PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and how you contribute to its growth and progress.
Barnes: In my role as a consultant, I serve as the main contact for clients. Plan sponsors often aren’t sure who to turn to for specific questions, so most 401(k) related issues are routed through me. I help find answers quickly by coordinating with the subject matter experts to move things forward. When things inevitably break, my goal is to always advocate for the clients to ensure they’re always receiving a high level of service with their vendor partners. In addition, I help provide education and guidance on everything from investments to plan governance and plan design changes.
PLANADVISER: What advice would you give to someone entering the industry today?
Barnes: Looking back at my younger self, I had no idea what I wanted to do. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the “random” jobs I worked throughout high school and college were quietly helping me develop a wide range of skill sets that would ultimately build the foundation for my career in financial services.
My piece of advice is: No one truly has it all figured out. There will always be someone with a stronger resume or a more impressive academic background, but you have full control over the path you carve out for yourself. Don’t let the fear of comparison stop you from applying to jobs you think may be out of reach. Put yourself out there, stay curious and embrace every opportunity that comes your way. You never know which experience, connection or challenge will shape your future career path.
PLANADVISER: Who are your mentors or role models and what lessons have you learned from them?
Barnes: I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have many strong mentors who have helped shape my professional growth. The entire Texas team at Creative Planning has played that role for me at different points, but one person who stands out, and likely always will, is Glenn Able.
Despite being one of the busiest people I’ve ever met, Glenn always made time to mentor and share the wisdom he gained over more than 38 years in the financial services industry. He has a remarkable ability to make people feel like a priority, regardless of how full his schedule may be.
Glenn’s success was built on genuine relationships. It was never a coincidence that the same plan sponsors reached out to him time and time again to work with him. He always put clients’ needs ahead of his own, explained complex concepts in simple terms, and shared his knowledge with the team. His willingness to invest in others, coupled with his unwavering commitment to clients, left a lasting impression on me in my career.