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Ark Financial Team

Transforming Wealth Management for Visionary Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Leadership

David Bull +

Founder & CEO

David Bull +

Founder & CEO

David Bull is a distinguished financial strategist and entrepreneur driven by his passion for serving others through the lens of his faith. He founded Ark Financial in 2010 to bring the family office model to entrepreneurs earlier in their path to success. Since that time, David and his team have grown Ark to manage over 150 portfolios valued at more than $150 million.

Ark’s pioneering family office model is tailored to the unique challenges of entrepreneurs and business owners. Their approach offers holistic, strategic solutions that address the multifaceted needs of their clients, rather than traditional wealth management.

The philosophy is simple yet profound—a family office for everyone. This vision reflects David's commitment to empowering nascent entrepreneurs and families with sophisticated financial strategies from the outset of their journey, fostering a ripple effect of prosperity and philanthropy worldwide.

David founded Ark after more than a decade of success as a strategic leader and expert in financial planning, retirement planning, tax mitigation and the preservation of generational wealth. He first grew his knowledge at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, where he graduated in 2009 with a BBA in Finance and International Business. From there, he worked in traditional financial planning firms, cutting his teeth with high-wealth clients.

Since that time, David has devoted his life to others, both in the financial realm and in his community. He is a founding board member of Switchboard (formerly Tentmakers Network,) which was formed in 2020 to train Christian leaders. David views his work as a form of worship and service (avodah), intertwining his relationship with God, his family, and his professional responsibilities. This faith-driven approach fosters an environment of trustworthiness, transparency, and servant leadership at Ark Financial.

Outside his career, David stays physically active with Crossfit, golf, and disc golf. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and four children.

Kyle Werych +

Managing Director

Kyle Werych +

Managing Director

Need bio

Matt Goff, MBA +

Chief Investment Officer

Matt Goff, MBA +

Chief Investment Officer

Matt serves as the Chief Investment Officer for Ark Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisory firm dedicated to the Ark Financial family office clients. His passion for asset management and investing began in 1995 when he started his MBA at Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management.

After a decade of management roles in a tech startup and global conglomerate Siemens, Matt transitioned into personal finance in 2008, right as the “Great Financial Crisis” was unfolding. His journey has included launching his own practice as an insurance and financial advisor, evolving into comprehensive financial planning with Eagle Strategies, and co-founding Camino Real Financial Services. In 2017, seeking full independence to serve clients, Matt joined Ark, where he laid the groundwork for the firm’s highly customized, tactical investment approach.

Matt’s investment philosophy is anchored in core principles but embraces innovation, customization, and alternative solutions that optimize for the client’s objectives, not arbitrary benchmarks. With the success of this approach, Ark Wealth Management now proudly serves some of the most generous and successful families across the country.

Before his graduate studies, Matt worked as a broadcast news producer in Texas, a role that sharpened his skills in investigation, truth-seeking, and communication. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and grew up in Saudi Arabia, where his father worked in the oil industry. Matt has been married to Alexandra since 1997, and they have two children who are now pursuing successful careers. Outside of work, Matt enjoys international travel with his family, hiking, boating, Austin’s music scene, soccer, guitar, and reading.

Israel Askew, MBA +

Lead Strategist / Family Office Director

Israel Askew, MBA +

Lead Strategist / Family Office Director

Israel is an entrepreneurial executive with 20 years of experience growing service companies in industrial contracting, environmental services, investments, and real estate development.

He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration: Finance from Portland State University. After ten years as executive pastor, he relocated to Houston, Texas where he served for 9 years as CFO of an environmental services company.

In 2019 Israel graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an MBA and moved to San Antonio, Texas to serve as Director of Investments and Commercial Real Estate Development for the Holt Richter family office.

Israel now brings his education, not-for-profit, investing, and business experience to direct the family office for his clients to reach their unique goals and leave a legacy. Israel and his wife Allison were married 2000 and have a son Isaac and daughter Eden.

Chris DeLeenheer +

M&A Director

Chris DeLeenheer +

M&A Director

Chris DeLeenheer is a seasoned business owner and investor based in Waco, Texas, with extensive experience across various industries as an operator, advisor, and investor.

