Emma Kate Strong

I started Watershed Wealth to build the kind of financial advisory firm I wished existed in my rural community —forward thinking, transparent, and built specifically for retirement in Northern Michigan. I’m a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with a degree in Finance from Grand Valley State, and more than seven years of hands-on experience across the industry. In 2023, I made the leap and launched Watershed Wealth right here in my hometown of Alpena, Michigan. Since then, my mission’s been pretty simple: help people make smart decisions with their money. When I’m not meeting with clients, I stay involved in the community through several board positions focused on community betterment, economic growth, and quality of life in Northern Michigan. I’m also a big believer in collaboration and love working with other local leaders, business owners, and creatives who care about where our community is headed. After hours, you’ll usually find me outdoors, sneaking in nine holes, or spending time with my wife Abby, our son Stanley, and our two golden retrievers, Peach & Goose. This isn’t just a job for me. It’s personal. And my goal—always—is to help people feel less stressed, more confident, and more in control of their retirement.

Jessica Howard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Alpena, Michigan, holding a Series 66 designation and having one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, mBank, and Alpena Community College. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, with a platform supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies.

Gary Altman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Alpena, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and eight years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Mariner Wealth Advisors and Heber Fuger Wendin, Inc, as well as long-term roles at Calcite Credit Union and Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in a family farming operation in Rogers City, MI. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Andrew Kowalski is a CFP®-designated financial advisor at Edward Jones with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2017 and previously spent three years at MidMichigan Health. Outside of his advisory role, Kowalski is involved in his community as a Learn to Skate instructor for the Alpena Hockey Association and serves as Vice President of the Northern Lights Arena board of directors. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Marc Ferguson is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Alpena, MI, holding the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 1996. Outside of his advisory role, Ferguson serves as president of MAGEC Properties LLC, a company managing buy-and-hold investment properties. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Chloe Ferguson is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with Edward Jones in Alpena, MI, and has six years of industry experience. Her work history includes several roles both at Edward Jones and the University of Michigan. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.