About Guardian Financial Group

We care about people, not just numbers.

Fiduciary Advice in YOUR Best Interest.

The Guardian Financial Group team is experienced in multiple disciplines working together. Your custom financial plan can encompass taxes and tax planning, risk management/insurance strategy, your business (if you have one), your retirement plan, investments, and estate/wealth transfer solutions. We provide advice that is in your best interest, and as an independent firm, we have relationships with many financial institutions, enabling unbiased advice.

Guardian Financial Group is the culmination of locally owned professional service businesses dating back to the 1970s. In 2020, several leading financial service firms merged in order to provide a comprehensive scope of services to individuals, families, professionals, and business owners up and down the West Coast. The GFG team now has more than 150 years of combined experience.

Guardian Financial Group Team

Richland Office

Tyson Reil
MBA, CRIS, MLIS

President of Insurance, Commercial Insurance Advisor, Owner

Tyson started his own insurance business in March of 2019. His commitment to employing the latest technologies enables him to adapt to his clients' changing needs. He uses the communication skills that he learned growing up in a family of 15 to serve his clients' unique needs and help understand their goals. He has such a passion for language that he has learned a total of four languages, including Bulgarian. He is interested in cultural studies of the near east and likes trying their traditional dishes. Using his green thumb, Tyson grows peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers which he loves to use on his Bulgarian street tacos. When he is away from work, he enjoys visiting the Oregon coast with his wife and three kiddos. He'll catch any superhero movie that's playing, even if it's in Spanish (another one of the languages he knows)!

Nathan Burt
CPA, PFS, MSAT

Senior Tax and Wealth Advisor, Owner

Mark Haynes
CPA

Senior Tax and Wealth Advisor, Owner

Amauri Rivera

Commercial Insurance Account Manager

Amauri Rivera, a distinguished Commercial Insurance Account Manager, is celebrated for his dedication to client success and consistent delivery of exceptional results in the insurance industry. Beyond his professional pursuits, he cherishes moments with his close-knit family, including visits to his parents and attending as many family gatherings as possible.

As a devoted partner to Maria and a loving father figure to her daughter, Azalia, he enjoys creating cherished memories together, often bonding over shared interests like movie nights—though Maria playfully disapproves of their sneaky snacking habits. Amauri finds solace in playing the guitar and takes pride in setting a positive example for his siblings. His adventurous spirit extends to travel, especially Disney trips, where he plans magical excursions for his loved ones.

With a passion for excellence and deep-rooted connections to family, music, and exploration, Amauri embodies professionalism, dedication, and a zest for life.

Taiya Anderson

Staff Accountant

Having worked in accounting services and bookkeeping since 1985, Taiya lends her experience within the medical, agricultural, construction, and retail sectors. She has sharpened her skill by taking accounting classes, obtaining QuickBooks certifications, and by collaborating with her team to provide quality work for her clients. When she is not deep in transactions, she enjoys playing with her puppies and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband of nearly four decades.

Ethan Later, EA

Associate Tax and Wealth Advisor

Ethan's dedication to numbers led him to pass the Special Enrollment Examinations, becoming an Enrolled Agent in February 2024, as he pursues his bachelor's degree in accounting at Washington State University. Before embarking on his accounting journey, Ethan served a shortened mission in Florianopolis during the pandemic, where he discovered the profound impact of helping others. Beyond his professional endeavors, Ethan finds joy in watching the Nationals game with his wife, reading stories to his daughter, and anticipating the arrival of another baby girl by the end of 2024, promising to keep him happily occupied.

Andrea Vickers

Staff Accountant

Andrea brings extensive accounting expertise to our team, leveraging years of experience to assist clients in maintaining precise financial records. Her unwavering attention to detail and commitment to accuracy enrich our accounting operations. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Andrea is dedicated to excellence both professionally and personally. Outside of work, she cherishes moments with her family, indulging in quality time and shared experiences.

Celeste Watson

Payroll Specialist

Celeste Watson is a dedicated and detail-oriented individual who is eager to start a career in payroll administration. While she is new to the field, Celeste is a quick learner with a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence.

In her free time, Celeste enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family and dog Simba. She values work-life balance and is excited about the opportunity to work remotely as a payroll specialist, allowing her to pursue her interests while delivering high-quality payroll services.

Charlie Burt

Administrator
Tax Team

Charlie has experience working behind the scenes for the accounting team for three decades, starting out working with her husband, Ron, and contributing to the success of his practice. Working on E-Filing and Accounts Receivable, she enjoys using her detective skills to solve issues for clients. As the last eye on tax returns, her scrupulous nature contributes to her success in providing reliable, quality services to our clients. When she isn't dedicating her keen eyes to client services, Charlie enjoys expressing her creativity while decorating cakes, especially for her grandkids' birthdays. She takes every chance at traveling, including trips to Europe and driving all around the Northwest to visit her family. Spending time with them is important to her. She even works with some of them!

Eliza Cole

Tax and Wealth Lane Leader

Eliza is dedicated to equitable and personal service for all clients. She has worked in client service positions in various industries, always putting people first. While she had some experience with accounting before joining the team, she has learned so much more and is constantly expanding her knowledge of the industry. The tax preparers may not always be available right away, so Eliza works diligently to field questions and assure clients that, yes, the IRS really is that slow. When she isn't checking the status of clients' tax returns, you can find her watering the strawberry patch at her grandparents' house or walking her handsome kitty cat. She shares her home with her spouse, her sisters, two feline friends, a million house plants, and all the lil' buggies that live in their leaves.

