Mason Couvillon CFP®
Mason Couvillon entered the financial services industry in 1996 and works in the development and implementation of investment strategies for clients, as well as his role as president of Dardis Couvillon & Associates. Prior to starting Dardis Couvillon & Associates in 2008, Mason worked as a financial professional for Morgan Stanley, Hibernia National Bank and the companies of Becker & Suffern.
Mason believes in using a holistic, goals-based approach to wealth management and financial planning. By gaining a full perspective of his client’s personal, financial and charitable objectives, he is able to be comprehensive in the planning process and establish the foundation for a long-term relationship.
He earned the Certified Financial Planner™(CFP®) designation, which is only given to individuals who have met the CFP Board’s education, examination and experience requirements, and agree to adhere to high standards of ethical conduct. Mason also holds series 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 securities registrations with LPL Financial. His professional affiliations include:
- Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP)— Past Chapter President, and member of the Executive Committee and Board.
- National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
- Financial Planning Association (FPA)
- New Orleans Estate Planning Council (NOEPC)
Mason graduated from Georgetown University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he completed coursework on investment decisions and behavioral finance.
One of his favorite quotes is from Emerson, “To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch…to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded!”
Mason is a member of Legatus, an organization for Catholic CEOs, and works with/for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Investment Committee, is on the Board of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Chairman of the Jesuit High School President's Advisory Council and Endowment Investment Committee, and the St. Francis Finance Committee. Mason is married to Jennifer Surgala Couvillon, from Cleveland, Ohio and is the father of four wonderful children—Aidan, Bryce, Blake and Grace. Outside of the office, Mason enjoys spending time with his family, playing poker, tennis, walking and praying.
Wayne Pietri CLU®, ChFC®
Wayne Pietri has over 30 years of experience in his areas of specialty, which include life/health insurance and mutual funds. He has been recognized by the New Orleans Association of Health Underwriters as Agent of the Year for his expertise in insurance.
Wayne earned a Bachelors in Business Administration from Loyola University and also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter®(CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations from American College.
He and his wife, Kathi, live in New Orleans and have two sons and three grandsons. He enjoys sports and, prior to his financial services career, Wayne played professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. He can be found in the Baseball Halls of Fame at De La Salle High School, Loyola University, Diamond Club of New Orleans, AAABA in Johnston, Pennsylvania and listed in Cooperstown.
Catherine Groos
Catherine Groos joined Dardis Couvillon & Associates in June, 2017. Working in an administrative and client support capacity, visitors to our office are welcomed with a warm smile and her “can do” attitude. She assists our advisors in preparing for client meetings, trade order processing and follow up. She organizes client files and maintains our client and account database. In support of our senior analyst, Catherine obtains life insurance quotes as requested. She also handles our office supply needs and works on special projects.
Catherine’s career includes work experience in public relations, hospitality and retail industries. Her strong faith, loving family and friends are her greatest source of joy in life. In her free time, Catherine enjoys entertaining, reading, exercise and travel.
Alfred (Al) Lopez, Jr. CEBS®, CFP®, CLU®
Al Lopez, Jr. specializes in assisting the clients at Dardis Couvillon & Associates with retirement planning and wealth accumulation goals. His career includes previous positions with Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York (MONY) and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance.
Al earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of New Orleans and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. In addition to a series 7 registration held with LPL Financial and a life and health insurance license, Al holds several professional designations:
- Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Certified Financial Planner TM(CFP®)
He and his wife, Eula, have five children. In his spare time, Al coaches children for the Jefferson Parish Recreational Department and works as a volunteer at the University of New Orleans, United Way and Reading is Fundamental. He also enjoys playing chess and science activities. His favorite quote is from Corinthians Chapter 12, Verse 10, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Marybeth (Beth) Beguiristain
Beth Beguiristain is the Operations Manager here at Dardis Couvillon & Associates. She processes trades and creates reports that help us analyze client investments and performance. She can assist clients with account paperwork and with online access to their accounts. Beth is also a point of contact for retirement plan administrators and participants. She coordinates plan administration, services, and employee education and outreach. Beth is a Notary Public in the state of Louisiana and can notarize documents as needed.
