Professional Biography
Gregory A. Carlson is a founding principal of Carlson Capital Management. As CEO his primary responsibilities include developing and setting the vision for the firm. In addition, Greg is actively involved in managing client relationships. Greg is a 1982 graduate of St. Olaf College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Greg went on to earn his designation as a Certified Financial Planner™. He worked for four years with IDS/American Express as a financial planner and manager, then established Carlson Capital Management in 1987. Greg has provided investment counsel and advice to clients for three decades and is a speaker and writer on the topics of financial, estate and philanthropic planning.

Greg is an active community member and has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and committees of civic, professional and religious organizations including the Northfield Rotary Club, American Center for Philanthropy, Northfield Area Foundation, Bethel Lutheran Church, Mt. Carmel Ministries, St. Olaf College, and TIAA-CREF Institute. Greg is also the co-founder of 5th Bridge, which is now a part of Northfield Shares, an organization founded to advance philanthropy, inspire volunteerism and promote collective leadership. Greg and his wife, Nancy, live in Northfield, where they have raised their three daughters.

Personal Thoughts
I have learned that wisdom comes from experience and experience is gathered over time. Over the past 30 years, I have seen and worked with most of the technical issues people face in developing financial plans. But more importantly, I have been a part of our clients’ lives. I have seen the joys and challenges of wealth. I have experienced births and deaths, nursing homes, divorces, retirements and layoffs. I have witnessed the best and worst of families, the ups and downs of the stock markets, the comings and goings of trends and fads. I have seen goals set and achieved and opportunities created that no one thought existed. I have seen good and bad investments (and even invested in a few bad ones myself in the earlier years). Through all of this, I have learned the importance of being technically strong, disciplined and trustworthy and to be of uncompromising integrity. I am proud to have formed, and to be a part of a firm, which has these principles at its core.

Much of who we are as adults is steeped in our formative years as children and young people. I grew up on the prairies of western Minnesota where I was exposed to hard work, discipline and honesty. As one of five children of a school teacher and mother who stayed at home during the child-rearing years, my life revolved around family, church and sports. I was expected to do well (which meant only my best) in my education, sports and work, but always with a respect and concern for those around me.

When I was 12, and in the sixth grade, one afternoon my teachers gathered the entire class together to review a math test that we had all taken. Before beginning the review, Mrs. Halvorson wanted to draw attention to two students who had done exceptionally well–I was one of them. As she proceeded to go through the correct answer and method to each question, it became clear to me that she had not corrected my paper accurately. As I watched my “A” slip to a “C”, I began erasing the wrong answers for which I had received credit and replaced them with the new correct answers. At the conclusion of the review I stared at my paper now 100% correct. It took me only moments to re-erase the correct answers and replace them with the wrong answers and trudge to the front of the class to inform Mrs. Halvorson that I wasn’t the bright shining student on that exam.

Honesty is a value I hold sacred. Honesty means always telling the truth, even when it hurts. Honesty means being transparent in how I conduct business and in all aspects of my life. Most importantly, honesty means being authentic even when it shows my flaws.

It is the foundation of the first 22 years of my life, with the experiences of the following 35 years, that have guided me in working with the clients of Carlson Capital Management and developing our firm into a successful wealth management firm. I have a strong desire to excel at both the client and company level, but only by earning it. It is my philosophy that we need to always excel at taking care of our clients first and that in turn will shape who we are as a firm--our success will follow.

Professional Biography
Jeffrey R. Carlson is a founding principal of Carlson Capital Management. His primary responsibilities include managing client relationships and helping to lead the firm’s business development initiatives. Jeff also develops and sets the vision for the firm. Jeff is a 1983 graduate of St. Olaf College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, with specific concentrations in finance and accounting. Jeff began his career with IDS/American Express and shortly there-after earned his Certified Financial Planner™ designation. Jeff has been providing wealth management advice to clients and their families for three decades and has developed specific areas of expertise in retirement and early retirement planning, stock option management, estate planning, insurance services and developing integrated plans that include philanthropic giving.

Jeff is an active volunteer with numerous organizations including Hastings Area Rotary Club, St. Philips Lutheran Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Hastings Area YMCA, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries and the Hastings chapter of Let’s Go Fishing for seniors. Jeff is also an active alumnus of St. Olaf College, and currently serves as the Class of ’83 Correspondent and Class Fund Agent. In maintaining family tradition, Jeff is an avid tennis player and enjoys serving as a volunteer coach with the Hastings High School Tennis Team. Jeff also enjoys golf and spending time with his family. Jeff and his wife, Stacy, live in Hastings, Minnesota, where they raised their three children.

Personal Thoughts
Sports have and always will play an important part in my life. It is through these activities that I have learned hard work, discipline, and teamwork. Let me provide a few examples.

As a sophomore on the St. Olaf Basketball team, I was disenchanted with my playing time and the lack of opportunities to prove myself. With my speech to my coach memorized, I walked into his office to make my case for increased playing time. Before I was even able to say my opening line, I was presented with these words: “You are slow, you make poor decisions, and have an inability to score!”

So, I asked myself, “Do I quit or do I try to prove him wrong?”. By the end of the season, I was the first guard off the bench, lettered, and was given the “Mr. Hustle” award by my teammates. I may not have been the most talented, but I understood the value and reward in working hard and doing my best to help the team.

Another example recalls how I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps as a strategist and coach. I can picture my dad, days before a tennis match, shuffling and re-shuffling line ups to get the best opportunity for success against the opposing team. To a degree, what I really enjoy doing at Carlson Capital Management, I learned from my father. First, I know that to best serve our clients requires expertise and strategy from many different angles, including tax, estate, and investment perspectives. Understanding data and information is important, but it is the ability to put information together into a cohesive plan and structure that requires true expertise, experience and leadership. Second, to meet the needs of our clients, I am able to act as a coach to incorporate the best game strategies to “prevent unsuccessful outcomes” and create the best opportunity to win – that is, how to best accumulate, manage, and distribute their assets in such a manner as to help them accomplish what is most important to them.

Professional Biography
Justin D. Stets is President of Carlson Capital Management. As a Management Team member, Justin oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, providing direction to CCM’s functional areas, as well as leadership on the direction and vision of the firm. Justin is also actively engaged as an integrated wealth advisor. Before joining CCM in 1998, Justin spent 11 years with Wells Fargo Corporation. Principal experiences at Wells included lending to high net worth clients and brokering commercial banks. Justin graduated from St. Olaf College cum laude in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin, Greek, and religion. He is a Phi Beta Kappa alumnus. In 1987, he received his master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard University.

Justin is also Chief Compliance Officer for the firm and holds an 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. Combining expertise with a Zero Alpha Group colleague, Justin is co-author of Fiduciary Matters, Relationships of Trust, an informative paper outlining the role of a fiduciary within a wealth advisory relationship.

Community involvement and professional leadership engagement are a priority for Justin. In recognition of his significant contributions, Justin was named a 2021 Notable Leader in Finance by Twin Cities Business. He is a former chair and current board member of Zero Alpha Group. On the nonprofit side, Justin was a founding board member and is a current development committee member of Northfield Shares, an organization to advance philanthropy, inspire volunteerism, and promote collective leadership. Justin is also on the board of the Center for Courage and Renewal, a charitable organization grounded in the works of Parker Palmer and whose mission is to reconnect the heart and soul of who you are with how you live in the world. In addition, he is active in the Catholic community of St. Dominic in Northfield. Justin and his wife, Kristin, are also philanthropically committed to the success of international projects located in Iringa, Tanzania, and El Rosario, Guatemala.

Previous roles for Justin include serving as vice president of the board of Friends of Africa Education, board president of the Community Action Center of Northfield, as well as former president and board member of the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities. He also completed a term on the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board. In addition, he co-founded 5th Bridge, a Northfield organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism, which later merged with Northfield Area Foundation to become Northfield Shares.

Justin and Kristin live in Northfield, Minnesota, where they raised their four children.

Personal Thoughts
I strongly believe that knowing someone’s personal history creates a window of insight for a client. Three pieces of information may help describe who I am. First, I am the last child of 10 college-educated siblings raised in northeast Ohio during the 1960s and 1970s. Second, our family of 12 lived in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment above a store which was owned and run by my mother. Third, I was raised and educated until high school as a Catholic, graduated from a Lutheran college, and attended a nondenominational theological graduate school.

With these three data points, you and I can have a great deal of conversation. We can discuss the value of money, as represented by a household of 12 that rarely ate meat (because it was so expensive), drank powdered milk, and gave recycled birthday cards out as gifts. We can discuss hard work–a mother who simultaneously raised 10 children and ran a successful business. We can converse about the value of an education and the persistence and stick-to-itiveness required to accomplish such goals. We can talk about the political stress of the 1960s and the economic hardships of the 1970s. Our dialogue could cover sibling relationships, how to pay for college, how to care for elderly parents, and issues of ethical and moral responsibility. Because no one is immune, in my opinion, from the wanderings of the human spirit, we could enjoy conversation about the role of spirituality in one’s life, our community, and our global environment.

All of these conversations are part of who Carlson Capital Management is, but perhaps not identified in a traditional format. Along with the years of experience and hundreds of stories of my colleagues, all the influences and experiences that we have collectively received dramatically shape our current philosophy and relationship with our clients. Placing the client in the center of all our actions is not just a nice business slogan to have, it is rooted in the fabric of who we are as individuals, and what we believe as a firm. Advocating for a transparent, clear, and academically proven investment philosophy is not a marketing gimmick, it is the foundational equivalent of a “bible” for us as investment advisors. Establishing delivery channels for our trust, tax, and philanthropic work so that our clients are truly experiencing an integrative wealth management platform points to our philosophy of broad-based thinking and intelligent, holistic planning and action.

I am hopeful that when you come to Carlson Capital Management and meet our team, you experience not only competency and quality, but also deep care. This is what gets us up every day. To be of service to you!

Professional Biography
Abbi Kramas is an Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Advisory Team, Abbi partners with clients and their families, providing the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, Abbi 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.

Abbi graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens-Point where she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in business administration and accounting. Abbi holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Prior to joining CCM, she worked for nine years serving in roles in insurance, banking, and financial.

When not at work, Abbi enjoys spending her time being active—particularly running and weight lifting. She also loves to spend time with friends and family and enjoys cooking. Abbi grew up in Mosinee, Wisconsin, and now lives in Farmington, Minnesota, with her two dogs, Bella and Jazmine.

Personal Thoughts
I was raised in a small town in central Wisconsin by hard-working, self-employed parents. They provided for our family, filled our home with an abundance of love, and never let on to the fact that we were living on a very tight family budget.

When I headed to college, I often found myself envious of classmates who had their education paid for by their parents. I was working two or more jobs and funding my entire education through my income and student loans. My parents were able to provide periodic gas money, occasional groceries, and a few random household items. Above all else, my parents provided me with the encouragement and support I needed while I completed my degree.

Years later I now realize the sacrifices my parents made. Their ability to make a lot out of a little has helped shape me into a responsible young adult with a strong work ethic that I will possess forever. These gifts they have given me provide motivation every day in my work serving our clients at CCM.

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.

Professional Biography
Amy Vanderhoff is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Amy works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. She is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Amy also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, she is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Amy joined CCM with more than 20 years in the financial services industry, most recently providing direct customer service to key relationships and department leadership and training to ensure a consistent experience for all clients. Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in business management from Rasmussen University and delights in going the extra mile for clients and colleagues alike.

Amy lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with her husband, Kevin, two young teenage sons, Charlie and Joey, and their long haired German shepherd, Axel. Amy and her family enjoy camping (or glamping in their 5th wheel, as they call it), fishing, and playing outside all year long. In between sports and music hobbies, she and her family volunteer at their local food shelf and Feed My Starving Children.

Personal Thoughts
I've always had a love for teaching and learning. The truth is, I went to school to be a teacher and fell into the financial world!

My passion for teaching has been nurtured in my work with clients, especially supporting family generations in their wealth planning. Finances and investments are scary to a lot of people. I'm honored to support clients of all ages in their understanding of the subjects and identifying and working toward their goals. Ultimately, through this work they can have peace of mind about their future; and for me, there is nothing that makes my heart happier.

Professional Biography
Andrew Hauskins is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor for the Carlson Capital Management team. As a Senior Advisor, Andy leads the firm’s Carlson Portfolios platform. Andy partners with clients and their families, providing investment management, retirement modeling, and other aspects of general financial planning and client care that are custom to client needs. In this role, Andy also connects clients with the firm's specialists for overall portfolio management as well as direct access to expertise in areas such as estate planning, tax planning and insurance analysis.

