About Us

John Gero is the managing partner of Vela Wealth Management in Tulsa.  With more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Gero actively works each day to build the financial practice of choice for both clients and advisors.

While Gero helps build, manage and protect wealth for select families and individuals, his main role at Vela Wealth Management utilizes his mentorship skills to attract and train additional financial advisors to the new Vela team. His mission is to provide each advisor, whether new to the industry or transitioning from another firm, with the leadership and experience needed to establish or continue a successful practice.  

As many decisions related to career or finances are driven by emotion, Gero actively listens to both advisors and clients to figure out the goal behind the emotion to provide the appropriate, evidence-based advice to accomplish these objectives.

Prior to founding Vela Wealth Management with a select group of advisors, he spent 13 years leading the Tulsa office of Wells Fargo Advisors.  With previous employment at large firms like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, Gero’s career brings varied experience to serve both advisors and clients.

Gero grew up in Lawton, Okla., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business with an undergraduate degree in business administration, concentration in finance.  He served four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps before graduating with a master’s in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

He resides in midtown Tulsa with his wife Laurie and stays active in various civic organizations and his place of worship.  A combined family of six adult children, the Geros are enjoying empty-nester status by traveling domestically and internationally and enjoying the outdoors through golf, hiking and biking.

What’s the most fun part of your job?

“I love seeing success – whether it’s an advisor or a client.  Watching clients fund their grandkids’ education or watching a financial advisor build a practice into a career – it’s joyful and exciting.”

Neal Sperry, partner at Vela Wealth Management in Tulsa, has more than 35 years of experience in wealth management.  Sperry currently works with business owners, professionals, individuals and families on portfolio management and income generation during retirement.

To help build and protect wealth for his clients, Sperry uses a holistic approach.  With an attention to detail, he actively listens to truly understand his clients’ short-term and long-term goals – then implementing his knowledge and procedures to build a comprehensive plan to help achieve these objectives.

Sperry works each day to treat clients the way he’d want a member of his family treated.  With an upfront, transparent and honest approach, he creates processes for clients aimed at accomplishing these pre-retirement and retirement goals.

Raised in West Haven, Conn., Sperry moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of  Tulsa.  He received an bachelor of science degree in finance then began his career in Tulsa.  After starting at Merrill Lynch, he spent 25 years at Wells Fargo Advisors before joining Vela.

After spending 40 years living in Tulsa proper (very near his original dorm room, in fact,) he moved to the country and now resides on a few acres in Coweta, Okla.  He spends his leisure time golfing, practicing yoga, and seeing the country in his Airstream trailer.  To date, he’s visited 48 of the 50 states.

What’s the most fun part of your job?

“It’s so great to see seeds that we planted years ago bear fruit. I’ve now worked in the industry long enough to see teenagers attend college with money generated by funds their parents started years ago. I’m also now working with the adult children of clients. I really enjoy the long-term relationships and seeing clients achieve their goals.”

William Minter, partner at Vela Wealth Management, has more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry.  At Vela, Minter works one-on-one with business owners and individuals to provide specialized tax strategies, personalized service and thorough investment plans.  By getting to know his clients, their businesses and problems in-depth, Minter can provide professional information to navigate the ever-changing financial and tax world.

Minter selects clients that can truly benefit from his legal, tax and financial expertise. He seeks to solve problems that keep clients up at night, while also providing knowledge to efficiently organize personal or corporate books.

Solving complicated situations are hallmarks of Minter’s practice.  By analyzing the full scope of clients’ financial issues he builds solutions for everything from current tax issues to future retirement plans.  Regardless of his clients’ goals, Minter will provide individualized counsel to formulate a plan to accomplish these objectives. 

Prior to joining Vela Wealth Management, Minter spent more than 10 years at Wells Fargo Advisors in Tulsa.  He’s a Private Investment Management (PIM) portfolio manager, which is a level that only about 10 percent of Wells Fargo advisors reach. 

A Florida native, Minter received an undergraduate degree and pursued graduate studies at Stetson University.  Additionally, he earned a law degree from the University of Tulsa. He is not currently a practicing attorney. After working in California for a number of years, Minter returned to Oklahoma to continue his financial services career.

Minter lives in Tulsa, Okla., with his wife, Anne.  He takes pleasure in traveling the world for deep-water diving (Trimix certification) as well as boating. To enjoy boating in various countries, he’s completing his education and training for a RYA Coastal Captain’s License.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

“Bottom line, helping people reach their goals. I love creating the map and the journey, and all the logistics within that, but the best part is seeing people reach the finish line and knowing they can retire or scale back with full confidence.”

The PIM program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts and is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.

John L. Brophy is a partner at Vela Wealth Management.  With personalized service and a proprietary methodology, Brophy provides investment strategy and wealth management to all demographics of clients, specializing on pre-retired and retired individuals and the unique needs of business owners.

