Email: dragan@grunden.com
As a college student, Dave dreamed of one day traveling the world as a National Geographic photographer … until he attended a personal finance class at the University of North Texas. A flash went off in his mind, and the financial world suddenly seemed more meaningful to him than photojournalism. Soon after experiencing this epiphany, Dave changed his major from journalism to finance, graduating from the University of North Texas in 2003. Since then, he has never looked back.
Of Dave's tenure at Grunden Financial Advisory Inc., owner and CEO Ricky Grunden Sr. says, “Dave Ragan was an impact player, and he immediately developed what became the platform to write and implement hundreds of financial plans, investment plans, and wealth management plans for Grunden clients.” Ricky rewarded Dave's efforts with partnership in 2012, and today he is Vice President of Financial Planning.
Dave's expertise is recognized by the University of North Texas, where he teaches the senior-level financial planning class. And his commitment to education doesn’t end there—he recently spearheaded a successful effort to secure a $50,000 grant from TD Ameritrade to improve financial planning programs nationwide through initiatives taken by the University of North Texas.
Dave never snapped a single frame for National Geographic, but when he is not implementing expertly written wealth management plans, you will find him traveling across the United States with his travel trailer and his wife and three children, capturing their experiences with his Cannon T6i camera. Check out his Instagram photos here. Over coffee Dave is equally comfortable talking about Yosemite National Park or about developing a claiming strategy for Social Security.
Dave’s Notable Recognitions and Accomplishments:
- Leadership Denton Graduate - 34th class (2019)
- Investment News 40 under 40 (2018)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)
- Named one of Texas’ Five Star Wealth Managers in Texas Monthly magazine (2013-2019)
- Adjunct Professor of Finance at the University of North Texas (UNT)
- Part of the Closing Bell ceremony on the New York Stock Exchange (2015)
