Art Dinkin, CFP®
Owner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Financial Philosophy
It doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few basic, easy rules to follow: spend less than you make, save for a rainy day, and make decisions based on your head & heart – not your wallet.
But simple doesn’t always mean easy, and that's where working with a financial planner you trust becomes essential. While any competent professional can build and manage an investment portfolio or calculate financial projections, my goal is to make sure each client understands the decisions they're making and how those decisions relate to achieving their unique goals, values, and dreams. My greatest professional satisfaction comes from eliminating stress and worry from my clients’ lives.
People Are Surprised to Learn...
I served in the US Army Reserve as a Preventive Medicine Specialist. Part of our job included medical entomology (which is a fancy phrase for understanding the impact bugs in a particular environment can have on soldiers’ health). There were times we must've been the only platoon in the Army marching with butterfly nets on our shoulders instead of rifles!
I Geek Out On...
Two things: aviation and swimming timing systems (not at the same time - hey, didn't I warn you about Dad jokes?).
I took my first trip on an airplane at five years old. It's one of my earliest memories. I remember going to LaGuardia Airport with my mother and the entire airport experience. In my teens, I was exposed to small aircraft and general aviation. As soon as I could afford it, I started taking flying lessons in the mid 1990s. Except for a 9-year hiatus to prioritize being a father, I've been an active pilot ever since.
On the swimming front, even though my wife and I were never competitive swimmers, somehow competitive swimming has become a huge part of our family. All our kids started on a swim team at a young age and competed through high school. Our oldest even swam in college. Somewhere along the way, my undergraduate studies of computers and engineering led me to become an expert in the various systems used to time swim meets. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work at a wide variety of swim meets, ranging from little kids who can barely make it across the pool to Tyr Pro meets where Olympic swimmers compete for cash awards.
What I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up
Isn’t it funny how one day you think you have it all figured out, and then it turns out nothing could be further from the truth?
In college, I studied computer engineering - but in 1983, that major didn’t exist yet. So technically, my major was electrical engineering with a “digital specialty." I enjoyed school, but I was eager to get out into the real world and get to work.
What I didn't realize is that entry-level engineers spend most of their time in a small cubicle working on the same problem repeatedly, with very little human interaction. I worked on a large-scale project (I was on a team of roughly 1500), and when it was done, the company had a demonstration of the new system. I was deflated when I saw that nothing I had been working on was visible. I felt that I wasn't making an impact, and I missed working with people.
So I quit my job and somehow found my way to financial planning. It has been the perfect combination of problem-solving and math that I loved as an engineer, but it also involves lots of interaction with interesting people.
As a young kid, I never thought I would be a financial planner, but after more than 35 years in this field, I know this is the perfect career choice for me.
Grayeson Griess
Financial Planner
Financial Philosophy
My primary goal as a financial planner is to help my clients pursue financial confidence, helping them prepare for all stages of life, particularly as they approach retirement. I've seen firsthand how financial stability can impact a person’s quality of life, and I’m committed to guiding my clients toward a future where they feel confident and secure in their financial decisions.
I believe in starting early, so I particularly enjoy helping our younger clients get a head start on building a solid foundation for their future. Whether it’s saving for retirement, funding a child’s education, or managing day-to-day financial needs, my focus is on helping clients work towards their financial goals with a clear, strategic plan in place.
In addition to my financial planning work, I also have significant experience with Medicare and retiree benefits. I enjoy helping clients navigate these complex areas with confidence and clarity as they transition into retirement.
I’m proud to be part of the team at DV Financial, where our client-first philosophy aligns closely with my personal values.
You Might Bump Into Me...
I’m passionate about spending time outdoors, whether it’s fishing, kayaking, or hunting. I make it a point to travel as often as possible, exploring national parks and monuments across the country.
Community involvement is also important to me, and I’m active at my church in Urbandale. Both being engaged with my community and enjoying nature allow me to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, which in turn helps me stay focused and energized when I'm helping my clients at DV Financial.
Favorite Place on Earth
Nebraska's Memorial Stadium on a fall Saturday. There’s just nothing like it, that crisp air, the sea of red, the tunnel walk, and that feeling that we’re back even if we’ve said it a thousand times.
It’s loud, it’s chaotic in the best way, and it somehow makes you feel connected to everyone around you, even if you’ve never met them. Give me a close game, a hot runza, a hot dog, and 90,000 people losing their minds in unison… that’s hard to beat.
I Geek Out On...
Numbers (the kind that actually mean something), building portfolios, running the scenarios, stress-testing “what if” moments, and finding the smartest ways to balance growth, risk, and real-life goals.
I also geek out on Medicare. It’s confusing, the rules are always changing, and one wrong move can get expensive fast. I take pride in being the person who can break it down, cut through the noise, compare options, and help clients feel confident that they’re making the right choices.
Favorite Thing About What I Do
Getting to be in each client's corner, especially during those moments that feel big, stressful, or uncertain. Money decisions aren’t just about money - they’re about life. Retirement. Healthcare. Medicare. A new job. A loss in the family. Helping a kid get launched in the world.
I genuinely enjoy the puzzle of it: how to turn contributions, time, and a solid strategy into better long-term returns, and then translating all of this into a plan that makes simple sense without needing a finance degree.
At the end of the day, the best part is simple: watching clients move from anxious to totally confident, knowing they have a strategy that fits their real life, is doable, and will get them where they want to be.
Paisley
Chief Beagle Officer
Pup Beginnings
Paisley joined the DV Financial team in December 2018 as a young pup without any industry experience. During her furry tenure, she has developed a unique role in the operation that the whole team values greatly.
A Special Role in the Office
Paisley provides primary notification whenever someone new comes to the office. First to arrive, she makes sure everything is in order and nothing smells rotten. She likes to attend client meetings in the hopes of someone tossing her a bone or providing a few pats on the head or scratches to her belly or behind the ears.
...With One Caveat
We do have concerns about her future development within the organization, as she often falls asleep during client meetings and has been known to snore or make noises as she dreams of running and chasing wildlife.
We've Got Your Back - Lint Brush and All
Despite her misgivings, she does make people smile and brings joy (and a little shedding) to all who visit. Don't worry too much about the shedding. We are happy to provide a lint brush, so you leave DV Financial cleaner than when you arrived.
Regrettably, Paisley is not available for calls at this time. However, you might see her on Zoom if you schedule a call with Art or Grayeson!