Current Ventures: Founder of DeLeenheer Capital, a legacy-driven family office. Head of M&A practice at Ark Financial, a wealth management firm serving successful entrepreneurs and professionals. Partner at Boaz Capital, specializing in investments in high-growth potential emerging franchise home service brands. Partner at Challenger Companies, focusing on acquiring MEP companies across central Texas.

Recent Achievements: Doubled sales of an acquired plumbing company within one year, increasing revenue from $3.5M to $6.2M Acquired and grew a locksmith brand, increasing revenue from $6.5M to $9.5M in the first year Owns the largest student housing property management company on the Baylor campus.

Previous Experience: Partner at Rydell Holdings, a holding company with investments in hospitality, healthcare, and home services Built a $30M real estate portfolio with internal acquisition, construction, and property management teams Successful exits include investments in a medical device startup ($32M exit to Medtronic) and an early-stage restaurant concept ($15M exit at 7.5x multiple)

International Experience: Founded a consulting firm in India, researching high-performing organizations. Worked extensively across Asia and the Middle East with businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned legacy enterprises. Chris has also been involved in church planting, leading efforts in both Chicago and India.

Personal: Chris is a Baylor University graduate and former football player. He has been married to his wife, Libby, for 19 years, and they have four daughters.

Advisory

Chris Hildreth, JD +

Strategist & General Counsel

Chris Hildreth, JD +

Strategist & General Counsel

Progressive executive with 30 years of extensive financial experience. Excel in times of growth and change, strive for continuous improvement, while managing organization-wide operational and administrative issues. Exceptional communicator, blending strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Sought-after counselor and sounding board for organizational leaders and staff. Trusted advisor and confidant, who partners with executive leadership to manage the entire organization.

Provided financial leadership for two organizations which increased market value over 10 fold and led to merger valuations of $1.2 billion and $19.4 billion. Raised nearly $100 million for two additional organizations providing capital for operations. Built and transformed financial teams into high performing units. Implemented systems and processes focused on cost savings and efficiency.

Kevin Mischnick, CPA +

Family Office Director

Kevin Mischnick, CPA +

Family Office Director

Progressive executive with 30 years of extensive financial experience. Excel in times of growth and change, strive for continuous improvement, while managing organization-wide operational and administrative issues. Exceptional communicator, blending strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Sought-after counselor and sounding board for organizational leaders and staff. Trusted advisor and confidant, who partners with executive leadership to manage the entire organization.

Provided financial leadership for two organizations which increased market value over 10 fold and led to merger valuations of $1.2 billion and $19.4 billion. Raised nearly $100 million for two additional organizations providing capital for operations. Built and transformed financial teams into high performing units. Implemented systems and processes focused on cost savings and efficiency.

Chris Wike, Esq. +

Family Office Director

Chris Wike, Esq. +

Family Office Director

Chris brings a broad range of skills to Ark’s clients as a family office captain through his professional and personal endeavors. As an attorney who practiced law for over 20 years, Chris represented and advised clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies across practically all industries. Being Board Certified in Labor & Employment law in the State of Texas, he brings a strategic specialty in dealing with employee and people issues. During the later part of his legal career, Chris worked primarily as an external and internal general counsel for his clients. In addition to his other skills in navigating difficult issues and people, Chris is also a certified mediator.

In addition to his legal career, Chris has owned multiple businesses and has personally experienced many of the same difficulties and stresses that Ark’s clients experience. Some of these include capital raises, debt sourcing and restructuring, cash flow management, and patent prosecution. All of this leads him to be in a unique position to work with Ark’s clients. He has a passion for bringing order to chaos, and a skillset for developing creative operational plans to help clients achieve their personal, family, and legacy goals.

Chris obtained his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law. While originally from Georgia, Chris has called Austin home since 2000.

Kendall Laughlin +

Family Office Director

Kendall Laughlin +

Family Office Director

Kendall remains inspired by the power of entrepreneurship to transform generations, cities, and nations. He supports business leaders and their families as an Ark Family Office Captain.

Prior to serving clients at Ark, Kendall’s professional background includes:

• Non-profit executive leadership

• Founding a global missions organization

• Opening franchise businesses

• Executive coaching to CEOs and Single Family Offices

Specifically, Kendall’s professional coaching practice has afforded him a broad experience across many industries including (without limitation) construction, tech, software, health care, private equity, and real estate. He has served clients who desire to increase their capacity as wealth creators, prepare for generational succession, or require mediation services to move plans and relationships forward.