Brophy stresses local and personalized service in his practice.  Through a process of learning his client’s needs, goals and priorities, he is able to develop strategies, recommend investments for retirement and estate planning strategies and more. Brophy primarily serves individuals, families and business owners.

With a career that spans 29 years in financial management, Brophy has honed his needs-based analysis and methodology to offer individual solutions for clients’ goals.  By listening first and planning second, Brophy ensures he’s providing strategies that are most important to those he serves.

Prior to Vela Wealth Management, Brophy spent nearly 20 years in the Wells Fargo Advisors Tulsa branch. Before his financial career, Brophy owned and operated J. Brophy & Sons Furniture in Tulsa, Okla.  Owning a retail business, John learned the importance of being a dependable and predictable resource for his clients.

Brophy was born in Omaha, but grew up in Houston where he attended the University of Houston.  He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Southeast Tulsa.  There, he has served as president on three different occasions.  Additionally, Brophy volunteers at his faith-based organization and mentors students at Roy Clark Elementary.

Brophy lives in Tulsa, Okla., and is the proud parent of two sons.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

“My absolute favorite part is the people: their stories, their viewpoints, their experiences. Everyone has a different perspective, and money conversations can really open up conversations about so much more. I learn more from my clients than they learn from me, and I’m so enriched by that.”

Matthew Eklund, senior vice president at Vela Wealth Management, has more than four decades of experience in the financial services industry. At Vela Wealth Management, he helps manage and protect wealth for families and individuals.  His focus on retirement planning provides every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management - delivered with the highest level of personal service, professional integrity and understanding.

Recently, Matthew and his son Myles have incorporated their two financial management practices.  Myles handles the majority of daily operations and client needs, while Matthew provides insight, expertise and knowledge gained over his career.

The Eklund practice utilizes a listening-first mentality, focusing first on clients’ goals and needs.  After understanding the big and small objectives of each individual and circumstance, they can create a strategy to accomplish each goal while also striving to provide for years of retirement.
 
Prior to joining Vela Wealth Management, Matthew started his career in banking then spent nearly 20 years at Wells Fargo Advisors in Tulsa.

Matthew grew up in Janesville, Wisc., and graduated from the University of Southern Colorado (now called Colorado State University - Pueblo.)  He earned a degree in business management with a minor in economics.

Matthew and his wife Eve Marie have three children and two grandchildren. They reside in Broken Arrow.  He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time in his ranch in western Oklahoma.

What’s the most fun part of your job?

“One of my favorite things is a client calling for a tuition check.  When clients help fund their child’s or grandchild’s education it’s truly teaching someone to fish rather than giving them a fish.  I love providing the investment management and planning needed for these life milestones.”

Myles F. Eklund is a vice president and financial advisor at Vela Wealth Management.  His counsel provides wealth management and expertise to individuals looking to maintain wealth and prepare for retirement.

After working independently, Eklund is now incorporating his practice with the practice of his father, Matthew Eklund.  With this succession plan in place, Myles is operating the daily practice while still utilizing his father’s years of knowledge and expertise.  Their practice serves clients in Oklahoma and across the United States.

Myles represents clients spanning diverse industries, incomes and backgrounds, and those just starting to save to those utilizing their wealth in retirement.  By listening to and forming a relationship with his clients, he can provide the best advice for helping reach each client’s unique and individual goals. 

Prior to joining Vela Wealth Management, Myles began his career with Conoco Phillips in Bartlesville, Okla.  He then spent five years at Wells Fargo Advisors in Tulsa. His experience in the oil, gas and energy markets enables him to not only advise clients on energy investments, but he also understands the background of those working in this vital Oklahoma industry.

Myles grew up in Broken Arrow and attended the University of Oklahoma where he received an undergraduate degree in energy management.  A lifelong Oklahoman, he spends his free time in the outdoors and with his family.

Myles lives in Tulsa, Okla., with his wife and two children.

What’s a strength you offer your clients?

“First and foremost, my age.  Many advisors are senior level and nearing retirement.  By pairing my 10 years of experience with the lifetime amount of knowledge my dad possesses, we can offer clients expertise, professionalism and longevity - even after my father retires.”

Dan O’Meilia is a senior vice president and financial advisor at Vela Wealth Management in Tulsa.  He has more than 13 years of experience in the wealth management industry, with additional experience in accounting, tax services and business ownership.  At Vela, O’Meilia works with families and individuals to provide specialized wealth, estate and retirement planning with a strategic consideration of tax management.  With the majority of his clients being pre-retirees within 10 years of retirement, O’Meilia provides experienced, evidence-based information to navigate the last few years of wealth accumulation.

O’Meilia utilizes his knowledge learned through his background in corporate accounting and tax management to navigate clients’ current situation, goals and risk tolerance.  With these data points and industry best practices, he can create a calculated plan to manage wealth and counsel clients appropriately.

