Tarah R. McKenzie
Financial Planning & Operations Analyst
Tarah is the Financial Planning and Operations Analyst for Dodds Wealth Management Group. She has obtained her FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, as well as her insurance licenses.
Tarah focuses on the following areas: managing operations for client onboarding and service, developing and maintaining all internal and external processes, and managing the operational infrastructure regarding compliance and efficiencies. Tarah is committed to ensuring each client request is addressed and that they have a positive experience.
Tarah began her career as a financial advisor with Edward Jones in El Paso, Texas. In 2015, she transitioned out of the financial advisor role when she had the opportunity to focus on the internal and compliance side of the financial industry. This led her to pursue her compliance licenses and allowed her to work directly with different advisors and their respective teams. In 2018, she accepted an opportunity to work exclusively with Charles and Adrian and joined the Dodds Wealth Management Group.
With more than 10 years of financial experience, Tarah prides herself on providing a high level of integrity, professionalism, understanding, and support to all Dodds Wealth Management Group's clients. Staying up to date with ever-changing industry regulations and policies allows Tarah to go the extra mile to ensure a stable and enduring investment experience.
Tarah loves spending time with her husband and their son. They enjoy spending their time outdoors, exploring, and playing sports. In her downtime, Tarah also enjoys working out, running, and reading.
Elizabeth Jaime
Operations Manager
Elizabeth Jaime is the Operations Manager for Dodds Wealth Management Group. Elizabeth has obtained her FINRA securities registrations, Series 7, 9/10, 63, and 99, as well as her insurance license.
Elizabeth oversees all aspects of office management, including day-to-day business operations and client service platforms. She focuses on streamlining operations by implementing and monitoring systems to ensure the accuracy of all transactions and client accounts, and confirms that all systems comply with relevant government regulations.
Ms. Jaime was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She began her banking career in New York City in 1981, and her office was located on Wall Street, which sparked her interest in the investment industry. After moving back to her hometown in 1986, she started her career as a Client Associate with Merrill Lynch, where she first met Mr. Charles D. Dodds Jr.
After obtaining her FINRA licenses in 1999, Elizabeth became a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Securities. In 2006, she joined the Kenley Lawton team as the Operations Manager at Wachovia Securities. Later, she was relocated to Albuquerque, where she served as the Operations Manager for the New Mexico Complex under Wells Fargo Advisors. During this time, Elizabeth oversaw the offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces, and El Paso.
In 2015, Elizabeth moved back to El Paso to care for her elderly parents. Sadly, she lost both in 2021, shortly after the onset of COVID-19.
After returning to the Sun City, Elizabeth had the opportunity to work as the Team Lead Supervisor at Charles Schwab and as the Business Service Manager at Morgan Stanley. These experiences with the financial firms were invaluable to her. In January 2019, Kenley Lawton from Wells Fargo Advisors invited Ms. Jaime to join their team, leading her to become a part of the Lawton Winter Group. In 2024, Ms. Jaime's career path brought her back to Charles D. Dodds Jr., and she feels very fortunate to be now part of the outstanding team at Dodds Wealth Management Group.
Ms. Jaime's family is what keeps her going. She stays active with her two beautiful grandchildren, Jesse III and Romee Rose. Elizabeth spends most of her spare time with her sister Sandra, son Jesse II, and daughter-in-law Erica Guerrero. Some of Ms. Jaime's favorite things to do are travel, read a good book, cook, golf, go to the movies, and go for long walks.
Claudia M. Vera
Client Services & Marketing Associate
Claudia is a Client Services and Marketing Associate with Dodds Wealth Management Group. She prides herself on providing the highest level of integrity and client service and has obtained her Texas General Lines – Life, Accident, and Health License. Claudia is committed to addressing each client’s request while creating the best client experience.
Claudia provides administrative and technical support in the following areas:
- Assisting with the coordination and execution of onboarding and operations
- Scheduling and helping with the preparation for client and prospect meetings
- Managing client paperwork to ensure all aspects of client’s folders are up to date
- Coordinating and implementing seminars and client appreciation events
- Serving as the point of contact for wholesalers and outside vendors and maintaining those relationships
Claudia has over 15 years of experience in the financial and banking industry and has worked extensively in mortgage finance, personal and business banking, and client relationship management.
A native El Pasoan, Claudia attended Texas State University, where she competed in cross country and track. She began her mortgage career as an assistant/loan processor while attending college. In 2010, Claudia transitioned to the member service industry with the Security Service Federal Credit Union. In 2012, she returned to mortgage as a Mortgage Loan Officer, and in 2015, Claudia had the opportunity to return to El Paso and progress into the banking industry with Wells Fargo Bank. In 2018, she joined the Lawton Winter Team of Wells Fargo Advisors.
When she is not in the office, Claudia loves spending time with her husband, Abram, and their three daughters, Alessandra, Abigail, and Giana. Their favorite activities include hiking, indoor rock climbing, running, and playing sports.
Cassie Shepherd
Marketing Director
Cassie is the Marketing Director for Dodds Wealth Management Group. She oversees the design and management of marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the firm and its services while maintaining compliance requirements. She is responsible for planning the annual marketing strategy to support business growth ambitions through developing and implementing systems to streamline day-to-day marketing and public relations tasks.
Cassie prides herself on her keen eye for marketing and performing at the highest level of professionalism and integrity. Cassie executes a diverse range of activities, including:
- Developing, managing, and evaluating all marketing campaigns, including materials for seminars and client appreciation events
- Directing social media strategy and building the firm's online presence
- Designing print and digital marketing materials for the firm
- Creating and producing weekly newsletters, general announcements, and specialized client touchpoints
- Website development and maintenance
Cassie is a native Californian but grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources in 2013 from Cornell University in New York. After graduation, she began her career as a project manager at an environmental consulting company in Chicagoland, overseeing and managing multiple ecosystems management and restoration projects.
In 2016, Cassie made a career switch and began working as the marketing manager for a Chicago-based non-profit. While in this position, Cassie significantly broadened the organization's marketing platform, including redesigning print materials, overhauling its website, and elevating its online presence. In 2017, Cassie and her husband relocated to Sun City.
Cassie enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. Cassie and her family can often be found exploring the great outdoors on hiking adventures, taking in the region's sights, or enjoying new cuisines.