Emmett Kaarlsen
Emmett is our completely adorable, indispensable Chairman of the Cookie Board, and has been tasked with identifying all of the dinosaurs and zoo animals that might find their way into Pop Pop Bryan's office. We like to think of him as both the light in our President's eyes, and the future of Texas Retirement Headquarters.
Bryan Kaarlsen CFP® ChFC® CLU® RHU® REBC®
Texas Retirement Headquarters President Bryan Kaarlsen has 30 years of experience in the financial industry. For the first 15 years of his career, Bryan worked with one of the largest worldwide financial firms. But in 2007, he came to believe that having the ability to work with all of the top financial services companies would better serve his clients. This would give him the ability to offer diverse, nimble, and comprehensive financial services. Now, Bryan can offer truly custom plans for each client, based on their unique priorities, needs, and goals.
Bryan is consistently ranked among the top financial advisors in the country. He has been a featured 5 star professional and ranked in Forbes and Texas Monthly magazines. Bryan is considered a thought leader in the industry and has been quoted many times in the financial press.
Having earned the CFP (Certified Financial Planner), ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), and CLU (Certified Life Underwriter) designations, he is one of the most credentialed and experienced wealth managers in Texas. His commitment to integrity, exceptional client support, and relationship building has enabled Bryan to lead his team in catering to the needs of both businesses and individual clients. He is passionate about helping his clients navigate the often choppy waters of retirement and strives to be an indispensable member of his client's financial team. Bryan can be trusted to navigate the path to your financial future.
He is the former president of the Autism Society of San Antonio and, along with his wife Robin, has started a nonprofit organization to help autistic adults who are aging out of the school system. He is a regular contributor to many first responder charities, including the SAFD museum and the Shields of Christ golf tournament.
When Bryan isn't working for his clients or the charities he supports, he enjoys restoring his historic home ·in downtown San Antonio and being Emmett's "Pop-Pop.”
Greg Schorp
Texas Retirement Headquarters Vice President Greg Schorp joined the team in 2017 after nearly 20 years in financial services. Since 2001, he has been Regional Vice President with several major financial firms including Pacific Life, ING, and the Principal Financial Group. Greg joined Texas Retirement Headquarters to work with clients to develop plans their financial plans to help them reach their goals and dreams. He understands that finances can be complicated and wishes to simplify the planning process for those clients with unique needs, such as Retirement Income Planning, insurance needs, and legacy planning.
You may recognize Greg's name from his success as a football player. He was a star at San Antonio's Churchill High School, and an All-American tight end at Texas A&M, where he helped lead his team to wins in several bowl games and was named the most valuable player in the 1992 Disneyland Pigskin Classic.
Greg continued his football career by joining the NFL in 1994. He was a member of the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars. Most notably, Greg was a tight end for the Super Bowl XXX Champion Dallas Cowboys.
Greg, his wife Nikki, and their children reside in New Braunfels, TX. Greg enjoys attending his children's extracurricular activities, hunting, fishing, boating and golf.
Rebecca R. Hughes
Rebecca joined the Texas Retirement Headquarters team in the Spring of 2022 as our project specialist and has comfortably moved into the office manager position as of Spring 2025, with almost 20 years in the industry. Rebecca also serves as our resident Medicare Specialist.
Rebecca began her career in the industry in 2007 with New York Life focusing on securities, life insurance, and health insurance. Her background has proven to be an invaluable addition to our team. She understands the importance of customer service and leads the office team by setting the example. She spends quality time with each client during their on-boarding process and ensures they receive that same level of service after they become part of the Texas Retirement HQ family.
Rebecca has her LUTCF designation, has been awarded with the NAIFA Quality Award for Life and Annuities, and the Who's Who of Women in Business.
She understands the intricacies of the Medicare industry and provides a full review with each client to ensure they have the knowledge they need to make an informed decision when completing their initial enrollment or moving from their current carrier.
When Rebecca isn't providing 5-star level service she spends as much time as she can with her teenage daughter and her mother who still acts like a teenage herself. They all share a love of softball (#RutgersSoftball) and their favorite baseball team - #GoYankees!
Ruben Cevallos
Ruben Cevallos has been a Licensed Insurance Rep for the Police and Fireman’s Insurance Association since 2003, also serving on their Board of Directors since 2010. He has worked closely with Bryan for over 10 years and retired from the San Antonio Fire Department after 33 years of service as a Firefighter and Paramedic. He is also a former board member of the San Antonio Fire Museum.
