Our Associates

Michael Strong, MBA, AWMA®, CPFA®

Wealth Advisor

(308) 233-3263

mstrong@bswadvisors.com

Michael has been a financial advisor since 2007. He works with families and businesses to help find strategies to pursue their retirement goals. He focuses on building investment strategies, providing financial planning, retirement income planning, and overall leadership of the firm.

He successfully completed the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation through the College of Financial Planning in 2013 and the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation through the National Association of Plan Advisors in 2021. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree in 2006.

Michael is originally from Eustis, NE and now lives in Elm Creek with his wife Shawna and three children: Braelynn, Carter and Allison. His leisure time includes fishing, hunting, sports and spending time with his family at the lake. Michael also enjoys being involved in the local community through various volunteer organizations including the Kearney Sertoma Club, Village of Elm Creek Village Board, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Leads Group, Leadership Kearney Class # 24 and the United Methodist Church.

Paul Downey, CPFA®

Wealth Advisor

(308) 233-3263

pdowney@bswadvisors.com

Paul has been a financial advisor since 2016. He has a hands-on approach in working with clients motivated to pursue their financial goals. He focuses on in-depth financial planning, small business transition, retirement plans, investment management, and income strategies.

He successfully completed the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designation through the National Association of Plan Advisors in 2025. Paul graduated from Doane College in 2016, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in History, Social Sciences, and Education.

Paul is originally from Benkelman, NE and now lives in the Kearney area with his wife Tommy. In his free time Paul enjoys golfing, spending time with his family, and attending Kansas City Chiefs games.

Kale Gideon

Wealth Advisor

(308) 233-3263

kgideon@bswadvisors.com

Kale joined our team in 2021 and became a licensed financial advisor in 2022. He strives to support individual goals and offers financial strategies to his clientele by emphasizing his quality of service. His primary focus includes wealth management, investment strategies, and performance analysis. Kale supports the overall firm with financial planning, account trading, and client service management.

Kale is originally from small town Burwell, Nebraska and currently lives in Kearney. Kale graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney attaining a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. Kale enjoys spending his free time going to the lake with friends, spending time with family in the outdoors hunting or fishing, and watching the Huskers.

CJ Kuehl

Advisor Assistant

(308)-233-3263

cjkuehl@bswadvisors.com

CJ joined Bluestone Wealth Advisors in 2026. He is committed to assisting clients with clarity and care as they work toward their financial goals. He has a well-rounded role in supporting both clients and the firm's day-to-day success through operations, financial planning, transactions, and marketing.

CJ is originally from Indianola, Iowa and lives with his partner Mekallyn and their son Creighton. CJ played five years of college football at UNK, where he served on the team's leadership council and earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors. He earned a Bachelor of Business degree with an emphasis in Finance and is currently completing his MBA.

Amber Frasier

Client Relations Associate

(308) 233-3263

afrasier@bswadvisors.com

Amber joined our team in 2022 as a client relations associate. Her primary responsibilities include client service organization, business processing, coordinating client events, and scheduling of appointments.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska Kearney. Amber and her husband Cole live in Kearney with their two children. Amber enjoys being involved in various Kearney community sports and spending time in the outdoors with her family.

DeAnn Brickner

Advisor Assistant

(308) 233-3263

dbrickner@bswadvisors.com

DeAnn joined our team in April of 2019 as an Advisor Assistant.  She manages the general office duties, supports the team with day-to-day operations, and assists in preparation of client meetings.

She graduated from the University of Nebraska and holds a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.  DeAnn and her husband, Vern, live in Kearney and have two grown daughters. Deann enjoys going to bowling league in her free time.

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