Carlson Capital Management

Integrated Wealth Management

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  • 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.
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    • 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.
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  • 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.
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    • 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.
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    • Request a ConversationTake the next step in learning more about our integrated wealth management services by requesting a conversation with one of our advisors.
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Articles and Publications

A library of topical publications and articles written by CCM team members specifically for our clients.

Don’t Call it a Comeback

James Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA

Senior Investment Strategist
507.206.2804
507.206.2811 (Fax)
Email James

Professional Biography
James Michael Yaworski serves as Senior Investment Strategist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, James is responsible for investment research, portfolio management, and client investment education. James monitors and reviews client portfolios to maintain balance across asset classes, makes recommendations for portfolios when out of alignment with models, reviews daily cash positions, and places trades through the custodial trading platform. He also provides new client portfolio analysis, asset class/portfolio research and analysis, prepares and presents client education materials, and manages other activities in support of overall client portfolio management.

James is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he earned his degree in Finance. While studying at NIU, he gained insights into his future career as part of a student-managed portfolio team. Prior to joining CCM, James’ experience included working in the roles of investment manager, project manager in investment research, and financial analyst in both large and small financial organizations. James holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Charter) designation, granted by the CFA Institute, which entails a rigorous exam requirement. He also represents CCM as chair of the investment research committee of Zero Alpha Group, a national network of eight independent wealth management firms.

In addition to the research James conducts related to building strong client portfolios, he is engaged in research on approaches that enhance institutional experiences as well. His most recent work sets out to provide institutional investors with a more robust way of constructing spending policies. In a paper published in the Financial Analysts Journal, James shows how current practices create poor long-term outcomes, resulting in declining support for beneficiaries over time. He also demonstrates how current methods expose trustees to significant fiduciary risk, and how small errors in implementation can have significant long-term ramifications on portfolio growth. His in-depth and thoughtful research stems from his genuine interest in providing university, public and private foundations, and endowment trustees with an approach that not only optimizes the outcomes of their portfolio’s performance, but also addresses their fiduciary responsibility with regard to spending policies. [You can read the accepted manuscript of James' paper here.]

James enjoys being engaged in the community with Habitat for Humanity and Paws & Claws. In his free time he also enjoys golfing and playing softball. James grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois and now resides in Rochester, Minnesota with his wife, Brittany, their two young children, and two dogs, Frankie and Jordy.

Personal Thoughts
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  -Mother Teresa

I have grown to appreciate the importance of collaboration and teamwork in this industry. A group of individuals, each dedicated toward expertise in their respective fields, can help to piece together the puzzle of a family’s financial lives in an incredible manner. The end result is one which truly connects the math of an individual’s personal finances with the why that makes up who they are and what they want to achieve in life.

As a member of our investment team, I enjoy every aspect of this process; from our discovery meetings where we learn about financial goals, to the analysis and construction of a financial plan, to the educational meetings where we help put all the pieces into place. Ultimately, building a relationship with clients that centers on creating financial security and establishing confidence in their financial plan is extremely gratifying.

James and other members of the CCM Investment Team regularly post articles of interest including investment insights, recommended reading on timely topics, and articles on portfolio management which you can find here.

James Michael Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA
Senior Investment Strategist

Many market commentators are clamoring over the recent performance of markets as they respond to positive vaccine news and clarity around the outcome of our presidential election. These events have driven stock markets higher, notably small value stocks. Using Russell index data, we’ve seen small value companies rise 23.6% from October 1 through November 30, while large growth stocks have risen by 6.5%. 1  This outperformance of small value by 17.1% over such a short period has commentators ... [Continue Reading]

Published December 2, 2020 Topics: Investor Returns, Market Conditions, Small Value Stocks

Suddenly Single and Managing Wealth

Katy Vermeer
Katy Vermeer, CFP®

Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor
952.230.6707
952.230.6710 (Fax)
Email Katy

  For me, it is a real privilege to walk alongside families who entrust their financial future to me and to my colleagues at CCM. I never take that for granted.  

Professional Biography
Katy Vermeer is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As a Senior Advisor, Katy 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, Katy also connects clients with the firm's specialists for overall portfolio management as well as direct access to expertise in areas such as tax planning and insurance analysis.

Katy joined CCM with more than thirty years of experience in financial services, including nearly a decade of serving clients by advising on all aspects of wealth management. Prior professional roles include leading business development initiatives, portfolio management, product management, and marketing. Katy worked most recently as Director of the Wealth Strategies Group with a firm in the Twin Cities. In addition to serving as a wealth advisor for clients and their families, Katy was instrumental in implementing a wealth planning platform, deepening the discovery process for firm clients, leading wealth planning workshops and contributing to the firm’s client education communications.

Katy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Business from DePauw University. Katy has also attained the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

When not at work, Katy enjoys being active outdoors. She loves using the lakes and parks of Minneapolis any time of the year. She and her husband, Kerry, live in Southwest Minneapolis. They have three grown children.

