Our Advising Team
Brien Smith, CFP®
Owner/Founder
Brien has over 35 years of experience in financial services and 31 years practicing financial planning. He is the founding partner of Traditions Wealth Advisors. Brien received his BBA from Texas A&M University in 1981 with concentrations in Business Management and Economics. He went on to study Economic Graduate courses at the University of Houston. He then achieved his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1994.
Brien served as Vice President and local Financial Planner for Carter Financial Management’s Bryan/College Station location for ten years. Prior to his position with CFM, he worked for IDS/American Express Financial Advisors now known as Ameriprise (largest financial planning firm in the nation) as a financial planner and training manager for five years. He volunteers considerable time to his position on the Investment Committee overseeing over $80 million for the Austin (Central) Texas Diocese. Also, Brien chairs the Twin City Endowment Fund (a fund of about $2M) for the Brazos Valley area for economic development. After serving as his son's Scoutmaster for 5 years, Brien now serves Boy Scouts of America as an executive volunteer for the local scouting district.
Commitment to Professional Organizations:
Owner/Founder
Brien has over 35 years of experience in financial services and 31 years practicing financial planning. He is the founding partner of Traditions Wealth Advisors. Brien received his BBA from Texas A&M University in 1981 with concentrations in Business Management and Economics. He went on to study Economic Graduate courses at the University of Houston. He then achieved his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1994.
Brien served as Vice President and local Financial Planner for Carter Financial Management’s Bryan/College Station location for ten years. Prior to his position with CFM, he worked for IDS/American Express Financial Advisors now known as Ameriprise (largest financial planning firm in the nation) as a financial planner and training manager for five years. He volunteers considerable time to his position on the Investment Committee overseeing over $80 million for the Austin (Central) Texas Diocese. Also, Brien chairs the Twin City Endowment Fund (a fund of about $2M) for the Brazos Valley area for economic development. After serving as his son's Scoutmaster for 5 years, Brien now serves Boy Scouts of America as an executive volunteer for the local scouting district.
Commitment to Professional Organizations:
- Financial Planning Association – Practitioner Division
- Brazos County A&M Club – President/Board of Directors
- Houston Estate and Financial Forum - Active Member
- Brazos Valley Estate and Financial Planning Council – President
- Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce
Laurie Perkins, CPA
Director of Financial Planning
Laurie received her BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1989. She worked in the audit department for Arthur Andersen in the San Antonio office from 1989-1991 and earned her CPA license in 1991. She has spent the majority of her professional career in Russellville, Arkansas, where her husband was employed at a 2-unit nuclear plant. After taking a few years
off to start a family, Laurie worked in the business office of a rural community mental health center with services and facilities in 6 Arkansas counties from 1996-2005. In this position, she was responsible for the accounting functions of the agency, 2 HUD apartment complexes and 2 HUD group home facilities, as well as applying for State grants. Laurie later worked for Kent Dollar and Associates, a local CPA firm from 2005-2007. After taking a few years off to focus on family needs, Laurie worked for Debbie Brown CPA PA in office from 2011 to 2017 and then worked remotely from 2018-2022 when her family moved to College Station. Her primary job duties were performing rural water company audits and the write up work, payroll functions, and tax returns for many small business S-Corporations.
Laurie is married and has 3 young adult children. Laurie is a member of the Brazos County Aggie Moms Club and serves on the "Aggies in Need" committee. Laurie and her husband, Darrell, enjoy a variety of Aggie sporting events together and host family and close friends at their home and tailgate on Aggie football weekends. Laurie is also active at her church in many areas including the Women's ACTS retreat team, the bookstore, and welcoming people as a Front Door Disciple. She also enjoys helping at many Knights of Columbus events in the community.
Laurie is excited to be a part of the team at Traditions Wealth Advisors and looks forward to assisting Brien with the many aspects of financial and tax planning for the clients.
Lois Scogin, MBA
Financial Analyst Emeritus
Lois has over 23 years of experience as a financial analyst. Her duties include portfolio analysis, research, and general client service work. She has completed the course work for her CFP designation. Lois graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with a BA in Mathematics. In addition, she has a M.Ed. from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
She has been a key partner in the team at Traditions Wealth Advisors and she has been working with Brien Smith long before its inception in March of 2003. Lois joined Carter Financial Management in March 1994 on part time basis. Previously, she taught mathematics at the middle school and high school level in Belmont, MA. In addition, she served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Nigeria for two years. After a two-year leave of absence from Carter Financial Management, Mrs. Scogin returned to work with Brien in June 1999.