Kendall holds a B.B.A. from Baylor University and a Master’s in Organizational Development from the University of Texas at Dallas. His master’s thesis, entitled “The Sea Change,” addressed the subject the upcoming generational transfer of wealth and its impact on the human capital dynamics of the Single Family Office. He is an ICF-Certified Coach. Outside of work, Kendall lives in San Diego, CA with his family. He can be found supporting his four children in their own hobbies, writing, or navigating a Hunter 34’ sailboat in the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Kerry Carney, CPA +

Family Office Director

Kerry Carney, CPA +

Family Office Director

Kerry has extensive finance and operations experience in high-growth companies in the software (SaaS), hospitality (retail/restaurant), ecommerce, consumer products, medical and dental industries. As a CFO, he has successfully created shareholder value, led and managed the strategic plan for companies, ranging in annual revenue from $12 billion to $30 million for founder/family owned, publicly traded and private equity owned. His 30-year work experience also includes leading several M&A transactions including sell side, audit readiness and buy side financial operational due diligence.

Prior to joining Ark Financial, Kerry worked for the following organizations: E78 Partners (Chief Financial Officer consultant), Compeat (Chief Financial Officer), Profiles International (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), Knowledge Universe (Controller/Treasurer) and Neiman Marcus (Senior Director of Accounting).

Kerry obtained an MBA from the University of Tampa and a BBA in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. Kerry and his wife enjoy living in Austin and can be found at many of the live music venues and sporting events in central Texas. Kerry also serves as a mentor for students at the McCombs school of business at The University of Texas.

Cory Hatch +

Financial Coach

Cory Hatch +

Financial Coach

Cory Hatch is a Coach with the Ark Academy. Cory has over a decade of experience in the financial industry. His experience includes personal financial consulting and planning, corporate finance and benefits and financial education. He has been coaching for the last 2 years. He has a BS in Business Finance from the University of Phoenix.
Cory and his wife Melissa are originally from Utah. They have been married since 2006. They have 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter. Their family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The family hobbies include camping, hiking, paddleboarding, BBQ/outdoor cooking, fitness and personal development. The kids are involved in football, baseball and tumbling.

Troy Alley +

Investment Advisor

Troy Alley +

Investment Advisor

Troy has been an entrepreneur and investment advisor for over 10 years with experience in financial advisory, investment research, and market analysis working with many of the top firms across the industry. Coming from a generation of entrepreneurs, Troy founded an investment consulting and research company focused on securities analysis based in Dallas, Texas. In addition, Troy served as the VP of Internal Investments & Capital Assets for the largest minority construction and real estate company in the Southwest, his family-owned company. Performing in-depth research and analysis of the firm’s investment portfolio which included both public and private investments spanning from alternatives to real estate and hotel developments. As an investment advisor, Troy now brings his investing and unique business experience to the firm’s clients to assist in building wealth and reaching their financial goals.

Throughout his career Troy has been a guest speaker on various panels about financial education, wealth building, and entrepreneurship in the minority community. In addition, he has served in various advisory and board capacities across the non-profit sector focused on community development and educational exposure. Troy holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and has completed advanced coursework from the Chicago Booth School of Business and Harvard Business School. Outside the office, Troy enjoys visiting museums and enjoying the fine arts, traveling, and is an avid soccer supporter.

Paula Arango, MBA +

Family Office Associate

Paula Arango, MBA +

Family Office Associate

Paula is an entrepreneur and coffee lover, passionate about disruptive business models and supporting vulnerable communities. She joined Ark Financial in 2024 to collaborate with family Captains to identify and execute optimal strategies to bring protection, peace, and purpose to clients. In 2023 she founded Feliciana Specialty Coffee, continuing her family's legacy in the USA.

Before joining Ark, Paula was a senior investment officer at Finance in Motion, where she led the direct investment strategy in LATAM. From 2015 to 2019, she worked with Elevar Equity, an impact-focused early-stage investor that promotes entrepreneurship in Latin America.

Paula holds a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from Los Andes University and an MBA from Columbia University in New York.

