The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

Join Alec Walker, EVP of Financial Planning at Crestmont Private Wealth, as he breaks down everything you need to know about Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). Learn the key differences between RSUs and stock options, understand the tax implications of vesting, and discover smart strategies for managing over-concentration risk. Whether you're receiving your first RSU grant or managing multiple vesting schedules, this episode provides a...

Join Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth as he discusses investing at market all-time highs and key insights from their Q1 2025 investment committee meeting. Learn why high valuations don't predict future returns, what historical data reveals about investing at market peaks, and how to navigate volatility with confidence. Discover the "red dot chart" analysis, portfolio diversification strategies beyond the Magnificent Seven,...

Join Alec Walker and Rebecca PItre from Crestmont Private Wealth as they break down the most important tax changes for 2026. In this episode, they cover critical updates including new IRA contribution limits, mandatory Roth catch-up contributions for high earners, charitable donation rule changes, expanded SALT deductions, and lesser-known tax benefits like the enhanced senior deduction and auto loan interest deduction. Whether you...

Join Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Cole Gentry, a junior at Texas A&M and a budding entrepreneur. Cole shares his journey from high school in Bernie, Texas, to college life at Texas A&M, his involvement in the Brotherhood of Christian Aggies, and his experiences running family and personal businesses like Oak Hills Pest Control and a summer peach stand. The conversation covers lessons in leadershi...

In this episode of "The Ascent," Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth dives deep into the concept of compounding—both in finance and in life. Sam explains the formula for compound interest, why consistency and time matter more than just the rate of return, and how these principles apply to everything from investing to personal habits like working out or maintaining your car. He shares practical advice on making regular con...

Join Sam McGee of Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Brandy Kinds from the Texas A&M Foundation. Discover how endowed scholarships work, the impact they have on students, and how anyone—not just the ultra-wealthy—can create a lasting legacy at Texas A&M or other universities. Brandy shares her personal journey, the process of setting up scholarships, and the importance of philanthropic giving in wealth ma...

Join Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth as he interviews Dr. Nathan Harness, Director of the Financial Planning Program at Texas A&M University. They discuss Nathan’s journey into financial planning, the growth of the Texas A&M program, the evolving landscape of financial advice, the shortage of new advisors, and the importance of values and faith in shaping future leaders. Whether you’re interested in fina...

This episode of "The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth," hosted by Alec Walker, focuses on end-of-year financial planning—without the stress and panic that often accompanies it. Alec discusses the importance of intentional, proactive planning rather than last-minute, reactive decisions. Key topics include tax strategies (like tax loss harvesting), Roth conversions, charitable contributions, gifting, budget reviews, retirem...

In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses essential financial conversations every couple should have—whether you’re newlyweds or have been married for decades. Alec covers topics like understanding financial personalities, addressing money fears, combining finances, budgeting strategies, setting shared goals, and managing credit and debt. With personal anecdotes and practical adv...

This episode of "The Ascent" features Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth and guest Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. The discussion centers on planning for non-medical daily living care, especially for aging couples without nearby family and families with special needs children. Key topics include the importance of early planning, the types of daily living activities that require support, the flexibility of in-home care service...

In this episode of "The Ascent" with Crestmont Private Wealth, host Sam McGee interviews Jeremy Farber from Home Instead. They discuss the importance of planning for long-term care, the challenges families face when unexpected health events occur, and practical steps to prepare for the future. Jeremy shares his personal journey, the mission behind Home Instead, and tips for helping loved ones age in place. The conversation covers f...

Join Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, and Alec Walker, CFP, as they dive into behavioral finance biases, risk tolerance, and the challenges of investing during a market high. They discuss common investor biases like loss aversion, anchoring, and the illusion of control, and share historical data on market performance after all-time highs. The conversation also covers strategies for managing risk, the importance of unders...

In this episode of The Ascent, host Sam McGee interviews Rick Goodrich, Chief of Safety and Security for Boerne Independent School District. Rick shares his extensive background in law enforcement, military service, and his transition into school safety. The conversation covers the importance of preparedness, community involvement, and evolving security tactics in schools, churches, and public spaces. Rick also discusses his nonpro...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, discusses current economic events, market performance, and the importance of income planning and asset location for retirees. Sam explains how the stock market is forward-looking, reviews recent trends in interest rates, inflation, and unemployment, and provides practical advice on asset allocation and diversification. He uses relatable analogies to help vie...

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee welcomes Dr. Maggie Dominguez (Executive Director of Communications, BISD) and Garrett Wilson (Board Trustee, BISD) to discuss the complexities of Texas school funding, focusing on the "golden pennies" mechanism. The conversation covers:

How Texas school funding formulas work and the impact of property wealth on state funding.

The concept of "recapture" (Robinhood) and how affluent di...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth shares his personal experiences and professional advice on college visits and preparing your child for college. From the evolving college application process to practical tips on campus tours, housing, financial planning, and essential legal documents, Sam provides valuable insights for parents and students navigating the journey to higher education.

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In this episode of "The Ascent," Sam McGee (CEO, Crestmont Private Wealth) and Alec Walker (EVP of Financial Planning) discuss the impact of layoffs in the energy sector, financial planning strategies during uncertain times, and the importance of diversification and adaptability. They share practical advice for individuals facing layoffs, including emergency savings, investment strategies, and maintaining a strong professional netw...

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee interviews Marshall Fisher, Director of Distillate Trading at Valero. They discuss Marshall’s background, his journey into the energy and aviation fuel industry, the intricacies of jet fuel production and distribution, and the impact of global events like COVID-19 on the fuel market. Marshall shares industry stories, including a humorous anecdote about commodity trading, and off...

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee from Crestmont Private Wealth discusses essential considerations for aging parents and their families. Covering topics like legal documentation, income planning, healthcare, family communication, and fraud protection, Sam shares practical advice and real-world experiences to help families navigate the complexities of aging and wealth management. Whether you’re planning for your own fut...