Prior to joining Dardis Couvillon & Associates, Beth enjoyed being an elementary school teacher at two local Catholic schools: St. Ann and St. Louis King of France. She also worked at several local firms providing Human Resources services as well as payroll and billing duties.
Beth enjoys time with her husband and daughter, going to the park and playground, playing tourist in the city of New Orleans, and being involved at her church parish and at her daughter’s school. One of Beth's favorite quotes is from C.S. Lewis: "Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."
Donna Clement
Donna Clement joined Dardis Couvillon & Associates in 2011 following successful stints with Eagan Insurance Agency and Stewart Enterprise, Inc. At Dardis Couvillon & Associates, Donna works with and for clients through the administrative functions necessary to open and manage their accounts, fulfill service requests, answer questions they may have, and solves issues that arise. Donna also oversees DCA's Information Technology function. Her pro-active business approach helps us obtain office efficiencies through technology and workflow processes.
Donna's extensive management experience included business operations, information technology, and human resources. Her hard work and dedication were recognized at each company as she was the recipient of Eagan's Star Performer award and Stewart's Lagniappe Award. In March 2014, Donna was also recognized with the Support Staff of the Quarter award from Next Financial group.
Donna serves on the Archbishop Chapelle High School Advisory Board and was a long time member of the Alumnae Board where she served in Executive roles. She was also named as Alumna of the year in 2017. She and her husband, Geoff, enjoy spending time with their families, which includes five grown children and their spouses, and six grandchildren.
Charles R. Christy
Charles Christy transitioned to the financial services industry in 2018 following 16 years of working with business owners and employees on their Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans. Charles works with clients to develop investment strategies as part of their overall financial plan. Charles believes in working with clients to gain a complete understanding of their near-term and extended financial goals, and to be able to deliver strategies which fit each client’s unique circumstance.
Charles enjoys assisting the retired and those planning for retirement with investments and risk management to help create a plan to achieve their goals. Charles also enjoys working with young professionals to build wealth and develop financial plans to address their distinctive short- and long-term objectives.
In addition to his extensive experience working on Employer Sponsored Retirement plans, Charles is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). The CPFA designation demonstrates Charles’ expertise to help business owners and plan fiduciaries manage their liabilities, roles and responsibilities for their retirement plans. Charles’ retirement plan experience also makes him a great resource to educate and serve retirement plan participants.
Charles graduated from Rhodes College with a degree in Business Administration and concentrations in Finance and Human Resources.
Charles volunteers time to various local non-profits and is an active member of our community.
Charles is married to Elizabeth Griffith Christy, also a native New Orleanian, and has three children. When he is not working with and for his clients, Charles enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and reading.
John (Jack) Dardis CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®
Jack Dardis has had a distinguished 40-year career in the financial services industry. After working for such firms as Peat Marwick Mitchell, First National Bank of Commerce and Howard Weil Labouisse Friedrichs, he launched Jack Dardis & Associates in 1988. In 2008, the firm Dardis Couvillon & Associates was formed with Jack at the helm.
Jack has been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including:
- Next Financial Group Integrity Award— 2010
- New Orleans CityBusiness Money Makers—2012
- America’s Top 100 Independent Advisors/Registered Rep Magazine—2007, 2009
He received a bachelor of business administration from Loyola University New Orleans and a master of business administration from Harvard University. Jack also holds the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter™(CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) He is Series 24, 53, 7, 63 and 65 registered with LPL Financial.
His professional affiliations are numerous and currently include the New Orleans Estate Planning Council, Society of Financial Professionals, and the Financial Planning Association. Jack formerly served in various roles at FINRA/NASD, Securities Industry Association, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the Association of Employee Benefit Planners.
Jack and his wife, Anne, are proud parents of 10 children and active members of their community. He has served in many important roles for the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dominican High School, Closer Walk Ministries, and Jesuit High School. In 2015, Jack and Anne were honored to receive the St. John Paul, II Award from the Archdiocese of New Orleans
