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.

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.

James Linnett is a financial advisor with LinnHavn Wealth Advisors LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has 15 years of industry experience, including a prior role at Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank. In addition to his advisory work, Linnett maintains an active law practice at Linnett Law LLC. LinnHavn Wealth Advisors LLC is a state-registered advisory firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and fixed-fee wealth planning, tailoring portfolios to client goals and employing both fundamental and technical analysis. It also engages sub-advisors and retains authority to appoint other investment advisors, distinguishing itself through its affiliation with a separate legal practice and its approach to selecting third-party advisers.

Thomas Thompson is the principal of Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. in White Bear Lake, MN, with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and securities licenses Series 63 and Series 65. Thompson has a background that includes roles at SagePoint Financial and Kristi Seifert, LLC, and he also works as an independent insurance agent selling life insurance, long-term care, and annuities. Additionally, he assists with tax preparation and serves as power of attorney managing investments and financial affairs for a family member. Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory approach, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, with discretionary trading authority and direct management of insurance contract assets alongside platform-based solutions.

Jesse Sell is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Prevail Financial Partners, LLC since 2019. Prior to founding Prevail, he worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 11 years. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Treasurer and Secretary for his neighborhood Homeowners Association in West Lakeland, Minnesota. Prevail Financial Partners is a state-registered independent advisory firm that provides portfolio management, investment advice, and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $63.7 million across 70 client relationships, employing a client-driven investment process that includes asset allocation, dollar-cost averaging, and both long- and short-term trading, with a focus on non-discretionary account management.

Jay Radke is a financial advisor with Investors Choice in Stillwater, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Investors Choice from 1999 to 2018. In addition to his advisory role, Radke has been a licensed life insurance agent since 1984, providing insurance products to clients as needed. Investors Choice is an independent firm offering financial planning, investment advisory, and portfolio management services to individual clients. The firm manages approximately $1.41 million across a limited number of accounts, using a customized investment approach that incorporates various analysis techniques and a range of instruments, including mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, options, CDs, and annuities. The firm also sells insurance products and offers fixed and variable annuities, combining fee-based advisory and insurance services.

David Hammer is a CFP® and ChFC® with 14 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Hammer Advisory Services, Inc., a firm he founded in 2010 and continues to lead. Hammer Advisory Services provides non-discretionary direct asset management and financial planning to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, estates, and business owners. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to build tailored portfolios, operating on a non-discretionary basis that requires client approval for trades and conducts quarterly account reviews.

Michael Heflin is a financial advisor at YES Wealth Management with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at BMO Capital Markets Corp., GMB Capital Partners, and S Capital Wealth Advisors. He is the founder and CEO of Class Action Connection, a business that assists individuals and businesses in recovering compensation from class action settlements. YES Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm employs a primarily long-term, risk-managed asset allocation approach using fundamental analysis and a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, with an investment program that notably includes derivatives in separately managed accounts.

Kyle Playford is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Freedom Financial Partners LLC in Oakdale, MN. He has worked at multiple firms, including AdvisorNet Wealth Management and Pine Grove Financial Group. In addition to his advisory role, he is an insurance agent with FFP Insurance LLC. Freedom Financial Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans, providing portfolio management, financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and insurance advisory services. The firm employs a combination of active and passive strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and customized investment policies.

Angela Tille is a financial advisor at Portfolio Design Services, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 65 designation and has been with Portfolio Design Services since 2019, prior to which she worked in the family business for 13 years. Portfolio Design Services provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, as well as qualified retirement plans. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in constructing tailored portfolios using equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, and offers specialized ERISA 3(38) plan-management services for plan sponsors.

James Heflin is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at S Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2016. Heflin is currently affiliated with YES Wealth Management in Mahtomedi, MN, a firm with three advisors. YES Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $127 million for around 100 clients, following a primarily long-term, risk-managed asset allocation strategy that incorporates ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and the use of derivatives in separately managed accounts.

Matthew Brandeen is a CFA® charterholder currently with Freedom Financial Partners LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to joining Freedom Financial Partners, he was with Wealth Enhancement Group and AgriBank. He has professional experience in financial services starting in 2021. Freedom Financial Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans, offering portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and insurance advisory services. The firm uses a combination of active and passive investment strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and customized investment policy statements.

Bradley Olson is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Portfolio Design Services, LLC since 2007. Portfolio Design Services provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and qualified retirement plans. The firm offers tailored portfolios using equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, employing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and serves as an ERISA 3(38) investment manager for plan sponsors.

Brian Lahr is a financial advisor at One Life Financial Group, Inc. in White Bear Lake, MN, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 registrations and has previously worked at Clover Financial Technologies, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved with the Lahr Family Farm. One Life Financial Group provides discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial life planning for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm customizes investment strategies based on client goals, time horizons, and risk tolerance, utilizing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Sarah Kang is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience currently advising at UAK Diversified Wealth Advisors. Her prior work includes two years at James Andre LLC. Outside of financial advising, she teaches piano at the MacPhail Center for Music and operates a small private piano studio. UAK Diversified Wealth Advisors serves individual clients across the wealth spectrum, offering discretionary asset management, tiered financial planning, and consulting. The firm focuses on evidence-based, low-expense ETF and mutual fund portfolios managed with quantitative and fundamental analysis, and provides specialized planning services for high-net-worth households.

Ujae Kang is a financial advisor at UAK Diversified Wealth Advisors in Minnetonka, MN, holding the CFA® designation and Series 63 license with nine years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at UnitedHealth Group and James Andre LLC prior to his current position. He also spent five years at the Department of Human Services. UAK Diversified Wealth Advisors serves individual clients across the wealth spectrum, offering discretionary asset management and tiered financial planning services. The firm uses evidence-based, low-expense ETF and mutual fund strategies with quantitative and fundamental analysis, managing portfolios on a discretionary basis with tax-aware trading and periodic reviews.

Heidi Helmeke is a CFP® professional with 33 years of experience in financial advising. She is the principal advisor at Enspyre Wealth Advisors, Inc., where she has worked since 2019. Prior to that, she spent 19 years at Prestige Planning, Inc. and 17 years at Securities America, Inc. Enspyre Wealth Advisors provides financial planning and discretionary asset management primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of strategic, tactical, and dynamic asset-allocation approaches to construct diversified portfolios tailored to client circumstances, with a focus on retirement planning through a personalized "Blueprint" that integrates retirement income, employer benefits, legacy planning, health care, and tax strategies.

Sarah Braunshausen is an investment advisor representative at Fencl Advisory Services, LLC with 23 years of industry experience. She has worked at Fencl Advisory Services since 2015 and previously was affiliated with Dominion Investor Services, Inc. and Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. She is also involved in selling fixed life insurance and disability products. Fencl Advisory Services is a state-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, corporations, and other professional clients. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning with a planning-driven, long-term buy-and-hold investment approach, emphasizing client education and regular portfolio reviews.