Our team

Mark Gugel
MSF, CFP®, FIC
Financial Consultant

Mark joined Thrivent in 2001 and enjoys developing long-term relationships with clients that are built on mutual trust. He specializes in helping people prepare for and navigate a successful retirement. Mark uses various investment management and retirement income distribution strategies to help clients make the most of all they’ve been given. In addition, he focuses on legacy planning strategies that help mitigate the impact of taxes.  


Mark earned a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and a master’s degree in finance from Walsh College. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation and is an Investment Advisor Representative, having obtained his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Mark’s education, experience and passion for helping others are just a few of the many reasons he is an important member of our team.  


Mark and his wife, Kristin, have a daughter and son. He and his family are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. When he’s not at work or his kids’ activities, Mark enjoys snow skiing, golfing and being with family and friends. Mark and his family especially love retreating to their vacation home in Petoskey where they enjoy various activities throughout the year.  

States Licensed: AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, OH, SC, TX, VA, WI

About Mark Gugel

Mark joined Thrivent in 2001 and enjoys developing long-term relationships with clients that are built on mutual trust. He specializes in helping people prepare for and navigate a successful retirement. Mark uses various investment management and retirement income distribution strategies to help clients make the most of all they’ve been given. In addition, he focuses on legacy planning strategies that help mitigate the impact of taxes.  


Mark earned a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and a master’s degree in finance from Walsh College. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation and is an Investment Advisor Representative, having obtained his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Mark’s education, experience and passion for helping others are just a few of the many reasons he is an important member of our team.  


Mark and his wife, Kristin, have a daughter and son. He and his family are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. When he’s not at work or his kids’ activities, Mark enjoys snow skiing, golfing and being with family and friends. Mark and his family especially love retreating to their vacation home in Petoskey where they enjoy various activities throughout the year.  

States Licensed: AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MI, MN, OH, SC, TX, VA, WI
Brian Van Hevel
CFP®, ChFC®, FIC, CLTC®, CKA®
Wealth Advisor

Brian joined Thrivent in 2002 after interning with the company during 2021. He enjoys building relationships with his clients and helping them navigate their unique situations to find a path toward their goals. One of his areas of expertise is retirement planning with attention to tax strategies. Brian loves coming up with creative solutions that match each client’s needs. He is also committed to helping his clients give back.  


In 2021, Brian was inducted into the Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® Hall of Honor Voices in Philanthropy for helping clients contribute $5 million or more in charitable gifts to local, national and global communities through Thrivent Charitable.  


Brian graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in finance. He holds many advanced designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. His commitment to lifelong learning demonstrates his ongoing desire to best serve his clients.  


Brian and his wife, Crystal, have two teenage sons. In his spare time, Brian enjoys playing and watching sports and attending live sporting events. He also likes playing games with friends and family, participating in outdoor activities and going to the beach.  


Community involvement is very important to Brian. He and his wife attend Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb, where they volunteer and participate in Bible studies. Brian has also had the honor of participating in Habitat for Humanity builds in our community, Hawaii and Guatemala. He feels blessed by these opportunities to bless others.  


Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® (Thrivent Charitable) recognizes Thrivent financial advisors who devoted extra effort in facilitating charitable gifts to the foundation. This honor is awarded to Thrivent financial advisors who have brought $5 million or more in charitable gifts to our local, national, and global communities through Thrivent Charitable during their careers. This recognition does not evaluate the quality of services/advice provided to clients and is not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. 


Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® is a public charity that serves individuals, organizations and the community through charitable planning, donor-advised funds and endowments. Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing works collaboratively with Thrivent and its financial advisors. It is a separate legal entity from Thrivent, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.   


Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about Thrivent’s financial advisors. 

States Licensed: FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, SC, TX, VA

About Brian Van Hevel

Brian joined Thrivent in 2002 after interning with the company during 2021. He enjoys building relationships with his clients and helping them navigate their unique situations to find a path toward their goals. One of his areas of expertise is retirement planning with attention to tax strategies. Brian loves coming up with creative solutions that match each client’s needs. He is also committed to helping his clients give back.  