Andy began his career in financial services at Life Investors Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1998. While at Life Investors, Andy worked in the marketing department training new agents on life insurance, annuities, and basic financial planning techniques. Andy’s career then led him to the Director of Field Services position with CA Marketing, a medical insurance marketing firm in the Twin Cities. While there he gained extensive knowledge of individual health plans, small employer group health plans, short-term medical, and Health Savings Accounts. Andy holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Andy graduated from Iowa State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to his studies at Iowa State, Andy was a four-year letter winner in track and field. He was recognized as an Iowa State Scholar Athlete for excellence in academics. Andy is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and volunteers time with both the Northfield Area Family YMCA and St. Dominic School. Andy enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and playing on the Northfield Millers baseball team. Andy, his wife Annie, and their three children live in Northfield, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
“Steel started out as simply a lump of iron,” my father used to say to me, and “only through the relentless work of a blacksmith did it become a critical commodity.” When I was younger, I wasn’t sure why he would share such things with me, though I knew that in this case, he was passing along a quote from his own father. Then, one day during high school track practice, his words became quite valuable for me. I envisioned that the work of a blacksmith was very repetitive, difficult, and required focus in addition to physical discipline. I realized that success might mean continuing to “pound away” at something, as my coach was requiring me to do in sprints. I was ultimately rewarded for my hard work with success on the track, but even more, I was rewarded with discipline as a core value that I continue to carry with me. I certainly don’t claim to practice this perfectly, it is something toward which I strive, and that I try to impart to my own children.

The importance of being disciplined can demonstrate itself in multiple aspects of our lives. It is central to what we do at Carlson Capital Management as well. When the financial markets are challenging, it requires us to practice the discipline we speak of in theory when the markets are working in our favor—that is “staying the course.” We also integrate discipline into the educational, retirement and estate plans we work with clients to create. It is a key element in driving these plans to success.

I thoroughly enjoy working with clients—listening to their stories, hearing about their backgrounds, trying to learn what drives them and what is ultimately important to them. This greatly motivates me in my work in helping them meet and exceed their goals.

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

Professional Biography
Angie Olson serves as Talent Acquisition Specialist for Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Angie supports the firm's recruitment processes, ensures a smooth onboarding for new colleagues, and champions engagement activities to ensure a welcoming environment. In addition, she provides administrative support to the Director of Human Capital and CEO. Angie holds the aPHR® certification, serving as evidence of her foundational knowledge of human resources and commitment to continuing education in this space. Throughout her tenure at CCM, she has proven herself as a versatile player, furthering the goals of multiple teams, most notably client service and marketing.

Angie is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Prior to joining CCM, she worked as a legal assistant with a firm in Northfield, where she supported the team by drafting documents, managing calendars, providing reception duties, and supporting the attorneys and office administrator. Angie enjoys volunteering, canoeing, and fly fishing. She is the past Board Secretary for Northfield Montessori. Angie grew up near Stillwater and now lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with her husband, Adam, and their three young sons.

Personal Thoughts
When I was younger, my dad bought me a 1952 John Deere Model G tractor for the two of us to restore. I remember watching as the tractor was unloaded onto our back driveway; it was covered in rust, smelled like gas and oil, but was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I was tasked with the job of filling a tennis-ball sized dent on the tractor’s hood, then sanding the filler until it was flush with the metal. I sanded for hours, stopping periodically as my father reviewed my progress, and waiting patiently for him to say that my work looked complete. I was eager to get the dent filled so the tractor could be painted, and the sanding process felt like it was taking forever! But my father would consistently find ridges and bumps that I had missed, and I would be back to sanding.

It was through the restoration of this tractor that I learned the importance of patience. I learned the importance of putting time and attention into the “little things” as they impact the bigger picture. I keep this lesson close to me as an adult and find that patience and attention to detail play key roles in my work at CCM. I am constantly seeking to perfect the details in order to enhance the CCM experience.

Professional Biography
Ashley Johnson is an Associate Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Advisory Team, Ashley collaborates with clients and advisors across the firm on all aspects of planning and portfolio management. She is responsible for facilitating client meetings, preparing presentation materials and assisting with portfolio management. In addition, Ashley is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

For nearly 10 years, Ashley has worked in the financial services industry, most recently serving clients at large, national wealth management firms. In this work, she supported integrated wealth management experiences that include retirement planning, trust and estate planning, tax planning, insurance analysis, charitable giving, and investment activities. Her professional experience also includes serving as a Fiduciary Advisory Specialist where she gained experience working with multiple generations and beneficiaries of legacy trusts.

Ashley is a graduate of Luther College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in business management. She holds a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) designation, the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA^®) designation, and an Investment Foundations Certificate from the CFA Institute.

Ashley enjoys volunteering for Women Build, a program of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She grew up in Decorah, Iowa, and now lives in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
I attribute much of my success to my upbringing in a small town in Iowa and the values my family instilled in me from a young age. My 85-year-old grandfather is the longest serving mayor in Iowa, recently retiring after 50+ years in public service as a city council member and mayor of his town. He is truly an inspiration and has modeled for me the reward that comes from working hard.

Beginning from a young age, I have held different jobs in customer service, so I know what it takes to make people feel completely satisfied. Working with clients who have complex needs often involves taking the extra time to understand and analyze their goals in order to provide the best advice and planning. I take a lot of pride in my work and won’t hesitate to go above and beyond to ensure my clients are taken care of.

Professional Biography
Audrey Day is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Audrey works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. She is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Audrey also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, she is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Audrey is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and a concentration in leadership and management. While on campus at St. Thomas, Audrey was active in the Women in Business club and a mentor to youth involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters and Junior Achievement programs. Before joining CCM, Audrey completed an internship with the operations and investments team at a Minneapolis wealth management firm. In this work she provided support to wealth managers to enhance clients' service experience, conducted research to expand the firm's reach, and managed the accurate recordkeeping of client information. A common thread in her experiences is finding joy in collaboration, knowledge-sharing, project management, meeting deadlines, and exceeding goals.

Audrey is a Twin Cities native and currently lives in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Outside of CCM, you can find her enjoying Minnesota's lakes, hiking, biking, playing pickle ball, or whipping up a new recipe in the kitchen.

Personal Thoughts
I am motivated by challenges and successfully navigating them, collaborating with a team, and knowing that I am making a difference in people’s lives. I am naturally empathetic and I feel rewarded when building genuine relationships. My role within the CCM team is fulfilling for me as it brings together my organizational and analytical skills with meaningful relationships, working for clients in one of the most important aspects of their lives.

Professional Biography
Ben Miller is a Technology Support Specialist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Ben provides direct technical support for colleagues and training on hardware, software, and mobile devices. In addition, he supports colleagues in leveraging the use of technology systems, applications, and resources in order to best serve clients.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychological science from Gustavus Adolphus College. Throughout his career, Ben has leveraged data and technology to support high-performing teams across multiple industries. Most recently, Ben provided leadership to his alma mater’s advancement division, managing databases, analyzing data, and providing technical assistance to support the college’s fundraising goals. He is a creative problem-solver and technology enthusiast whose commitment to continuous education has him preparing for CompTIA A+ certification.

Ben grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and now resides in St. Louis Park with his wife, Beth, and dog, Chance. He enjoys house projects and exploring the outdoors, and volunteers with Feed My Starving Children.

Personal Thoughts
"Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. And culture means doing the right thing when no one is looking." - Henry Ford

Doing right and doing it right are both values that have been instilled in me throughout my life. A commitment to integrity and excellence. These values drive me each day, both personally and professionally. They are one of the reasons I was drawn to a career at CCM. I recognize these values in the way CCM colleagues interact with clients. I am grateful to be a member of a team dedicated to quality and a culture focused on each client's well-being.

Professional Biography
Ben Carlson is an Associate Integrated Wealth Advisor and Paraplanner Team Lead at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Advisory Team, Ben collaborates with clients and advisors across the firm on all aspects of planning and portfolio management. He is responsible for facilitating client meetings, preparing presentation materials and assisting with portfolio management. In addition, Ben engages with newly hired Paraplanners to mentor them in CCM's approach to integrated wealth management and culture of care, and is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from St. Olaf College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History with a concentration in Finance. While at St. Olaf, Ben participated in four years of varsity tennis, served as team captain and was selected to the all-MIAC team for three years. In his junior and senior years, he participated as a peer tutor in principles of Accounting. Pursuing an entrepreneurial spirit, and after winning a start-up grant, Ben founded and operated Jolly Fly Fishing, LLC for three years, guiding summer fly fishing expeditions in western Wisconsin. Prior to joining CCM, Ben worked as an account representative for a large Twin Cities reinsurance brokerage company. Ben holds the Certified Financial Planner™ certification granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

When not at work, Ben continues to enjoy fly fishing, playing tennis, and going to the cabin. He also enjoys being involved in the community and serves as a volunteer coach for an inner-city tennis program for their “Super Saturday” programs and is a member of the Rotary Club of Prior Lake. Ben grew up in Hastings, Minnesota and now lives in Prior Lake.

Personal Thoughts
At CCM, we take a great deal of care in learning about the personal background and financial goals of the clients we work with. As a part of this process, a question we often ask is, “Tell us about your first memory of money.” My first memory of money goes back to the lemonade stand I had when I was five years old. The house where I spent my childhood was situated in an oddity of city planning, the double cul-du-sac. One day, I decided to have a lemonade stand at the end of my parents' driveway. Needless to say, it was not very successful being tucked away in the back of a cul-du-sac. Somewhere along the line, I decided to put the lemonade stand on my red wagon and move it to the nearby street corner and out of the cul-du-sac. With the increased car and foot traffic on an actual road coupled with the generosity of passersby and an overly enthusiastic five-year-old attitude, my revenues increased substantially. I tucked every dollar bill away into an old leather wallet my grandfather passed down to me. The wallet was so old all the dollar bills stored inside the folds came out smelling like an antique store. At the end of the summer, I had had put $144 into that wallet, a number I still remember. One day, I asked my parents to bring me to Hastings Family Service (the local food shelf), where I plopped on the counter the entire sum I had made that summer.

When I think about this first money memory, for me it's reflecting on what I decided to do with it, and also about seeing money in action and experiencing the joy of hard work coming to fruition. With busy lives, we can all fall into thinking of money as strictly a financial, quantitative asset that we have worked hard to accumulate. While quantitative elements are of course, very important, part of the delight of working at CCM for me is experiencing the qualitative aspects of our approach to integrated wealth management. In looking at financial assets not only relative to their quantitative value, but as a tool to accomplish our goals in life, it helps our clients to experience the joy of seeing their money in action. And while I have grown and aged since my lemonade stand days, my enthusiastic attitude and passion in my approach to work has not.

Professional Biography
Benjamin Lane is an Investment Specialist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Ben is responsible for monitoring and reviewing client portfolios to maintain balance across asset classes, placing trades through the custodial trading platform, and reviewing daily cash positions. He also actively supports data management and custodial relationships for the firm.

Ben is a graduate of St. Olaf College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in both Mathematics and Political Science. During his time at St. Olaf, he worked on the campus's natural lands, participated in astronomy club events, as well as in environmental research and projects during the summers. Ben is also an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America and has served as a staff instructor, leading and managing staff development for other instructors.

Ben grew up in Minnesota where he currently resides. He has extensive experience and training in wilderness safety, backpacking, land navigation and back country travel, and spends time outdoors whenever possible. He also enjoys playing sports with friends and is working on building his own kayak.

Professional Biography
Beverly DeWitte serves as a Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management. Beverly is a welcoming colleague you will see when you visit our Bloomington office and one of the voices you may hear when you call into the firm. She is responsible for office management, hospitality, scheduling meetings, and preparing materials for client presentations. Beverly is also a primary contact for account openings, fund transfers, and other client account servicing needs. In addition, she works with the Bloomington advisory team and specialists by handling key administrative functions.

Beverly received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Winona State University and spent several years teaching children in the Rosemount school district and in Moline, Illinois. With a strong desire to put her communication and organizational skills to use in a different industry, Beverly landed a position as a lead customer service representative for a local bank. In this role, Beverly excelled at running daily operations, collaborating with colleagues, and providing exceptional customer service.

Beverly lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with her husband Tom. She has three grown children. In her free time, Beverly enjoys spending time at her cabin in northern Minnesota with family and friends.

Professional Biography
Bonnie Anderson Rons works  as a Tax Support Specialist with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management, to provide client servicing related to the tax compliance season. She provides support and client communications to help facilitate all aspects of the tax return process.

Bonnie joined CCM having 20 years of institutional corporate trust account management experience through her work at a national banking institution, as well as municipal bond trading experience. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in commercial economics and Spanish from South Dakota State University, then went on to earn her MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Bonnie also holds the Certified Corporate Trust Specialist (CCTS) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers.