Joining the team in 2011, Ruben immediately became an asset for members of San Antonio’s public safety community. His knowledge and experience helps Bryan guide the firm’s firefighters and police clientele into effortless and sustainable retirement plans as well as options to protect their family legacies during their careers as active first responders. Ruben has been a wonderful liaison for Bryan and the entire team.
Ruben and his wife Machele live in San Antonio and enjoy traveling. They love visiting their 3 sons or attending NASCAR events in Daytona. You can also catch Ruben on the golf course or at home with a good book. Do not be shy to ask him for some great recommendations on anything, from what is the best golf course in the area, to how to best engage Bryan and the team to protect your family and loved ones in the future.
Kenneth Cook CFP®
Kenneth Cook, a Certified Financial Planner, joined Texas Retirement Headquarters in 2019 after working with Bryan over the last several years. Kenneth brings with him more than 35 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. A graduate of Texas A&M University, his background as an accountant for a stock brokerage company, and an owner of an insurance agency for more than 20 years uniquely positions him to guide his clients through their financial decisions. With clients ranging from Federal Employees and Teachers to Small Business Owners and Retirees of all types throughout the South, Kenneth is a remarkably experienced asset to Texas Retirement Headquarters.
Kenneth is an active traveler, particularly throughout Europe and South America.
Courtney Kaarlsen
Courtney Kaarlsen is the administrative assistant for Ken Cook and with efficiency handles his daily services so Ken can spend quality time with his clients.
Courtney began her career as a Registered Dental Assistant and worked for a large practice in the Dominion. Her newfound background in dental administration has since given her a more solid foundation in client relations and rapport building. Courtney is still part of the family, literally, as she is Bryan's eldest daughter, so she brings with her a true understanding of both his focus on client support.
Her equally important role as Emmett and Eleanor's mom, is also her greatest joy. Keeping up with two very active and growing kids kept her heart full. Taking trips to the zoo, beach and area parks are among their favorite activities. That is, aside from visiting Pop-Pop (Bryan) at his office, of course!
Alisia Mesa New Client Business Coordinator
Alisia, our New Client Business Coordinator, has 7 years of customer service experience, from management at several Rack Room Shoes locations throughout San Antonio, Texas, to fraud investigation at Robinhood Investments.
Alisia has become a master at client relations, working with our newest and existing clients to ensure their accounts are set up as requested, in an efficient and timely manner.
When not working, Alisia enjoys time with her family. Especially her young daughter Carmen, who just turned 2!
Karen Cinelli
Karen Cinelli began working for Bryan 27 years ago, as her summer job while attending Texas A&M University. She went on to a career as a medical practice administrator and physician consultant. After having children, she returned to work for Bryan and has been with Texas Retirement Headquarters since 2009.
As an adoptive parent and former foster parent, Karen is active with several organizations that focus on children who age out of the foster care system, as well as acting as a mentor for families going through the adoption process. Additionally, she has served as president of the San Antonio Gladney Family Association, leading its charitable and social endeavors for adoptive families.
Karen and her family are currently in Virginia, but she continues to manage our HR part of the business remotely. We are all thankful for the age of telecommuting and Zoom meetings!
Robin Kaarlsen
Robin graduated from Cornell University (Marketing & Management) in 1988. She interned on Wall Street and was licensed in insurance and securities. She worked as a retail buyer, floor manager, and assistant store manager until she had identical twin daughters. At that point, she became a full-time mom and volunteer. When the girls were older, Robin attended graduate school and earned a second undergraduate major in English along with certification as a K-12 teacher. When her daughters left for college in 2011, Robin moved to Texas to finally be with the love of her life, Bryan.
Bryan used to joke that Robin was “Executive Director of Everything” in the business and at home. Thanks to tremendous growth and additional staff, she is no longer actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Her focus is on establishing a 501(c)(3) charity, “Prism Communities,” which will create and operate long-term living campuses with on-site services for adults with autism and other severe disabilities.
Robin became passionate about developing these communities while she and Bryan were caring for Bryan’s autistic son, who aged out of his residential school at age 21. Navigating the systems in place for the intellectually disabled and mentally ill, especially those on the autism spectrum, is frustrating. Although he now lives in a group home where he receives the therapies and services to which he is entitled, they would like to see a more comprehensive program for their son, and know there are thousands of families with young adults in a similar situation.