Financial Analyst Emeritus
Lois has over 23 years of experience as a financial analyst. Her duties include portfolio analysis, research, and general client service work. She has completed the course work for her CFP designation. Lois graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with a BA in Mathematics. In addition, she has a M.Ed. from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
She has been a key partner in the team at Traditions Wealth Advisors and she has been working with Brien Smith long before its inception in March of 2003. Lois joined Carter Financial Management in March 1994 on part time basis. Previously, she taught mathematics at the middle school and high school level in Belmont, MA. In addition, she served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Nigeria for two years. After a two-year leave of absence from Carter Financial Management, Mrs. Scogin returned to work with Brien in June 1999.
Our Staff
Michael Maerz
Client Services and Marketing Director
Michael is a 1982 graduate of Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) where he received his Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Prior to joining the staff at Traditions Wealth Advisors, Michael worked for Courtyard by Marriott in guest services, offering guests outstanding service during their stay at the hotel. He worked for 29 years in various capacities for the TJX Corporation, (T. J. Maxx). He worked as an area lead, cash office manager and a new store trainer before moving to College Station where he worked as both the Store Operations Manager and the Store Merchandising Manager. At T. J. Maxx, Michael worked daily providing outstanding customer service to his customers as well as providing a satisfying work place for the associates.
Outside of work, Michael is very active in his church. Michael teaches faith formation classes and volunteers at the Aquinas Bookstore. He is a member and officer in the Knight of Columbus and participates on the Men’s (ACTS) Retreat Team. Michael has served as co-director of the retreat. He has also served as the co-facilitator, retreat coordinator and supply inventory coordinator of the retreat core group.
Client Services and Marketing Director
Michael is a 1982 graduate of Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) where he received his Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Prior to joining the staff at Traditions Wealth Advisors, Michael worked for Courtyard by Marriott in guest services, offering guests outstanding service during their stay at the hotel. He worked for 29 years in various capacities for the TJX Corporation, (T. J. Maxx). He worked as an area lead, cash office manager and a new store trainer before moving to College Station where he worked as both the Store Operations Manager and the Store Merchandising Manager. At T. J. Maxx, Michael worked daily providing outstanding customer service to his customers as well as providing a satisfying work place for the associates.
Outside of work, Michael is very active in his church. Michael teaches faith formation classes and volunteers at the Aquinas Bookstore. He is a member and officer in the Knight of Columbus and participates on the Men’s (ACTS) Retreat Team. Michael has served as co-director of the retreat. He has also served as the co-facilitator, retreat coordinator and supply inventory coordinator of the retreat core group.
Interns
Josh Kane '24
Financial Analyst Intern
As a Financial Analyst Intern, Josh's primary scope of analysis is ensuring that investments our clients hold are optimal given their risk level through diligent quantitative and qualitative research and assigning them buy, sell, and hold ratings. He engages in investment research and portfolio modeling to aid and support portfolio management decisions made by Brien for the TWA clients.
Josh is a senior finance major from Cypress, Texas. In his free time he enjoys playing and watching basketball, running, and reading. He is a huge fan of the Houston Rockets and all Aggie sports. On campus, he is currently involved in Fish Camp and the Brotherhood of Aggie Mentors. Josh came to A&M because he loved the culture and traditions, and it felt like home upon his first impression. It is truly a one of a kind place, and he is so glad he came here. After graduation, Josh hopes to go into corporate finance and eventually do financial advising down the road.
Financial Analyst Intern
As a Financial Analyst Intern, Josh's primary scope of analysis is ensuring that investments our clients hold are optimal given their risk level through diligent quantitative and qualitative research and assigning them buy, sell, and hold ratings. He engages in investment research and portfolio modeling to aid and support portfolio management decisions made by Brien for the TWA clients.
Josh is a senior finance major from Cypress, Texas. In his free time he enjoys playing and watching basketball, running, and reading. He is a huge fan of the Houston Rockets and all Aggie sports. On campus, he is currently involved in Fish Camp and the Brotherhood of Aggie Mentors. Josh came to A&M because he loved the culture and traditions, and it felt like home upon his first impression. It is truly a one of a kind place, and he is so glad he came here. After graduation, Josh hopes to go into corporate finance and eventually do financial advising down the road.
