Our team of advisors, underwriters, and client service professionals has helped structure more than $1.5 billion in life insurance coverage for high-net-worth families and business owners across the country.
How We Work: The Praxis Way
Wes was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and moved to Bountiful, Utah in 1987, where he attended Bountiful High School. He began his career as a financial advisor in 2004 with Torchmark Corporation, where he was quickly promoted through the ranks.
In 2014, Wes left the large corporate firms behind in pursuit of a more nimble, flexible, and creative way to serve his clients. That search led him to Premium Finance — a funding strategy that allows high-net-worth business owners and families to acquire the life insurance coverage they need without disrupting cash flow.
Wes has built his practice by forming alliances with other trusted advisors — CPAs, estate attorneys, and wealth managers — ensuring every strategy he designs fits seamlessly into a client's broader financial plan.
On a personal note, Wes is married to his high school sweetheart, Kiersten, and they have four sons.
Shawn C. Thompson is a Certified Financial Planner who specializes in advanced uses of life insurance to preserve and protect families and businesses as part of their estate plan. With more than $1 billion of lifetime coverage insuring his clients, Shawn has helped more than 100 families and businesses navigate death claims that offset the financial loss caused by the untimely death of a loved one.
One claim provided $50,000 to a family of modest means to help with final expenses. Another paid $12 million to help keep a family-owned business "in the family" by providing funds to pay estate taxes and other liquidity needs instead of forcing a sale of assets. His largest face amount case to date is $155 million of coverage on a single life.
Shawn works closely with major law firms, CPA firms, and other professionals whose clients consider him a life insurance specialist in the planning process. The CEO of a billion-dollar company once said of Shawn: "After meeting with many life insurance professionals, Shawn was the first who helped me see how it could truly help our organization and our family."
Shawn is licensed with all major life insurance companies to ensure the best possible product fit for every client's needs. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance in 2002, completed the education and testing requirements for the CFP designation in 2007, and went independent in 2011 — ultimately partnering with Wes Patterson to found Praxis Insurance Partners.
At age 17, Shawn earned his Eagle Scout — a milestone that shaped his approach to discipline and service ever since. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
Drew Patterson is an Insurance Advisor at Praxis Insurance Partners and a student-athlete at Weber State University.
A graduate of Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, Drew earned First-Team All-State honors as both a running back and linebacker on their nationally ranked football team and graduated with High Honors. He continued his football career with two years at Snow College before earning a Division I scholarship to Weber State University, where he currently competes as a full-time student-athlete while completing his bachelor's degree in Professional Sales.
Licensed in 2025, Drew helps clients, particularly small business owners, secure the life insurance coverage they need, including key person insurance, buy-sell agreements, coverage to support business loans, and personal life insurance planning. He is driven by a genuine desire to help people and a passion for continuous learning.
Outside of work and football, Drew enjoys the outdoors: boating, golfing, and hiking.
Airika Gibbs brings more than 20 years of experience in the life insurance and financial services industry to Praxis Insurance Partners.
For 13 years, Airika served as Senior Business Development Consultant and Manager of Marketing and Operations at Beacon Financial, Inc. There she assisted advisors with case design, hosted practice management coaching for the firm's most dedicated producers, created the firm's marketing materials, and led its internal sales and operations teams.
In 2017, she founded Mariposa Insurance Consulting in Salt Lake City, where she continues to support clients and advisors across life insurance, fixed annuities, retirement planning, and wealth accumulation strategies.
Kiersten Patterson brings a strong foundation in business and a genuine commitment to client care. She earned her bachelor's degree in Business Management from Southern Utah University and is a fully licensed insurance producer, specializing in personal life insurance protection for families and business owners.
At Praxis, Kiersten leads client outreach and marketing and serves as the firm's liaison with insurance carriers and wholesalers. She also supports administrative workflows, underwriting, case management, and exceptional client service.
An entrepreneur who has successfully launched her own business, Kiersten also leads volunteer efforts with local youth clubs and church organizations. A mother of four, she values time with family, golf, and travel.
Pam Smith is Director of Underwriting and brings Praxis Insurance Partners more than 45 years of experience in insurance management.
Pam began her career in 1978 in the new business and underwriting departments of a major life insurance company. She later advanced to oversee one of the industry's largest annuity departments, managing a staff of 90.
She joined New West Insurance at its founding in 1987 and has led its administrative team ever since. Drawing on deep underwriting expertise and strong negotiating skills, Pam consistently helps deliver exceptional underwriting results for Praxis Insurance Partners' clients.
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