Joshua John Erickson

I’m Carter Michaelson, CFP®, CSLP®, and the founder of illumiFI Wealth. I started this firm to help people cut through financial complexity and make confident, tax-smart decisions about their money. With a focus on financial planning, investments, and tax strategies, I work alongside clients to create a clear path toward financial freedom. At illumiFI Wealth, I believe financial advice should be independent, transparent, and values-driven. That’s why the firm is fee-only — no commissions, no hidden agendas. Our approach is also rooted in behavioral finance: helping clients overcome the biases and emotions that can get in the way of good decisions. My favorite moments are when a concept clicks — those “lightbulb” moments where clients feel clarity and confidence about their next steps. I launched illumiFI Wealth because I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming money can feel — from student loans to charitable giving to retirement planning. My mission is to provide clarity, confidence, and purpose so clients can focus on what truly matters: living generously and pursuing the life they’re called to live.

Thomas Hallberg is the principal advisor at Wealth Transitions, an independent firm based in Forest Lake, MN. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 26 years of industry experience, including 25 years at Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. Outside of his advisory work, Hallberg is engaged in life and spiritual coaching and public speaking. Wealth Transitions provides investment management and financial planning services primarily to individual clients, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm also conducts public seminars on topics such as estate transfer, tax reduction, and preparing heirs, using client-specific strategies that incorporate fundamental analysis, Modern Portfolio Theory, and Monte Carlo simulations.

Christine Thomas is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience. She is the founder of CMT Financial, LLC, where she has served since 2026, and has previously worked with True Vision MN LLC and Berger Financial Group. Outside of financial advising, she is involved in book publishing as president of My Book, LLC, which focuses on self-help topics, and also works as an independent consultant selling cleaning products. CMT Financial, operating as Ideal Life Advisory, is a fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and estates. The firm emphasizes retirement, education, tax, risk-management, and estate planning with a consultative approach that customizes portfolios primarily using mutual funds and ETFs under discretionary authority.

Luke Eberly is a CFP® certificant with one year of industry experience, currently advising at Drost Financial. He previously worked at CWM, LLC, Shilanski & Associates, Inc., and Accredited Investors. The firm serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, young families, and corporate executives, offering discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning with a focus on fundamental security analysis and modern portfolio theory.

Steven Drost is a CFP® and CFA® with nine years of industry experience. He is the principal advisor at Drost Financial, where he has worked since 2021. Prior to that, he held roles at Private Client Services LLC, Affiance Financial, and Echo Wealth Management. Outside of his advisory work, Mr. Drost is the Co-Founder and CEO of Quivr CRM, a Salesforce OEM partner focused on customer experience development. Drost Financial serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, young families, and corporate executives, providing discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm combines fundamental security analysis with modern portfolio theory, using both passive and active investment vehicles to implement individualized portfolios.

Patrick Schmitz is a financial advisor at Triton Investments, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked in real estate brokerage since 2022 while also owning and managing Atlas Rental LLC, a real estate investment company. Prior to his current roles, he was employed at Xcel Energy and Dakota Gasification Company. Triton Investments, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, employing a long-term investment approach centered on passively managed index ETFs and active rebalancing. The firm manages approximately $17 million in assets and customizes portfolios based on client objectives documented in Investment Policy Statements.