Jonathan Billiot, MBA, CFP® +

Family Office Director

Jonathan Billiot, MBA, CFP® +

Family Office Director

Jonathan J. Billiot, MBA, CFP® is the Learning and Development Manager and Family Office Captain at Ark Financial. Jonathan is responsible for leading family offices, as well as building and integrating Ark Financial’s Learning and Development Strategy to equip Captains and Coaches to achieve the firm’s vision that “one day everyone will have a family office.”

Since joining Ark Financial in 2016, Jonathan has accumulated over 7,000 Hours in the specified dimensions of Financial Planning. His work has been an integral part of the creation of the Family Office Operating System– the methodology Ark uses to build family offices. Jonathan has built over 50 family offices for first-generation entrepreneurs and has most recently positioned five of his clients on the 2022 Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies List, one of whom placed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Companies in the Country. These client achievements speak to Jonathan’s ability to partner with his clients to align wealth accumulation potential with client goals and objectives.

Jonathan earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER¬¬¬TM credential in 2023. He possesses a depth of knowledge in Comprehensive Financial Planning, Qualified Plans, Employee Benefits, and Exit Tax Strategy. Jonathan is a lifelong learner. Most recently, he graduated from Quantic School of Business and Technology with his Master of Business Administration. In 2022, he completed the Bryant University Executive Development Center's Financial Planning certification program.

In his undergraduate studies, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Economics, Finance, Public Administration, and Business Fellows from Baylor University in 2014. Originally from Houma, Louisiana, Jonathan and his wife, Kelly, now live in Austin, Texas with their four children, Cohen (8), Aria (5), Ezra (4), and Elias (1).

Administrative

Kylie Chapman +

Talent & Experience Manager

Kylie Chapman +

Talent & Experience Manager

Kylie is a driven leader with a strong focus on fostering and enhancing professional relationships within organizations, this has played a key role in her career achievements. Kylie began her career in education, and after seven years, she decided to transition into the corporate world.

In 2018, Kylie joined a private equity firm with a focus on "Employing their community." Her role centered on adding value beyond financial investment by cultivating a community of leaders, talent, and resources that provided their entities with a competitive advantage. We are excited for our employees and clients to experience Kylie’s dedication to both people and business development.

In her free time, Kylie loves spending time with her husband Robbie and their three kids, Bailey, Aubrey, and Easton, either at a ball field or planning their next family vacation.

Joey Nichols +

Director of Administration

Joey Nichols +

Director of Administration

Drawing from over 20 years of diverse experience spanning the public and private sectors, Joey serves as Director of Administration for Ark Financial. Joey operates behind the scenes coordinating schedules, developing organizational strategies/systems, facilitating communication, and providing administrative expertise and support.

Outside of the office, she likes to spend time with her husband and two grown children. Whether traveling, reading, gardening, camping, enjoying music concerts, or simply gathering around the dinner table, she finds joy in life's simple pleasures.

Chris Chapman +

Director of Finance

Chris Chapman +

Director of Finance

Chris Chapman’s career has been led by his faith. He is passionate about small businesses and the positive impact they have on communities. After helping run business operations for leadership guru John Maxwell for several years, he asked God, “what would You have for me in my career?” as he contemplated his next move. In discovery of this calling he has dedicated his career to altruism, and specifically, helping clients be better stewards of their own finances so they have the chance to be more generous in their churches and communities. He helped a start-up personal finance company grow from four to thirteen employees over 4 years before joining Ark Financial in 2021.

Helina Craft, CSM, PMP +

Investment Services Coordinator

Helina Craft, CSM, PMP +

Investment Services Coordinator

Helina Craft, PMP, CSM is a Service Coordinator with a strong background in project management and executive support. A 2017 Cum Laude graduate from St. Edward’s University, Helina started her career at Gerson Lehrman Group as a Project Coordinator, eventually joining Ark in 2019 as an Executive Assistant. Currently, as a Service Coordinator in the Registered Investment Advisory (RIA), she manages client requests and transactions as well as insurance placement and servicing in our Life Insurance division. Helina holds Project Management Professional (PMP) and Scrum Master certifications (CSM), demonstrating her capability to manage extensive projects with both structured and agile approaches. Her expertise in these areas enhances her effectiveness in overseeing complex projects and improving client service operations.

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