In 2021, Brian was inducted into the Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® Hall of Honor Voices in Philanthropy for helping clients contribute $5 million or more in charitable gifts to local, national and global communities through Thrivent Charitable.  


Brian graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in finance. He holds many advanced designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. His commitment to lifelong learning demonstrates his ongoing desire to best serve his clients.  


Brian and his wife, Crystal, have two teenage sons. In his spare time, Brian enjoys playing and watching sports and attending live sporting events. He also likes playing games with friends and family, participating in outdoor activities and going to the beach.  


Community involvement is very important to Brian. He and his wife attend Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb, where they volunteer and participate in Bible studies. Brian has also had the honor of participating in Habitat for Humanity builds in our community, Hawaii and Guatemala. He feels blessed by these opportunities to bless others.  


Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® (Thrivent Charitable) recognizes Thrivent financial advisors who devoted extra effort in facilitating charitable gifts to the foundation. This honor is awarded to Thrivent financial advisors who have brought $5 million or more in charitable gifts to our local, national, and global communities through Thrivent Charitable during their careers. This recognition does not evaluate the quality of services/advice provided to clients and is not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. 


Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® is a public charity that serves individuals, organizations and the community through charitable planning, donor-advised funds and endowments. Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing works collaboratively with Thrivent and its financial advisors. It is a separate legal entity from Thrivent, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.   


Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about Thrivent’s financial advisors. 

States Licensed: FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, SC, TX, VA
Tyler Prisby
Financial Advisor

Tyler joined Intentional Financial Advisors in 2023. He specializes in retirement planning and helping families protect their loved ones financially. He loves partnering with others to educate them and help them achieve their financial goals. 


Tyler graduated magna cum laude from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He is currently working toward an MBA with a concentration in data analytics. Before joining Thrivent, Tyler taught high school math for three years and coached boys’ and girls’ cross country, where his most fond memory was guiding the girls’ team to a best-ever third place finish at the state championship. 


Tyler grew up in Michigan’s Clinton Township and was the valedictorian of his Lutheran High North graduating class. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb. Tyler volunteers for various events at the church, including Night to Shine, and is also a Vacation Bible School teacher. In his free time, he enjoys running, snowboarding, fishing and playing sports.  

States Licensed: MA, MI

About Tyler Prisby

Tyler joined Intentional Financial Advisors in 2023. He specializes in retirement planning and helping families protect their loved ones financially. He loves partnering with others to educate them and help them achieve their financial goals. 


Tyler graduated magna cum laude from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He is currently working toward an MBA with a concentration in data analytics. Before joining Thrivent, Tyler taught high school math for three years and coached boys’ and girls’ cross country, where his most fond memory was guiding the girls’ team to a best-ever third place finish at the state championship. 


Tyler grew up in Michigan’s Clinton Township and was the valedictorian of his Lutheran High North graduating class. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb. Tyler volunteers for various events at the church, including Night to Shine, and is also a Vacation Bible School teacher. In his free time, he enjoys running, snowboarding, fishing and playing sports.  

States Licensed: MA, MI
Jennifer Chesney
Office Professional - Sr. Executive Assistant and Client Services Specialist

Jennifer joined Thrivent in 2023 with more than 30 years of senior-level customer service experience. She enjoys meeting clients and hearing their life stories, including their professions, passions and plans for the future. With a background in telecommunications and hospice, she enthusiastically embraces daily opportunities to learn about Thrivent’s products and how they can benefit clients. 


Jennifer has two adorably rambunctious fur babies—a chocolate lab named Remi and a rescued West Highland Terrier named Murphy. Jennifer enjoys traveling, especially road trips. One time she drove to Philadelphia on a whim to try an original Philly cheesesteak. She loved it and hopes to go back so she can try more local food and do some sightseeing. Jennifer also likes researching her family’s genealogy and gives regularly to the local Samaritan House pantry and other charities close to her heart.  