Personal Thoughts
Doing well and doing good are both really important to me. This message related to excellence and responsibility is one that has always resonated with me and I work to incorporate it into my daily living, both at work and at home. At CCM when I am doing well for our clients I know that I am positively affecting their lives. By encouraging them to be purposeful about their wealth, I am hopeful that good happens, whether that is with the resources they use for themselves, their families or for the community.

Katy and other members of the CCM Advisory Team regularly post articles of interest on financial planning which you can find here.

Katy Vermeer
Katy Vermeer, CFP®
Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor

It is the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who said, “Change is the only constant in life.” Some life changes are more welcome than others, and change is often hard. Some of these changes are planned, while some can be very sudden. At CCM, I believe we do great work for clients in any number of transitions, including in the instance of a divorce or the death of a spouse. When clients find themselves suddenly single, for example, they are often mired in details and decisions that they have never ... [Continue Reading]

Published November 17, 2020 Topics: CCM Women's Initiative, Financial Planning, Financial Planning for Women, Integrated Wealth

When Politics and Investments Collide

Adam Hoffmann
Adam Hoffmann, CFP®, AIF®

Chief Investment Officer
507.321.4004
507.645.6408 (Fax)
Email Adam

  Being able to apply my deep-rooted curiosity in a way that allows our clients to focus on what they truly enjoy doing the most, rather than having to worry about their financial well-being, is a wonderful thing.  

Professional Biography
Adam Hoffmann is a member of the firm's Management Team and serves as Chief Investment Officer at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, he leads the firm’s investment team in the areas of trading, investment research, portfolio design and technology support for investment applications. Adam oversees analysis and execution of investment strategies for new and existing client portfolios. He consistently communicates the firm’s investment philosophy and approach by writing for firm publications, presenting to new clients, and by participating in client meetings. Adam chairs the CCM investment committee, represents the firm with strategic partnerships in the investment community, and serves as the firm’s liaison to the Zero Alpha Group investment committee. Adam holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and has served as a subject matter expert for the CFP Board, contributing to the development of examination questions for the CFP Certification Examination. He has also served as a presenter at industry events, providing other financial services professionals with continuing education credits in investment topics. In addition, Adam holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary professional designation, awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies. The AIF designation affirms the highest in fiduciary standards of care for CCM clients.

Adam graduated cum laude with Honors Program distinction from Augsburg College, where he earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Finance with a minor in Business Administration. While at Augsburg, Adam participated in four years of varsity football and was honored by his teammates by being elected captain for both his junior and senior seasons. He also earned all-MIAC and pre-season All-American honors.

Adam is a former member of the board of directors for the Just Food Community Co-op and past trustee for the First United Church of Christ Northfield. He and his wife Rachel grew up in Hastings, Minnesota and now live in Northfield with their two daughters.

Personal Thoughts
A strong sense of curiosity is a cornerstone to who I am and how I live my life. As a kid I used to be fascinated by how things work or why things happen the way they do. I often would take things apart to see what was happening ‘inside,’ frequently with limited success at being able to put them back together. Little has changed since then with regard to my curiosity, but fortunately my success rate of being able to put the pieces back together has greatly improved. I have always been driven by this desire to solve problems and learn more about the world around me.

There is a natural connection between this curiosity and managing portfolios. The investment world today is one of relentless change and evolution. With advances in technology, there is an endless stream of news available at our fingertips that constantly impacts asset prices, shapes investor behavior, and provides an unlimited supply of data and information to digest.

It is our job at CCM to absorb this information and provide guidance and knowledge back to our clients about what it all means and how it may it impact the world we know. The most important role we play in our clients’ financial lives is not only to understand the big picture – that is the Market and the global economic system – but to be able to translate how events and changes around the globe impact each individual client and their personal financial plan.

Being able to apply my deep-rooted curiosity in a way that allows our clients to focus on what they truly enjoy doing the most, rather than having to worry about their financial well-being, is a wonderful thing.

Adam and other members of the CCM Investment Team regularly post articles of interest including investment insights, recommended reading on timely topics, and articles on portfolio management which you can find here.

Adam Hoffmann
Adam Hoffmann, CFP®, AIF®
Chief Investment Officer

The upcoming U.S. election is proving to be one of the most highly contested and polarizing in recent history. With control of the presidency, house, and senate on the line, in addition to a multitude of key state and local races occurring across the country, the stakes are clearly high. Adding further complexity and complication to the mix, we continue to navigate the challenges of a global pandemic, where the health and safety of the electorate are at risk. It may come as no surprise that ... [Continue Reading]

Published October 22, 2020 Topics: Discipline, Election Effects on Markets, Investment Insight, Politics and Markets

If You’re Going to Give it Away, Be Intentional Above All Else

Matthew Rich
Matthew Rich, CFP®, J.D.

Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor
507.321.4030
507.645.6408 (Fax)
Email Matthew

  Our clients deserve our best at every stage in the relationship, and it is exciting to be part of a firm that embraces that responsibility and is constantly looking for new opportunities to deliver an extraordinary client experience.  

