Our Team

Duane Goodell

Senior Advisor, Financial Strategies and Solutions

For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals and families build secure, well‑planned financial futures. When I founded Optimum Wealth LLC, it was with a simple and meaningful mission: to provide thoughtful, ethical, and effective financial guidance that allows clients to live their lives with dignity, confidence, and financial peace of mind.

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Jess Wirkkala

Client Support Manager | Optimum Benefits & Optimum Financial

I joined the Optimum Financial team in 2005, bringing with me a strong foundation in sales, marketing, and customer service. With more than 21 years of experience, I’ve built a career around supporting clients with the care, attention, and responsiveness they deserve.

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Independent Financial Advisor – What I Do & How I Help

What I do

My goes is to help people make sense of their money so they can feel confident about the future. My job is to listen, understand what you want your life to look like, and put together a clear plan to help you work towards getting there. I can help with planning for retirement, investing appropriately, making your money tax‑efficient, reviewing insurance needs, saving for future goals, improving cash flow, and thinking ahead about estate and legacy wishes.

What it's for

My services may be a fit if you want guidance without pressure, Want guidance towards goal(s), are preparing for or in retirement, want a real strategy behind your investments, or want an advisor who puts your interests first. I meet you where you are—simple or complex finances alike.

How it Works

  1. A Simple Conversation (Complimentary): We start with a relaxed call where you tell me what’s on your mind.
  2. Getting to Know Your Finances: You share key details and I assess your current situation. 3. Your Custom Plan: I create a personalized, easy-to-follow plan.
  3. Putting the Plan in Motion: You implement it yourself or choose ongoing support.
  4. Ongoing Guidance: I help adjust the plan as life changes.

What it Costs

Planning: hourly, tailored to your situation

Management: annual fee based on the assets we oversee

Investments handled by an independent third-party manager

Transparent and Disclosed Fees

What you Get

A personalized financial plan, unbiased advice, Independent Risk Management, optional investment management, regular check‑ins, help staying organized, and greater financial peace of mind about your future.

Strategic Alliances

The team behind Optimum Wealth LLC is comprised of local and national strategic alliances. 

To elevate your investment management and financial planning experience, we’ve partnered with Gradient Investments, LLC — a highly regarded, privately owned, SEC-registered investment advisor. Gradient Investments supports financial advisors nationwide, delivering professional money management services, investment research and strategy, and portfolio support based on your unique objectives. Through this partnership, we’re able to offer you innovative strategies and personalized retirement planning services. Please be advised that Gradient Investments, LLC, and Optimum Wealth LLC operate independently.

Michael Binger, CFA®

President Gradient Investments, LLC

As President, Michael is the leader of Gradient Investments and has been with the firm since 2012. He brings more than 35 years of industry experience, including prior roles managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios for an institutional asset manager. Michael is a CFA® charter holder and is a frequent contributor on CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and the Wall Street Journal.

Keith Gangl,
CFA®

Senior Portfolio Manager Gradient Investments, LLC

Keith joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior roles include senior portfolio manager for a large institutional asset management firm, managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio. Keith is a CFA® charter holder, and has been featured in media outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, Investor’s Business Daily, Nasdaq and Reuters.

TYLER ELLEGARD, CFA®

PORTFOLIO MANAGER GRADIENT INVESTMENTS, LLC

Tyler joined Gradient Investments in 2018 after prior roles with a large retail wealth advisory firm. Tyler has developed experience with financial advice, asset allocation, and investment analysis across the asset spectrum. He is a CFA® charterholder and has been featured in media outlets including TD Ameritrade Network, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal.

This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.