Meet Your Team
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Joel Barlow, CPA, CFP®, CPWA
Wealth Advisor / Co-Founder
Joel has been in the financial services industry for the past 30 years after graduating from the University of Alabama in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Practicing as a Certified Public Accountant for the first decade of his career with Wilkins, Miller, P.C. in Mobile, AL. Joel assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of a multi-state holding company called IPC Industries, Inc., also based in Mobile, AL. For the next dozen years, Joel worked for several large investment companies (Hartford Life Insurance Co. and Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., among others) to help secure capital for their investment product lines. In that role, he served as an advisor to many financial advisors/planners across the southeastern United States. He received his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2011 and was awarded his ANSI National Accreditation of Certified Financial Fiduciaries in 2023 and has been assisting individuals and families with holistic financial and tax planning for many years.
Joel founded Barlow Wealth Advisory Group (BWAG) in 2021 to deliver the highest level of independent professionalism and enhance the value of financial planning through a holistic approach.
Joel and his wife, Kara, who is also a Certified Public Accountant, serve as sponsors and mentors for the Young Catholic Professionals Birmingham Group (YCP).
Joel and Kara have parented two lovely young women, MaryGlynn, 22., and Tanner, 20. To balance work and play, Joel enjoys watching the Tide play, Scuba diving, hiking at Red Mountain with his trusted dog, Winston, and playing golf.
Little known fact about Joel: “I was the official scorekeeper for the Double-A Padres affiliate baseball team, Mobile Bay Bears, in 1997 and 1998. I also juggle (and am not bad at it).”
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Kara Barlow, CPA
Tax Advisor / Co-Founder
Kara is a 1994 graduate of Spring Hill College with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and began her career as a Certified Public Accountant at Wilkins Miller, P.C. in Mobile, AL. Over the following years, she specialized in preparing and reviewing individual, corporate, trust, and exempt organization tax returns. She provided attestation services, determined tax projections and performed tax research on various issues. She currently performs work outside CFO functions for various entities, including preparing monthly financial statements, payroll services, and other tax- and finance-related matters.
Kara has many philanthropic endeavors, including serving as past board president of the Dance Foundation in Homewood, AL, and in other capacities on community not-for-profit boards. She is very involved in fundraising at John Carroll Catholic High School and has served as an officer in many organizations there.
Little known fact about Kara: “I was recognized by the Mobile City Council when I was in the fifth grade for providing valuable financial advice for the city.”
Support Team
Bridget Balsamo
MARKETING/ CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SPECIALIST
With over 30 years of management experience, Bridget Balsamo has joined the Barlow Wealth Advisory Group as their Marketing & Client Relationship Specialist.
Born in Louisiana, Bridget attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana, then moved to New York City, where she spent 30 years working in customer retention for an international organization that buys and sells minerals on the stock market and in the high-end/built-to-order kitchen appliance industry.
Bridget heads up our Marketing activities across several publications, our online presence, and media outlets. She facilitates our business client functions and plays an integral role in client relationships.
Bridget actively volunteers in many community service projects, loves reading, museums, international travel, live music, and walking with her four-legged mate, Romeo (a 7-pound Mini Pin).
Little known fact about Bridget: “I have met and dined with the original real-life person Ian Fleming used as a model for his 'James Bond' character - Conrad Fulke Thomond O’Brien Ffrench, The 2ND Marquis de Castelthomond, and a prominent part of her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
Michelle Claussen
WEALTH MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Michelle brings more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2005 and began her career with T. Rowe Price as a Client Service Representative. During her time there, she obtained her FINRA Series 6 and 63 licenses and developed a strong foundation in client service and investment operations.
Michelle has been with Barlow Wealth Advisory Group for nearly five years and plays a vital role in ensuring the firm’s operations run smoothly and efficiently. She oversees account administration, transaction processing, and custodial coordination, helping deliver a seamless and organized client experience. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence support both our advisors and the families we serve.
In 2009, Michelle met her husband, Wade, who was serving in the United States Air Force. Since then, their family has relocated six times across five different states and military installations. Together, they have two sons, Kody (12) and Konner (9). Michelle is passionate about supporting military families and is actively involved in her sons’ school and sports activities, always eager to lend a helping hand wherever she can.
Little known facts about Michelle: “I earned a collegiate softball scholarship as a pitcher, and I lived in North Pole, Alaska, for four years.”
Charles “Charlie” Roush
TAX & ACCOUNTING ADVISOR
Charlie is a knowledgeable, analytical, results-oriented Tax Specialist with proven expertise in delivering tax guidance and preparing tax documents. Charlie is a graduate from University of South Alabama with a BSBA in Accounting. He has worked exclusively in small-business and individual taxation for over 5 years since graduation. Charlie is an Enrolled Agent licensed to represent taxpayers and businesses directly in front of the IRS and State Tax Agencies.
Some of Charlie's expertise that will give you peace of mind: Developing and implementing tax planning strategies; implementing & evaluating potential tax reduction strategies. Analyzing financial data to identify potential tax savings opportunities; monitoring changes in tax laws and regulations; strong knowledge of deductions and penalties; striving to identify areas for potential tax savings.
Little known facts about Charlie: When he was a child and told to “shake it off”, he would shake his entire body."