Bonnie is a member of the Citizen Advisory Council to Flint Hills Refinery, has been named a Dakota County Master Recycler Composter, and volunteers at events to promote sustainability. When not at work, she enjoys travel, gardening, quilting, various outdoor activities, and the local restaurant scene. Bonnie grew up in Brookings, South Dakota, and resides in Rosemount, Minnesota, with her husband.

Professional Biography
Callie Geist is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Callie partners with clients and their families, providing the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. Callie 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.

Callie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Creighton University where she graduated cum laude. She went on to earn a Juris Doctor from the Creighton University School of Law, and is a member of Phi Delta Phi, an international legal fraternity. In addition, Callie holds an MBA from Kaplan University, and the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Callie joined CCM after serving as a Tax Staff Accountant at a South Dakota company. As a law student and undergraduate, Callie clerked with the Kellogg & Palzer firm in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked in human capital with the SilverStone Company. Callie grew up in Northwest Iowa, and now telecommutes from Sioux Falls where she resides with her husband, Aaron. She is a fan of Minnesota sports teams, enjoys cooking and spending time with her family, friends and her faithful dogs, Brin and Charlotte.

Personal Thoughts
My interest in financial planning began when I was sixteen years old and working at one of my very first jobs. This job was in a wonderful gift shop with a small café in my hometown of Storm Lake, Iowa. I enjoyed every aspect of this job: unpacking merchandise, wrapping gifts, prepping food in the kitchen, waiting on tables, etc. However, my favorite part of the job was getting to know the customers and helping them find exactly what they were looking for. One such customer was Don, a businessperson in his 60s who was a regular patron of the café. He would come in almost daily at the end of every lunch service. I loved sitting at the table with him and chatting.

During one of our conversations, he shared with me his number one financial recommendation: open a Roth IRA and save 10% of your income into that account. Don’t worry about the dollar amount you’re contributing, he said, but focus on creating the habit. We talked about the impact that this could have on my finances long-term. So I went to the local bank where an incredibly kind woman, Julie, took the time to walk me through opening this account and answer all of my questions. Every two weeks when I was paid, I would go the bank to cash my check and contribute 10% into my Roth IRA. While the dollar amount was small, I felt empowered about making smart financial decisions. I knew that I was doing the best I could with what I had at the time.

In my role as an advisor, I love building strong relationships with my clients and learning about the people and things that matter most to them, the goals and dreams they have, and the things that keep them up at night. Just as Don and Julie helped educate and encourage me many years ago, my goal as an advisor is to walk alongside my clients as they navigate the financial obstacles and opportunities in life, so that they can feel empowered and energized in knowing they are doing the best they can with what they have.

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

Professional Biography
Cami Peterson serves as Director of Retirement Plan Services at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Cami leads the team serving 401(k) and other qualified plan clients. This includes working with plan sponsors, trustees, investment committee members, and plan administrators, to build and optimize successful retirement plans, and with plan participants to provide them with the tools and resources to give them the best chance for a successful retirement.

Cami brought more than twelve years of experience in the financial services industry to her position at CCM. She began her career by earning her CPA designation and working as a senior accountant for a large corporate accounting firm. She then served as a controller for a large home builder before starting as a financial advisor with a leading Twin Cities financial services organization, and subsequently, a regional RIA. During her time as an advisor, Cami developed a passion for working with business owners and plan fiduciaries to design and deliver high quality, effective 401(k) and other qualified plans. She believes the role of retirement plans is to create successful outcomes for employees and optimize business outcomes for employers. She has the depth of experience within the retirement planning industry which allows for a unique and creative approach to design plans that align with corporate goals and objectives. Cami particularly enjoys working with plan participants to provide proactive educational opportunities and resources that position them to maximize their retirement accumulation opportunities.

Cami grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with a Bachelor's degree in accounting. Shortly following graduation, Cami earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. In addition, she holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation. She has been a member of the American Society of CPAs and the Minnesota Society of CPAs since 1999 and ASPPA since 2011. In 2015, Cami was named a National Association of Plan Advisors Top Women Advisor Captain due to her significant contributions to the retirement planning industry and her role as leader in her firm’s retirement plan division. Outside of work, Cami enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin in northern Minnesota and spending as much time outdoors as possible doing a variety of activities. Her community involvement includes being active with the Autism Society of Minnesota and volunteering for United Way and Feed My Starving Children. Cami and her husband, Ken, live in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, with their three children.

Professional Biography
Serving as a Tax Specialist at Carlson Capital Management, Carter Justice provides support to the firm's tax advisors in developing and implementing strategies that consider the full integration of clients' investment, estate, financial, tax, insurance, and philanthropic plans. As a member of the Tax Team, Carter regularly calculates tax projections and promotes a high-quality meeting and client experience with the thorough preparation of materials and proactive communication. In addition, he has responsibility for preparing tax returns through CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management.

Carter is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he earned his Bachelor of Business and Economics with an emphasis in accounting. While in college, he was part of the university's Accounting Society and completed seasonal internships with CCM Tax & Trust Administration. It was in this setting that he saw first-hand application of his classroom experiences and gained an appreciation for CCM's highly collaborative, team-oriented culture.

In his free time, Carter enjoys wildlife photography and disc golf. He grew up in Cottage Grove, MN and currently lives in Oakdale, MN with his significant other Mackenzie.

Personal Thoughts
I have three things that encompass my life: family, hard work, and passion

Family is one of the most predominant aspects of my life. The bond of a family is one of the most beautiful things the world has to offer. A major piece that pulled me into CCM is the family mentality that everyone has, not just alongside each other, but with clients as well.

Hard work is something I learned at a young age to be crucial to success. To be in the position I am, I owe all the gratitude to my grandmother who struggled and faced numerous hardships to travel from South Korea to the United States during her early childhood. At a young age, I was able to understand what it means to “give it your all.” I strive each day to be as strong as she was.

Lastly, passion is something that should be encompassed in everything. Each day I pour my passion into my work, hobbies, and aspirations, and especially the relationships I build as I navigate through life.

Professional Biography
Cathy Schlifer is Carlson Capital Management's Salesforce Administrator. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring the firm's database integrity, and providing oversight on database development, analysis, and administration. She is also a primary report and database insight resource, and has responsibility for designing and implementing database solutions that support strategic objectives of teams across the firm. Cathy thrives on promoting high quality client and colleague experiences.

Cathy's professional endeavors have varied, but each chapter is marked with great depth and mastery. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in French and English from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Cathy went on to earn two master’s degrees in French from the University of Kansas, Lawrence and library and information science from Dominican University. She served as a certified French-English interpreter with the United States Immigration Court, but it was her devotion to teaching and learning, and her time as a professor of French and later library and information science that sparked her future in data and Salesforce administration. For the last 18 years, Cathy has held data-driven positions of increasing responsibility, leveraging her experience to enhance her credentials as a Salesforce Certified Administrator (CSA) and Certified Professional Project Manager (CPPM). She joins CCM having most recently supported senior leadership teams at a global investment banking firm and a large integrated communications corporation as a Salesforce administrator.

While Cathy's retirement dreams include owning goats in a village in southern France, she's happy to call CCM her professional home and fill her life with animals and farming through volunteer endeavors with Animal Humane Society and Three Rivers Park District's Gale Woods Farm. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with her 17-year-old Siamese cat, Belle, enjoys hiking, bird watching, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and spending time with friends.

Personal Thoughts
When I was a child, my mother told me that I could do anything I wanted. I don’t think she really meant “anything,” but that is the way I took it, so with each little fork in the road, I have reinvented myself to take on new responsibilities and to master new skills. That mindset has brought me great blessings, both personally and professionally. Especially in the last 10 years, I have become more and more aware of the great gifts that have been bestowed upon me. I am a firm believer in the thought that to whom much is given, much is also asked.

It became clear to me as I was interviewing with CCM, that here was a company that sees things the same way that I do. With wealth (whether it is monetary or spiritual), there is an expectation to give back, to pay it forward. I see this in the way my colleagues treat each other, in the Founders’ Mentality we are all encouraged to adopt, in the giving back to the community that is encouraged of us both implicitly and explicitly. I feel as if I have been led here for a reason, and I intend to manifest that in every way I can to support my colleagues and our clients.

Professional Biography
As a Marketing & Communications Generalist at Carlson Capital Management, Christa Hurley collaborates with colleagues to enhance the client experience and build brand awareness. She helps to produce high quality communications across a variety of channels and holds responsibility for managing the firm's digital presence. As a Generalist, her work spans the full array of CCM's marketing and communication strategies and initiatives. In addition, Christa is a key steward of the firm's mission, vision, and culture.

Christa is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. Before joining the CCM team, Christa worked as a digital and marketing lead where she managed a large building company's marketing initiatives, including a special focus on digital communications and event planning.

Christa grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and now proudly calls Newport, Minnesota home. She enjoys golfing, gardening, and organizing and is an active volunteer with Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors, Secondhand Harvest, United Way, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.

Personal Thoughts
There are many reasons why an elephant is my favorite animal, but something that has always stood out to me is that elephants have incredible memories. Maybe you’ve heard, “An elephant never forgets.” To embrace this expression, I enjoy giving elephants as a gift to represent “I’ll never forget you.” or “Here's a way to remember me.” Since I cannot give you an elephant gift from my bio, I’ll share my first memories with Carlson Capital Management. CCM gave me a welcoming impact I will never forget.

From the moment I found CCM online, to the moment I walked in the door, everyone was more than inviting. You can easily see how much this team cares about each other. There is a true compassion and level of trust in everyone. The conversations and relationship-building started instantly. Being part of a firm that is personable, committed, and philanthropic gives me a sense of ease. I recognized quickly that I am a part of something truly wonderful. If everyone is this welcoming internally, there is a guarantee clients feel the same welcoming impact.

Professional Biography
Chris Kuhn serves as a Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management. Chris is the welcoming colleague you will see when you visit our Hastings office and one of the voices you may hear when you call into the firm. She is responsible for office management, hospitality, scheduling meetings and preparing materials for client presentations. Chris also is a primary contact for account openings, fund transfers and other client account servicing needs. In addition, she works with the Hastings advisory team and specialists by handling key administrative functions.

Chris joined CCM with more than twenty-five years of administrative experience – most recently with the Dakota County Attorney’s office as a Legal Administrative Assistant. Prior to that position, she worked with Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company in St. Paul providing support in the office of the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Outside of work Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends at the lake, enjoying the outdoors during the summer. In the winter months she is an avid hockey fan. Chris grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin and she and her family now reside just over the river in Hastings.

Personal Thoughts
As we pack up the car and make our way “up north” to visit our family cabins, I find myself filled with a sense of gratitude and peace. Aside from raising three children to be gracious and successful adults, my husband and I have realized that our happiest times are spent making memories with our friends and family in the quiet of the north. These moments are spent together deepening relationships as we share stories and laughter, goals and dreams.

I feel fortunate that when I am not at the cabin, I get to spend my days at the office building relationships with people I truly enjoy and who share a common drive to help others achieve their dreams and desires. I also really enjoy meeting clients in person and putting a face to the name. This kind of interaction deepens and strengthens the relationships I have with our clients, and makes my work even more meaningful. I am constantly encouraged and impressed by our firm’s commitment to providing the best service to our clients while making sure that my colleagues and I are where we want to be and doing what we do best.

Professional Biography
Cody Tresselt-Warren is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Cody partners with clients and their families, providing the firm’s fully integrated wealth management experience, including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, Cody 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.

Cody joins CCM with nearly five years of experience in corporate tax and seven years in financial planning. Most recently, he served as a senior wealth planner at a large wealth management firm where he led comprehensive planning strategies for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and families. In this work, he delivered integrated and multigenerational wealth planning related to cash flow, income tax planning, executive compensation, and estate planning based on a thorough understanding of their personal values, wealth transfer and charitable goals, and vision for their legacy.

Cody received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Augsburg University in accounting and religion. He went on to earn a Master in Business Taxation degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University. Cody is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Cody is an active volunteer, serving on the board of Northfield Shares, as a BestPrep classroom volunteer, and as President of his church's council. He is also an instructor in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) program at Minnesota State University – Mankato.

Cody grew up near Madison, Wisconsin, and now lives in Rosemount, Minnesota, with his wife, Christine, and two children. Outside of his time at CCM, Cody enjoys the multitude of family activities, crafting holiday meals, Excel spreadsheets, and pretending to golf.

Personal Thoughts
When my son was younger and was asked what my work was, he replied, “Dad drives taxis.” Certainly, this was funny in the moment as he confused taxes with taxis. However, upon reflection, maybe he was on to something.

I find great purpose in deeply connecting and understanding the joys, hopes, and worries of individuals and families, and being able to help them accomplish their financial and non-financial goals with that foundational understanding. Or, perhaps as my son would imagine, acting as a taxi driver—helping individuals and families get from Point A to Point B (or C, F, 6, B1). Ultimately, the best laid plans are the ones solidly rooted in those goals and objectives to create the roadmap.

