Meet Dr. Charles Dingman

I grew up in western Nebraska, where the values of hard work and community support were ingrained in me from a young age. My father was a farmer, and my mother was a bookkeeper for a local farm implement dealer. In that environment, I learned not only the importance of rolling up your sleeves and working hard but also how crucial it is to be there for neighbors in times of need. I also learned, often the hard way, that life can change in an instant. A crop can fail, a storm can destroy years of work, and the future can be wiped out before you even have a chance to plan. Those early lessons taught me the critical need for risk strategies and financial preparedness, a perspective I carry with me to this day.

I chose to pursue a career in dentistry, attending both the University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. I spent 17 years building my practice and my life around something I loved—helping people with their dental health. However, an unexpected injury to my hand abruptly ended that chapter of my life. I was forced to retire from my lifelong passion, watching not only my practice but also my dream job slip away.

The loss was devastating, and it felt as though everything I had worked for had vanished. But life doesn’t stop when disaster strikes, and I soon realized that my previous training and the education I had sought out throughout my life were invaluable. I had invested in both the technical skills of dentistry and in business and management principles that helped me navigate the challenges that came my way. Those lessons became my lifeline, and I understood how much preparation matters when facing life’s inevitable ups and downs.

This experience led me to a new calling: to become a financial advisor. The pain of losing my career opened my eyes to the fact that no one knows what’s ahead, and that planning ahead is the best defense against uncertainty. I didn’t want anyone to face the same kind of hardship I did without the tools or strategies to weather the storm. My passion now lies in helping others prepare for life’s inevitable twists and turns, ensuring that they can have a safe and secure retirement, no matter what challenges may come their way.