Meet Our Team
Aspire Wealth Advisors is a team of individuals who seek to impart meaningful change in their communities, their families, our firm and with our clients. Our clients rely on us not just because of what we do, but because of who we are. We are intentional leaders and matter to the people we serve.

Jimmy was born and raised in Houston, Texas and attended Texas A&M University. After four years in College Station, he convinced his college sweetheart to move to Houston with him to start a career and a family. The rest is history! Jimmy and wife Leslie have two boys, Tripp and Jaxson. Jaxson has special needs, and because of that they are both very passionate about various organizations and initiatives that impact special needs families. In his spare time, Jimmy enjoys working out, playing golf, and spending time with his family.

David Higgins is a native Houstonian who grew up on the West-side. He graduated from Stratford High School and then attended the University of Houston while working full-time for Sterling Bank in their credit department. David spent several years in the banking, mortgage, and software business before pursuing a life-long passion of financial services. Six years after joining Northwestern Mutual, David was appointed to take a leadership position within the company and become a District Manager. In November 2016, the Northwestern Mutual - West Houston District Office was finally opened in the energy corridor with David as the Managing Director. David married his wife Hailey in 2012 and together they have three beautiful children: Winnie, Hudson and Grady. They currently reside in West Houston.
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Allison is originally from Orange County, California. She studied at Chapman University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business. Allison moved to Houston in 2014, and after meeting her now husband who is in the oil and gas industry, she knew that Houston was going to be their forever home. Allison began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2016 as Director of Client Services and has since transitioned into the role of Director of Operations. When Allison has free time, she is spending it with her husband Ian, and their two daughters Peyton and Sutton.

Zach Alaoui CFP®, CLTC®
Director of Financial Planning
Zach attended Texas State University and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and majored in Finance. After graduating he entered the Financial Planning industry and has since been with Northwestern Mutual for 5+ years. During that time, he has acquired his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and Certification in Long-Term Care designations. Zach began his career focusing on the insurance side of financial planning but has since expanded to becoming a comprehensive financial planner with aspirations to soon becoming a lead advisor within our team. Outside of work, Zach enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, playing golf and spending time with his girlfriend of 4+ years Alli and his basset hound, Beau.

Monica started with Northwestern Mutual in 2007 after graduating from the University of Houston - Clear Lake with a B.S. in Finance. She began her career as an Associate Financial Representative at our Houston Galleria Network Office to be part of a community that helps individuals and businesses meet their financial goals and needs. Monica loves the amazing customer service and value Northwestern Mutual provides to its policyholders and strives to emulate the same standard in service to our clients. She joined Aspire Wealth Advisors in 2021 to be part of a growing team and enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Brooke attended Texas Tech University and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a major in Marketing. Brooke started with Northwestern Mutual in 2022 as an Associate Financial Representative and then transitioned to her current position, Director of Client Relations and Marketing. She loves the culture and vision that Aspire holds. In Brooke’s free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her boyfriend Maverick and their two dogs, a Boxer named Hendrix & Golden Retriever named Don.

Danna was born in Venezuela and graduated from the University of Margarita in 2015. She moved to the United States in November of 2018 and has been working with Life and Health Insurance since 2019. She is currently the Business Manager and is always ready to offer the best customer service to all our policy holders. Danna loves the vision, culture and values that Northwestern Mutual provides to its customers. She enjoys traveling, taking care of her cat and listening to music.

Trent is a graduate from the University of Houston, majoring in Finance and receiving a certificate in Personal Financial. He came into the Financial Planning industry wanting to make a direct impact in people’s lives by guiding clients through difficult financial decisions and establishing generational wealth for family-oriented individuals. Starting out as an intern in the beginning of 2021, Trent moved on to become the team’s lead paraplanner after graduation. He now focuses on building comprehensive financial plans to help guide our client’s future. In his free time, Trent enjoys spending his time golfing, watching sports, and going to concerts with his friends.

John is a native Houstonian. He graduated from Texas State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and majored in Finance. John worked in the energy industry for 8 years helping businesses lower their energy costs. From there he worked in commercial banking for 3 years and made his way to Northwestern Mutual with a desire to have an impact in other’s lives. Outside of work, John is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife, Mercy, and two young boys, Johnny and James.

Samuel M Schlanger LUTCF®, CLTC®
Financial Advisor
Sam Schlanger is a graduate of the University of Florida, class of 1980.
He has lived in the Houston area since 1980 and currently resides in Katy with his wife, Terry. They have two sons, Graham and Leighton. Graham, a Solutions Architect with Augury, is married to Samantha, a marriage and family therapist. They have one son, Max. Leighton is an event host for TeamBuilding.com, and an actor and stage combat choreogapher. Sam and Terry are proud of their commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
Sam and his family have two dogs, a Champion Pembroke Welsh Corgi named “Rocky,” and a beautiful rescue dog named "Dani."
Sam is a sports enthusiast, and a huge fan of college football. He and his family enjoy entertaining at their home, traveling and spending time with family.
Sam’s core values are balance, excellence, service and truth. His family and friends appreciate his honesty and commitment to live out his beliefs.

Christopher F Vaughan LUTCF®
Financial Representative

Emily grew up traveling across the world given her parents were in the oil/gas industry, but she will always call Houston home! She has a collegiate soccer background and a competitive side that her clients love as she makes sure she wins with and for them. She values hard work, communication, and efficiency throughout her financial planning process as she serves her clients with her best foot forward. Emily loves to shop, try out new restaurants, and stay active in her free time. Her high energy will leave you excited about what is in store for your financial future!

Rhonda began working in financial services in 1996 with a regional investment bank in Boston. She went on to work with UBS, Morgan Stanley, and MassMutual before becoming the Life Insurance and Disability Income Brokerage Director with Guardian in 2018. She joined Aspire Wealth Advisors out of a desire to create greater fulfillment when working with clients through full financial planning. She utilizes her industry know-how and Love First approach to help create plans that benefit her clients’ vision.
Rhonda’s greatest joys have been being a single parent raising two girls who are now both happy college students at Texas universities (Go Longhorns and Mavs!) and her rescue dogs. A long-time Houstonian, she supports local organizations like the Houston Food Bank, Chinquapin Preparatory School, HMNS, and always roots for the Astros!
Rhonda is the founder of Service Project Houston which organizes annual charitable drives and With Love that benefits individuals who have experienced loss. At Christmas she dresses as Mrs. Claus to deliver toys and joy to Houston area schools and hospitals. In her free time, she enjoys writing, hiking, tennis, roller skating, cooking, and collects antique books. Rhonda serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair – Texas for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, serves on the Board of Directors for Journey to Dream Foundation, is on the Houston Board of Directors for Women in Insurance and Financial Services, and is also a proud Loyola University Chicago Rambler.
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