Meet the Fervent Team

Since becoming a financial professional in 1996, Dr. Richard Baker has used his diverse background and expertise to serve as a wealth advisor in Springfield, MO. Dr. Baker has always been passionate about working directly with clients and creating individualized portfolios tailored to their specific needs. In addition, he focuses on matching investment and financial planning strategies to his client’s particular goals and advises them on asset allocation decisions, portfolio design, and investment implementation.

He is gifted in helping retirees, business owners, and executives navigate various financial situations such as retirement planning, business succession, and charitable giving. Additionally, he has a lot of experience implementing strategies seeking to preserve wealth, reduce taxes and increase family wealth.

Dr. Baker’s business acumen has also bolstered his career as an author and speaker. His second book, “How do I Retire?” was published in the Spring of 2022 and is an acclaimed practical guide to anyone getting ready for retirement. He writes a weekly column entitled “Stock Market Insights” for seventeen newspapers and is a contributor for ThinkAdvisor, a national publication. In addition, he published his first book in 2015, “Biblical Retirement,” and frequently speaks on financial topics from a Biblical worldview.

Dr. Baker earned a B.S. in Business from the College of the Ozarks and later a Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Midwestern (MBTS). He has passed the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities exams held through LPL Financial and holds the designation of Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®).

Dr. Baker was instrumental in establishing The Bridge Nixa, Springfield Dream Center (a Springfield zone 1 inner-city mission), and Alongside Education Ministries. He was previously a board member of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Alongside Education Ministries and was formerly appointed by the North American Mission Board. In addition, Dr. Baker has participated in over 30 international missions or humanitarian trips.

Dr. Baker remains an active alumnus and has held several College of the Ozarks alum leadership positions, including serving on the President’s Council. He lives in Springfield, MO, with his wife and children, where he is active in volunteer work, his local church, the Springfield Southeast Rotary, and the Baron’s Club.

Julie is our Financial Assistant. She strives to service our clients and support the wealth advising team.

She is the first point of contact for most clients when they call or visit our office. She is primarily responsible for providing administrative support to our wealth advisors by servicing clients’ general day-
to-day requests. In addition, she is jointly responsible for processing and following up on security transactions and transfers, overseeing incoming and outgoing phone calls with clients, and fostering and
supporting client relationships.

Julie is a jack of all trades and loves to learn. She is a Springfield, Missouri native, having attended Glendale High School and Drury College, where she was in the inaugural Drury Women’s Swim program.
Julie came to us after 18 years at Highland Springs Country Club, where she was in management.

Though not a golfer, Julie has enjoyed being in leadership at the Price Cutter Charity Golf Championship (PCCC) for several years. She was the liaison between Highland Springs CC, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the PGA. Because of her tireless service to the PCCC, she is honored to call several PGA executives and PGA golfers friends.

Julie’s passion is to help others and never to stop learning ways to improve the client experience. It is her great joy to brighten someone’s day and make them smile.
Though she loves living in the Ozarks, Julie loves to spend time at a Colorado ranch that she has been going to for years since she was a child. In addition, she loves animals and spending time with her family,
especially her nieces and nephews.

Sara serves our team as an Administrative Assistant and provides ongoing support to enhance the client experience. Her commitment to client service makes her a valuable team member.

She has served in the finance industry for over ten years providing clients with excellent care. Sara assists clients with scheduling appointments and answering any questions that may arise. She believes life is about people and making connections and always enjoys interacting with people. She brings joy to every room she enters and loves to use her gifts of hospitality to make the clients experience what they deserve.

Sara graduated Suma Cum Laude from the College of the Ozarks with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She has attended graduate school at Missouri State University. Sara enjoys traveling, attending theater and live concerts, reading, and relaxing at the lake in her spare time. Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, Richard, and two children, Anna and Micah.

Kayla Craft is a Financial Intern here at Fervent Wealth Management. She strives to service our clients and support the wealth advising team while learning more about working in finance.

Kayla is the first point of contact for most clients when they call or visit our office and is primarily responsible for providing administrative support to our wealth advisor by servicing clients’ general day-to-day requests. In addition, she assists with processing and following up on security transactions and transfers, fielding incoming and outgoing phone calls with clients, and fostering and supporting client relationships.

Kayla loves to learn; she comes with a background in banking and customer service, where she received an award for top sales and service in her region. She currently attends Missouri State University, majoring in Finance/Corporate Investments with a minor in Spanish. Kayla is heavily involved with her sorority Alpha Delta Pi and serves in her church. She played sports growing up, her favorites being basketball and softball.

Kayla’s passion is to be a servant to others and never stop learning ways to improve herself and the world around her. She loves making others feel important and doing anything to brighten their day. In addition, Kayla likes to read, go to CrossFit, and spend time with her loved ones.