About
I came to Saint Paul for the first time in the summer of 1985. A fresh University of Illinois College of Agriculture graduate with a degree in ag marketing, I was excited to join an agricultural advertising agency and “help feed the world” by telling farmers about great new products.
During my first year, I met the love of my life, Margaret Lee, a native of Saint Paul. At the time, I figured everybody is from someplace. Saint Paul is nice, but who knows where we will end up . . . I was wrong.
Over the next 15 years, we lived in Northern Virginia, Chicago, and DeKalb, Illinois. Our first child was born in DeKalb in 1998. In the summer of 2000, we learned that our daughter was expected to be born in January. It became clear that we should return to Saint Paul to be closer to my wife’s family and friends. So, on November 1, 2000, we moved to Saint Paul.
In the fall of 2001, I got laid off from my position with a marketing communications firm. Not an uncommon occurrence in the advertising game, especially in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center in September.
With two little kids, and a commitment to stay in Saint Paul, I determined to make a career change. I joined Edward D Jones Investments in the spring of 2002. I was a client. Jones is focused on investment services in rural communities. (That’s how I found them.) Jones specializes in career-changers. I was turning 40 that year.
In considering this change, I was looking to do good things in the world by helping people reach their financial goals. I was hoping to be successful without having to relocate. And I was hoping to be able to earn enough to support my growing family.
That was more than 20 years ago. I am now an independent, fiduciary financial planner, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, hold a Series 7 securities license and a Minnesota Life and Health Insurance license. I work as my clients’ advocate at all times. That’s the fiduciary part. I get paid for financial planning services by advisory fees. I get paid for investment management services via a fee. I sometimes sell insurance products when it’s in the client’s best interests. Some of the insurance pays a commission.
I am truly blessed. I get to help people. I work with great clients. The work I do makes a real difference in the quality of clients’ lives. I am independent. I’m affiliated with a great organization (Advisor Group and Royal Alliance) with deep resources to support me in doing anything my clients need.
Education & Activities
Professional Affiliations and Designations:
• Certified Financial Planner™ designation (CFP®)
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designee
• Member, Financial Planning Assoc.
• Member, FPA Minnesota
• Member, Business Network International– Highlanders Chapter
• Alumni, College for Financial Planning
• Alumni, American College for Financial Planning
• FINRA Series 7, 63, 66, SIE, SE, 31 securities licenses
• Minnesota Life and Health Insurance license
Community Activities:
• President, White Bear Avenue Business Assoc.
• Twin Cities University of Illinois Alumni Club.
• Dedicated soccer dad
• Two Rivers High School basketball dad
My Family
I am the father of three children. As of spring 2023, we are entering year 8 of 12 of kids in college. Freddy is 25, Peggy is 22 and Miles is 18. I live with my wife, Margaret Lee, in West Saint Paul, Minnesota, where I enjoy kids’ sporting events, bicycling, and spending time with friends. We are active members of Saint Matthews Catholic Church and supporters of Community of Saints Catholic grade school.