Our Team

David H. Diesslin, CFP®, is the Chairman and Founder of Diesslin Group, Inc. Dave founded the firm as Diesslin & Associates, Inc. in 1980 and has provided fee-only financial planning and investment management ever since. He has been honored as one of the “Best Financial Advisors” in Worth Magazine, Medical Economics, and Money Magazine and has been endorsed by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of “America’s Top Financial Planners.” Throughout his professional life, Dave has worked diligently to promote and advance the financial planning profession, both nationally and internationally. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors on the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and is also a past Chairman and President of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

In addition to his advisory role at DGI, Dave currently serves as acting Administrator of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group Committee 222, working with an international contingent of eighteen countries to develop and standardize global personal financial planning criteria and assessment.

Dave received an M.B.A. from the University of Dallas and a B.S. degree in Business Management from Indiana University. He has held his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation since 1983. Prior to entering the financial planning profession, Dave served as First Lieutenant for the United States Army Signal Corps.

Norman R. (“Rocky”) Farr, CFP®, EA, ATA, is DG’s Vice President and Manager of Financial Planning Services and a principal of the firm. Rocky coordinates all aspects of the financial planning process for individuals and closely-held businesses, including income tax planning, cash flow management, fringe benefit planning, risk management, and estate planning.

Rock has held his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM designation since 1982. He also holds an Enrolled Agent license from the Internal Revenue Service and an Accredited Tax Advisor license from the Council for Accounting and Taxation. Rocky joined DG in 1992. Prior to moving to Texas, he played hockey professionally.

Shawn L. Gray is the Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer of Diesslin Group, Inc. and a principal of the firm. Shawn manages the firm’s computing, networking, and programming solutions. He also develops Monte Carlo retirement analyses and cash flow projections, builds estate planning diagrams, and models stock options for clients. Prior to joining DG, Shawn worked in the banking industry.

Shawn received a B.B.A. degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. He joined Diesslin Group, Inc. in 1992.

Charles A. Denison is the Manager of Asset Management Services at Diesslin Group, Inc. Charles coordinates all aspects of the firm’s portfolio management process, including investment analysis and client reporting and communication practices. He also works closely with many clients as their Portfolio Manager, providing consultation, risk/return analyses, asset allocation and performance measurement. Charles is further involved in the analysis and management of DG’s alternative investments. He previously worked as a Portfolio Manager and Asset Management Associate at DG.

Charles received a B.B.A. degree in Finance from Texas A&M University and also holds his Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative license. He joined the firm in 2010.

Scott B. Reasor Client Services Associate and Portfolio Manager at Diesslin Group, Inc.  He conducts investment analyses and risk/return analyses, as well as performance management and asset allocation for client portfolios. Prior to joining DG in 2004, Scott worked as a Portfolio Analyst at Lee Johnson Capital Management.

Scott received a B.B.A. degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington and holds his Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative license. Scott also facilitates a money makeover plan at his church, which has become a popular choice among its members.

Emma L. Simmons, CFP^®, is Client Services and Human Resources Director at Diesslin Group, Inc. where she plays an integral role in the various aspects of the financial planning process.  Emma guides clients through the firm’s Initial Planning Process, reviewing the major aspects of each client’s financial circumstances and assisting in the development of custom-tailored planning strategies, to advance the pursuit of their long-term financial goals.  She also coordinates the firm’s ongoing client planning solutions, to support clients in maintaining their individual strategic financial objectives.  In addition to her planning responsibilities, Emma works alongside the firm’s asset managers, to ensure cohesive integration of each client’s planning and investment goals.

Emma received a B.S. degree in Communication Studies from Texas Christian University and holds her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM designation.  She joined DG in 2011.

Edie C. Peplinski is the Executive Assistant to the firm’s Chairman, David Diesslin. Her responsibilities include time management and scheduling, making travel arrangements, coordinating and scheduling meetings, overseeing event planning and event details, and assisting with office and administrative responsibilities at DG. Prior to her current position, Edie worked as the firm’s Receptionist.

Edie has over thirty years’ experience in executive-level Administrative Assistant and Personal Assistant roles, including previous positions at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association. Edie attended Tarrant County College and has worked at DG since 2003.

Sherry Redden, FPQP^TM is a Client Services Associate with her Paraplanner Certification. Her responsibilities encompass many aspects of our firm from client liaison, financial planning associate and executive assistant.

Sherry has over twenty years of professional experience as an Executive Assistant and Outside Sales Representative. She joined DG in 2012.

Ariella Singleton is a Client Services Associate at Diesslin Group, Inc. She assists with various client and firm projects and provides writing and editing support to the DG team.

Ariella received her BA in English from the University of Texas at Arlington and her MA in English from Texas Christian University. She also holds her Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative license. She joined Diesslin Group in 2019.

Angela Woodson is the Receptionist at Diesslin Group. She has many responsibilities, including scheduling meetings, corresponding with clients, managing the office, and planning events for the DG team.

Angela received her BS in counseling education from the University of North Texas. She joined Diesslin Group in 2019.

Jessica D. Dayton is a CPA and the Tax Associate at Diesslin Group, Inc., where she assists clients with the development of tax strategies that align with their unique financial goals. Prior to joining DG, Jessica worked as a financial statement auditor in a public accounting firm, and she has been meeting the accounting needs of corporations, individuals, and non-profit organizations for the past 10 years.

Jessica received a BS in accounting as well as a BS in business administration, with a financial planning cognate, from Liberty University. She joined DG in 2021.