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About August Financial Planning

Built around transparency.

Meet the advisor behind August Financial Planning and the philosophy that shapes how we work with every client.

Founder & Wealth Advisor

Phillip Shaw, CFP®

Founder & Wealth Advisor, August Financial Planning

Phillip Shaw founded August Financial Planning because he believes every client deserves a trusted advisor who puts their interests first, always. Phil grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and has spent his career helping individuals and families navigate complex financial situations, distilling complicated topics into clear, actionable plans. As a fiduciary, Phil is required by law to act in his clients’ best interest, a responsibility he takes seriously in every recommendation he makes. He earned a degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership, with a minor in Economics, from Illinois State University.

Phil named his firm after his mother’s side of the family, a name that also carries an intentional bit of humor for an industry that tends to slow down every August. His approach is built on transparency: what services are offered, what they cost, and whether it’s the right fit should be clear before a client ever sits down for a first conversation.

Growing up, Phil watched his own family navigate a major financial setback without a trusted advisor in their corner — an experience that shapes how he works with clients today. He founded August Financial Planning to be the kind of resource he wishes his own family had had.

Outside of work, Phil is most at home outdoors. He grew up racing sailboats on Lake Michigan and still races today. When he’s not on the water, you’ll find him rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, or cycling, anything that keeps him active and moving.

Why I Started August Financial Planning.

What We Stand For

  • Transparency first. You'll know what we do and what it costs before we ever sit down.
  • Clients come first, always. If a client and a prospect call at the same time, we call the client back.
  • Planning, not products. We're not here to chase an extra tenth of a percent of return.
  • Your investments should support your life, not define it.
“

If a million-dollar prospect and a million-dollar client both call at the same time, I call the client back first. Every time.

— Phillip Shaw

Meet our team

Phillip Shaw, CFP®

Founder & Wealth Advisor

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Alex Brooks

Client Service Associate

Rick Wedell

Chief Investment Officer, RFG Advisory

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Eric Larson

VP of Trading, RFG Advisory

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Patrick Sittner

Sr. Director of Portfolio Strategy, RFG Advisory

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Paul Wankmueller

Portfolio Trader, RFG Advisory

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Kaitlin Torke Grant

Sr. Director of Practice Development, RFG Advisory

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Gibson Bosworth

Sr. Director of Marketing, RFG Advisory

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Backed by RFG Advisory

August Financial Planning operates in partnership with RFG Advisory, a registered investment advisor. That partnership gives Phil the technology, resources, and support to focus on what matters most: the families and individuals he works with.

Custodial Relationships

Let's Start With a Conversation

No pressure, no pitch. Just a chance to see if we’re the right fit for each other.

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Phillip Shaw

Founder & Wealth Advisor, August Financial Planning

Phillip Shaw founded August Financial Planning because he believes every client deserves a trusted advisor who puts their interests first, always. Phil grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and has spent his career helping individuals and families navigate complex financial situations, distilling complicated topics into clear, actionable plans.
As a fiduciary, Phil is required by law to act in his clients’ best interest, a responsibility he takes seriously in every recommendation he makes. He earned a degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership, with a minor in Economics, from Illinois State University.

Phil named his firm after his mother’s side of the family, a name that also carries an intentional bit of humor for an industry that tends to slow down every August. His approach is built on transparency: what services are offered, what they cost, and whether it’s the right fit should be clear before a client ever sits down for a first conversation.

Growing up, Phil watched his own family navigate a major financial setback without a trusted advisor in their corner — an experience that shapes how he works with clients today. He founded August Financial Planning to be the kind of resource he wishes his own family had had.

Outside of work, Phil is most at home outdoors. He grew up racing sailboats on Lake Michigan and still races today. When he’s not on the water, you’ll find him rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, or cycling, anything that keeps him active and moving.

Rick Wedell

RFG Advisory

Rick Wedell has led Bluemonte Investment Management since its launch in 2017 as a division of RFG Advisory. Rick joined RFG as Partner and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in 2016 where he manages multi-asset portfolios and provides strategic insights on asset allocation and portfolio construction. Rick’s investment philosophy emphasizes straightforward analysis and a consistent, rigorous process, aiming to provide financial advisors with the high level of service typically reserved for foundations and family offices.

Before Bluemonte, Rick spent 12 years at Bain Capital Credit, rising to Executive Vice President and Head of Fixed Income Consumer Investments, managing portfolios through volatile markets. His experience underscored the importance of diversification and risk management.

