800.985.3272

Galen Bargerstock

Clinton Smith

Shawna Jones

Tina Nesse

Samantha Nichols

About

Health,
Wealth, &
Happiness.

Always at the center.

About GCES

Specialists in financial planning and federal retirement, the team at GCES have been helping clients achieve stability and reach their retirement goals for over 15 years. 

As a veteran, our president Galen Bargerstock is no stranger to the difficulties that can arise when collecting your government benefits. That’s why it’s our mission at GCES to help you navigate all the different public and private avenues available to you, giving you peace of mind for more than just your savings.

All of GCES’s clients, whether federal employees or not, love our client-first approach that sets us apart. That’s why we’ve been named to the 2025 ‘Top 100 Organizations by PA Business Central’ and voted “Best Financial Planner & Customer Service” in Indiana County the last three years in a row! Our holistic method means it’s not just about your money at GCES, it’s about helping you achieve Health, Wealth AND Happiness.

GCES earned the rating of “Best Financial Planner” on July 26, 2023 based upon voting done from 04/12/2023 through 04/26/2023 and on July 31, 2024 based on voting done from 4/10/2024 through 4/24/2024 and on August 6th, 2025 based on voting done from 4/16/25 through 4/30/25. The contest was created and administered by BestofIndianaCounty.com.  GCES did not pay BestofIndianaCounty.com or participate in the creation of the contest or results tabulation of the voting.

Meet The Team

Galen Bargerstock

PRESIDENT

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Clint Smith

CEO

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Tina Neese

CLIENT RELATIONS

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Shawna Jones

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

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Samantha Nichols

EXECUTIVE CONCIERGE

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Lukas Free

CHIEF MAINTENANCE OFFICER

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Galen Bargerstock

PRESIDENT, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Our president Galen Bargerstock is a U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who has one mission here at GCES- to bring clarity, and confidence to our clients navigating their public and private benefits. He built our company to offer uniquely tailored and straightforward solutions for each of our clients, rooted in trust and years of experience.

 

Holding a Pennsylvania life, health, and annuity insurance license, and having also passed the FINRA Series 6, 63, and 65 exams, Galen is known for his ability to simplify the often complex and confusing world of finance and investments. He builds strategies that are easy to understand, and tailored to meet your unique goals, whether you’re approaching retirement or just getting started!

 

Galen’s passion for service extends well beyond the GCES office. He was named one of PA Business Central’s Foremost Under 40 in 2021 and recognized as one of their Top 100 People in Business in 2025. He is an active member of the Indiana community and values strong client relationships built on listening, transparency, and long-term support.

When he isn’t overwatering his plants and helping clients plan their future Galen can be found working out at the gym, listening to good music, or doing his daily meditation. He really enjoys a nice cup of tea and loves watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Galen religiously drinks his daily protein shakes and loves eating at an Asian Buffet. Above all, he values the different strengths he and his husband Clint have that keep them both balanced and engaged in business and life.
Contact Galen bargerstock at galen@gces.us

Clint Smith

CEO

Our CEO Clint Smith is a high energy powerhouse who believes our success is measured by the success of our clients. He has a passion for motivating the team to help people take control of their futures. It’s not just about your money at GCES, it’s about helping you achieve Health, Wealth AND Happiness, that lasts.

Voted most talkative in high school, Clint cultivates a culture of incredible growth at GCES that radiates out to our team, clients, and our community. His initiatives like Transcendental Meditation, wellness retreats, and on-the-clock volunteer time foster wellbeing for GCES and Indiana as a whole. He is always working on a new project, whether it’s co-authoring ‘The Story of Carl and Barb’ with Galen, starring in our TV show ‘Our2Cents’, or building our own podcast, ‘More than Money’!

When he’s not in the office working and jamming to club music, you’re most likely to find him at a board meeting, volunteering his time, or spearheading a new campaign for a local non-profit. Clint’s philanthropic nature is an incredible creative outlet for him, having served on the boards of the United Way of Indiana County, Alice Paul House, and 2 terms at the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the board of the Indiana County Humane Society and the Chamber of Commerce. As United Way campaign chairman in both 2019 and 2024, Clint helped lead major fundraising efforts—most notably, his 2025 campaign raised the highest total in the organization’s history! Awarded PA Business Centrals Foremost under 40 in 2021 and 2023 and Top 100 people in Business in 2025 and 2026, Clint has a proven track record of financial wellness that is constantly evolving.