To provide comprehensive services, O’Meilia also provides counsel pertaining to estate planning, wills and trusts, portfolio management, employer-sponsored IRAs, and asset-allocation needs.

Prior to joining Vela Wealth Management, O’Meilia spent 13 years as a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Tulsa.  He’s an Accredited Asset Management Specialist through the College for Financial Planning and is a Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager, which means he runs his own model for portfolio management.

A Tulsa native, O’Meilia received an undergraduate degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University.  After working at a corporate CPA firm and at various oil and gas companies, O’Meilia moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to join an antiques business.  He later started his own art and antiques business.

O’Meilia lives in Tulsa, Okla., with his wife, Patty.  He’s the proud father of two daughters and enjoys distance running, traveling and volunteering with the Knights of Columbus. 

What should clients know before working with you?

“Not only do I use a tax-forward approach in investment management, I also manage clients’ money like I manage my own. I will bend over backwards to serve my clients.  And, if I can’t assist, I will use my network of financial professionals to refer you to someone that can help.”

The Fundamental Choice program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts and is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.

David Guier joined Vela Wealth Management as senior vice president in 2023.  At Vela, Guier counsels a select group of individuals, families and business owners in pre-retirement and retirement strategies designed to protect, manage and maintain wealth.

With decades of experience, he brings professionalism to the client relationship, where he starts by striving to understand clients’ personal experiences and pain points and designs plans to help reach their financial objectives. 

Guier began his career in miliary service.  He’s a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and was later commissioned as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army.  Guier earned the rank of Colonel and the position of Assistant Division Commander in the U.S. Army Reserve.  He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal, as well as the Humanitarian Service Medal and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his leadership and service with non-profit organizations.

Prior to joining Vela, Guier acted as a vice president and investment advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors Tulsa.  He holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of Utah and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the prestigious U.S. Army War College. 

Guier has been involved in veteran’s organizations as well as having taught continuing education classes on personal finance, retirement and investment planning. He resides in Tulsa with his wife, Trish, where they are active in their church and various Tulsa-based nonprofits. 

What’s the most fun part of your job?

“For me, it’s the client relationship that builds over time.  Clients become friends, and I enjoy creating and managing an investment plan that moves them toward their personal goals and individual values.”

Terri Havenstrite joined Vela Wealth Management at inception and serves as a senior registered account administrator.  With more than 20 years of banking and wealth management experience, she provides oversight to the operations at Vela Wealth Management. 

Havenstrite holds a Series 7 license, a Series 66 license and a Series 63 license.  She provides clients and the advisors at Vela the back end and operational management needed to ensure professional and personalized service. Her detail-oriented approach provides clients a direct link to assistance relating to wealth management, investments, and other services. 

Her mission is to provide every client with timely and comprehensive client services – delivered to make every client feel like a priority.  With consistent follow-up to ensure a deep understanding, Havenstrite wants to understand client needs while ensuring they comprehend the wealth management process.

Havenstrite began as a bank teller and progressed in her career through positions in customer service, branch management and private wealth.  Prior to joining Vela, she recently worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and BOK Financial Securities.

A native of San Angelo. Texas, Havenstrite now resides in Tulsa.  She spends her free time enjoying the arts and football with her family and friends, including her two grown children.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

“I enjoy coming to work every day and love everyone I work with.  Vela is a boutique practice, and it’s like a family.  We all work well together, and this shows in our client interactions.  It feels great to work with such a cohesive team.”

Cindy Ransford joined Vela Wealth Management at the company’s formation, serving as a senior registered account administrator.  With decades of experience in banking and financial services, Ransford provides prompt and accurate service to Vela clients.  Through her role as account administrator, she provides the Vela Wealth team with management support to ensure a professional, timely and comfortable client experience.  Her knowledge and position provide clients a direct link to assistance relating to wealth management, investments and the full range of services provided by the practice.

Ransford offers targeted and comprehensive assistance through her interaction with clients, delivered with the highest level of integrity and understanding.  Estate processing is a career focus for Ransford, allowing her to serve individuals and families in a time when they need professional and empathetic help the most.

Prior to moving to Vela, she spent more than six years at Wells Fargo Advisors in Fort Worth, Texas. Ransford spent much of her wealth management career at Edward Jones as an advisor.  Thanks to her experience as both an advisor and member of the support team, she offers invaluable expertise and efficiency for Vela clients. She currently holds Series 7, Series 63 and life insurance licenses.

Ransford grew up in Enid, Okla., but spent a brief period in Indiana, where she took business and professional speaking classes from Indiana University. Now a resident of Tulsa, Okla., she spends her free time traveling, pursuing photography and spending time with her family.

What’s the most fun part of your job?

“I really enjoy getting to know our clients – creating a deep relationship between them and myself, the practice and the advisors.  I want our clients to know we’re a practice they can trust and that we’re committed to working as hard as we can for their plans and solutions.”