Peter Hughes,
President and CIO
Peter Hughes founded LexAurum Advisors in 2016 and serves as the firm’s President and Chief Investment Officer. Prior to starting LexAurum, he served as Chief Investment Officer for an investment firm with $10B of assets under administration and managed portfolios for over 800 clients. He is a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Charter holder and former Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Previously, Peter worked at two investment management companies, providing research and portfolio management with a focus on individual stock and bond selection. He started in the financial industry in 1998.
Peter graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in business administration and accounting. He is a former Adjunct Professor of Statistics at the University of Kansas. Peter also holds an MA degree in Philosophy from Biola University and is active in his church.
Jon Stanfield,
VP and Chief Compliance Officer
Jon Stanfield joined LexAurum Advisors in 2018 and serves as the firm’s Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. Before working with LexAurum, Jon served as President and Chief Compliance Officer for an investment firm with $10B of assets under administration and over 250 independent financial advisors. Jon is also an attorney licensed to practice in Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. He operates a small legal practice focused primarily on Estate Planning and Administration. Prior to working in financial services, Jon proudly served as an Army Judge Advocate for over seven years including a deployment to Kuwait/Iraq in 2003. He has been working in financial services since 2005.
Jon graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in political science and from George Washington University Law School with a juris doctorate.
Joanne Hughes,
VP and Chief Operating Officer
Joanne Hughes received her Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Environmental and Civil Engineering, respectively, from the University of Nevada, Reno. She was part of the design and construction management teams for Orange County Water District's wastewater reclamation facility in Southern California.
Joanne, after serving as the Director of Operations for LexAurum for eight years, became Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2024. At home, she is a domestic engineer for her family of four girls. In her free time, she enjoys reading, star/satellite-watching with her husband, and rooting for her girls’ sports teams.
Molly Spoon,
Director of Operations
Molly Spoon joined LexAurum Advisors in 2020 and is the firm’s Director of Operations. She uses her financial industry experience and knowledge combined with her client service skills to provide world class support to advisors and clients.
Molly grew up in Orlando, Florida but has called Kansas City her home since 2016. In her free time, she enjoys photography, reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Michael DeSantis,
Sr. Investment Analyst | Trader
Michael DeSantis joined LexAurum Advisors in 2020 and has been part of the financial industry since 2007. He is a CFA Charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance as well as a Master of Business Administration from Missouri State University.
Michael resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife and their two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends. An avid football and baseball fan, Michael also has a passion for home restoration, including work on his own historic home.
Bryce Grahn,
Financial Planner
Bryce Grahn began his finance career in 2023 when he joined LexAurum Advisors. He has a Bachelor of Finance degree from Pittsburg State University and currently holds his Series 65 and Life and Health Insurance licenses. Bryce grew up in Colorado and Texas, moving to Kansas for school and staying to start his finance career. Bryce is currently studying for the CFP and very excited to help current and future clients with their personal finances to achieve financial freedom.
Bryce lives in Grandview, MO with his wife and son.
Ginger Shields,
Advisor Support Coordinator
Ginger joined LexAurum Advisors, LLC in 2016 with over ten years of previous experience in the industry.
Ginger graduated from the University of the South with a degree in English Literature. She has a Masters in Library Science from Emporia State University with a certification in Information Management.
Semi-retired, she lives in Washington state within view of Mt. Rainier and is enjoying hiking, gardening, pickleball, and reading.
Kristi Shepard,
Operations Specialist
Kristi joined LexAurum Advisors, LLC in 2018. She graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a BSBA in Accounting. Kristi lived in Texas for 10 years after graduation before moving back to the Kansas City area, her home. While in Texas, she gained experience in Commercial and Residential Real Estate and managed a medical spa.
When not at the office, Kristi can be found volunteering at her children’s school and shuttling them to and from practice. For fun, she likes cheering her children on in sports and enjoying the outdoors.
Maria Bechthold,
Operations Specialist
Maria joined LexAurum Advisors, LLC in 2024 with over twelve years of previous experience in the financial and legal industries.
Maria grew up in California and received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge.
Outside of the office, Maria enjoys collecting books, reading and spending time with her husband and three bonus girls.
Jessica Gattorna,
Operations Specialist
Jessica joined LexAurum Advisors, LLC in 2022. She has lived in the Kansas City area all her life. Jessica gained her 20+ years of administrative experience working in a variety of different roles in the financial, insurance, hospitality, and retail industries.
In her free time, Jessica loves to travel with her children, explore hidden gems of the Kansas City area, and spend time with family and friends.