Many businesspeople use artificial intelligence, and wisely so. It is part of the future of business. In some cases, they are even using AI in place of attorneys. Why pay hundreds of dollars per hour and wait days or weeks for legal advice when AI is instantly available for a small monthly fee, or even for free?
On March 23, 2026, Washington House Bill 1155 became law. The bill forbids and invalidates noncompetition covenants in Washington effective June 30, 2027. Business owners should start thinking now about what they need to do in light of the law.
What would happen to your business if you were suddenly unable to run it? Many small business owners assume operations will continue smoothly, but without proper planning, incapacity can quickly disrupt payroll, vendor payments, and daily management. This article explores how tools like powers of attorney, co-management structures, and proactive continuity planning can protect your business—and reduce stress on your loved ones—when the unexpected happens.
Planning for the sale or transition of a business takes more time—and more strategy—than most owners expect. In this educational webinar, Beau Ruff, J.D., LL.M., CFP® walks through the full lifecycle of a business sale, from preparing books and records to valuation, negotiation, due diligence, closing, and post‑closing considerations. This session highlights common pitfalls, key decision points, and the value of early coordination with professional advisors to help business owners protect value and avoid costly surprises.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and even the most practical next steps can feel overwhelming in the midst of grief. Our “Initial Steps After a Loss” webinar was created to offer clarity, comfort, and guidance during an incredibly difficult time.
Estate planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. This introductory webinar walks you through the essential components of a well‑structured estate plan, including wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and beneficiary designations.
As businesses grow and mature, compensation strategies often become complex, especially when new owners join or founders plan to step back. What begins as a simple system can quickly become misaligned, creating tension and inefficiencies.
If you have young children, creating a Will isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. While a Will helps provide for your spouse, its most important role for young families is protecting and providing for your kids.
When people complete their estate plans with an attorney, the resulting documents are often dense with legal language—filled with boilerplate provisions about taxes, trusts, and powers of appointment. These documents serve a critical legal function, but they rarely reflect the heart behind the plan.
Most spouses assume they’ll automatically inherit everything when their partner dies. They won’t. Let that sink in.
Lauren Mleczko is a Wealth Advisor at Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, bringing more than 15 years of financial services experience to her work with individuals and families throughout the area. A Tri-Cities native, Lauren spent the previous chapter of her career successfully guiding clients across Eastern Oregon before returning to serve the community where she grew up. She supports Cornerstone’s commitment to comprehensive, fee-based financial planning and seeks to foster transparent, trust-based relationships that help clients feel informed and supported as they navigate their unique financial journeys. Through clear communication, financial education, and a deep understanding of what matters most to each client, Lauren is dedicated to delivering personalized guidance and exceptional care.
Education: Lauren’s academic journey began with college studies in Arizona and Washington before she discovered her passion for wealth management and chose to build her career in financial services.
Interests: Outside of the office, Lauren values a healthy work-life balance and enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, her partner, and their extended family. An active member of her community, she stays active through yoga and the gym, enjoys getting lost in a good book, working on creative crafting projects, and relaxing at home with her Corgi, Pepper.
Kelsey joined the Cornerstone team in 2026 as Hospitality Lead, serving as the first point of contact for clients and visitors and supporting the smooth day-to-day operations of the office. She manages scheduling, communications, and logistics, ensuring the environment runs efficiently and that every guest feels welcome from the moment they arrive. She cares deeply about collaboration and fairness, and brings these values to her work every day.
Education: Kelsey graduated magna cum laude from Boise State University with a BA in Creative Writing.
Interests: When she’s not tending to the whims of her two terrible cats, Kelsey enjoys playing Pathfinder with her husband and friends, sewing and knitting, gardening, writing, and getting sucked into historical research rabbit holes. She also enjoys hiking, swimming, fencing, and horseback riding.
Shea provides clients with clear, practical guidance in estate planning and business planning. Before joining Cornerstone in 2026, he spent 20 years as a respected attorney serving individuals, families, and businesses. His extensive experience helps clients understand their financial situation, see their current circumstances more clearly, and explore thoughtful options for the future. Rather than telling people what their plan should be, Shea focuses on collaboration—offering insight, education, and strategic information that empower clients to make confident decisions.
Education: Shea earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Idaho College of Law while concurrently completing a Master of Science focused on environmental policy and regulation. During law school, he served as Executive Editor of the Idaho Law Review, where his scholarship examined emerging issues at the intersection of law, technology, and contracting.
Prior to attending law school, Shea’s academic work focused on labor systems and military politics. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Political Science, also from the University of Idaho.
