and manage assets, prepare for retirement and unexpected events, and develop a legacy that benefits loved ones and future generations.
Our Commitment
We engage in comprehensive financial planning as part of a long-term relationship with our clients. To sustain a successful relationship, one where we can help you achieve your financial and lifestyle goals, you can expect us to consistently and responsibly perform the following services:
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Acquire and maintain a thorough understanding of your financial goals
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Update your current financial information as your life unfolds and needs evolve
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Carefully determine and monitor your investment risk and time frame
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Explain the implications of a recommended financial planning strategy
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Update you as appropriate by appointment, email, mail and phone
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Meet with you regularly to review your personal financial goals and opportunities
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Act as your primary financial advisor and steward of your financial future
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Coordinate with other financial professionals when your plan requires it
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Treat you with the utmost respect and professionalism
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Our Process
Meticulous
[ muh-tik-yuh-luhs ] adjective
taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough
Discovery
It all begins by listening to you. Through our discovery process, we seek to understand what matters most to you and your family.
Analysis
We carefully analyze your current financial situation, identify any areas in need of improvement and recognize additional opportunities. We then develop a comprehensive strategy and recommendations aligned with your goals and objectives.
Implementation
Based on your input, we prioritize action steps and work closely with your other advisors, such as your attorney or CPA, to implement your plan.
Ongoing Monitoring
We continually monitor your strategies and investments, making adjustments based on your unique needs and changing financial markets. We schedule regular reviews to keep you on track and address any questions and concerns.
Our Services
Comprehensive
[ /ˌkämprəˈhensiv/ ] adjective
complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS
We engage in long-term comprehensive planning relationships with our clients, with the goal of achieving a level of “financial intimacy” that allows us to fully understand and appreciate the unique financial and lifestyle objectives of each client. A successful relationship is one in which a client’s objectives are met, but more than that, one in which we are able to provide peace of mind, freedom and confidence through a financial plan tailored for those specific circumstances that exist for every client.
COMPREHENSIVE WEALTH MANAGMENT
TAX PLANNING
Tax planning is the analysis of a financial situation or plan to ensure that all elements work together to allow you to pay the lowest taxes possible. A plan that minimizes how much you pay in taxes is referred to as tax efficient. Tax planning should be an essential part of an individual investor’s financial plan. Reduction of tax liability and maximizing the ability to contribute to retirement plans are crucial for success.
RISK MANAGEMENT
LEGACY PLANNING
PHILANTHROPY
BUSINESS PLANNING AND CONSULTING
In the simplest terms, business development can be summarized as the ideas, initiatives, and activities that help make a business better. This includes increasing revenues, growth in terms of business expansion, increasing profitability by building strategic partnerships and making strategic business decisions.
FAMILY OFFICE SERVICES
CASH MANAGEMENT
Who We Are
“Our Job is to develop your financial plan. Your job is to get out and enjoy what you’ve worked your entire life to achieve.”
Our firm is committed to providing highly personal service that fosters long-term relationships. We partner with clients to address their needs in every financial situation, across all facets of wealth management – no matter how simple or complex – to ensure an exceptional experience.
Stephen K. Liles
CFP®
Stephen K. Liles is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Managing Partner of Oak Grove Wealth Partners. He is a native of Southwest Louisiana and began his career in private law practice after earning his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and Juris Doctor from Loyola School of Law. Stephen is a member of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association and Financial Planning Association. He and the entire Oak Grove Wealth Partners team are dedicated to helping clients preserve and manage their assets, in order to develop a legacy that benefits loved ones and future generations.
W. Owen Thompson
CEPA
Owen Thompson is a founding partner of Oak Grove Wealth Partners. He was born and raised in Lake Charles and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Louisiana State University, as well as his Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation (CEPA). Owen began his finance career in 2010 and joined Oak Grove Wealth Partners shortly thereafter. As a financial consultant, Owen is well versed in all aspects of comprehensive wealth management including, business planning and estate transition. Specifically, he leverages his experience as a CEPA consultant to help business owner clients develop a strategy to exit or transition their business successfully on their terms and conditions.
John. A Mitchell
CFP®
John A. Mitchell is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and began his finance career in 2009. He is a native of Louisiana and earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University. John is passionate about working with people to help them complete and understand the pieces of their financial puzzle, and his ultimate satisfaction comes from seeing his clients realize their financial goals.
Megan Fontenot
CFP®
Megan Fontenot is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who has been serving clients in the finance industry since 2010. She joined Oak Grove Wealth Partners in 2019, bringing nearly a decade of experience in the finance industry. Megan was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University. With her certification as a CFP® professional, Megan adheres to a fiduciary standard and puts her client’ interests first. She is dedicated to educating her clients, and building comprehensive financial plans that help them make smart decisions about retirement, investments, estate planning and more.
Murl L. Vincent, Jr.
Murl L. “M.L.” Vincent, Jr. graduated from Sulphur High School and attended LSU. He started in the life insurance industry in 1968. M.L. has been Series 7 registered since 1970 and an Investment Advisor Representative since 2002.
M.L. is a qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client services. He has also qualified for Court of the Table and Top of the Table numerous times. M.L. is a business leader in his community and is passionate about his community service.
Denise Emerson Rau
CFP®
Denise Rau is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with over 37 years’ experience in financial services. She earned a Psychology degree from Tulane University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. After 18 years in commercial banking in Dallas, Charlotte, and Lake Charles, she founded Rau Financial Group in 2001. In 2020, Denise and her team joined Oak Grove Wealth Partners. An avid student of Behavioral Finance, she has focused her financial planning practice on coaching clients to clearly articulate their goals and establish the disciplines necessary to make those goals a reality.
Our Philosophy
“Part of the folklore of Southwest Louisiana is that it’s like every place in the country but in fact it’s unique”
Oak Grove Wealth Partners embodies the rich heritage and culture of Southwest
Louisiana. We are committed to our practice and working hard for our clients, as well as strengthening the local community and giving back.
We appreciate that our clients are invested in the local community and so are we. We truly believe that to whom much is given, much is expected and want to live out these values through our work and actions. Working for the greater good is second nature as we each serve the local nonprofit community by donating our time and talents.
We grew up in Louisiana and are proud to call Lake Charles home. For us, nothing is more important than family and the time spent with our friends and loved ones. We embrace all that makes this area rich and vibrant, and we cherish every opportunity to enjoy the many unique experiences of Southwest Louisiana with family, friends and clients.