Meet the Team

Allow us to introduce the coaching staff for the Cool Springs office of Paul Winkler, The Investor Coach. "Creating Confident Investors" in Williamson County.

Evan Barnard, CFP^®, RFC
Investor Coach

Evan Barnard has spent the past 20 years educating private investors and business owners on the basic, yet vital, principles that must be present in any sound financial situation. Mr. Barnard began his career in the financial services industry as a consultant to owners of expanding small and medium sized businesses throughout the western United States and Canada, helping them regain financial control of their companies.

In a desire to develop longer-term relationships with his clients, as well as spend more time with his family, he transitioned into a private financial planning practice with American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. In 1998, after becoming disillusioned with the traditional brokerage industry and wanting to expand the range of services he could provide his clients, Evan walked away from a team practice managing approximately $85 million and started over working as a financial coach to his clients. A Certified Financial Planner^® Certificant and Registered Financial Consultant, he has lectured at numerous schools and businesses on investing and tax strategies, is a past contributor to both industry and non-industry publications and has served as adjunct faculty in corporate finance at Indiana University. When he joined Paul Winkler Inc his firm had offices in Dayton, Ohio and Richmond, Indiana serving clients in California, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida and Montana.

Evan Barnard grew up in Texas and California. After graduating high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps infantry and then attended Texas A & M University on an NROTC scholarship. He received his BBA in Management and returned to the Marine Corps where he served six years as an infantry officer. Evan married his wife, Cindy, in 1993 and they have twin sons, Justin & Jordan, and a daughter, Heather. They reside in Thompson's Station, Tennessee.

Brenda Brake
Planning Assistant

Brenda Brake began her career as a software developer in 1989. While working in the Information Technology field for 15 years, Brenda held a variety of positions, most recently as a Project Manager.

After having two children, Brenda considered a career change that would allow flexibility to spend more time with her family, while gaining new skills. After she and her husband became clients of Paul Winkler, Inc., Brenda was intrigued by the academic approach used in the financial coaching process. Brenda joined Paul Winkler, Inc. in 2008 as a planning assistant.

Brenda was born in San Jose, California as an Air Force "brat", but spent most of her childhood years in Ft. Meade, MD, and Clinton, TN. Brenda graduated from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN in 1989 with a B.S. in Computer Science. She married her husband David in 1989 and they have 2 boys, Joshua and Jordan.

Cindy Barnard
Director of Client Experience

Cindy was born and raised in Evansville, IN. After graduating high school and obtaining her cosmetology license she worked as a hairstylist for several years before marrying her husband, Evan in 1993. Her passion for hospitality and love for people ideally qualify her for making sure our clients have a great experience in working with our firm.

She is the mother of twin sons, Justin and Jordan, and a daughter, Heather.

Jessica Green
Director of First Impressions

Jessica Green is from sunny Clearwater, Florida and moved to Nashville in 1997. She graduated from Fred J. Page High School where she played volleyball for four years. She will be attending college in the near-future. Jessica currently lives in Franklin with her parents and two younger brothers.