Hunter Schumann '25
Financial Analyst Intern
As a Financial Analyst Intern, Hunter's primary scope of analysis is ensuring that investments our clients hold are optimal given their risk level through diligent quantitative and qualitative research and assigning them buy, sell, and hold ratings. He engages in investment research and portfolio modeling to aid and support portfolio management decisions made by Brien for the TWA clients.
Hunter is a 3rd generation Aggie from Bellville, Texas and will be a junior at Texas A&M University this fall pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance. Hunter is in Aggies on Wall Street, The Horizons Finance Guild, and The Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Next summer, Hunter will be working in oil and gas investment banking in Houston and plans to start his full time career there. In his free time he enjoys traveling and will be going to Italy this summer for a week with his family. Hunter is also an avid outdoorsman. He will never pass up an opportunity to get out in nature whether that be exploring on his ranches or fishing and hunting all over Texas and other parts of the U.S.
Financial Analyst Intern
As a Financial Analyst Intern, Hunter's primary scope of analysis is ensuring that investments our clients hold are optimal given their risk level through diligent quantitative and qualitative research and assigning them buy, sell, and hold ratings. He engages in investment research and portfolio modeling to aid and support portfolio management decisions made by Brien for the TWA clients.
Hunter is a 3rd generation Aggie from Bellville, Texas and will be a junior at Texas A&M University this fall pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance. Hunter is in Aggies on Wall Street, The Horizons Finance Guild, and The Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Next summer, Hunter will be working in oil and gas investment banking in Houston and plans to start his full time career there. In his free time he enjoys traveling and will be going to Italy this summer for a week with his family. Hunter is also an avid outdoorsman. He will never pass up an opportunity to get out in nature whether that be exploring on his ranches or fishing and hunting all over Texas and other parts of the U.S.
Virginia Miller '24
Accounting Intern
As the Accounting Intern, Virginia serves as Traditions Wealth Advisors’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She assists Brien Smith (CEO) in managing the book keeping, cash flow, and tax related facets of the Traditions Wealth Advisors business.
After graduating, Virginia plans to pursue a master's degree in financial management and earn her CPA license. In her free time, Virginia loves to dance and is currently the treasurer for the Dance Arts Society at Texas A&M. She also enjoys listening to old music, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Accounting Intern
As the Accounting Intern, Virginia serves as Traditions Wealth Advisors’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She assists Brien Smith (CEO) in managing the book keeping, cash flow, and tax related facets of the Traditions Wealth Advisors business.
After graduating, Virginia plans to pursue a master's degree in financial management and earn her CPA license. In her free time, Virginia loves to dance and is currently the treasurer for the Dance Arts Society at Texas A&M. She also enjoys listening to old music, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Ryan Hill '24
Financial Planning Intern
Ryan is a 3rd generation Aggie, and TWA’s financial planning intern. He is a senior majoring in finance at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. On January 7, 2023, Ryan married the love of his life, Elizabeth. Recently, they found out they are expecting their first child. Ryan is involved at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, a born and bred woodsman, and an avid fisherman. After his time at Texas A&M, Ryan hopes to obtain his CFP® certification and become a wealth management advisor.
At TWA, Ryan serves as the Financial Planning Intern. He works closely with Brien to conduct research, analysis, and review of client’s financial plans in order to assist them in achieving their life goals and dreams. Ryan supports the development of key systems and processes that TWA uses to operate efficiently and provide the optimal client experience. He has already learned so much through collaboration with TWA’s CFPs and looks forward to learning even more about the ins and outs of financial planning throughout the rest of his time here.
Financial Planning Intern
Ryan is a 3rd generation Aggie, and TWA’s financial planning intern. He is a senior majoring in finance at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. On January 7, 2023, Ryan married the love of his life, Elizabeth. Recently, they found out they are expecting their first child. Ryan is involved at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, a born and bred woodsman, and an avid fisherman. After his time at Texas A&M, Ryan hopes to obtain his CFP® certification and become a wealth management advisor.
At TWA, Ryan serves as the Financial Planning Intern. He works closely with Brien to conduct research, analysis, and review of client’s financial plans in order to assist them in achieving their life goals and dreams. Ryan supports the development of key systems and processes that TWA uses to operate efficiently and provide the optimal client experience. He has already learned so much through collaboration with TWA’s CFPs and looks forward to learning even more about the ins and outs of financial planning throughout the rest of his time here.
