Carlson Capital Management

Integrated Wealth Management

Menu 
  • Our Firm
    • Who We AreFirmly grounded in foundational values, and intensely focused on each client’s well-being, Carlson Capital Management has been redefining partnership for more than thirty years.
    • Our TeamOur approach to wealth management is to surround you with a team of experts who work together to integrate all of the key financial disciplines into one plan.
    • HistoryKey events and milestones since the founding of our firm in 1987.
    • Community CommitmentIn the same way that we value the deep and lasting partnerships we have with our clients, we place a strong value on being partners in our communities.
    • Mission StatementOur team is guided by this mission each and every day. It’s what gets us up in the morning, and sometimes keeps us awake at night.
    • Zero Alpha GroupFounded in 1995, the Zero Alpha Group community is a national network of eight independent investment advisory firms.
  • Our Clients
    • Client ProfileOur clients are individuals, families, businesses and foundations with many varying goals and situations, but one thing in common – the need and desire for integrated solutions.
    • Fiduciary StandardsIntegrity, trust, expertise and care are hallmarks of the CCM experience. They are at the root of all we do and the essence of who we are.
    • Fee StructureOur independent, fee-based status allows us to focus on one simple thing: what is in the best interest of our client.
    • Make a ReferralThe majority of new clients come from referrals from current clients. Access information that introduces colleagues and friends to Carlson Capital Management.
  • Our Approach
    • Foundational ValuesOur deep commitment to each client we serve is built upon foundational values like honesty, hard work, and a strong sense of personal dedication.
    • Integrated ExpertiseOur unique, integrated approach to wealth management unlocks opportunities that our clients and their families deserve.
    • Disciplined PerspectiveOur long-term perspective provides the patience, guidance and discipline required for steady growth and protection.
    • Independent InsightOur independent, fee-based structure ensures the highest levels of objectivity, integrity, and fiduciary responsibility.
  • Services
    • Integrated Wealth ManagementOur Integrated Wealth Management approach surrounds clients with a team who apply their expertise to integrate all of the financial disciplines.
    • Carlson PortfoliosCarlson Portfolios offers a solution for clients whose situations are less complex than a traditional CCM Integrated Wealth Management client.
    • Retirement Plan ServicesComprehensive integrated retirement plan solutions.
    • Institutional Portfolio ServicesInvestment advisory and fiduciary consulting for foundations, endowments and associations.
    • Risk ManagementSome things in life are predictable, while others are random. Managing risk is as important as seeking opportunities.
    • American Center for PhilanthropyWe develop and implement a philanthropic plan that matches your desire to make a difference and leave a legacy.
    • CCM Tax & Trust AdministrationA commonly-held affiliate of CCM that provides tax return preparation services.
    • Carlson TrustProvides trust solutions for clients whose financial, family or business needs require the services of a professional fiduciary.
  • News and Resources
    • Recommended ReadingArticles and resources to give you access to our top picks in investment education, timely industry perspectives, interesting data and financial planning insights.
    • Articles and PublicationsA library of topical publications and articles written by CCM team members specifically for our clients.
    • CCM In the NewsA collection of articles, links and press releases featuring CCM, including interviews in publications and features in national industry rankings.
    • Video LibraryShort videos that introduce you to our team, our approach and the CCM story.
    • Women’s InitiativeResources and information related to CCM’s Women’s Initiative: Promoting the Financial Empowerment of Women.
    • Introduce CCM to OthersThe majority of new clients come from referrals from current clients. Access information that introduces colleagues and friends to CCM.
  • Contact Us
    • Request a ConversationTake the next step in learning more about our integrated wealth management services by requesting a conversation with one of our advisors.
    • Contact Our TeamEmail one of our team members directly or send a general inquiry to the firm.
    • Client Servicing ContactsFind the CCM team member who can help with your specific question or request.
    • Join a MeetingJoin your scheduled meeting with Carlson Capital Management.
    • LocationsWe always appreciate the opportunity to meet face-to-face in one of our offices or at a location convenient to you.
    • CareersLearn about employment opportunities and apply online.
  • Request a Call

Dementia-friendly Wealth Management

Valerie Thomas, CTFA

Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor
651.319.8076
651.438.9818 (Fax)
Email Val

  It is so rewarding to help others identify their goals and work toward defining and creating their desired legacy.  

Professional Biography
Val Thomas is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As a Senior Advisor, Val partners with clients and their families providing the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience including investment management, retirement modeling, estate, philanthropic and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, Val also connects clients with the firm's specialists for overall portfolio management as well as for direct access to expertise in areas such as tax planning and insurance analysis.

Val joined CCM with more than twenty-two years of experience serving clients by advising on all aspects of wealth management. In addition to her most recent experience as a wealth advisor with a large Twin Cities firm, prior professional roles include serving as a founding member of Marquette Asset Management where she acted in an array of key positions as the organization grew from a start-up to a robust wealth management firm. Her career began with Wells Fargo’s Lowry Hill Private Wealth Management (now Abbot Downing) where she provided wealth management services to families. Her expertise also includes family office services and trust and estate administration oversight. Val enjoys all aspects of wealth management, and finds the relationships she develops with clients and their families to be the most rewarding part of her work. She also enjoys developing and leading teams.

Val holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, where she graduated with highest honors. She is also a Trust School graduate of Cannon Financial Institute in Athens, Georgia. In addition, Val has attained the Certified Trust Financial Advisor designation and is a candidate for CFP® certification.

