OUR TEAM
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Barbara Traylor Smith, CFP®
Owner – Financial Professional
Barbara Traylor Smith’s path to becoming a financial professional has been a long winding road where she has encountered a multitude of educational and professional opportunities which empower her to help her clients secure their financial future. Each client Barbara encounters has a unique financial forecast that requires a personal approach. Long ago Barbara adopted the slogan, “It’s not about your money, it’s about your life.” Her devotion to her clients, coupled with her personalized approach to wealth management, makes working with Barbara feel like a breath of fresh air.
Barbara received her BA in Accounting from Southwest Texas State University. Following graduation she worked in public accounting primarily in tax preparation, earning her CPA designation in 1990.
Following her career as a CPA, Barbara began working for an insurance Independent Marketing Organization. She served as the primary liaison between advisors and the home office of several insurance companies, in other words she was “The Advisors’ Advisor.” Barbara has trained many advisors in all aspects of the retirement and financial planning process including general investments, tax advantaged investments, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance and annuity policies. Through education and experience gleaned over a career spanning 30+ years, she is well qualified to help her clients plan their retirement utilizing many different tools and techniques.
In 2008, Barbara began operating Retirement Outfitters, LLC in Grand Junction, Colorado and is an Independent Wealth Advisor with Foundations Investments. She continues to help her clients achieve financial security by providing education and customized financial plans. She was recognized as the 2018 National Social Security Advisor® of the Year. She holds her certification from the CFP Board as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has earned Certified Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) from the American College.
Outside of her career Barbara is extremely active in the Grand Junction community. Barbara is the former Mayor and represented District B on the Grand Junction City Council 2013-2019, is a member of the Mesa County Community Transformation Steering Committee, serves as a director of the Rotary Club of Grand Junction (2018-2020) as well as numerous committees receiving the Service Above Self Award for 2018-2019, holds a seat on the STRiVE foundation board and the HopeWest Planned Giving Council, participates in WOMAN, the Women’s Mentoring Agent Network, and belongs to River of Life Alliance Church.
Education
- Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) Bachelor of Arts Accounting
- 1985 The American College
- Certified Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant
Licenses
- Series 65 – Investment Adviser Representative with Foundations Investment Advisors
Memberships & Associations
- Grand Junction City Council – Former Mayor – District B
- Leadership Program of the Rockies (LPR) – Class Vice President 2021
- Rotary Club of Grand Junction – Director (2018-2020)
- HopeWest – Planned Giving Council
- STRiVE – Board Member
Stephanie Garcia-Hagen
Director of Retirement Planning
Stephanie Garcia-Hagen is Co-Owner and Principal Agent at Mesa Benefits, LLC. Stephanie started her financial services career in 1997 in the mortgage industry and transitioned into her insurance career after moving to Grand Junction in 2007. She is our Trusted Local Medicare Adviser and offers individual appointments, classes and webinars. Stephanie lives in Grand Junction with her husband, Bruce, and is a mother of 4 and Nana of 2.
Angie Sward
Client Relations Manager
Angie Sward joins our firm with 30 years’ office administration and client relations experience. Angie recently relocated to the Grand Junction area from South Dakota, where she held the role of Office Manager for a commercial real estate appraisal firm for the past 20 years. Prior to that, Angie worked alongside the President and Marketing Director of the local United Way.
Angie is very community-oriented and service-driven, having served as a volunteer and board member for many local organizations, to include City Council, Planning & Zoning, PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Emergency Task Force, Band Parents and Jaycees. Additionally, Angie spent 6 years as a volunteer EMT serving her community, as well as volunteering as a Sunday School music teacher and secretary for her church.
In her free time, she enjoys sightseeing and hiking with her husband, Kelly, and their three dogs. She looks forward to becoming a more active participant in her new community.
Blake Walker
Client Communications Manager
Blake is the newest asset to the Retirement Outfitters team. She has over 3 years’ experience in the insurance and finance industry.
She is studying to receive her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She loves to get to know clients and help them along their financial journey.
When she’s not working, she loves to spend time with her husband Josh and their 4-year old son Josiah. They love to ride bikes together or tackle the local hikes!
