Shawn Tydlaska, CFP®, MBA

Founder & CEO

Shawn is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan - Ross School of Business. Shawn also holds a BA in Economics and a Minor in Education from UCLA. While at UCLA, Shawn worked in the athletic department and was also on the Water Ski Team.

After graduating from UCLA, Shawn was unprepared to manage his own personal financial life. Credit scores, 401(k)s, and budgeting were all foreign concepts and he felt overwhelmed. When he started to learn how to best manage his own finances, he was immediately hooked. He knew he found his professional calling to help others achieve the same sense of empowerment he felt when he took control over his finances. Thus, Shawn launched Ballast Point in May of 2016.

In addition to helping clients reach their goals, Shawn is passionate about helping new planners get started in the financial planning industry, especially people from underrepresented communities. He is one of the co-founders of the BLX Internship Program which helps aspiring financial planners who identify as Black or Latinx attain internships at financial planning firms. The goal of BLX is to help make the demographics of the personal finance profession more closely match the demographics of the country.

Shawn is an avid runner and has finished the Boston Marathon 7 times. He loves camping with his wife, son, daughter, and their beloved cavapoo named Coop.

JoAnn Huber, CPA, PFS, CFP®

Senior Tax Manager

JoAnn Huber graduated from Utah State University with both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Accounting with an emphasis in taxation. After graduation, she worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. and then a small local firm that specialized in tax planning. These positions helped her discover her passion for helping individuals with their personal financial situation.   

After a career break to spend time raising her five children (three girls and two boys), JoAnn returned to the workforce to build and lead a tax practice within a financial advisory firm. She pursued and obtained her CFP® certificate as she wanted more depth in the overall financial planning process. She loves helping people create a financial plan while taking into account their tax situation. 

JoAnn lives in Lenexa, Kansas, which is near Kansas City. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, watch college basketball, read, and spend time in nature.

Drew Hanessian, CFP®, MBA

Lead Financial Planner

Drew Hanessian (Huh-NESS-ee-en) graduated from SUNY Binghamton University with a degree in Finance. He then joined the U.S. Navy as a Supply Officer. He served 8 years, completing tours on a fast-attack submarine and for the Office of Special Projects. Fun fact: he once spent 55 days underwater!

After completing his MBA at the University of Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School, Drew moved to San Diego with his wife, a Navy JAG attorney, and worked in project management with a digital media company.

Realizing that he received the most joy from helping others with their finances, Drew decided to pursue this passion as a career. To pivot into financial planning, Drew obtained a Master's in Wealth Management from the University of Columbia.

Drew resides in Norfolk, Virginia with Tristany, their daughter Emilia, their twin boys Leopold and Theodore (Leo and Theo), and their cat Crash. He enjoys traveling, reading, podcasts, and all kinds of games and sports.

Vidalia Cornwall, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®

Associate Financial Planner

Vidalia Cornwall graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Economics (minoring in Math and Financial Planning). She spent the first few years of her career as an associate at Northwestern Mutual. Always excited to learn more about financial planning, she is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) as well as a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®).

She believes everyone deserves to feel comfortable with their financial situation so they can have the confidence to pursue the life they dream of. Helping clients feel organized and empowered through financial planning is her favorite part of the job.

Vidalia currently lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband Chaz, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Michigan Tech. In her free time, you'll find her playing the piano, outside on a run, kayaking, or enjoying a good book.

Nikki Taub

Operations Specialist

Nikki graduated cum laude from Pace University in New York City with a Bachelor's of Science degree before starting her career in operations and project management. She combined her love of food and hospitality and spent her early career as an Operations Support Manager in the food industry, helping to build and scale national restaurant brands. Following her own personal journey towards financial empowerment, she recognized her passion for being of service and supporting those on a similar path towards building their own wealth and financial freedom. She is proud to join together her personal and professional experiences (and her love of spreadsheets and systems!) here with the team at Ballast Point Financial Planning.

Nikki now lives in Chattanooga, TN and, though she is quite at home in the mountains, still deeply misses the bagels and pizza from NY. She loves being out in nature, especially hiking, kayaking, and camping. She has a passion for travel and enjoys experiencing the unique food and cultures from around the world. She is currently 4 down with 3 left to go to reach her goal of visiting all 7 continents!