Meet Those That Make Us Successful

Prevail's Founders

Brad Lawing, Heather Heckadon, Kerry Lawing (CEO), Marcia Vander Wal, Andrew Stafford

Prevail
Leadership

(back) Angelica Foxx, Sherry Meyer, Heather Heckadon, Craig Gordon, Marcia Vander Wal, Brian Pfannenstiel; (front) Bryan Farwell Andrew Stafford, Kerry Lawing, Brad Lawing, Paul Andres

Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors Investment Advisory Committee

(back) Andrew Stafford, Kerry Lawing, Brad Lawing, Craig Gordon; (front) Brian Pfannenstiel, Jacob Cole, Mike Sanchez

Partners

Kerry Lawing

CEO

After 30-plus years owning and operating Lawing Financial, Kerry Lawing suddenly had the unique opportunity to hit reset. In 2017, Kerry sold Lawing Financial – the company he founded in 1985 and grew to over $5 Billion in assets under advisement. He built a close-knit team, with the vision of disrupting an age-old industry, and founded Prevail Innovative Wealth Strategies. Kerry believes the financial industry is broken and that there is a better solution than the traditional advice advisors typically offer. He is driven by impacting the lives of those around him; dedicating himself to growing people, advisors and businesses. Exceptionalism is his passion and Kerry has a history of delivering on that expectation.

Kerry Lawing | LinkedIn

Andrew Stafford

President
AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary

Andrew Stafford, President

Andrew Stafford is a distinguished business leader and financial strategist with a proven record of driving growth and guiding business owners through transformative financial decisions. His career began in his family’s fourth-generation enterprise, founded in 1926, where he learned the intricacies of scaling and sustaining a legacy business.

He later advanced to corporate leadership as Vice President of a national distribution firm, overseeing more than 500 employees and generating over $200 million in revenue. During this tenure, he spearheaded multiple $30 million acquisitions and launched an international brand from concept to market.

In 2013, Andrew transitioned into financial services, before co-founding Prevail Innovative Wealth Strategies in 2017, where he now serves as President. At Prevail, he blends entrepreneurial insight with financial acumen to deliver strategies in tax-efficient wealth creation, real estate, private capital, and retirement solutions, empowering clients to maximize value and secure long-term success.

Andrew Stafford | LinkedIn

Heather A. Heckadon

Vice President
CLU® Chartered Life Underwriter
AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary
RICP® Retirement Income Certified Professional

Heather has dedicated her entire career—spanning 25+ years—to the financial services industry, working alongside CEO Kerry Lawing. Known for her thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and ability to make a lasting impact, she serves as Vice President at Prevail, where she is a driving force behind the firm’s core strategies. A perennial industry leader and award-winning professional, Heather holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designations. Her passion for financial services is unmatched—it’s not just what she does; it’s what she loves.

Beyond the office, Heather and her husband, Chris, enjoy life in the Village of Loch Lloyd, MO, where you’ll often find them on the golf course. Her love for the outdoors is shared by her son, Caden, a fly-fishing guide in Wyoming. In 2023, Heather’s world grew even richer with the addition of three bonus children, a blessing that has brought even more joy and excitement into her life. Whether strategizing for clients or creating memories with her family, Heather brings the same energy, enthusiasm, and heart to everything she does.

Heather Heckadon | LinkedIn

Brad Lawing

Vice President
CPWA® - Certified Private Wealth Advisor
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary

As one of the founding partners of Prevail Strategies, LLC, Brad serves as Vice President. Brad works with business owners, executives, and high-net-worth families to help determine their financial goals and help get them where they want to be. He believes that having a road map to financial success is a key component of knowing where to go. He enjoys helping his clients define their plan and challenge conventional wisdom in regards to finances and tax diversification. Serving in the financial services industry since 2006, Brad has helped numerous business owners and executives to deeply understand their financial situation, maximizing their success and ability to control their own financial future. He is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® and has also served on multiple non-profit boards in various roles.

Brad Lawing | LinkedIn

Craig Gordon

Vice President
CLU® - Chartered Life Underwriter
WMCP® - Wealth Management Certified Professional
AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary

As a fourth-generation financial services professional, Craig Gordon’s family history instilled a passion for the importance properly designed financial plans can provide individuals and families. Craig has a passion for delivering strategies that solve problems, add value, and become impactful in the financial outcomes of the clients he serves. As Vice President at Prevail, Craig is a part of the executive leadership group with a rich history in financial services, a shareholder in Prevail Real Estate Opportunities division, a key member of Prevail’s Investment Advisory Committee and a leadership role to Prevail’s Private Client Group. Craig’s objective for the clients he works for is to help establish plans that create, leverage, and protect wealth.

Craig Gordon | LinkedIn

Marcia Vander Wal

Director of Strategic Initiatives

After 21 incredible years as our Director of Operations, Marcia is stepping into this exciting role to lead special projects and initiatives. She’ll be supporting our Alternative Assets Division and Private Investments, leveraging her extensive experience to drive strategic growth and innovation.

Prevail Team

Corporate Retirement Benefits Leadership Team

Bryan Farwell

Director: Corporate Retirement Benefits
CRPS® Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist PPC® - Professional Plan Consultant
AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary
IAR® - Investment Advisor Representative
Bryan Farwell | LinkedIn