Now, almost 8, he understands a bit more about my work and has a bit more nuanced idea of my work. He currently believes I help people protect their piggy banks. Another great image that I like. Some of our earliest money habits and memories we formed with our first piggy banks, and it is important to recognize and honor those instinctive money habits.

It is an honor and privilege to work so closely with the clients of Carlson Capital Management to help them take their piggy bank where they want to.

Professional Biography
Colin Lodermeier is a Senior Tax Advisor at Carlson Capital Management and CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. Colin works closely with the advisory team to deliver clients fully integrated wealth management services, lending his experience to proactive tax planning. As a member of the Tax Team, Colin has responsibility for preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. He also participates in client meetings and serves as a tax resource for clients. Colin provides service both individually and collaboratively with other advisors to develop customized recommendations.

Prior to joining CCM, Colin worked for nearly eight years in progressively responsible roles with RSM US, LLP, in Rochester, Minnesota—most recently as a Lead Tax Manager. In this role, he provided counsel around a variety of complex tax situations for high net worth individuals and businesses, and he is well versed in issues of compliance and risk management. Colin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Colin is a graduate of Winona State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting. He is a long-time, active volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, and the Boys and Girls Club, all of Rochester. Outside of work, Colin enjoys hunting, fishing, watching sports, and spending time with his family. Colin and his wife, Kamie, grew up and reside in Goodhue, Minnesota, with their three young children.

The CCM Tax Team regularly posts articles of interest on tax planning topics, which you can find here. 

Professional Biography
Connor Misch is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Connor works closely with the firm’s wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Connor also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for holding a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Connor is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in actuarial science. Prior to joining Carlson Capital Management, Connor worked for a nationwide business insurance provider where he leveraged data to optimize processes and operations and served as a liaison between business partners and technical staff. He is a skilled data analyst and a communicator who enjoys translating data and technical information for everyday consumption. Connor holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Connor hails from Arcadia, Wisconsin, and now lives in Rochester, Minnesota. He holds the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America and is active in the community. He has spent time serving as a committee member of Young Professionals of Owatonna and is former treasurer and secretary of a local chapter of Toastmasters. In is free time, he enjoys spending time on the golf course, reading, playing board games, and curling.

Professional Biography
D. Charles (Charlie) Lawson, serves as the Director of Tax Services as part of the Carlson Capital Management team as well as with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Charlie provides strategic and operational direction for the firm's tax services and for the tax practice and compliance operations of CCM Tax & Trust Administration. Charlie also works closely with the CCM advisory team to deliver clients fully integrated wealth management services, lending his experience to proactive tax-related planning. Charlie plays a lead role and helps to oversee the preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. Charlie participates in client meetings, and serves as a tax resource for clients, both individually and collaboratively with other advisors, to develop customized recommendations.

Prior to joining CCM, Charlie served for five years as accounting manager for a St. Paul CPA firm. In this role, he advised affluent clients in general financial and tax planning in addition to providing tax compliance services—preparing and reviewing individual, gift, and fiduciary returns. Prior to that position, Charlie worked as an audit/accounting supervisor for another Twin Cities firm, where he was responsible for the overall servicing of business clients in one of the firm’s key niche sectors. In this role he worked closely with business owners, consulting on activities including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis. He began his career in the banking industry where he prepared financial reports for trust accounts in the retirement services area. Charlie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Charlie is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on finance, investments, and banking. Charlie is a former board member of the United Way of Hastings. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Charlie and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Hastings with their three children.

Charlie and other members of the CCM Tax Team regularly post articles of interest on tax planning topics which you can find here.

Professional Biography
Dan Edwards serves as the Director of Estate Planning as part of the Carlson Capital Management team, and as a Senior Tax Advisor as with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. As the Director of Estate Planning, Dan works closely with the CCM advisory team to deliver estate planning expertise and proactive tax planning as part of the fully integrated wealth management experience. As a member of the Tax Team, Dan has responsibility for preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. Dan also participates in client meetings and serves as a tax resource for clients, providing service both individually and collaboratively with other advisors, to develop customized recommendations.

Prior to joining CCM, Dan spent 24 years in the Senior Tax Director role with RSM US, LLP, where he was responsible for leading the successful growth of the trust and estate tax practice for their Rochester, Minnesota, office. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the tax planning and compliance sector through his service as the tax director for individual, trust, estate, and corporate clients. Dan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Dan is a graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting. He enjoys volunteering and is currently supporting the Rochester Estate Planning Council and serving on the Board of Damascus Way. Outside of his work life and volunteer activities, Dan enjoys spending time outdoors and riding his bike. Dan and his wife Stacy reside in Rochester, Minnesota, and have three grown children.

Personal Thoughts
As soon as I started my first job after college my mother gave me some great advice--she said, “It’s not now much money you make, it’s how much you save." Over time, I began to see the additional benefit of my savings from the compound growth of the interest and dividends.

Several years ago, I decided to run a marathon, but after committing to it began to question whether I could actually do it. A friend of mine advised me to start training early and to increase my training mileage by 10% each week. I wasn’t sure I could complete the marathon, but I knew I could run 10% more than the prior week. After about four months of weekly 10% increases, my training runs were long enough that I knew completing the marathon was possible. I also began to realize how many things in life increase by compounding: knowledge, learning, relationships, and building good habits, to name a few.

It’s important to take the time to make sure all of the non-financial goals in your life also compound in growth if you believe, “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money."

The one thing that has impressed me the most as I've joined CCM is the collaborative team approach we engage in to serve our clients. Having six or seven financial advisors, each with different areas of expertise, work on a client’s financial plan is clearly the best approach - producing results similar to the concept of compounding.

Professional Biography
David Sayers is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, David partners with clients and their families, providing the firm’s fully integrated wealth management experience, including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, David 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.

David joins CCM with nearly 15 years of experience serving as a wealth manager for individuals and families in various roles in the Twin Cities. In this work, he provided clients with financial planning strategies to meet their personalized goals. He earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering and business management from the University of Minnesota. He returned to the U of M to earn his MBA in marketing and strategic management. He spent the “first act” of his career on a corporate path at both GE and 3M before making a purpose-driven pivot to financial planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. In addition, he earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, helping him to provide specialized planning insight to clients impacted by divorce. David is energized by helping people learn and discover so that they can live the life they want with confidence. With a background in engineering and a deep interest in people and their stories, David has a unique ability to optimize the trade offs of a plan while considering the people impacted by it.

David lives in Woodbury, Minnesota, with his wife, Tera, and his three sons, Benjamin, Andrew, and Henry. He loves the arts, athletics, and the outdoors. He is proudly the least artistically-talented member of his family, so he enjoys watching his boys sing, dance, and play instruments. David is a theater and film buff, with a special love for musicals. In addition, he is a long-suffering Minnesota sports fan, still waiting to enjoy the glory days of his favorite teams. He loves camping, hiking, and family road trips. He is a fan of all things Disney, and is happy to share his best tips for navigating Disney Parks.

Professional Biography
Drew Owen is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Drew works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Drew also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Drew is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing. While on campus, Drew was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and was also president of the marketing club. After graduating, Drew partnered with friends to found a STEM nonprofit to help students and teachers obtain equal access to resources for projects inside and outside the classroom. Since graduating, he has gained a breadth of experience in the financial services industry, working in business development and advisory roles serving affluent individuals and providing leadership and training to fellow colleagues. His unique skillset allows him to seamlessly appreciate and successfully balance the quantitative and qualitative aspects his work—analyzing financial statements, stock options, and insurance policies to develop comprehensive integrated financial plans and finding great reward in listening deeply, thinking creatively to best support each client, communicating clearly, and cultivating authentic relationships with others.

Drew is a native of Ankeny, Iowa, and currently lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with his Bernese puppy, Phoenix. When he's not golfing, Drew enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Personal Thoughts
On my first day at CCM, I walked into the break room to find everyone gathered together around a breakfast spread and a welcome basket with different gifts inside, which was nothing I had experienced before. From day one, I’ve felt a genuine sense of people helping one another, not because they have to, but because they actually want to help. People have gone out of their way to introduce themselves and make sure my transition has been going smoothly into my new role. This directly translates to how CCM treats clients—everyone receives the same, excellent service from a team that genuinely cares about each other and their neighbors.

Professional Biography
Elizabeth Bovee is an Associate Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Advisory Team, Elizabeth collaborates with clients and advisors across the firm on all aspects of planning and portfolio management. She is responsible for facilitating client meetings, preparing presentation materials and assisting with portfolio management. In addition, Elizabeth is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Prior to joining Carlson Capital Management, Elizabeth held various roles within Wells Fargo’s Private Wealth Management group. She brings with her more than 10 years of experience serving high net worth clients with a focus on investment management. Most recently, Elizabeth served as business initiatives consultant where she acted as a senior advisor and project manager for the investment management solutions team. She earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics and management from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Elizabeth holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Elizabeth is a true homebody who grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and currently makes her home in Hugo, Minnesota, with her husband and their two daughters. They are an avid hockey family that enjoys cheering on the Minnesota Wild, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Personal Thoughts
My passion for personal finance was fostered by conversations we had as a family around our dinner table. It was important to my parents that my brother and I were knowledgeable, thoughtful, and disciplined with how we approached our relationship with money. They taught us the importance of setting goals to save for something we want to purchase, why taxes are withheld from our paychecks, and how to run the calculation on the interest we would pay on our first car loan.

At the time, I didn’t appreciate the importance of these discussions; but as I reflect back, this coaching laid the foundation on which my passion for wealth planning was built. As an advisor, I draw on this experience and engage my clients in conversations around their goals and values so they can make empowered financial decisions and be good stewards of their wealth.

Professional Biography
Ginger Church serves as Executive Assistant to the President at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, and through her work with the firm's Management Team, she provides project support and administrative coordination for leadership colleagues. Ginger serves as the primary point of contact representing Justin Stets. Her responsibilities support a high level of client service, executive scheduling, and communication, and projects furthering the firm’s growth. In addition, Ginger coordinates compliance administration and is actively engaged with the firm's principals and advisory team in the prospective client communication process. Ever focused on a deep interest for client care, Ginger continually looks for opportunities to honor and celebrate clients' life events.

Ginger grew up on a family farm in Kasson, Minnesota and graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies. For 30 years she supported litigation attorneys as a legal assistant/paralegal, focusing on client contact, jury studies, investigations, and document analysis. Her roles grew to include management of litigation department paralegals and teams of case assistants/paralegals for national, multi-party litigation, as well as Office Manager for a Minneapolis presence of two Chicago law firms. Her keen eye for detail and project management was put to further use in 1992 when she assumed an Administrative Assistant role for the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association’s Symposium on the Future of the Civil Jury System with the Brookings Institution. Most recently, she was a Litigation Paralegal for Greene Espel, P.L.L.P. in Minneapolis.

Apart from her professional life, Ginger and her husband Steve are co-owners of Church Landscape in Kenyon, Minnesota, where she focuses her involvement on landscape design and sales. Ginger and Steve also raise registered Columbia and Suffolk sheep at Morning Meadows Farm in Kenyon. During the winter lambing season you will find her in the barn helping Steve with the newborn lambs, and on occasion, mothering an orphan lamb in the warmer comfort of their basement.

Volunteerism is an important part of Ginger’s community involvement. She is a Past President of the Minnesota Paralegal Association, and former board member of the Kenyon Arts Council, Paradise Center for the Arts, The Merlin Players, and All Seasons Community Services in Kenyon. Ginger also served for two years as a co-chair for the 5th Bridge Feed My Starving Children meal packing event. Her passions include theater, music, literature, letter writing, animal care, needlework, design and architecture, and the quiet of an early Sunday morning in the country.

Personal Thoughts
Stories of a life: a tale of the windings through various landscapes that have made us who we are. No one sits and becomes. Rather, we seek, stretch, and stumble to our current plain, only to experience sunrises and sunsets that continually change us. I have had a walking journey, traveling from a farm girl childhood through big city law firms and into Carlson Capital Management. Against the prevailing current, my stories are no longer in line with the expected. Rather, as the Persian mystic and poet Rumi said, “Start walking … then comes the moment of feeling the wings you’ve grown lifting,” and the landscape changes. The constant, however, is the deep and lasting relationships that create the authenticity of my life. As a child, my mother and father encouraged me to complement my daily chicken chores with music, literature and art; in the process they taught me humility and gratitude. My siblings, even today, broaden my understanding of compromise and companionship. Friends, some forever and others new, stretch me to find their passions and meld them with mine. Workmates energize my dedication to purpose and a job well done. My husband, as partner in life and enterprise, demonstrates by example the significance of integrity and excellence. Experiences have become stories: the fundamental values enriched by my journey have strengthened and simplified. My wings now open to a new prevailing wind like the sail catching the late morning gust of mist and sun.

