Hi! I'm Bill. At Trailhead Planners, I work with entrepreneurs to help you simplify your financial life, lower taxes, and maximize the value of your most important asset, your business. As an entrepreneur myself, my goal is to bring a coordinated approach to your entire financial life. This includes providing customized financial planning, investment management and tax planning under one roof. We also will work together to develop and implement a long-term plan for maximizing the value of your business. I possess a master’s degree in business taxation from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP™). I am also trained in business exit planning and have experience with business valuation. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, I am never paid a commission of any kind, and I have a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice. Our office is located in Edina, Minnesota, but many of our clients are from the broader Minneapolis - St. Paul metro area. We also have an office in Portland, Oregon and serve clients nationwide, including Wisconsin, California, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Michigan, Georgia, and Washington D.C.

Michael Stendahl is a financial advisor at CFG Retirement in Edina, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Gradient Wealth Management and as an independent contractor before joining CFG Retirement in 2021. He is also involved in insurance sales and services as part of his business activities. CFG Retirement provides discretionary portfolio management and retirement-focused advisory services to individuals and high-net-worth clients, typically delivering services through managed portfolio programs. The firm relies exclusively on third-party sub-advisors for discretionary management while maintaining client relationships and oversight.

Greg Cunningham is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with GS Investment Inc, based in Eagan, MN, and has seven years of industry experience. He has been with GS Investments since 2010, contributing to the firm’s advisory services. GS Investments serves individuals, closely held businesses, trusts, retirement plans, foundations, and endowments with discretionary separate-account portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental-analysis approach focused on quality growth stocks, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, managing both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts.

Sarah Kaelberer is a CFP® and ChFC® with 28 years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at B&E Investment Advisers, Inc., B & E Pension Advisers, Inc., Business & Estate Advisers, Inc., and Valmark Securities, Inc. since the mid-1990s and early 2000s. She is president of B&E Investments and serves on the board of directors for the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce. B&E Investment Advisers provides financial planning, asset management, third-party money manager selection, and pension consulting for individuals, trusts, small businesses, and retirement plans. The firm primarily uses a non-discretionary approach with model portfolios and third-party managers on Valmark platforms, combining modern portfolio theory, fundamental analysis, and targeted asset allocation.

For over 10 years, Gabe has worked with client families looking to simplify their financial life through his firm CRAFTED Wealth. As the firm has matured, he has primarily focused on higher net worth families with portfolios of $3–30M, and typically those looking to focus on multigenerational planning, retirement preparation, and navigating large portfolios. What does it mean to simplify? Looking at your whole picture, and forming a real relationship, to understand better what you truly need and want, and then build a plan to support that. Many clients come to CRAFTED with a wide array of accounts, tax questions, concentrated positions, and previous decisions that may not be serving their current needs. Gabe’s passion is in untangling this, answering questions patiently, and creating what he calls a “beautifully simple financial plan.” As a clear communicator, thoughtful listener, and invested long-term partner, Gabe brings an approach that combines creative thinking and deep expertise for unique tax and investment situations. Practically, this translates to a singular, personalized strategy that is meant to serve clients over their lifetime.

Charles Tarara is a financial advisor at Lions Wealth Management with 42 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and securities licenses Series 63 and Series 65. Prior to joining Lions Wealth Management in 2013, he worked at Planners Financial Services, Inc. for nearly four decades. He is also licensed to sell various insurance products. Lions Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients with investment advisory and financial planning services, managing approximately $80 million in assets. The firm customizes portfolios based on client objectives and risk tolerance, employing multiple investment strategies and offering both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Patrick O'Leary is a financial advisor with Bane O'Leary LLC in Bloomington, MN, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at Bane O'Leary LLC since 2017 and previously at Barber Financial Group. In addition to his advisory role, he operates as a sole proprietor providing insurance sales and services, including presenting illustrations and preparing applications. Bane O’Leary LLC manages approximately $85 million for about 166 primarily individual and high-net-worth clients, offering discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning services. The firm utilizes model portfolios based on fundamental and technical analysis, with regular reviews and formal client reporting, and provides educational seminars and detailed Social Security and tax planning reports.

James Bryan Jr. is a CFP® and ChFC® with 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Hyland Lake Partners and has previously worked at Northwest Asset Management, Cahill Financial Advisors, Bluestone Wealth Strategies, and Ameriprise. He maintains ownership of Bluestone Wealth Strategies, Inc., a separate entity that does not provide investment advisory services. Hyland Lake Partners is a fee-only investment adviser serving individuals, families, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and discretionary portfolio management, managing approximately $105 million in assets across about 79 client relationships.