Professional Biography
Matthew Rich is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As a Senior Advisor, Matthew 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, Matthew also connects clients with the firm's specialists for overall portfolio management as well as direct access to expertise in areas such as tax planning and insurance analysis.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, Matthew went on to receive his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Before joining CCM, Matthew practiced as an attorney helping individuals and small businesses develop practical solutions to complex legal issues. Throughout his career, he has sought opportunities to merge advocacy and leadership, and currently serves on the board of the Northfield Retirement Community. Matthew is a former board member of the Community Action Center of Northfield, HealthFinders Collaborative, and the Northfield Hockey Association. He has also served as President for both Northfield Rotary and Northfield Sertoma. He and his wife, Leah, reside in Northfield, Minnesota, with their four children.

Personal Thoughts
Success can be measured by the quality of the relationships one keeps. Relationships are built on trust and integrity, and the former is established through the unyielding execution of the latter. That is how I approach my work, and I appreciate the opportunity to partner with clients and colleagues who share my values. Our clients deserve our best at every stage in the relationship, and it is exciting to be part of a firm that embraces that responsibility and is constantly looking for new opportunities to deliver an extraordinary client experience.

Matthew and other members of the CCM Advisory Team regularly post articles of interest on financial planning which you can find here.

Matthew Rich
Matthew Rich, CFP®, J.D.
Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor

Chuck Feeney has finally achieved his goal—he’s broke. More importantly, Chuck Feeney is proud of his accomplishment. Feeney, the 89-year-old who amassed billions as the cofounder of airport retailer Duty Free Shoppers in 1960, has spent the last few decades of his life disbursing his financial wealth (upwards of $8 billion) to worthy nonprofits around the world. He has championed the concept of Giving While Living, which is the notion that it’s better to make a charitable impact while you’re ... [Continue Reading]

Published October 22, 2020 Topics: Charitable Giving, Philanthropic Planning, Wealth Equation

Déjà Vu—2020 or 1999?

James Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA

Senior Investment Strategist
507.206.2804
507.206.2811 (Fax)
Email James

Professional Biography
James Michael Yaworski serves as Senior Investment Strategist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, James is responsible for investment research, portfolio management, and client investment education. James monitors and reviews client portfolios to maintain balance across asset classes, makes recommendations for portfolios when out of alignment with models, reviews daily cash positions, and places trades through the custodial trading platform. He also provides new client portfolio analysis, asset class/portfolio research and analysis, prepares and presents client education materials, and manages other activities in support of overall client portfolio management.

James is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he earned his degree in Finance. While studying at NIU, he gained insights into his future career as part of a student-managed portfolio team. Prior to joining CCM, James’ experience included working in the roles of investment manager, project manager in investment research, and financial analyst in both large and small financial organizations. James holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Charter) designation, granted by the CFA Institute, which entails a rigorous exam requirement. He also represents CCM as chair of the investment research committee of Zero Alpha Group, a national network of eight independent wealth management firms.

In addition to the research James conducts related to building strong client portfolios, he is engaged in research on approaches that enhance institutional experiences as well. His most recent work sets out to provide institutional investors with a more robust way of constructing spending policies. In a paper published in the Financial Analysts Journal, James shows how current practices create poor long-term outcomes, resulting in declining support for beneficiaries over time. He also demonstrates how current methods expose trustees to significant fiduciary risk, and how small errors in implementation can have significant long-term ramifications on portfolio growth. His in-depth and thoughtful research stems from his genuine interest in providing university, public and private foundations, and endowment trustees with an approach that not only optimizes the outcomes of their portfolio’s performance, but also addresses their fiduciary responsibility with regard to spending policies. [You can read the accepted manuscript of James' paper here.]

James enjoys being engaged in the community with Habitat for Humanity and Paws & Claws. In his free time he also enjoys golfing and playing softball. James grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois and now resides in Rochester, Minnesota with his wife, Brittany, their two young children, and two dogs, Frankie and Jordy.

Personal Thoughts
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  -Mother Teresa

I have grown to appreciate the importance of collaboration and teamwork in this industry. A group of individuals, each dedicated toward expertise in their respective fields, can help to piece together the puzzle of a family’s financial lives in an incredible manner. The end result is one which truly connects the math of an individual’s personal finances with the why that makes up who they are and what they want to achieve in life.

As a member of our investment team, I enjoy every aspect of this process; from our discovery meetings where we learn about financial goals, to the analysis and construction of a financial plan, to the educational meetings where we help put all the pieces into place. Ultimately, building a relationship with clients that centers on creating financial security and establishing confidence in their financial plan is extremely gratifying.

James and other members of the CCM Investment Team regularly post articles of interest including investment insights, recommended reading on timely topics, and articles on portfolio management which you can find here.

James Michael Yaworski
James Michael Yaworski, CFA
Senior Investment Strategist

For investors who recall the experience of 1999, it was either a fantastic year or a difficult one, depending on the types of stocks in their portfolio. Investors who concentrated their portfolio among growth companies, which earned little or no profits, remember 1999 as a fantastic year, delivering a return of 41%. Investors with the opposite philosophy, such as Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, did not fare as well. Their focus on value companies with large profits lost ... [Continue Reading]

Published September 9, 2020 Topics: Diversification, Investment Insight, Market Volatility, Valuation

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