About Us

Financial Planning Prairie Plains Johnson Iowa

Rooted in the heart of the Midwest, Plains Group is a one-stop network of investment, insurance, and estate planning professionals.

Our business is built with the belief that a quality relationship is foundation to a quality outcome. We foster that relationship by providing leadership as fiduciary advisors. As a boutique firm, we offer clients a guided, personalized approach with comprehensive solutions backed by a national network.

Whether it is investment advice, retirement income planning, health insurance and Medicare, Social Security, taxes, or planning to transition an estate upon death, we provide and communicate a roadmap so that our clients can clearly and confidently execute the decision-making necessary to secure the future for themselves and their families.

Our advisory practice provides leadership as coaches of a team, with our partners as the players, and our clients as the owners of the team.

As coaches, we position the necessary elements in the team to ensure success for you, the owners. Ultimately, success is measured at the client level. We work for YOU, our clients (i.e. the owners of the team), to help you succeed in whatever goals you may have. Our job is to provide leadership and transparency as coaches. We provide plans, recommendations, and the resources necessary to empower clear, confident decision-making.

We work side-by-side with clients to develop the right team for the job, whether that is professionals in specific practice areas, investments and/or products to achieve solutions, or simply sound advice as you may be contemplating different routes to go. Regardless of what you are trying to achieve, we can assemble the right team, in the right areas, with the right players, to help achieve a successful outcome.

When it comes to something as important as planning for the future, people need a team to call home, and a coach to ensure they are staying on track. That is what we seek to provide; a trustworthy, transparent, team.

Derek Wilkerson

Owner & Financial Advisor

Derek Wilkerson built Plains Group to be a one-stop network of professionals built on a core foundation of Trust, Transparency, and Teamwork. As an advisor and coach, Derek has helped well over 1,000 individuals and families along their journey, and that real world experience has given him perspective into the crucial decisions needed to be made to successfully retire, live happy and healthy retirement years, and to help guide that successes to the next generation. With little margin for error, Derek built his team in chosen subject areas critical to long term financial success.

As a coach, Derek prides himself in navigating complex retirement issues while building holistic plans that are easily understood and implemented. He is a multi-generation Iowan and is very proud to be able to raise his family in his home state and make a career helping people achieve the goals they’ve set for their own families. Derek lives in Central Iowa with his wife Jennifer and two sons. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, working on conservation projects, golfing, attending sporting events and spending valuable time with his family.

Heidi Durant

Client Care Coordinator

Heidi Durant joined the team in 2023 as the Client Care Coordinator for Plains Group. Heidi was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. She has a passion for organization, problem solving, communication, and helping others. She looks forward to using her skills to enhance team performance and maximize customer satisfaction by strategically managing calls, implementing process improvements, and providing help for business operation organization. Outside of the office Heidi loves staying active, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. Heidi and her husband Ryan live in Central Iowa with their daughter Ellie and crazy bulldog Arnold.