As I serve Carlson Capital Management, working closely with the Management Team, I offer my authentic voice in service to you. What is important to you is important to me. I handle your stories, those past and those yet to be told, with personal dedication, focus, and respect. Our landscapes will change as our stories unfold, but the authentic care you experience at Carlson Capital Management will remain consistent and genuine.

Professional Biography
Gresina Cole is a Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management and Administrator for the American Center for Philanthropy, an independent nonprofit that offers donor advised funds and administers charitable grant requests on behalf of its donors. In her role, she serves as the primary point of contact for questions related to creating a fund, and submitting and processing grant requests. Gresina is also one of the welcoming colleagues you will see when you visit our Northfield office. As part of the client servicing team, she works on account openings, updates, fund transfers, and other key account-related requests. In addition, she works with the Advisory Team and specialists by handling key administrative functions and preparing materials for client presentations.

Gresina has more than 20 years of client service and office management experience, much of which was spent working at a regional insurance agency, and holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning^®. She enjoys cultivating an organized and service-oriented office and collaborating with others to deliver a high-quality experience for clients and colleagues.

Gresina is a Northfield, Minnesota, native who further established her roots there after pursuing her post-secondary education in Duluth. Outside of CCM, Gresina shares her life with her husband, Patrick, and their two children. Gresina enjoys spending time outdoors, boating, and camping. Together with her family, she participates in several classic car cruises throughout the summer in various communities.

Professional Biography
Haley Jochum serves as a Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management. Haley is the welcoming colleague you will see when you visit our Rochester office and one of the voices you may hear when you call into the firm. She is responsible for office management, hospitality, scheduling meetings, and preparing materials for client presentations. Haley is also a primary contact for account openings, fund transfers, and other client account servicing needs. In addition, she works with the Rochester advisory team and specialists by handling key administrative functions.

Haley is a graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management. After joining CCM, she went on to earn her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning^® in order to deepen her knowledge of the financial services field. She has a breadth of work experiences that include working as a marketing and promotions intern for the Mankato State athletic department and spent summers as an event operations intern with the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission. In addition, she worked in the bakery at Hy-Vee for six years, at both Mankato and Rochester locations.

Haley enjoys being active in the community. Over the years she has volunteered with many local organizations such as Rochester youth sports, the United Way, and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Haley currently volunteers with Girls on the Run. In her free time, Haley enjoys playing and coaching softball, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends and family. She also teaches both competitive and recreational classes at a dance studio in Rochester. Haley grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and is happy to have returned there after college.

Personal Thoughts
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” - Andrew Carnegie 

As someone who grew up as an athlete, teamwork has always played an important part of my life. From childhood sports, to a collection of internships throughout college, I have always valued being a part of a team. My studies of sport management in college allowed me to examine the inner workings of why some teams are so successful; it boils down to the team’s commitment to one another and a common goal.

Working at CCM, I get to see that same commitment every day through the care our clients and colleagues receive from our knowledgeable, dedicated, and supportive team. The commitment each colleague of CCM gives to our clients, one another, and our vision, is the reason I feel so fortunate to be part of such a great team.

Professional Biography
Heather Novotny is an Executive Assistant at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, she serves as the primary point of contact representing Founder Jeff Carlson. Heather’s responsibilities support a high level of client service, executive scheduling, and communication, and projects furthering the firm’s growth. She is a member of the firm’s Hastings office where she also coordinates facilities management.

Prior to joining CCM, Heather held a number of high-profile executive assistant positions, most recently serving the leadership team at a large dental insurance organization in Minneapolis. Her attention to detail, resourcefulness, and the priority she holds for clear, proactive communication makes her a valued collaborator for colleagues and clients alike.

Heather lives in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. She shares her life with her husband, Paul, daughter, Tori, and son, Tucker. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing on volleyball and bowling leagues, hiking, biking, and a good walk, traveling, finding new restaurants and breweries to try, and going to concerts. She is an active volunteer with Special Olympics Minnesota and the Friends in Need Food Shelf in St. Paul Park.

Personal Thoughts
The foundational values of Carlson Capital Management are exactly why I am proud to say I work for this company.  This statement is especially meaningful to me: "Our deep commitment to each client we serve is built upon foundational values like honesty, hard work, and a strong sense of personal dedication." I am a strong believer in hard work, being honest with ourselves and with others, and doing the right thing in all aspects of life.

Professional Biography
Henry Anderson serves on Carlson Capital Management’s Operations Team as an Operations Specialist. In this role, Henry collaborates closely with colleagues to provide accurate data management and reporting for all clients. In addition, he conducts regular audits to maintain CCM’s quality assurance processes.

Henry is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in social psychology. Prior to joining Carlson Capital Management, Henry worked in the operations department of a global financial services firm. In this work, he focused on delivering process enhancements to promote cross-team collaboration and supporting data management systems to ensure accurate client accounts.

Henry lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors mountain biking, camping, and fishing at the cabin.

Professional Biography
Jack Cronin is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Jack works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Jack also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Jack graduated from Saint John's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in global business leadership. While at Saint John's, Jack provided leadership on numerous fronts. He was responsible for the oversight of a team of 25 student workers and he volunteered as an afterschool homework tutor for elementary school students. In addition, despite the incredible challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack completed an internship with a London-based firm to collect and analyze key data points to support future growth objectives.

Jack grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota, and lives there now, too. Outside of his work at CCM, Jack enjoys playing golf, the outdoors, and being around friends.

Personal Thoughts
My life has consisted of three key components thus far: hard work, relationship-building, and having a positive attitude.

Hard Work

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” -Tim Notke, high school basketball coach

There is no excuse for not working hard, and yet so many people fail to give their best effort. Growing up, my parents always told me to try to be the best at whatever I'm doing. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what someone's calling is. Work hard to be the best and success will come.

Relationship-building

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” -Warren Buffet

Building a good reputation is directly correlated to creating strong relationships. Relationship-building isn’t just key in business, it’s key in life. Building and maintaining strong, healthy relationships is a difficult full-time job that requires attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Positive Attitude

I believe everything begins and ends with attitude. It's one aspect of life that we can all control, and has a significant impact on success and happiness. It's important to bring the best attitude possible to every situation, no matter what.

I am excited to be a part of CCM and bring my hard work, passion for relationship-building, and positive attitude to the firm. I hope these traits will contribute meaningfully to our success and positively impact the clients I encounter.

Professional Biography
Jackie Finkbeiner is the Director of Human Capital at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Jackie is relied upon for establishing and executing all human capital functions, including overseeing recruitment and retention, talent management, HR technology platforms, total rewards administration, compliance, and learning and development. Jackie derives her energy and passion from relationship building and is dedicated to sustaining the firm's culture of care for all colleagues.

A Michigan native, Jackie is a proud alum of Northern Michigan University. Jackie has held multiple progressively responsible HR roles, and came to CCM with a strong background in organizational development. Jackie is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and holds the Professional in Human Resources^® (PHR^®) certification, serving as evidence of her commitment to the highest standards in the industry and continuing education.

A Michigan native, Jackie and her husband, Bradley, live in Minneapolis with their daughter. In her free time, she enjoys staying active outdoors, traveling, and attending concerts.

Professional Biography
Jake Meyer is an Investment Specialist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Jake is responsible for monitoring and reviewing client portfolios to maintain balance across asset classes, placing trades though the custodial trading platform, and reviewing daily cash positions. He also actively supports data management and custodial relationships for the firm.

Jake received his Bachelor of Arts in business from Bethel University where his coursework was concentrated in the areas of finance and analysis and analytics. While some of his earliest work memories are serving as a jack-of-all-trades on his family's commercial crop farm, he proudly boasts the title of entrepreneur, having established a vehicle detailing business while in high school and maintaining a satisfied customer base with his excellent service. Prior to joining CCM, Jake served as an advisor support specialist for a small Twin Cities advisory firm. In this work, he designed model portfolios to match clients' risk tolerances, initiated trades on clients' behalf, and supported a high-quality client experience by maintaining accurate data.

Jake grew up on a farm outside of Clara City, Minnesota, and currently lives in Roseville. In his free time he enjoys golfing, playing basketball, camping, wakesurfing as well as relaxing on the boat, and spending time with friends.

Personal Thoughts
Growing up on a farm has greatly influenced who I am today, as it taught me many important things. A few of the most notable teachings were: the importance of patience, how to resolve problems, and how to react and adapt to changes. This background prepared me well, and I look forward to adding my perspective to support the CCM's growth and continued success.

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 three 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.

Professional Biography
Janelle Schrupp is a Director of Estate Planning at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, she works as a member of the CCM Advisory Team to provide critical estate planning insights and plan design to support the delivery of the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience.

Before joining CCM, Janelle owned and operated a law firm, focusing on estate planning and elder law. After years of solo practice, she brought her estate planning expertise to the wealth management industry, serving as a wealth manager and, most recently, senior fiduciary advisory specialist for a large, Twin Cities wealth management firm for financially established families. Throughout her career, Janelle has supported the development and administration of estate plans to efficiently transfer wealth in ways that best meet clients' wishes.

Janelle graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law, now Mitchell Hamline School of Law. While in law school, Janelle was highly engaged in the areas of elder law and estate planning.

Janelle lives in North Oaks, Minnesota, and shares her life with her partner, Ryan, and two daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors, especially in her garden, and volunteers at her daughters’ school.

Professional Biography
Jason Kley is the Director of Financial Planning and a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As a Senior Advisor, Jason 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, Jason 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. In addition, Jason is a member of the firm's investment committee, helping to advise on investment practices and strategies. Jason also serves as the Director of Financial Planning, ensuring all processes related to the integrated wealth management functions and delivery of CCM’s client experience are aligned with the strategic mission and vision of the firm, meeting or exceeding operational expectations, and consistently administered across all geographic and functional locations.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas where he graduated magna cum laude in 1998. He went on to earn an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Strategy from Washington University in St. Louis. As a graduate student Jason was recognized for his strong leadership in being named a Leadership Fellow and Dean’s Special Service award recipient. Jason holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, as well as an 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.

Before joining the CCM team, Jason worked for a Minneapolis wealth management firm where he served as a financial advisor, investment committee member, and 401k plan specialist. Prior to that, Jason worked for Thrivent Financial and Union Pacific, serving in business analyst and strategic operational roles.

Jason serves on the Minnesota Jump$tart Board, which is an organization focused on advancing financial literacy for youth. He is also a member of the Children's Minnesota Foundation Legacy Advisors. In addition, Jason volunteers his time through the Financial Matters program of BestPrep, speaking to high school and college students about financial principles, Angel Foundation, and Urban Ventures. Jason previously served on the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota Board and was President of the organization in 2018. He is a past member of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce DRIVE Emerging Leaders Board, BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture Advisory Committee, and the City of St. Louis Park Police Advisory Commission. Jason was awarded the BestPrep Volunteer of the Year in 2016 and named the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader of the Year in 2009. He has been featured in various publications including Minnesota Business, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities, and traveling. Jason, his wife Sheila, and their two sons reside in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
With each passing year, I find that I am placing an increased emphasis on being focused. On the surface, having focus seems to run counter to the priority our society places on multi-tasking. In reality, the more focus one has—the more efficient they really are. When I’m able to focus on a conversation, I can understand more clearly and develop relationships through more attentive listening. When I am truly engaged with someone, it means putting down my mobile device, listening, and asking questions. If I’m focused on a project, I’m more effective, I’m learning more and am producing better outcomes. As I am playing with my children, I’m focused on inspiring their creativity and teaching them life lessons. Nothing else matters at that moment in time. Focus allows me to prioritize the things that are important in life, and allows me to drown out the noise that I cannot control. Focusing on things that are important forces me to move beyond the things that are not.

I enjoy working with our clients at CCM and I appreciate the opportunity to focus on what I can do to help them meet their goals, and allow them to focus on what matters most to them.

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

Professional Biography
As a Senior Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management, Jenny Barthel assists clients with all aspects of account management, including activities such as account openings, fund transfers, online access, and many other key account servicing needs. In addition, Jenny provides office management and client hospitality and works with the firm's advisors by handling central administrative and servicing functions. She is a lead within the firm's team of client servicing representatives, establishing and ensuring high standards of care for CCM's clients, and providing, leadership, training, and work direction.

Jenny joined CCM with more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is collaborative by nature and has an impressive track record of providing exceptional client service. Jenny lives in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and shares her life with her three adult children. She enjoys spending time at the cabin making memories with family and friends, truly the “happy place!”

