Troy Rust currently serves as Secretary on the Beacon Mental Health Board of Directors for the 2023-24 year. He joined the Board in July 2022 and proudly represents Ray County’s interests in the work the Board puts forth. Troy’s 30+ of experience in financial services and involvement in a variety of organizations, as well as his passion for his Ray County community, bring an incredibly valuable skill set and dedication to the Board.
A Ray County native, Troy first became familiar with Beacon Mental Health – known as Tri-County Mental Health at the time – over 20 years ago through a client of his, who was one of Beacon Mental Health’s North Kansas City School-Based Therapists. Troy was also familiar with Beacon Mental Health through his relationship with a Ray County-based accounting firm, Westbrook & Co., PC, as the firm’s founder and Troy’s close personal friend of more than 30 years, Rick Westbrook, had previously served as a Board member.
After living in Leawood, KS for many years, Troy relocated his primary Investment Advisory office back to Richmond in 2016 and took that opportunity to become involved in several community organizations, such as the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, for which he currently serves as President. He’s also a member of the Richmond Rotary Club, positioning him to be the Rotary Club Liaison to the Hardin-Central Interact Club. That Club is committed to helping students become more involved in their communities, exemplifying the Rotary International Motto, “Service Above Self.”
On top of all that, Troy also serves on the Missouri Farm & Home Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors, as Vice President of the Ray County Coalition, and is his family’s third generation to serve as President on the Lavelock Cemetery Association’s Board of Directors, where four prior generations of his family rest. Through all of those relationships curated over years and across multiple organizations, two former Beacon Mental Health Board members, Christal Milligan and Jim Schmidt, approached Troy regarding Ray County’s need to be passionately represented on the Board.
Professionally, Troy works as both a Managing Partner for Reflection Financial Strategies, LLC and has been an Investment Advisor Representative with Equitable Advisors, formerly AXA-Advisors, for over 33 years. For nearly 15 years, he served in the position of Regional Vice President, during which he was charged with recruiting, training and developing other Advisors. In his daily work, Troy assists individuals in their preparation for the financial-related events we all face every day.
“My work keeps me closely involved with my clients and their families, and from a holistic approach, I often find myself hearing the stresses of their everyday lives, and understanding where those stresses can lead with regard to their mental health,” said Troy. “I most enjoy being a resource for so many people within a community I love, and being positioned to help them on so many levels.”
Troy has been married to his wife, Janna, for nearly 30 years. They currently live in Independence, MO and cherish spending time with their two Shih Tzus, Rusty and Baron, as well as playing golf and enjoying the Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers.
Beacon Mental Health is incredibly lucky to have dedicated, passionate Board members representing those in our service area. With Ray County being the smallest of the three counties Beacon Mental Health serves, as well as the greatest distance from our offices, we thank Troy for his support of and commitment to his community to ensure those struggling with mental health, behavioral health or substance use issues are not forgotten or overlooked.
For more exciting updates, career opportunities, interesting stories and ways to support Beacon Mental Health delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter that is distributed every other month.
