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.

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.

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.

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.

Paul Kluskowski is a financial advisor at T/R Financial Management Group, LLC with 26 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Lotus Investment Management, LLC from 2006 to 2019. In addition to his advisory role, he is the managing member of Cobalt Tax Services, LLC, a tax preparation and consultation business. T/R Financial Management Group provides personalized, discretionary investment management and financial planning primarily to individual clients and trusts. The firm employs a blend of proprietary technical, cyclical, and fundamental analysis to construct diversified portfolios, operating as a fee-only adviser that does not sell commission products.

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.

Trever Christian is a financial advisor with Freedom Financial Partners LLC in Oakdale, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked with AdvisorNet Wealth Management, United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, and Investment Centers of America. Outside of advising, he is co-owner of FFP Insurance, LLC, where he is involved in the sales and servicing of insurance products. Freedom Financial Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans with portfolio management, 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 policies, managing approximately $377.9 million on a discretionary basis.

John Schwalbach is a CFP® with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at Freedom Financial Partners LLC. He has previously worked with AdvisorNet Wealth Management, United Capital Financial Advisers, Cetera Advisor Networks, and Investments Centers of America. In addition to his advisory role, he is Co-President and an insurance agent at FFP Insurance, LLC, a licensed insurance agency in Oakdale, MN, and serves as a trustee for a family trust. Freedom Financial Partners is a five-advisor team managing approximately $377.9 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm combines active and passive investment strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and customized investment policy statements, offering portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and insurance advisory services.

Zachary Lindquist is a financial advisor at Laureate Wealth Management, LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Laureate Wealth Management since 2021. Lindquist is also the Director of Operations for Pure Crypto, LP and Pure Crypto II, private fund-of-funds vehicles. Laureate Wealth Management provides investment advisory, portfolio management, financial planning, estate planning, and family office coordination to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, corporations, and other entities. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation approach that includes individual securities, mutual funds, ETFs, separate account managers, and alternative investments, and manages both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts.

Marissa Klaers is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Concord Wealth Partners. Her prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Personal Wealth Partners, LPL Financial, and H. Beck, Inc. She also holds a notary public commission. Concord Wealth Partners is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.07 billion for individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting, employing a tailored investment approach that includes mutual funds, ETFs, alternatives, and complex strategies as appropriate to client objectives.

Matthew Mattheisen is a financial advisor at Gambit Capital Management, LLC with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Focus Financial Network, Inc., Osaic Wealth, Inc., and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Outside of advising, he is the author of a book on career growth and mentoring and is the founder of Decoder Universe, a platform he maintains related to code and apps. Gambit Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients, including accredited investors and employer-sponsored retirement plans, by providing discretionary portfolio management alongside financial planning, coaching, tax preparation, and outsourced CIO consulting. The firm employs a long-term investment approach that incorporates fundamental and cyclical analysis, asset allocation, and options strategies tailored to each client, with portfolios potentially including derivatives and private placements.

Joshua Hawkins is a CFP® and ChFC® with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently with Leverty Financial Group, LLC, where he has worked since 2020, following prior roles at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Leverty and Associates. Hawkins is also co-owner of LFG Tax, LLC, a tax preparation and filing service, and associate co-owner of LFG Risk Services, LLC, an affiliated insurance agency. Leverty Financial Group is a SEC-registered advisory firm with a six-advisor team managing approximately $567 million for over 600 clients. The firm serves individuals, small businesses, retirement plans, and non-profits, offering discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services tailored to clients’ objectives.

Emmett Gustafson is a financial advisor at HighMark Wealth Management LLC in St. Paul, MN, holding a Series 65 designation. He has one year of experience at HighMark Wealth Management and Harrington Langer & Associates. Gustafson’s prior work includes roles in education and local government. HighMark Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and retirement plan sponsors, offering discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s four-advisor team manages approximately $611.7 million in client assets through portfolios including mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and allocations to independent managers.

Patrick Sullivan is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with HighMark Wealth Management LLC since 2012 and also has experience with Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of a commercial real estate company. HighMark Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as retirement plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside financial planning and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a multi-strategy investment approach using mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and separate account managers, and provides services on a wrap-fee basis with access to independent managers.

Todd Arens is a financial advisor at HighMark Wealth Management LLC in St. Paul, MN, with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of GCJNAPJ, LLC, a commercial real estate company. HighMark Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as retirement plans, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside financial planning and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a multi-strategy investment approach using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and separate account managers, and provides services on a wrap-fee basis or through stand-alone planning engagements.

Luke Keene is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He is a financial advisor at Leverty Financial Group, LLC, where he has worked since 2017 across affiliated entities, including roles at Keene Wealth Management and LFG Tax, LLC. Prior to joining Leverty, he spent over a decade with Northwestern Mutual in various investment and wealth management capacities. Outside of advising, Keene is also involved as an associate in an insurance agency. Leverty Financial Group is a six-advisor team managing approximately $567 million for over 600 clients, including individuals, small businesses, retirement plans, and nonprofits. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services, employing a range of investment strategies and technology solutions tailored to client objectives.

Michael Leverty is a financial advisor with Leverty Financial Group, LLC in Hudson, WI, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. He has 23 years of industry experience, including roles at Northwestern Mutual and Leverage & Associates LLC. Outside of advising, he is involved in forest preservation and recreational land management and participates in farming operations annually. Leverty Financial Group is a six-advisor SEC-registered firm managing approximately $567 million for over 600 clients, serving individuals, small businesses, retirement plans, and nonprofits. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement advisory services, utilizing a diverse investment approach that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, ESG factors, and borrowing strategies.

Seth Blum is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with two years of industry experience. He currently works at Leverty Financial Group, LLC and is also an associate at LFG Tax, LLC, where he provides tax services. Prior to this, he gained experience at ISC Financial Advisors and Strategic Tax & Business Consultants, LLC. Leverty Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, small businesses, retirement plans, and nonprofit organizations. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services, often utilizing model portfolios, third-party sub-advisers, and separately managed account strategies.

Daniel Sullivan is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Highmark Wealth Management LLC since 2016. He previously worked at the University of St. Thomas from 2014 to 2018. HighMark Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and retirement plan sponsors, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and independent managers, employing charting, fundamental, and technical analysis in its investment process.