Professional Biography
As a member of the firm's Management Team and as Chief Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management, John is responsible for all CCM advisory functions, business development initiatives, and for the talent management of advisory team members. In this role, he leads the firm's strategic, operational, and tactical activities related to the overall wealth management experience for clients, ensuring that delivery of CCM’s client experience is aligned with the mission and vision of the firm. In addition, as a member of the senior management team, John works closely with the President and the Board on the development of the firm's annual and long-term strategic plans.

John brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to his position at CCM. He began his career with Charles Schwab & Co. at the St. Paul, Minnesota, branch, and held roles with progressive responsibility leading to his position as Vice President and Branch Manager which he held for eight years. In that role, John worked directly with clients and their families on all aspects of wealth management, while leading successful teams of advisors. His business development acumen earned him the Chairman’s Club Platinum Award. While at Schwab, John led the efforts to open and manage the offices in St. Paul as well as Rochester, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. John then transitioned to serving clients with trust administration and portfolio management. From there, John served in a Senior Vice President and Managing Director role, where he spent six years serving clients and leading the Trust Fiduciary teams for the Minneapolis St. Paul markets of a large national banking institution. His professional experience includes working with clients on all aspects of wealth management and financial planning, and managing teams of financial professionals in their service to clients.

John grew up in Scandia, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, as well as the Certified Trust Financial Advisor and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy credentials.

John's involvement in the community has included active engagement with the YMCA-Twin Cities, Northeast branch where he served on the board for a number of years and continues on as a legacy board member. When not at work, John enjoys family time at the cabin near the Brainerd lakes area, as well as hunting and fishing. John and his wife, Krista, live in Mahtomedi and have two daughters.

Professional Biography
Josh Hopkins is a Database Analyst at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Operation Team, Josh supports the maintenance and integrity of the firm's databases, including ensuring their interconnectivity, provides training to colleagues to promote efficiency and consistency, and delivers key data insights to support leadership's decision making and the strategic objectives of teams across the firm.

For nearly 15 years, Josh has expanded and honed his data and technology skills in a variety of settings. Key highlights include serving in the United States Army and Army National Guard where he received a Commendation Medal for his accurate recordkeeping, directed the schedules and responsibilities of his fellow soldiers, and provided leadership on network operations, including managing unclassified networks for over 300 military personnel. Upon his discharge, he leveraged his experience, leadership, and track record managing confidential information with care to roles as a network and support technician. He is a skilled problem solver who enjoys helping and teaching others.

Outside of his work at CCM, Josh enjoys keeping up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, watching the Vikings and Wild, and occasionally indulging in both video and board games with friends.

Professional Biography
Judd Lohmann is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As a Senior Advisor, Judd 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, Judd 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. In addition, Judd is a member of the firm's investment committee, helping to advise on investment practices and strategies.

After graduating from St. Olaf College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Judd went on to receive his MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota with a concentration in Finance. He began his career at Honeywell in Minneapolis, where for three years he conducted capital planning and investment analysis. For the following twenty-one years Judd was employed by IDS/American Express Financial Advisors/Ameriprise, serving in a financial leadership capacity in several areas: in the Real Estate Department he was the principal financial analyst for the new corporate office center; in the Advisor Technology Department he led the financial analyst team that helped redesign the sales tools and processes, and in the Treasury Department he was responsible for investor and rating agency relationships and preparation/coordination of monthly meetings of the corporate Balance Sheet Management Committee.

Judd has been involved with and supported various organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Over and Back, the Boy Scouts of America, a Circle of Service volunteer group, and Emmaus Church of Northfield, Minnesota. He and his wife Susan enjoy living in Northfield, where they have raised their three children.

Personal Thoughts
The concept of integration is an important one for me, and has become more so throughout my life. I want my life to be integrated, to have the pieces fit well and make sense together. And the word integration shares a common root with another word that is significant to me. This word is integrity, and for me personally it means being the same person wherever I am and whoever I am with – living as a person of integrity.

I believe these principles can carry over into the financial component of one’s life. A financial plan is optimized when it is well aligned and integrated with one’s goals and intended legacy. It is essential that our clients feel secure knowing that, not only is there a plan in place, but also that this plan is being prudently monitored and managed to ensure that their goals and legacy are consistent with their intentions. It is our job to listen carefully to your goals, help establish a course that provides the best means to set it in motion, and then to work with you to stay on the established course or respond appropriately to life changes.

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

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.

Professional Biography
Kelly Irvine is a member of the Management Team and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Carlson Capital Management. She oversees the planning, development, and execution of the firm’s marketing strategies; client communications; brand management; event management; and community involvement all with an eye on keeping our clients’ experience at the forefront. She is also responsible for partnering with other leaders and human capital colleagues to nurture and support the firm's keen focus on culture as expressed through its mission, vision, and values.

Kelly graduated with departmental distinction in Political Science from St. Olaf College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude. Her career took her to Montana, Idaho, and Wisconsin before returning to Minnesota. Kelly’s professional background spans both the corporate and non-profit sectors. She has held corporate management positions in community relations and human resources.

Kelly was selected as a Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and served board tenures at both the Northfield Area Family YMCA and the Helena Education Foundation. Additional activities have included advisory committee service at St. Dominic School and co-chairing 5th Bridge-Feed My Starving Children Northfield meal-packing events, and many years of Northfield Jingle Bell Runs. Kelly, her husband Colin, and their two children spent the 2010-2011 school year living in and working from Oslo, Norway. She now telecommutes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she resides with her family.

Personal Thoughts
Like many Minnesotans, I grew up with the privilege of “going to the Lake” in the summer. (Much to the chagrin of my spouse, who hails from the West, we Midwesterners never really bother to specify which lake. It’s just the Lake.) Not unlike many families in this area, I am fortunate in that early ancestors from Norway had the foresight to purchase lake front land where they wasted no time establishing family traditions – including an annual July 4th celebration. And while land is simply land, it’s our landscape that helps describe the essence of who we are. For me that landscape, and more precisely the Lake, is really all about cousins.

I recall my wedding day as guests came out of the chapel to greet us in the receiving line. My new mother-in-law from out of state stood next to me as I introduced her to many unfamiliar faces. She remarked later that every other person was “a cousin from the Lake.” How right she was. In our family, it doesn’t matter if one is a first cousin, a third cousin twice-removed, or the spouse of a second cousin – we are just cousins. Cousins range from several months old to those in their nineties. We all grew up spending summers at the Lake, and we were always accountable to the aunts and uncles in the generation (or two) ahead of us. We are there for one another’s weddings, funerals, and sometimes birthdays. We look forward to sharing kransekake and rommegrot on special occasions. We are intent on ensuring that our children know our cousins’ children. So, to know me is to know that I am a wife and a mother, a daughter and a sister, and, importantly, a cousin.

All of us at CCM look forward to learning your story, because that is how we at CCM have defined ourselves as a company, and that is how we will continue to define ourselves in the future. Knowing you, and your story, enables us to help you accomplish what is important to you.

Professional Biography
Kevin Koski serves as Principal Tax Advisor at Carlson Capital Management and with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. Kevin works closely with the advisory team to deliver clients fully integrated wealth management services, lending his experience to proactive tax-related planning. As a senior member of the Tax Team, Kevin plays a lead role and helps to oversee the preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. Kevin participates in client meetings and serves as a tax resource for clients, both individually and collaboratively with other advisors, to develop customized recommendations.

Kevin came to CCM with strong expertise having worked with clients at a St. Paul CPA firm for 15 years. In his role there, Kevin provided leadership and direction for the firm’s tax services practice, and advised clients on income and estate tax matters. Kevin was also an advisor on general financial planning topics such as stock option analysis, charitable planning, and gifting strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families. Kevin is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Kevin grew up in Virginia, Minnesota and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. Shortly following graduation, Kevin earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status. Outside of work, Kevin has three children and enjoys volunteering as a coach and assistant with their athletic teams. Kevin and his family reside in South Minneapolis.

Kevin and other members of the CCM Tax Team regularly post articles of interest on tax planning topics which you can find here.

Professional Biography
Kim Wurl serves as an Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the Advisory Team, Kim partners with clients and their families, providing the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, Kim 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.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University. Following college, Kim served as an AmeriCorps Fellow in New Orleans, Louisiana. She then went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. Kim holds the Certified Financial Planner™ certification granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Before joining CCM, Kim worked for the Public Defender's Office in New Orleans and as part of the team at a Twin Cities wealth advisory firm.

In her free time, Kim likes to explore Minnesota’s great state parks and enjoys the many running and cross-country ski trails in the Twin Cities. Kim is originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, and now resides in Saint Louis Park with her husband, Joe.

Personal Thoughts
Pull out a $20 from your wallet. You don't have to look at the number to know what denomination it is, with the familiar face of Andrew Jackson on the front. When you look at details of his face, you see a furrowed brow, a slightly dropped chin, unconstrained hair, and eyes looking toward the future. Cold, hard cash seems to soften in the hand when you contemplate the expressions of a man at the center of conflict and hopes of someone who led a nation.

I find that for the vast majority of people, wealth is not about the number on the bill or the size of the number on the statement. Achieving financial success is about the same concerns of the face on that bill. Having financial success represents hopes that are unique to each person -- it could mean quality time with loved ones, a comfortable life, exploration through travel, or joy in generosity.

As a daughter of two perpetual volunteers, my greatest satisfaction is when I can create a positive impact on the lives of others. Through building trusting relationships, I am committed to helping achieve well-being in whatever form that takes for our clients.

Professional Biography
Serving as a Tax Specialist at Carlson Capital Management, Kyle DeGross provides support to the firm's tax advisors in developing and implementing strategies that consider the full integration of clients' investment, estate, financial, tax, insurance, and philanthropic plans. As a member of the Tax Team, Kyle regularly calculates tax projections and promotes a high-quality meeting and client experience with the thorough preparation of materials and proactive communication. In addition, he has responsibility for preparing tax returns through CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Kyle obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Although he made the decision to pursue an accounting major as a junior—much later than many of his peers—with determination and grit he completed the program and the required credits to be eligible for the CPA exam in just five semesters. In addition to his studies, Kyle was involved in intramural basketball and the Accounting Society; and during his senior year, he completed an internship with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, where he quickly found himself indispensable.

A native Wisconsinite, Kyle hails from Ellsworth and currently resides in River Falls. In his free time he enjoys sports—especially basketball—and is a video game enthusiast.

Personal Thoughts
After my first two years in college, I was still unsure of what I wanted my profession to be. A friend suggested accounting, and I quickly found that it was the profession I’d been searching for. The value and relevancy to the business world was immediately apparent. My internship through CCM illustrated how my skills could be developed and utilized to improve the lives of our clients.

My favorite thing about working at CCM is how I learn something new daily. My colleagues are the best resource for learning about the world of integrated wealth management, and questions are always encouraged. I’m excited to grow my skills and knowledge to assist in our clients reaching their goals. With great leadership being brought by experienced colleagues, I am confident and pleased in having CCM to begin a meaningful career in which I can enrich the lives of others.

Professional Biography
Lana Wallin is an Operations Specialist at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Lana collaborates closely with colleagues to provide accurate data and account management. In addition, she conducts regular audits to maintain CCM's quality assurance processes.

Lana is a seasoned accounting professional with more than three decades of experience at a Twin Cities RIA wealth management firm. She is a graduate of District One Technical Institute in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she received an Associate Degree in accounting. The success she's experienced throughout her career is a testament to her passionate commitment to quality and details and the excitement she feels for work that fully leverages her skills in communications and analytics.

Lana lives in Prescott, Wisconsin, with her husband, Brad, two children, and two dogs. She strives to be active and embraces the outdoors. Over the years she has volunteered with many organizations, including in her church and as a youth sports coach, and is currently involved in fundraising initiatives in her community. Lana enjoys playing golf with her husband, is her son’s biggest basketball fan, and adores long walks with her daughter and their two energetic Aussiedoodles.

Professional Biography
Lane Christensen is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Lane works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Lane also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for holding a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Lane graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accountancy and finance. Lane was an active participant in the University's student-managed investment fund, where he served as vice president of the communication services sector and performed equity research for the endowment fund. Prior to joining the Carlson Capital Management team, Lane worked as a financial analyst intern for Jack Link's and the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, supporting the development of numerous policies and reports and analyzing data to ensure accurate records and consistent processes.

Lane is a native of Amery, Wisconsin, but now resides in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He enjoys nearly any outdoor activity, but spends much of his time playing golf, hiking, hunting, and fishing with friends and family. In his free time he also enjoys volunteering as a coach and camp instructor for the Amery Youth Baseball program.

Personal Thoughts
My family has an impressive track record of careers in helping others. My father is a police officer, my mother worked in emergency services, my brother is a firefighter/paramedic, and my sister-in-law is a police officer. With this backdrop, it's not surprising that from a very young age, a passion to care for others has been instilled in me.

