Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Spokane Valley office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Paul Hanson
Managing Partner
Paul was born and raised in Moscow, Idaho. He attended University of Idaho and earned a degree in Finance. He’s grateful to have been given the opportunity by the late David Trail in helping him find Northwestern Mutual’s internship as he was graduating from high school. He spent 4 years as a College Intern...
Paul was born and raised in Moscow, Idaho. He attended University of Idaho and earned a degree in Finance. He’s grateful to have been given the opportunity by the late David Trail in helping him find Northwestern Mutual’s internship as he was graduating from high school. He spent 4 years as a College Intern with NM. He began his Full-Time Financial Representative career in 1994, became a Field Director in 1997 and Managing Director in 2000 at the age of 29. After spending 16 years as a Managing Director, he was appointed Managing Partner of the Northwestern Mutual’s Inland Northwest Office in Spokane, Washington in 2015. He loves leadership and being a servant leader. Paul loves spending time with family, friends and colleagues in the outdoors. He and his wife, Tami have been married for 25 years and have two daughters, age 22 and 19.
Carmela Merchant
CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®, CLF®
Director of Supervision
My team and I specialize in working with people who are driven, have an open mind, and are looking to establish a long term relationship around a solid financial plan. I work with my clients on tax efficiency, insurance planning, and wealth preservation to help build a strong financial future.
Faith, Family, Legacy and Prestige lead Matt's charge for how he delivers financial planning and wealth management for his clients. Matt lives in North Idaho with his beautiful wife Holly and his 4 kids: Addilynn, Brinley, and the twins Daniel and Benjamin. When not working he is typically spending time and...
Faith, Family, Legacy and Prestige lead Matt's charge for how he delivers financial planning and wealth management for his clients. Matt lives in North Idaho with his beautiful wife Holly and his 4 kids: Addilynn, Brinley, and the twins Daniel and Benjamin. When not working he is typically spending time and traveling with his kids and stays involved with their various sports.
Aubrey Hancock
Director of Training
Aubrey Reed began with Northwestern Mutual as an intern in June of 2015. She graduated from Eastern Washington University in June 2016 and shortly after became a full-time representative. After 6 months full-time, Aubrey identified that she didn't want a career as an advisor, but rather utilize her passion to...
Aubrey Reed began with Northwestern Mutual as an intern in June of 2015. She graduated from Eastern Washington University in June 2016 and shortly after became a full-time representative. After 6 months full-time, Aubrey identified that she didn't want a career as an advisor, but rather utilize her passion to help others and join the development team. Now as the Director of Training, Aubrey helps to educate and develop financial representatives. Partnering with network office leadership, she evaluates the developmental needs of each area and implements training and development strategies and programs across those areas. Aubrey monitors and evaluates results working to resolve all training issues to help build and maintain talent within the organization. Aubrey is passionate about coaching and developing people to help them achieve their potential.
Reed Waechter
Michelle Williams
Heather Yarbrough