Named a Top Wealth Management CIO by Wealth Solutions Report, Rick conducts seminars nationwide and hosts the bi-weekly YouTube series Market Commentary with Rick Wedell. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in Applied Mathematics & Economics from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory” or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities.

Top Wealth Management CIO by Wealth Solutions Report: This recognition was provided on February 18, 2025 by Wealth Solutions Report. It covers the period of April 2024 to February 2025. There was no compensation exchanged in consideration for this Recognition. For more information, visit:
https://wealthsolutionsreport.com/2025/02/18/wsr-names-the-cio-5-top-wealth-management-cios/

Eric Larson

RFG Advisory

Eric Larson serves as the Vice President of Investment Solutions at Bluemonte Investment Management. In this role, he leads Bluemonte’s trading operations and portfolios, collaborating closely with the investment team to provide comprehensive solutions for Advisors.

Eric joined Bluemonte in late 2020 after relocating to Birmingham, AL, bringing with him over 30 years of experience as an institutional trader on Wall Street. Before joining Bluemonte, he spent a decade as a Senior Equity Trader at Invesco Inc. (formerly OppenheimerFunds). Here he executed trades of domestic and international equities for a management team overseeing portfolios valued at $28 billion and handling daily trading volumes exceeding $50 million. His prior experience includes senior equity trader roles at RS Investments, Guardian Life, and Gabelli Asset Management.

Eric’s extensive experience in financial management, analysis, and investment strategy is a valuable asset to Bluemonte. He excels in communicating fundamental, technical, and quantitative analyses to his investment team and Advisors, providing them with a diverse range of investment options.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Fordham University. He resides in Birmingham, AL, with his wife, Jill. His two adult children are beginning their careers in New York and Philadelphia. In his free time, Eric is an avid golfer and participates in various charitable activities.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory” or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities.

Patrick Sittner

RFG Advisory

Patrick Sittner serves as the Senior Director of Portfolio Strategy at Bluemonte Investment Management, where he partners with Advisors to create tailored investment portfolios that drive client success. With a strong background in market analysis and asset allocation, Patrick supports Advisors through portfolio construction, client and prospect analysis, proposal generation, and customized investment strategies.

Patrick brings over 20 years of experience in investments and capital markets to his role. Before joining Bluemonte in 2024, he served as Director, Portfolio Strategy at Carson Group for more than six years. His career also includes serving as a portfolio manager for a bank’s wealth management division, overseeing $6 billion in employee retirement assets at Conagra Brands, and holding capital markets roles specializing in foreign currency and interest rate hedging. He has also taught as an adjunct professor for an MBA-level investment course.

Patrick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and holds dual Master’s degrees from Creighton University.

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Patrick enjoys life with his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Ian and Clara. Outside of work, he can often be found at his kids’ sporting events, riding his bike, or enjoying live music.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory” or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities.

Paul Wankmueller

RFG Advisory

Paul Wankmueller serves as Director of Institutional Trading at Bluemonte Investment Management providing support to Advisors through Bluemonte’s high-touch trade execution desk. In this role, Paul leverages over 20 years of industry experience to provide a concierge level approach to trading.

Both as a trader and an educator, Paul’s experience spans numerous asset classes. His career began in the NYBOT coffee options pit, continuing with derivatives, equities, and ETFs throughout. As a Chartered Market Technician (CMT®), he approaches his work with a practitioner’s focus on risk, process, repeatable decisions, and price behavior.

Paul is committed to providing high-quality service to Advisors and their clients, guided by the mantra, “Measure twice, cut once.”

In his personal life, Paul is an avid scuba diver and achieved certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). He enjoys all things beach and ocean-related, including the bike ride there.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory” or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities.

Gibson Bosworth

RFG Advisory

Gibson Bosworth is Senior Director of Advisor Marketing Strategy. His team handles the day-to-day of website builds, content creation, brand development, and marketing technology, making sure advisors have the tools and support they need to tell their story and grow their practice.

Gibson’s path to this role was not a straight line. He joined RFG Advisory as a Transition Specialist and Financial Advisor Assistant, moved into social media and content strategy, and eventually took on the Creative Director role before stepping into marketing leadership. That winding journey gave him firsthand experience across operations, creative production, and client relationships, which is a combination that helps him understand what advisors need and how to deliver it. Before RFG, he worked as an Account Executive at Fisher Investments.

Gibson earned a Bachelor of Economics and Marketing from The University of Alabama and holds a Series 65 registration. He has spent his career at the intersection of financial services and creative marketing, and he is most energized when helping advisors turn their vision into something their clients can see, read, and connect with. He is based in Birmingham, Alabama.