Kristin Garrett is a CFP® and Series 66 credentialed financial advisor at Financial Empowerment LLC with eight years of industry experience. She has been with Financial Empowerment since 2015, where she currently serves as one of two advisors at the firm. Financial Empowerment LLC provides financial planning, investment supervisory services, and consulting primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth households. The firm combines comprehensive written financial plans with ongoing portfolio management through both customized discretionary portfolios and a model-driven ETF program, managing approximately $104 million for about 90 clients.

Noah Semmann is a CFP® professional at GEN Financial Management Inc. with four years of advisory experience and an additional four years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He has worked at GEN Financial Management since 2022 and prior to that was with Weir Wealth Management from 2019 to 2022. GEN Financial Management is a fee-only advisory firm serving executives, business owners, families, individual investors, and company retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $332 million in assets and employs a model portfolio approach with a weekly Investment Committee focusing on disciplined asset allocation, tax-efficient placement, and limited individual stock selection.

Christopher Dougall is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with C.C. Dunnavan & Co., Inc. since 2001. C.C. Dunnavan & Co. manages approximately $393 million for around 228 clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a combination of charting, fundamental and technical analysis, offering both long- and short-term trading strategies across various asset classes, with all portfolios managed internally and reviewed quarterly.

Nicole Tietel is a financial advisor with Winter & Associates, Inc. in St. Paul, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. She previously worked at CRI Securities Inc, North Star Consultants, Winter & Associates Inc, Minnesota Life Insurance Company, and Securian Financial Services, Inc. Since 2015, she has also authored a book and serves as a trustee for a family trust. Additionally, she is co-owner of a commercial real estate holding company and participates as a committee member for a land and river watershed preservation foundation. Winter & Associates, Inc. provides asset management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, and small businesses. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using fundamental analysis within a strategic asset allocation framework and manages approximately $179.7 million in client assets.

Scott Larson is a financial advisor at Bannerstone Capital with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Bannerstone Capital Management LLC since 2008. Bannerstone Capital Management primarily serves affluent individuals and their affiliates, offering fee-only, discretionary portfolio management and related advisory services. The firm employs proprietary equity strategies combined with fundamental and technical analysis, alongside behavioral economics insights, to tailor portfolios according to client goals and risk tolerance.

Michael Bischoff is a CFP® certified financial advisor with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Webb Financial Group in Bloomington, MN, since 1997. Webb Financial Group serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and corporate executives with wealth management, investment advisory, and standalone financial planning services. The firm manages over $371 million in assets and employs a client-centered process that includes goal setting, risk assessment, and portfolio management using a range of investment vehicles.

Robert Regan is a financial advisor at Regan Investments, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Regan Investments since 2002. Regan Investments provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to individuals, retirement accounts, trusts, estates, religious and charitable organizations, corporations, and partnerships, generally serving non-high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a top-down investment process integrating various analytical methods and offers portfolios including equities, fixed income, commodities, currencies, and alternative exposures.

Stephen Kairies is a financial advisor at Access Financial Services, Inc. with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at FSC Securities Corporation and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he has served since 1991. Access Financial Services, Inc. provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, ERISA plan services, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm uses a top-down, global multi-asset approach incorporating fundamental and technical analysis, and is notable for including ETNs and margin accounts in client portfolios.

David Denniston is a CFA charterholder with 22 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently a financial advisor at Centurion Financial Strategies LLC, where he has worked since 2021. In addition to his advisory role, Denniston is involved in several entrepreneurial ventures, including serving as president of multiple real estate companies and owning a mastermind event called Land Unconference. Centurion Financial Strategies provides tailored investment advice and portfolio management primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations and business entities. The firm employs fundamental and technical analysis alongside asset-allocation principles to manage portfolios consisting of mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and other instruments.

Taylor Moran is a financial advisor at Guardian Wealth Advisors, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked with Portfolio Advisory Council and served in the U.S. Navy. Guardian Wealth Advisors serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional and nonprofit clients, managing approximately $267 million. The firm employs a long-term, low-turnover investment approach and offers wealth advisory, asset management, and financial planning services.

Anthony Daffer is a financial advisor at Provenire Capital LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Provenire Capital since 2012. Daffer serves on the Board of Directors for Sestra Systems, a private company based in Virginia. Provenire Capital provides discretionary investment management primarily for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional investors. The firm focuses on the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors using fundamental research and risk/reward analysis across long-short and long-biased strategies.

Laura Biermann is a CFP® professional with 21 years at Legacy Financial Advisors Corporation and nine years of industry experience. She is based in Bloomington, MN, and is also licensed as an insurance agent, dedicating part of her time to the sale of various insurance products. Legacy Financial Advisors Corporation, founded in 1996, provides portfolio and wealth management, private money manager selection, and financial, retirement, and estate planning services to individuals, family trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and fundamental analysis, managing most client assets on a discretionary basis.