Interests: Shea has spent his entire life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and lived 19 years in the Tri-Cities. His first exposure to business came early, working for Meehan Industries—his father’s automotive supply and locksmithing company. He loves being active on his two feet (from sauntering or perambulating to hiking and backpacking) and has lifelong interest in geology, geography, and landscape.
Shea is married to Brenda, has two grown children and is actively engaged in the lives of his four grandchildren.
Monica has been in the financial industry since 2010 and has served as a financial advisor since 2013. She is passionate about supporting others and views this career as a meaningful opportunity to guide clients through many different chapters of their lives. Monica enjoys developing and implementing financial planning strategies designed with a goal to enhance clients’ overall financial well-being and help them work toward their goals.
Education: Monica attended Whitworth University before choosing to begin her career in the financial industry, accepting a position as a Client Service Associate following a successful internship experience.
Interests: An avid sports enthusiast, Monica played collegiate softball and continues to stay involved in the softball community through coaching. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Chris, and their four children. Monica also loves outdoor activities including camping, hunting, fishing, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Marina joined the Pullman team in 2024, bringing a background in financial planning and a strong focus on client support. In her role, she assists advisors with building financial plans, preparing for client meetings, and supporting clients both in person and over the phone.
Education: Marina earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Economics from Whitworth University and her master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University.
Interests: Outside of work, Marina enjoys spending time with her dog, Dolly, going on long walks, and exploring local trails. She also loves cooking, visiting coffee shops, and exploring museums and historical sites.
Tami has been leading the Pullman team since 2022, bringing strong experience in team management and organizational leadership. In her role, she oversees client services and operations, supports advisors and team members, and helps ensure the practice runs smoothly while fostering a positive, collaborative environment.
Education: Tami earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science–International Relations from Western Washington University and her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Interests: Outside of work, Tami enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and their family. She loves coffee, being outdoors, and dogs, and enjoys connecting with college students through her campus church.
Wanda became part of the Pullman team in 2018, bringing extensive experience in client care and bookkeeping. She works diligently behind the scenes to ensure our advisors are set up for success and assists clients with their paperwork needs.
Education: Wanda attended Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, as well as WSU.
Interests: Wanda enjoys spending time with her husband Bud and her family. She has twin sister, is a devoted animal lover, she shares her home with 4 cats and 12 chickens. In her free time, Wanda can be found reading, baking, traveling, gardening, kayaking, or woodworking.
Emily joined the Pullman team full-time in 2017 after completing an internship with the office and graduating from college. She works behind the scenes to make sure client’s needs are met with care and attention. She’s our go-to expert on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and annuities, providing valuable support to both clients and advisors.
Education: Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, both from Washington State University.
Interests: Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids. As a family, they enjoy spending time outside, skiing, hiking, and exploring new places.
Jason has been in the financial services industry since 2001, bringing experience in both banking and financial advising to the team. In his role, he focuses on financial planning and is passionate about helping clients align their financial decisions with their values through thoughtful, purpose‑driven guidance.
Education: Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kansas State University.
Interests: Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Anna, and their three children. He and his family love outdoor activities including bicycling, hiking, camping, and paddle boarding.
Bill has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, bringing a practical and approachable perspective to the team. In his role, he helps individuals and businesses clarify their goals through financial planning and business services, including valuation and succession planning.
Education: Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University.
Interests: Outside of work, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife, Susie, and their four sons. He is also actively involved in the Pullman community, serving as Board Treasurer for the Community Action Center.
Jeff has been in the financial industry for nearly four decades, bringing experience and thoughtful guidance to the team. In his role as a financial advisor, he provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management, helping clients make confident decisions and reach long‑term goals.
Education: Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation.
Interests: Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife, Angie, their children, and grandchildren. He loves being outdoors, especially biking, water skiing, and traveling, and stays involved in the Pullman community through mentoring and local charitable efforts.
Cameron has been in the finance industry since 2008 and an advisor since 2012, and is dedicated to working with individuals, families, and small business owners to help them pursue financial freedom through individualized financial planning. As a trader, he supports the team with investment analysis, portfolio construction, and the processing of trades and money transactions for our clients. Cameron also enjoys connecting with our Spanish-speaking clients, ensuring they receive the same high level of service.
Education: Cameron earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Utah in 2008 and worked in the banking field until he became a licensed financial advisor in 2012.
Interests: Cameron was born and raised in the Tri-Cities. He is married to Jamie, and they have four wonderful children, Evelyn, Cassidy, Caleb, and Clara. Cameron is an active member in his community and his church. He enjoys being outdoors as much as possible with his kids, whether he is skiing, mountain biking, taking pictures with his drone, or motorcycle camping.