For me, financial planning is my avenue to make a difference in the lives of others. In my short time at CCM, I've developed genuine relationships of mutual respect that go well behind the topics of finances and investments. It's an honor to engage with clients about their life goals and personal aspirations, and I've learned that there is no greater feeling than earning a client's trust and giving them peace of mind that their financial matters are in the best hands possible.

Professional Biography
Leah Rich is Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications at Carlson Capital Management. Leah provides strategic communications direction and implementation support to enhance the client experience and build brand awareness.

Leah is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies and management. Prior to joining the Carlson Capital Management team, Leah worked for 15 years at a marketing agency, developing and implementing integrated communications strategies for clients across a variety of industries.

Leah enjoys quiet walks, good books, a houseful of guests, and family puzzles. Leah is a current board member of WINGS and serves on the City of Northfield's Arts and Culture Commission. She is also an active volunteer on the Northfield Public Schools Communications Committee. Leah shares her life with her husband, Matthew, and their four children. Together they reside in Northfield, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
As a mom, I often think about the legacy I’ll leave for my children. What about me will they remember most? My six-year-old recently described me to his classmates by sharing that I’m really good at UNO—yes, the card game!

Although my name won’t ever be found in an UNO hall of fame, I hope that my legacy is centered on excellence—giving everything I can in every instance. I’ve found—time and time again—that my work ethic and can-do attitude are difference makers, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with colleagues who share in a commitment to giving their very best at every turn.

Professional Biography
As a Senior Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management, Lynall Malecha serves both new and current clients with all aspects of account management including activities such as account openings, fund transfers, online access, and many other key account servicing needs. In addition, Lynall provides office management and client hospitality and works with the firm’s advisors by handling central administrative and servicing functions. She also serves as a lead within the firm's team of client servicing representatives establishing and ensuring high standards of care for CCM's clients, and providing leadership, training and work direction.

Lynall joined CCM with more than fifteen years of experience in commercial insurance, including client and policy servicing as an account manager. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and gardening. Lynall is a Northfield, Minnesota native, and lives in the country outside of town with her husband Mike, where they raised their two daughters.

Personal Thoughts
I consider myself very fortunate to have a job that excites and energizes me. When I walk through the doors of CCM in the morning, I know that I am walking into an atmosphere where we are all dedicated to serving our clients. I have found that our clients here are unlike any others I have encountered in previous companies I've worked for. They are kind, genuine, and caring, and also invest the time into getting to know the colleagues of our firm. Some of my favorite days at work have been when I've had clients sitting at my desk sharing updates about their families or their plans for winter vacations. I am grateful for the opportunity to deepen relationships with our clients while helping them build a financially secure future.

Professional Biography
Mary Keller is the Manager of Operations and Client Service for Carlson Capital Management. In her operations role, Mary devotes herself to ensuring the smooth operation and ongoing enhancement of CCM’s portfolio/financial management software. Mary manages the integrity of the firm’s investment data including accurate reporting, billing, and oversight of the Client Portal to enrich the client experience. As Manager of Client Service, Mary provides leadership by working with the CCM client servicing team to provide clients with a best-in-class experience.

Mary’s depth of experience includes more than 30 years in the wealth management industry. Mary is a proven leader who skillfully balances the development and implementation of strategic and tactical initiatives, and continually seeks to develop workflows and leverage technology to create efficiencies for clients and colleagues.

Mary is a graduate of St. Cloud State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in business finance with an emphasis in computer science. Mary enjoys time with her family and being outdoors—especially taking long walks with her dog, snow skiing, and vacationing to destinations below the 30^th parallel north. Mary and her husband, Pete, live in Excelsior, Minnesota. They have two adult children and a lively Miniature Australian Shepherd.

Professional Biography
As a Senior Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management, Mary Schubbe serves both new and current clients with all aspects of account management including activities such as account openings, fund transfers, online access, and many other key account servicing needs. In addition, Mary provides office management and client hospitality and works with the firm’s advisors by handling central administrative and servicing functions. She also serves as a lead within the firm's team of client servicing representatives establishing and ensuring high standards of care for CCM's clients, and providing leadership, training and work direction.

Mary joined CCM with more than twenty-five years of experience in customer service management, sales administration, project management, and operations support roles. Client servicing combined with managing multiple projects simultaneously has been a common thread in Mary’s career. When she’s not working, Mary enjoys attending her children’s sports activities and gardening. Mary grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and now resides in Bloomington with her spouse and two children.

Professional Biography
Matthew Jaeger is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Matthew works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Matthew also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Matthew Jaeger graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, with an emphasis in finance. While at St. Olaf, Matthew competed as part of the college's rowing team and, for two years, held the role of treasurer. Before joining CCM, Matthew gained industry experience as an intern for a Boston-based investment management firm. In this role, he provided key support to ensure high quality service and efficient portfolio management.

Matthew is a St. Paul, Minnesota, native who now calls Northfield, Minnesota, home. Outside of his time at CCM, Matthew enjoys playing sports, attending car shows, and spending time with friends and family.

Personal Thoughts
In my short time at CCM, I have found it particularly impactful to help clients determine what legacy they want to leave with their wealth and how they want to impact their family and community. In doing this, I have come to appreciate that not every aspect of work can be swiftly crossed off a to-do list. Through many conversations and the deepening of a relationship, we can discuss and implement strategies around a client’s legacy. It is a privilege to hold this responsibility in partnership with my colleagues, and we are honored to bring to bear our entire team’s tremendous knowledge to each client situation and treat it with the uniqueness it merits.

Professional Biography
Nash Bennett is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Nash works closely with the firm's wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. He is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Nash also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, he is responsible for holding a strong working knowledge of and leveraging firm technology to best serve clients.

Nash is a graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business degree in finance. He began working at Carlson Capital Management as an intern, providing special project support to advisors across the firm. During his tenure, he supported multiple data, analysis, and organization strategies, while familiarizing himself with CCM's clients and technology platforms.

Nash is a Minnesota native and lives in Edina, Minnesota. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and online games, fishing, and reading. Nash is an alumnus of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Professional Biography
Nick Krakosky is an Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the advisory team, Nick partners with clients and their families, providing the firm's fully integrated wealth management experience including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, Nick 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.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with emphases in finance and banking and real estate, from the University of Missouri's Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. Prior to joining the CCM team, Nick worked for more than six years as a trainer for a large, nationwide investment firm. During his tenure, he was responsible for developing training programs to enhance the client experience and support the implementation of goals-based processes. Nick holds the Certified Financial Planner™ certification granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Nick and his wife, Rachel, proudly call Rochester, Minnesota, home. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time playing golf, eating good food, playing hockey, watching sports, and taking his dog, Lily, on walks.

Personal Thoughts
I was born and raised in a suburb of St. Louis alongside of my three siblings by two hardworking parents who balanced a tight family budget by sacrificing many of their own wants so we could enjoy the thing we loved the most—playing competitive travel hockey. As I grew older, I became more aware of the sacrifices my parents were making, so I began mowing lawns at 13 and got my first job at the hockey rink at 15 so I didn’t have to rely on my parents as much for hockey equipment and spending cash. Throughout the rest of high school, I grew more and more interested in personal finance as I made my own money and helped pay my own bills.

After high school, I went on to become the first in my family to attend college. While my family couldn’t afford to pay for college, my parents always loaded me up with tons of groceries, gas money, and a little extra spending cash so I could focus on school and getting involved in leadership opportunities on campus. My parents’ generosity, willingness, and ability to live on a tight family budget left an everlasting impression on my work ethic, views on money, and my career aspirations to become a wealth advisor and help others make the most of their wealth.

Professional Biography
Paige Woods serves as Senior Tax Advisor and Manager of Tax Services on the Carlson Capital Management team as well as within CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. Paige works closely with the Advisory Team to deliver clients fully integrated wealth management services, lending her experience to proactive tax-related planning. As a member of the Tax Team, Paige has responsibility for preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. She also participates in client meetings and serves as a tax resource for clients. Paige provides service both individually and collaboratively with other advisors to develop customized recommendations. In addition, she is responsible for mentoring new tax colleagues in the firm's approach to integrated wealth management and culture of care.

Paige’s most recent experience includes four-and-a-half years as a tax senior for a Minneapolis CPA firm. In this role, she worked in a variety of capacities providing tax compliance services—preparing and reviewing individual, fiduciary, partnership, and corporate returns. She also reviewed complex gift tax and estate returns and assisted in subsequent tax planning related to estate administration, as well as provided consultative scenario-based tax planning services for clients. Paige also served in a coaching role for early senior-level consultants, providing hands-on technical skills training, mentorship, and professional development. Paige is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Paige is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, where she earned her Bachelor of Accountancy, graduating cum laude. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time checking out the foodie and brewery scene in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis with friends and family, especially the pet-friendly places so her bulldog, Cash, can join. Paige grew up in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and now resides in downtown Minneapolis with her husband, Joey.

Personal Thoughts
“I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning ... to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years; for that dash represents all the time she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth … so when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?"

The above excerpts from “The Dash,” by Linda Ellis may hit home for each of us. For me, these words are a reminder that life is finite and fleeting.  Each day that I am lucky enough to wake up, I will behave intentionally and purposefully, always asking myself if my next move will get me a small step closer not only to where I ultimately envision myself, but also if that move will help to get those around me closer to their big picture goals.

We each have the same 24 hours every day that we choose what to do with. My colleagues and I choose to spend our hours each work day serving our valued clients by cultivating relationships and learning their unique stories, cohesively making every decision in each client’s best interests, so they can, in turn, spend their hours continuing to pursue their lifetime passions with peace of mind, knowing their thoughtfully developed wealth plan is in trusted hands.

The CCM Tax Team regularly posts articles of interest on tax planning topics which you can find here.

Professional Biography
Pete Roseboom serves as a Senior Tax Advisor as part of the Carlson Capital Management team as well as with CCM Tax & Trust Administration, a wholly-owned affiliate of Carlson Capital Management. Pete works closely with the advisory team to deliver clients fully integrated wealth management services, lending his experience to proactive tax-related planning. As a member of the Tax Team, Pete has responsibility for preparation, review, and completion of individual and trust tax returns and tax projections. He also participates in client meetings and serves as a tax resource for clients, providing service both individually and collaboratively with other advisors, to develop customized recommendations.

Prior to joining CCM, Pete’s professional experience included eight years in progressively responsible roles with RSM US, LLP in Rochester, Minnesota—most recently as a Lead Tax Manager. Pete's experience has encompassed working in a variety of accounting and tax advice capacities serving clients. He brings extensive experience assisting affluent clients and middle market businesses with their tax compliance and planning needs. Pete is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Pete is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hunting, and spending time with family. Pete is active in the community as a board member for Bear Creek Services of Rochester, an organization that provides personalized community life experiences for individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries, and also as the current treasurer of the Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation. Both being Rochester natives, Pete and his wife Danelle reside in Rochester, Minnesota, with their two children.

The CCM Tax Team regularly posts articles of interest on tax planning topics which you can find here.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dear friend and colleague, Sandy Rowan, passed away on Thursday, December 31st. Sandy fought a valiant battle with cancer for the past two years, and within the past month, complications became such that treatment was no longer an option. Sandy was part of the CCM family for sixteen years, and a truly beloved member of the core team that has made CCM what it is today. It is an understatement to say that she will be missed—but there is so much about her that we will miss.

We will miss her warm smile that was there when we walked into the Northfield office every morning. We will miss her maternal supervision of our comings/goings and ensuring we were wearing coats when it was cold. We will miss her laughter and her teasing. We will miss her consistent reminders to advisors about putting things into “the queue.” We will miss getting updates on her beautiful grandchildren, and time at the cabin spent with family. We will just plain miss her consistent, dependable, loyal and caring presence. There will be an empty place in our office, and in our lives.

Sandy’s legacy unquestionably will be ever-present in the lives of her husband, Bill, her two children and their families. In addition, she has left a lasting legacy at Carlson Capital Management. Sandy was central to making our client servicing team what it is today. When she joined CCM she was a very experienced office manager, and new to financial services. What she left was a thriving, efficient operation--always focused on providing clients with the best service possible. Sandy had numerous relationships and friendships with CCM clients who we know will dearly miss her as well.

Godspeed dear friend as you cross this threshold. We are so grateful, Sandy, for the place you filled in our CCM family. Our firm will forever hold for you the place on our team that can be only yours.

Professional Biography
Selene Serkland is a Paraplanner at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Selene works closely with the firm’s wealth advisors, collaborating throughout the planning process to deliver comprehensive financial plans to clients. She is responsible for collecting, tracking, and monitoring related data, preparing presentation materials, and assisting with portfolio management. Selene also facilitates client-advisor communications and works proactively to monitor and complete client-related servicing activities. In addition, she is responsible for a strong working knowledge of and leveraging of firm technology to best serve clients.