Erica Davis, EA

Accounting and Tax Manager

Erica is a seasoned problem-solver with hands-on experience in accounting, client services, and payroll, which spurred her interest in the financial sector and drove her to earn a bachelor's degree in business management. She further solidified her expertise by becoming an Enrolled Agent in 2024, showcasing her dedication to taxation matters. Continuously honing her skills, she actively engages in QuickBooks training and ongoing education courses. Outside of work, Erica is committed to self-improvement and loves spending time with family, often bringing homegrown vegetables to barbecues, blending her culinary passions with her love for gardening. Her adventurous spirit finds expression in hiking, camping, and occasional beach vacations, where she finds solace and excitement amidst nature's beauty.

Gretchen Hymas

Insurance Account Manager

Working remotely hasn’t stopped Gretchen from being a valuable asset to the insurance team. Another family connection in the firm, she grew up as the oldest of 15 alongside her brother, Tyson. She spent her early adulthood as a domestic engineer, raising five curious kids. Later, she put those management skills to work in an office setting, working with a communications company. Her eagerness to learn and her positivity have been key to her growth within the insurance industry. Always eager to help, she serves her clients with integrity and professionalism while maintaining her lightheartedness. Gretchen lives out of state but makes time to visit the head office to connect with the team. She likes just about any type of yardwork, even weeding! She loves spending time with her grandbabies and chasing them around her garden, soaking up the sun with them.

Jericah Morris

Payroll Manager

Beginning as a Receptionist and working her way up, Jericah earned a Fundamentals of Payroll certificate. She uses her skills to support clients' payroll needs and educate them on the most up to date filing requirements and best practices. When she isn't helping clients, she enjoys spending time with her little one. She takes her love of the season to the next level, practicing her interior decorating skills by upcycling thrifted furniture. Her love of tacos doesn't stop her interest in nutrition, livening up popular dishes with healthy swaps.

Mette Warnick, CPA

Accounting & Tax Manager
Senior Accountant

Having worked part-time in accounting for nearly all of her adult life, dabbling in many industries' bookkeeping, she decided to make it official by graduating from Heritage University with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2019. She followed it up by acing her exams and earning her CPA license in early 2022. Mette is enjoying this new chapter of her life. Before starting her career as a Tax and Accounting Manager, she dedicated most of her days to her large family, even working in her parents' business. She loves nerding out on tax but loves raising her kiddos even more. When she doesn't have her hands full with her kiddos and her brain full of accounting, she enjoys any good action flick--as long as it has at least one scene where something blows up!

Ron Burt, EA

Tax Principal
Senior Accountant

Ron believes in fostering an atmosphere of trust and competence, mitigating the stress of tax preparation since 1979 when he first started in the business. He passed the enrolled agent exam in 1982 enabling him to practice before the IRS. Starting his adult life serving a two-year church mission in England, he continued to serve his country as a Naval Flight Officer. He employs new technology in his field to serve the evolving needs of his clients. His former company, Tri-Cities Tax and Accounting, which he started in 1987, was one of the very first firms in the area to offer electronic tax filing. Ron uses his talent in woodworking to turn beautiful pens and bowls on his lathe. If you can get him to brush off the sawdust, he might beat you in a 5k race, just as the community saw him do in the 2019 Cable Bridge Run. He even won first place in his age division!

Valerie Griffith

Group Benefits Insurance Account Manager

Valerie's contagious positivity uplifts everyone she interacts with, from clients to coworkers. She uses her personability to relate to clients in authentic ways, developing trustworthy relationships. Clients count on her to connect them with their benefits information and help them understand what they are receiving. Her expertise comes from her over three decades of work within the insurance field. She finds delight in helping her clients understand their benefits and cultivating valuable connections with them. While she enjoys her fulfilling career, she loves her rambunctious grandkids even more. When she is away from the office, Valerie can be found on long car rides, taking in the scenery.

Kimber Caizer

Insurance Specialist, Commercial

Kimber joined the insurance world in fall 2023 and joined the team in January of 2024. Kimber works remotely from her hometown in Idaho, nestled on the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. When Kimber is not baking or working, she is most likely out on those rivers—Fishing, swimming, boating or floating on her 6ft flamingo with her husband and corgi. Kimber is also an avid baker, and if asked will report that she is in her “Sourdough Era” baking anywhere from 2-4 loaves every weekend.

Elitania Vazquez

Administrative Assistant

Spokane Office

Julia Robinson

Office Administrator

Julia strives to create a friendly, welcoming environment for clients and coworkers alike. She believes that any problem can be solved through cooperation and clear communication. If you stop by the Spokane office, she will often share stories of her hometown in western Montana, world travels, or of one of her four fluffy pets.

Since Julia arrived in Spokane in 2018, she has dedicated her time to uplifting and supporting her community. Supporting local food bank and animal shelter efforts through donations, and even shepherding a free community pantry in her neighborhood.

When Julia is outside the office, she enjoys painting, reading, and games with her family- even if her cats do like to steal all the board game pieces.

Macie Rockstrom

Staff Accountant

Macie Chambers is a dynamic professional with a background in education and accounting. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's in Education, she spent three years as a middle school math and science teacher before transitioning into accounting, where she has thrived for seven years. As a staff accountant, Macie combines her teaching experience with financial expertise to simplify complex concepts and build strong relationships. Beyond her career, she is a devoted mother of two and enjoys exploring her passion for cooking. With her commitment to excellence and versatile skill set, Macie is a valued asset in both her professional and personal endeavors.

Ella Billman

Staff Accountant