Christopher Patnode

Arch Spencer is the sole advisor at Spencer Financial Advisors in Plymouth, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Spencer Financial Advisors since 1999. Spencer Financial Advisors offers portfolio management and investment advice primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs fundamental analysis and a combination of long-term and short-term trading strategies, focusing on equities, mutual funds, fixed income, ETFs—including precious-metal sector ETFs—and may incorporate options and margin transactions within client portfolios.

Jon Brusven is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Longship Advisers, LLC, with 12 years of industry experience. He has led Longship Advisers since 2002. In addition to his advisory role, Brusven serves on the boards of several non-investment-related organizations, including a waste-to-energy company and early-stage medical device firms, and acts as financial advisor to the board of USA Energy Group LLC. Longship Advisers, LLC provides third-party investment manager selection and retirement plan consulting to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm operates primarily in a non-discretionary, consultative capacity, focusing on manager selection and monitoring rather than direct portfolio management, and does not take custody or voting proxies for clients.

Mark Austin is a financial advisor at Liniam Capital, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at North Sky Capital for eight years before joining Liniam Capital in 2018. Liniam Capital provides investment management and financial consulting to individual and institutional clients, including trusts, retirement plans, public funds, and Taft-Hartley accounts. The firm combines portfolio management with tax, estate, and insurance advice, often using ETFs, individual securities, and option strategies to generate income and manage risk, and integrates accounting services through an affiliated CPA.

Donovan Carson is the sole advisor at Carson Capital, an independent registered investment adviser based in St. Louis Park, MN. He holds a Series 65 credential and has four years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a Senior Product Owner at UnitedHealthGroup and owns a property management business. Carson Capital provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, nonprofits, and businesses. The firm employs a planning-based, risk-tranche approach to portfolio construction, combining fundamental research with technical and quantitative methods, and offers complementary services such as held-away account oversight and educational seminars.

Thomas Ottman is a financial advisor with Aquinas Capital Advisors LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has managed his own practice and worked with firms including Advanced Advisory Group, LLC and EFS Advisors. Aquinas Capital Advisors provides non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and limited-scope ERISA 3(21) retirement-plan advisory services primarily to individuals and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on client goals and risk tolerance, incorporates both fundamental and technical analysis, and offers public educational seminars as part of its service model.

I’m a financial planner who helps business professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—especially those with equity compensation—take control of their finances and design a life that feels truly authentic. Life isn’t just about numbers or following a traditional path. It’s about figuring out what you really want and building a plan to get there. That’s why I started Authentic Life Financial Planning—to help people align their finances with their goals, whether that means retiring early, launching a new career, or simply feeling more confident about their future. I offer personalized, one-time financial plans and ongoing planning services, helping clients navigate the complexities of equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and more—all with the goal of creating a life they love. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll probably find me sailing, checking out live music, or planning my next travel adventure with my wife Annie. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with your finances, I’d love to chat!