Selene graduated from St. Olaf College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics with a concentration in statistics. While at St. Olaf, Selene competed as part of the college's rowing team and held the position of president for two years. Prior to joining CCM, Selene served as an intern for a mid-sized wealth management firm in Chicago. In this role, she developed a passion for the financial services industry and gained foundational knowledge of portfolio management. Selene holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Selene grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In her free time, Selene enjoys spending time swimming in one of Minnesota's 10,000+ lakes.

Professional Biography
Shelly Greshik serves on Carlson Capital Management’s operations team as a Senior Operations Specialist. In this role, Shelly collaborates closely with colleagues to provide accurate data management and reporting for all clients. In addition, she conducts regular audits to maintain CCM’s quality assurance processes.

Shelly has spent more than three decades providing exceptional service and data management in various roles, including more than 10 years at a Twin Cities based wealth management firm. She is organized and detail-oriented, resulting in a high-quality experience for colleagues and clients alike.

Shelly earned her Bachelor of Arts in accounting from the University of St. Thomas. She grew up in the small town of Wimbledon, North Dakota, and currently resides in Chaska, Minnesota. Outside of her role at Carlson Capital Management, Shelly's time is centered around family and friends. She enjoys nature, stories, traveling, and learning about people and places.

Professional Biography
Sue Desrosier serves as the Retirement Plan Client Relationship and Education Manager for Retirement Plan Services at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Sue is a primary resource for all Retirement Plan Services clients. This includes serving as a servicing contact for all clients, providing support through the preparation and organization of presentations, delivering educational presentations, providing resources to plan participants, and managing all administrative functions of Retirement Plan Services. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor, and a designated Behavioral Financial Advisor, Sue enjoys meeting with plan participants to answer questions and help them better prepare for a successful retirement.

Sue graduated from Hamline University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. During her time at Hamline, Sue spent a semester studying at the University of Oslo in the Scandinavian Urban Studies program. Prior to joining CCM, Sue worked for eight years servicing and supporting clients through her work at BerganKDV Retirement Solutions and BerganKDV Insurance Solutions. Her previous work experience includes seven years with a private asset group in the Twin Cities. When not working, Sue enjoys traveling, both in the U.S. and outside of the country. She also loves spending time with family, especially at their family farm in Bruno, Minnesota. Sue and her husband Louie, reside in Buffalo, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
Up until I was twelve years old, my dad was in the Air Force and my family traveled around the world following his assignments. When my dad retired, we moved to a small hobby farm in northern Minnesota. Talk about culture shock! My childhood had consisted of exotic locations and cultures, and now encompassed milking cows and goats. From my travels, I learned how to embrace diversity and developed an appreciation for meeting new people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Life on the farm taught me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and compassion. As the Retirement Plan Client Relationship and Education Manager at Carlson Capital Management, I am blessed to have the opportunity to use these lessons in my work with retirement plan participants and plan sponsors. I enjoy assisting plan participants in maximizing the benefit of their retirement account to reach their retirement goals. I also have the pleasure of working with plan sponsor and company owners to assist them with creating and maintaining a retirement plan that meets their needs and goals. Traveling is still a big part of my life; I am usually less than eight months away from an overseas trip.

Professional Biography
Tanisha Justus serves in the role of Technology Support Supervisor at Carlson Capital Management. In this work, Tanisha provides team leadership and extends direct technical support to colleagues to leverage the use of technology systems, applications, and resources in order to best serve clients. As part of the Operations & Technology Team, Tanisha plays a critical role in project management and mentoring new colleagues.

Tanisha holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Technology as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Studies from Northern Arizona University. In addition, she has earned the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation from the College for Financial Planning. Tanisha comes to CCM having worked for two years as an IT Specialist with one of CCM’s ZAG member peers in Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Personal Thoughts
Whether it’s at home in my personal life or at work with my colleagues, I enjoy developing meaningful relationships with those I encounter. The relationships I have built with my colleagues and the work that I get to do each day deepens my passion and determination for serving others. I know when a colleague reaches out to me for support, my assistance goes beyond the initial troubleshooting phase, rooting deeper and allowing them to serve our clients with their highest abilities.

Each day presents the opportunity for me to build upon and enhance my skill area and focus, ultimately creating an environment focused on commitment and dedication to both our colleagues and clients.

Professional Biography
Tiara Elg serves as a Client Servicing Representative for Carlson Capital Management. Tiara is a welcoming colleague you will see when you visit our Bloomington office and one of the voices you may hear when you call into the firm. She is responsible for office management, hospitality, scheduling meetings, and preparing materials for client presentations. Tiara is also a primary contact for account openings, fund transfers, and other client account servicing needs. In addition, she works with the advisory team and specialists by handling key administrative functions.

Tiara’s professional background includes assisting customers with comprehensive account-related service in a banking environment. She joined CCM with 14 years of experience serving customers as a personal banker and senior teller.

Tiara and her husband are both from Bloomington, where they still reside and are happily raising their two children. She particularly enjoys Minnesota winters, spending time with family and friends, baking, and watching sports. Tiara is an active volunteer with the Bloomington Fastpitch Association, serving as a member of the fundraising committee and co-team manager for her daughter's traveling team.

Personal Thoughts
A number of years ago, I was having a conversation with a client about his upcoming retirement. He was so excited and you could feel how blessed he felt to have worked in a career with a wonderful company, alongside colleagues who truly became family. We got to talking more and he told me that he really tried to live his personal and work life through inspiration from the poem “Desiderata” by Max Erhmann. I had never heard of the poem. He instantly had me pull it up on my computer and print it off. He read it with me at my desk and I could feel the enthusiasm in his voice as he explained the poem to me in his own words.

I have kept that same piece of paper from that very day in my work bag ever since. Every once in a while I take it out and re-read the messages of being humble and enjoying your achievements, but also remembering that each person has their own story. Never to judge, but to be wholesome and to listen; among many more positive principles for living life.

When I first started at CCM, everything in the poem came alive. It sparked the same excitement in me that I saw in my client that day years ago. CCM shares many of the values that I hold close, for me, and for my family. I have also come to see first-hand that it’s not just with colleagues, but with every client that walks in CCM's doors. Each colleague at CCM is dedicated to making sure that the client has the most holistic experience. I am proud to work for a company that establishes itself on the principles of culture and trust for everyone.

Professional Biography
Tim Jackson is Director of Operations and Technology at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, Tim is responsible for oversight of all firm operations and technology. This includes planning, implementing and managing all aspects of technology to enhance both the client and colleague experience at CCM. He is also responsible for ensuring support and maintenance of existing applications, platforms and tools, as well as researching and implementing new solutions on an on-going basis. Tim’s hands-on experience and strong technical aptitude help ensure the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the firm’s operations.

Tim graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics with an emphasis in mathematics. After graduation, he joined a small software company in the Twin Cities, where he worked in research and development. Tim has extensive self-taught computer skills and has significant experience in designing and maintaining websites. In 2017, Tim began a three-year term as a member of the Charles Schwab Technology, Operations, and Service Advisory Board. He also volunteers his technical skills to assist a variety of non-profit organizations. Tim and his family live in Northfield, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
Family is very important to me. I grew up with three brothers and three sisters, and my parents have since gone on to adopt thirty more children, bringing the total number of children in my family to thirty-seven. The closeness of my family has instilled in me a strong sense of family values, which I carry forward to my own family now. My wife and I love every second we are with our children, watching them develop and grow.

Growing up in a large family has also given me a great understanding of teamwork and how to get things done. My brothers and sisters would seldom all agree on things, but somehow we managed to compromise and move on without anyone getting left behind. My family experiences have helped me apply these skills of teamwork and compromise in the business world. Teamwork has always been a part of the CCM culture and I’m proud to provide our clients with an experience that reflects this value.

Professional Biography
Tom Nowariak is a Senior Investment Specialist at Carlson Capital Management. As part of the investment team, Tom is responsible for monitoring and reviewing client portfolios to maintain balance across asset classes, making recommendations for portfolios when out of alignment with models, reviewing daily cash positions, and placing trades through the custodial trading platform. Tom is also responsible for key activities that support the firm’s data management and custodial relationships.

Tom is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Financial Markets - Finance. While studying at UMD, Tom was a participant in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics’ Financial Markets Program which was responsible for managing an investment portfolio worth over $1 million. He also gained industry experience through an internship with a large advisory firm in the Twin Cities. In his free time, Tom enjoys playing hockey, spending time with family and friends at the cabin, and fishing the many lakes in Minnesota. Tom grew up in Eagan and now lives in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Personal Thoughts
Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” This quote has always stayed with me and has been a catalyst for my firm belief that success is a function of curiosity. I have never been one to shy away from asking questions and have found that this particular mindset has encouraged me to keep an open mind while striving to learn new things.

Likewise at CCM, in order to make the best decisions for our clients, it is important that we all continue to learn, develop, and grow in both our knowledge and our curiosity every day. As our clients’ lives and their financial situations change, our knowledge and expertise so too expand in order to best serve our clients.

The CCM Investment Team regularly posts articles of interest including investment insights, recommended reading on timely topics, and articles on portfolio management which you can find here.

Professional Biography
As Chief Administrative Officer at Carlson Capital Management, Tom leads the firm's strategic and tactical activities related to functional administrative areas such as finance, compliance, legal, technology and operations. In addition, as a member of the firm's Management Team, Tom works closely with the President and the Board on the development and execution of the firm's annual and long-term strategic plans. In his dual role as Chief Financial Officer, Tom is responsible for the development, communication and execution of the firm’s corporate financial planning function. He oversees internal accounting and budgeting processes and reporting, corporate tax management, vendor management and financial technology. Tom also manages all regulatory compliance processes for CCM and leads the Risk Management Committee, partnering with the Chief Compliance Officer.

Tom brought more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry to his position at CCM. He served more than twenty years in the roles of chief financial officer and president of a Twin Cities based multi-state, multi-industry holding company. His professional experience includes all aspects of strategic, general and financial management as well as substantial experience with mergers and acquisitions.

Tom grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor's degree in Business. He went on to earn his MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota. Tom's involvement in the community has included school board service, coaching, and sitting on numerous non-profit boards including a large land trust in Western Wisconsin. Tom and his wife, Maureen, have a grown son, daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. The Pesek family enjoys living in Excelsior, Minnesota and when they can get away, they love spending time in Florida in the winter months.

Professional Biography
Tonya Quade, Senior Finance and Benefits Manager, has been part of the Carlson Capital Management team for more than 25 years, allowing her to contribute materially to the firm's foundation and growth through a wide range of activities. Today, Tonya's primary responsibilities include managing the firm’s accounting and corporate finance activities, leading the administration of the firm's benefits program, and stewarding the firm's culture of care for colleagues.

Tonya has called Red Wing, Minnesota, home since 1979. She graduated from Red Wing Central High and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Shortly thereafter, Tonya began her career with Carlson Capital Management and, following the founders, is the most tenured colleague at the firm.

Outside of work, Tonya enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling throughout the state as her sons' biggest fan in all sports, but especially hockey. She currently serves as President of the Board for the Red Wing Booster Club. Tonya and her husband, Monte, live in Red Wing with their two sons.

Personal Thoughts
Having been with CCM since 1996 when there were only four of us on the staff, I have seen and been part of many changes at the firm. The company has evolved in both small and large ways (everything from a name change to adding additional office locations), but there has been one constant that has remained unchanged. That constant is Carlson Capital Management’s commitment to each client and helping them in all aspects of their financial lives. This commitment is proven in not only the wide range of services we offer, but also in the personal attention that is given to making each client feel part of the Carlson “family.” It is part of our core philosophy that puts the client at the center of all that we do, and I think this is what makes our firm so unique.

It is with great sadness that we share that our dear friend and colleague, Victoria Plugaru, passed away on Tuesday, December 20th. Victoria was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in June of 2016, and fought hard until the end with beautiful grace and deep gratitude for each day she had.

Her impact as a CCM colleague was short but significant. She joined our firm in August 2015, in the role of a paraplanner, working alongside of CCM advisors to support them in caring for our clients. She was a quick study, had a generous spirit, and took her work seriously. Her Eastern European roots were evident in her strong work ethic and practical approach to life. We will always remember her beautiful smile, her willingness to do what it took to get the job done, and her deep appreciation for all that she had. We will also remember her giving spirit. She loved to cook, and if you sat near her during lunch, she was sure to offer you a sample of her latest meal creation, along with the recipe. Victoria told us, "It's the Romanian way. Food is love to us."

Victoria leaves behind her husband, Nick Shanklin, a Minneapolis police officer and three young children, Luke, age 5, Landon, age 3 and Mikayla, 11 months. Her family was her greatest love.

We will miss your presence dear Victoria, and we will strive to honor and follow your daily example of approaching life with a positive outlook, a practical nature and gratitude for what we have.