Val's spare time is filled with family activities, such as bike rides, amusement parks, downhill skiing, board games, and watching youth football and basketball. She and her husband are known for their date nights, which typically involve good food, local live music and dancing. They love to travel – particularly to destinations that allow them to keep their SCUBA certification up-to-date. Val is a Minnesota native, growing up partly in the Twin Cities and partly in a small rural town in the “Lake Country” near Alexandria. She currently lives in Falcon Heights with her husband, Stacy, and their two sons.

Personal Thoughts
I wish there was a word that perfectly combined the essence of blessed, fortunate and grateful. This is how I feel having the privilege to help people with something as important as their financial journey – especially when I reflect upon my own career path.

As a young girl, I was painfully shy. The kind of shy where if someone would look at me my ears would burn and my face would blush. In the classroom, I remember how even the thought of being called on would cause sweaty palms and knots in my stomach.

Fast forward to junior high when the pastor’s wife, Marlene, asked me if I wanted to take voice lessons in exchange for watching her children during her other students’ piano and voice lessons. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity she gave me. Imagine that painfully shy girl only a few short years later singing solos at vocal competitions! From then on, my desire was to become a music teacher so I could make the same meaningful impact for others as Marlene had done for me. I knew I would have to work my way through college in order to graduate with my goal of incurring no student loans, so I graduated high school early so I could start taking college courses in the evenings.

My son at the age of four once asked me, “Mommy, can we take the long cut today?” and I believe that’s a perfect analogy to the next turn in my career path. A few years into my taking the “long cut” to getting a college degree, I was hired as a Financial/Investment Assistant at a wealth management firm. Two principals of the firm saw potential in me as a future advisor. With the help of some exceptional mentors, I built my knowledge and grew in my responsibilities, and I came to realize the impact I could have through serving clients and their families. I ultimately changed my major from Music Education to Business Administration and went on to complete my undergraduate degree as well as other specialized training and various industry-specific credentials.

In my case, the “long cut” was the perfect path. Now, with almost 24 years of serving clients, I reflect with gratitude on all I’ve been trusted with. It is so rewarding to help others identify their goals and work toward defining and creating their desired legacy. I am deeply blessed, fortunate and grateful.

Members of the CCM Advisory Team regularly post articles of interest on financial planning which you can find here.

Valerie Thomas
Valerie Thomas, CTFA
Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor

According to the World Health Organization, the number of adults living with dementia—a condition that negatively impacts a person’s memory and cognitive function—stands at 50 million. This number is expected to rapidly grow to 82 million by 2030. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of all cases. 1 With dementia on the rise, it’s increasingly important to consider dementia-friendly wealth management strategies.

Stages of Dementia
Although dementia impacts everyone differently and each person’s rate of decline is unique, dementia is often marked by several stages. In the earliest stages, common symptoms, which are oftentimes overlooked, include: forgetfulness and confusion. In a later stage of dementia, symptoms are more severe: difficulty recognizing relatives and friends; inability to communicate clearly and engage in daily activities; and behavior changes. In a later stage, especially, most people who have dementia are unable to make sound decisions—financial and otherwise.

Easing the Pain
At CCM, we have walked alongside many families struggling with dementia and its powerful grip on a loved one. It is heart wrenching. Our colleagues are trained in dementia-friendly wealth management practices and continually reminded that while people struggling with dementia may confuse facts and have trouble with complex thinking, they are still very capable of sensing emotions—joy, excitement, sadness, and frustration, among others.

Based on our experience, here are three important steps families should take if a loved one begins showing early signs of dementia:

Schedule a family meeting—early
CCM advisors have a fiduciary obligation to act in a client’s best interest. A family meeting is a forum for healthy dialogue between generations to share information about the client’s financial situation. The goals of the meeting are predetermined by the client and a CCM advisor can facilitate the meeting. Family meetings are about more than numbers. In fact, some clients choose not to share the details of their net worth.

Review plans; stay organized
We are privileged to serve as a trusted partner for our clients. For many, this means retaining copies of important documents: estate plans, legal documents, beneficiary designations, living trusts, power of attorney designations, account records, safe deposit box contents, and more. We encourage regular reviews of these documents and advise all clients to consult with CCM’s advisory team when considering changes.

Make wishes known
Make sure loved ones and CCM’s financial advisory team know about health care directives and wishes for end-of-life care. With this information, we can be strategic about aligning resources to match these desires.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a family meeting, please contact your CCM advisor.


  1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION.

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Published August 24, 2020 Topics: CCM Women's Initiative, Family Meetings, Financial Advisors, Financial Planning, Financial Planning for Women, Integrated Wealth

DO NOT DELETE

News & Resources

  • Articles and Publications
  • CCM In the News
  • Recommended Reading
  • Video Library

Topics

Active Management Alternative Investments Annual Returns Bond Portfolio Brexit CCM Women's Initiative Charitable Giving Dimensional Fund Advisors Discipline Diversification Economy Estate Planning Financial Advisors Financial Planning Financial Planning for Women Integrated Wealth Investment Insight Investor Returns IRAs Market Conditions Market Volatility Philanthropic Planning Politics and Markets Portfolio Management Rebalancing Retirement Planning Tax Planning Tax Reform Trusts Video

Contact Us

Contact us for a complimentary discovery meeting or for a second opinion on your current financial plan.

Contact Us

Email Updates

To get email notifications when CCM posts new articles sign up here for content updates:

  • Home
  • Our Firm
  • Our Clients
  • Our Approach
  • Services
  • News and Resources
  • Client Login
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Please review Important Disclosure Information related to this website.
 

© 2021 Carlson Capital Management, LLC, d/b/a Carlson Capital Management. Website by Computer Titan.