As the self proclaimed “personality hire” Clint levels out the serious nature of the retirement business with his competitive energy and wit. He and Galen are like yin and yang in their professional and personal life, balancing one another’s energy. Clint loves to travel, and his biggest dream is to go into space before he dies. A proud Costco executive member, Clint enjoys spending his free time cooking with Galen and is a devoted dog dad.

Contact Clint Smith at clint@gces.us

Tina Neese

CLIENT RELATIONS

Tina Neese is our beloved Client Relationship Manager who is often the first stop when our clients have questions and need help. Over two decades of experience in customer relations means Tina’s a professional at answering your questions and helping put your mind at ease about your money. When you talk with Tina you know that you have her undivided attention, and she holds a Pennsylvania life and health license so you know you’re getting the right information about your benefits every time!

 

Tina loves building relationships with our clients, because she believes you should know exactly who you’re working with when it comes to your retirement. She knows our clients have worked their entire life for their retirement and it’s important to trust the people keeping an eye on it! 

 

In office, T-Bone is well known at GCES as the undisputed cartwheel queen! Her bubbly, goofy personality keeps the whole team smiling. She dreams of exploring Australia or Hawaii, and much of Tina’s joy comes from her grandchildren, children, and husband Dan. When she isn’t helping you with your retirement, she can be found enjoying camping, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors!

Contact Tina Neese at tina@gces.us

Shawna Jones

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Our Shawna Jones is the creative mastermind behind all of the branding here at GCES. As Chief Marketing Officer, she works with an energetic lens that keeps our material fresh and engaging. Originally friends from high school, Clinton recruited Shawna to illustrate their book ‘The Story of Carl and Barb’. She loved it so much at GCES, she stuck around and now uses her decades of experience in graphic design, photography, and marketing to create our TV Shows, podcasts, commercials, and so much more!

 

Shawna’s beautiful art makes it easy for clients to get to know the GCES team before they even speak with us. Integrity-driven, she knows it’s important that our marketing is honest, transparent, and aligned with our goal: to help you improve your Health, Wealth and Happiness!

 

A music lover at heart, Shawna’s always planning an adventure or road trip to the next festival or concert she’s got her eye on. She loves frolicking through the woods, foraging ingredients for the kitchen or her next creative endeavor. We call her our office hobbit. With great courage, she dreams of exploring and skydiving in Hawaii someday with her husband and 3 children.

Contact Shawna Jones at: shawna@gces.us

Samantha Nichols

EXECUTIVE CONCIERGE

Samantha Nichols is our Executive Concierge and newest member of our team! She oversees our advisor’s calendars, schedules trips, and helps ease client concerns by connecting them with the right resources for their retirement planning journey. Sam’s collaboration skills help keep our clients and advisors on the same page. Her calm, reassuring approach will help you feel supported from your very first interaction with GCES!

Sam brings with her a decade of experience in education and non-profit organizations. She understands the difficulties that can arise when it comes to your money and the federal government. Known for her strong communication skills and adaptability, she offers consistency and reliability to a fast-moving environment. She holds a Pennsylvania Life and Health license. Sam values teamwork deeply and thrives as a part of the close-knit team at GCES that allows us to serve clients seamlessly.

A traveler at heart, Sam can usually be found outside hiking, canoeing, or exploring. Always creating, she enjoys artistic hobbies like sewing, poetry, and painting. As the ‘redheaded step-child’ of the office, Sam’s always good for a sarcastic comment. Originally from Western New York, her favorite place to be is jumping through a table at a Buffalo Bills tailgate.

Contact Samantha Nichols at: samantha@gces.us

Lukas Free

CHIEF MAINTENANCE OFFICER

When visiting GCES you should consider yourself lucky if you run into the man that makes things happen backstage. Is it normal for a financial company to put their head of maintenance team on their website? Probably not but we really like the guy!

 

Our Chief Maintenance Officer Lukas Free can usually be found on site, tackling the latest and greatest project our team has added to his ever expanding to-do list. Lukas handles any and all property maintenance matters with ease and does an exceptional job of keeping the wheels turning so our team can focus on planning your retirement. His laid back demeanor is definitely not a side effect of his massive to-do list, but his work ethic and never ending energy always get the job done.

 

With how colorful the team is at GCES, we’re pretty sure Lukas is our diversity hire. When he isn’t putting in 16 hour days, our #1 chandelier builder loves to travel with his son and often takes fishing trips to the beach. He’s proud to have an entire closet at home dedicated to men’s shoes, and enjoys working out at the gym.

Contact LUKAS FREE at lukas@gces.us