At KEB, we’re proud to celebrate the people behind our work and the milestones they achieve along the way. This month, we’re spotlighting three team members who have recently taken important steps in their professional development: Riley Hagler and Alex Harden, who passed the CPA exam, and Sean McNutt, who passed the Series 65 exam.

Each began their KEB career as an intern, and we’re thrilled to see them continue to grow as full-time members of our team.

Riley Hagler

Riley joined KEB as an intern in January 2026 and became a full-time staff member in June. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from Lindenwood University in May 2025, then returned that summer to pursue his Master of Accountancy, which he completed in May 2026.

Completing his master’s degree and passing the CPA exam are the accomplishments Riley is most proud of, particularly when he remembers how daunting those goals felt at the beginning. He credits his family with helping him along the way. His father first encouraged him to pursue accounting and the CPA path in high school, and his mother has been a constant source of support.

Before joining KEB, Riley spent four and a half years working at Mercedes-Benz of Chesterfield while in school. The experience taught him valuable lessons in time management and communication that he carries into his career today.

Fun Fact

What was your first job?
Riley’s first job was at Dierbergs as a bagger and cart attendant.

Alex Harden

Alex began his KEB career as an intern in the Springfield office in 2023 before joining the firm full time in 2024. He attended Illinois College from 2021 to 2024, earning bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration. His recent success on the CPA exam marks another important step in his professional journey.

This year has brought a personal milestone as well: Alex and his wife were married on August 1, 2026. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, he now lives in Chesterfield, while his parents and younger brother still call Springfield home.

Outside of accounting, Alex has a memorable accomplishment from his high school years. As a singer and dancer in show choir, he had the opportunity to perform on one of the country’s most celebrated stages – the Grand Ole Opry stage!

Fun Fact

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
“When I was in high school, I was a singer and a dancer in show choir. One of our national competitions took place in the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. I am proud to say I have performed on that stage twice.”

Sean McNutt

Sean first joined KEB as a summer intern in 2025 and returned for a winter internship before accepting a full-time role in summer 2026. Those experiences gave him the chance to get to know his colleagues and their work, so by the time he joined full time, KEB already felt like home.

As an Associate Wealth Advisor with the St. Louis Group, Sean helps execute portfolio trades, develop retirement projections, and implement portfolio allocations. He also prepares materials for client meetings and participates in those conversations alongside the team.

Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in sales from the University of Tennessee, graduating magna cum laude. Completing his degree, starting his career at KEB, and passing the Series 65 exam are among his proudest accomplishments. With all three happening within a few months, he says it felt like his hard work was coming together.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys golf, working out, cooking, and watching movies. His family includes his dad, sister, and an English bulldog named Dolly. Now that he and his sister have finished school, Dolly keeps their dad company at home.

Fun Fact

What skill would you like to learn?
Sean would love to learn how to restore cars so he could buy an older vehicle and fix it up himself!

Congratulations to Riley, Alex, and Sean on these well-earned achievements! We appreciate the dedication and perspective each brings to KEB and look forward to supporting their continued growth.