About Jennifer Chesney

Jennifer joined Thrivent in 2023 with more than 30 years of senior-level customer service experience. She enjoys meeting clients and hearing their life stories, including their professions, passions and plans for the future. With a background in telecommunications and hospice, she enthusiastically embraces daily opportunities to learn about Thrivent’s products and how they can benefit clients. 


Jennifer has two adorably rambunctious fur babies—a chocolate lab named Remi and a rescued West Highland Terrier named Murphy. Jennifer enjoys traveling, especially road trips. One time she drove to Philadelphia on a whim to try an original Philly cheesesteak. She loved it and hopes to go back so she can try more local food and do some sightseeing. Jennifer also likes researching her family’s genealogy and gives regularly to the local Samaritan House pantry and other charities close to her heart.  

Lauri Palazzolo
Office Professional - Client Service Administrator

Lauri joined our team in 2022. Prior to Thrivent, she worked in human resources for 18 years. Lauri has always been passionate about helping people on their journey in life, which translates well to helping clients at Intentional Financial Advisors. She enjoys building relationships with clients while answering their questions, helping them establish their products and arranging meetings with their financial advisor.  


Lauri has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Walsh College. She is married, has two spoiled cats and loves spending time with her 11-year-old niece. In her spare time, Lauri enjoys reading, rock collecting, ATV riding and boating. Lauri is grateful to God for everything in her life and attends Genesis Church. She is involved in a Bible study group where she enjoys building relationships and accountability.

About Lauri Palazzolo

Lauri joined our team in 2022. Prior to Thrivent, she worked in human resources for 18 years. Lauri has always been passionate about helping people on their journey in life, which translates well to helping clients at Intentional Financial Advisors. She enjoys building relationships with clients while answering their questions, helping them establish their products and arranging meetings with their financial advisor.  


Lauri has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Walsh College. She is married, has two spoiled cats and loves spending time with her 11-year-old niece. In her spare time, Lauri enjoys reading, rock collecting, ATV riding and boating. Lauri is grateful to God for everything in her life and attends Genesis Church. She is involved in a Bible study group where she enjoys building relationships and accountability.

Crystalyn Van Hevel
Office Professional - Member Engagement and Generosity Programs

Crystalyn joined our team in 2023 and focuses on member engagement. According to Crystalyn, she has the “fun” job. She helps plan events focused on fellowship, education and generosity and is excited to see how God uses her at Thrivent.  


Crystalyn earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational studies from Oakland University. She loved her years in the classroom at Cousino High School in Warren and Immanuel Lutheran in Macomb.  


Crystalyn and her husband, Brian, have two teenage sons and two cats. Two of these four love to cuddle up on the couch with her—we’ll let you guess which two! When she’s not at work, Crystalyn enjoys reading, decorating, playing word games and spending time with family and friends. She is attempting to learn golf and pickle ball for the empty nester days that are fast approaching. Crystalyn is passionate about her faith and the call to love “the least of these.” 

About Crystalyn Van Hevel

Crystalyn joined our team in 2023 and focuses on member engagement. According to Crystalyn, she has the “fun” job. She helps plan events focused on fellowship, education and generosity and is excited to see how God uses her at Thrivent.  


Crystalyn earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational studies from Oakland University. She loved her years in the classroom at Cousino High School in Warren and Immanuel Lutheran in Macomb.  


Crystalyn and her husband, Brian, have two teenage sons and two cats. Two of these four love to cuddle up on the couch with her—we’ll let you guess which two! When she’s not at work, Crystalyn enjoys reading, decorating, playing word games and spending time with family and friends. She is attempting to learn golf and pickle ball for the empty nester days that are fast approaching. Crystalyn is passionate about her faith and the call to love “the least of these.”