Matt Powers

Managing Partner | matt@powersinvest.com

Matt is the President, Founder, and Managing Partner of Powers Advisory Group.

Over a decade ago, Matt made the choice to transition his practice to full independence so that he could bring an institutional style of investment management to his local clientele as well as provide advice on an objective basis free from conflict of interest.

Matt has been a repeat guest on CNBC's Halftime Report and Worldwide Exchange, sharing the firm's core strategy of dividend growth.

He holds over 20 years of experience as a financial advisor for some of the largest investment firms in the industry - including Smith Barney/Citigroup, Edward Jones, and NFP Securities. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University.

Matt is currently on the Eastern Illinois University School of Business Advisory Board.  He is actively involved in his local community, serving as a past board member for the St. Paul School Advisory Board, the Highland School District Foundation, Highland Boys Basketball Association, Highland Business Education Alliance, and was the 2011 General Chairman of the St. Paul Kirchenfest.   Matt is currently the Chairman and has organized the Highland Optimist Basketball Shootout for 16 years - the largest one day high school basketball event in the Midwest.   He is a member of the Highland Optimist, and the St. Louis Sports Commission.  He has coached youth basketball at all levels for many years. 

Matt and his wife Cathy reside in Highland, IL along with their four children - Logan, Layna, Brynn, and Beau,  and 2 dogs - Elbe and Teddy. 

Rick Ringwald

Partner | rick@powersinvest.com

Rick joined Powers Advisory Group in 2017 and has over 19 years of experience in the financial industry. Most recently he was a Vice President of Commercial Banking at Commerce Bank in Belleville, IL. Prior to this, Rick held positions in various roles with Stifel Nicolaus, Regions Bank and Wells Fargo. He previously held his Series 7 and 66 while working for Stifel Nicolaus and has held various insurance licenses over the years. Rick earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from McKendree University and a Masters of Business Administration from St. Louis University.

He is actively involved in his local community, serving as Co-Chairman of the Highland Optimist Shootout, Board Member of the Highland Area Community Foundation, St. Paul Educational Foundation Board Member  and coaching youth sports. Previously, he served as the President of the Highland Chamber of Commerce, as a Highland Police Commissioner and was active in the Highland Entrepreneurial Program.

Rick and his wife Mandy reside in Highland, IL along with with their three children, Addison, Noah and Elliott.

Nic Rutz

Investment Advisor | NIC@POWERSINVEST.COM

Nic earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  He has over 16 years of experience in owning and operating small businesses, most notably Popeye's Chop House in St. Rose, IL. During his tenure he helped establish the reputation it has today as one of the most successful restaurants in the St. Louis area.   Ten years ago, he and his wife purchased a collection of Early Childhood Learning Centers and grew the business to 65 employees, caring for 260 children.  In 2011, he and a partner established a Real Estate Investment business that now includes a portfolio of commercial, multi-family, and self-storage properties.

 He lives in Breese, IL with his wife Anne along with their 3 children Zander, Breck, and Cali.

Melissa Nehrt

Director of Operations | melissa@powersinvest.com

Melissa is the Director of Operations for Powers Advisory Group.

She is instrumental in the coordination, planning and organization of all operational functions within the firm.

Melissa’s nearly 20 years of financial industry experience is a perfect complement to Powers Advisory Group’s existing strengths. Her knowledge of estate and financial planning, accounting, tax practices, and life insurance are extremely valuable to the firm as well as their clients. Prior to joining the firm, Melissa was a portfolio design analyst for a local NFP Securities firm, and served as a senior accountant at Scheffel & Company, a Certified Public Accounting firm in Illinois. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.

Melissa spent her childhood in Highland and still lives there today with her husband Aaron and their children, Walker and Wade. Melissa is very active in her local community. She and her husband are well known for volunteering to coach many of the youth sports in the community and also volunteers her time at her children's school. Melissa is a mentor of the Young Women's Breast Cancer Program peer support group of Siteman Cancer Center and proud supporter of the local Relay For Life.

Amy Munie

Client Operations Specialist | Amy@POWERSINVEST.COM

Amy has over 30 years of executive level administration experience in the legal field.  She spent 26 years as a Legal Assistant with the insurance defense firm of Moser & Marsalek, P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by 4 years at a railroad and personal injury plaintiff firm in O’Fallon, Illinois.  Her years supporting principals and partners, as well as their clients, in legal administration, firm operations and special events complement her Client Operations Specialist role at Powers Advisory Group.  With her keen attention to detail, Amy ensures client accounts are accurately established and maintained to support their investment advisory experience with the professionals at Powers Advisory Group.  She also is a key coordinator in creating special events for our clients.      

Amy is originally from Trenton, Illinois, and has lived in Highland over 26 years.  She and her husband Greg have a son, Adam, and Amy’s adult daughter, Brooke, resides in Santa Monica, California.  Throughout the years, Amy has always enjoyed being actively involved in coordinating events associated with her children’s various sports and activities.  When Amy isn’t busy attending Adam’s sporting events, she enjoys hosting and creating special memories for her family and friends.   

Tara Besong

Client Service Associate | tara@powersinvest.com

Tara is the Client Services Specialist for Powers Advisory Group. She assists our advisors and clients by preparing documents and other crucial items.

Before joining us, Tara spent 12 years in the medical field and holds certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Clinical Hemodialysis Technician. She worked in hospitals and hemodialysis centers. Later, she obtained insurance licenses and worked as a claims and customer service representative for State Farm. Tara's strengths are her organizational skills, attention to detail, and compassion for others.

Tara grew up in Trenton, IL, where she still lives with her husband Adam, their children Zoe and Kenzie, and their dogs Marley and Ruger. She enjoys outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, camping, and hiking with her family. Tara also coaches a youth football cheerleading program in her community.