Jeffrey S Ballek

Lauri Salverda is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience and is the sole advisor at Castle Rock Financial Planning, Inc. She has been associated with Clerestory Advisors, Inc. since 2008. Castle Rock Financial Planning provides personalized financial planning and investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, offering a range of planning services and portfolio management under a fee-only fiduciary model. The firm uses multiple investment analysis methods and third-party research while maintaining policies such as not selling commissioned products or accepting referral fees.

I'm the founder of SCM Investment Services in Lake Elmo, MN — a fee-only, fiduciary advisory firm built on one belief: everyone deserves honest financial advice from someone legally required to put their interests first. My path here started on the trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade, where I transacted over $1 billion in US Treasury Notes daily and later served as VP and Director of Discretionary Trading Operations. With degrees in Computer Science and Chemistry, I've always approached investing as a hard science — not a sales pitch. I earned my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the epicenter of evidence-based investing. No commissions. No exceptions. I've been quoted as a financial expert in CNN Money, Fortune, the Chicago Tribune, US News, and Investment News.

Sam Schuette is a seasoned wealth advisor with over two decades of experience helping individuals and families plan for financial security and life milestones. As Vice President and Wealth Advisor at GreenUp Wealth Management, Sam works with clients to develop financial strategies tailored to their goals — including retirement planning, investment guidance, and overall wealth management.  Before joining GreenUp, Sam spent more than a decade at Scottrade, Inc., where he built strong client relationships and led teams of investment professionals. He also served in financial advisory and wealth planning roles at several other firms, bringing a depth of practical experience across markets, financial planning disciplines, and client service.  Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture & Food Business Management with a focus in Finance from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, outdoor activities, and community engagement.

Michael Bins is a CFP® professional currently affiliated with LPL Financial. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of investment solutions supported by an in-house research team and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Peter O'Brien is a financial advisor with MPM Financial Corporation in Maplewood, MN. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 37 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Voya Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he is also a licensed insurance agent involved in the sale of fixed insurance products. MPM Financial Corporation provides discretionary asset management primarily for individual investors and qualified retirement plans, including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary support. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios to client objectives and employs third-party model managers and UMA platforms as part of its investment approach.

Justin Munger is a financial advisor at VIP Financial Associates with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Sawtooth Asset Management and Sawtooth Solutions before joining Premier Capital Management, LLC dba VIP Financial Associates in 2016. Outside of advising, he owns Premier Pet Services, LLC, a pet sitting and cleanup service, and has been involved as an independent life and health insurance agent since 2002. VIP Financial Associates provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm emphasizes individualized asset allocation using fundamental and technical analysis and relies on third-party model managers and due diligence services for portfolio construction and monitoring.