Our team

Scott joined Thrivent in 1991 and has served in a variety of roles over the years. He specializes in the “retirement red zone,” which we view as the five years before and 20 years after retirement. Scott develops comprehensive dedicated plans to help clients achieve their goals and dreams, focusing on retirement income planning, cash flow management, Social Security, pension maximization, tax efficiency, risk management and legacy planning. 

Scott is a graduate of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with degrees in business and communications. He is also on the Augustana University Board of Trustees. He has 21 years of field leadership experience and a passion for helping other financial professionals grow in their careers. In addition, Scott has had a significant impact in the Thrivent Diversity and Inclusion initiative during his leadership tenure. 

When he’s not working, Scott loves spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and three children, Kaitlyn and Joshua (twins) and Allyson. All of Scott’s kids are college athletes (swimming, rowing and volleyball) and he loves attending their competitions. He’s also a varsity girls basketball coach and an avid Wisconsin sports fan.  

Phil joined Thrivent in 2000 and says collaborating with clients to help them achieve their goals and dreams is the most fulfilling part of his work. He helps clients understand how we design and select investments, how the stock market and economy can impact a person’s portfolio and the importance of proactively working together. As part of the Capstone Financial Group, Phil works with high-net-worth clients to help them align their investment and wealth management strategies with the dedicated planning process. 

Prior to joining Thrivent, Phil worked at USAA insurance, focusing on the property and casualty side of financial services. He graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Phil also played baseball in college.  

Phil and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 30 years and live in Arizona. They have six children—two who live out of state and four at home. Over the years, Phil and Rebecca have coached their kids in baseball, football, and cheerleading and have enjoyed watching them perform in plays. Phil is an avid pet lover and Rebecca is a theme park enthusiast. 

In 2002, Jesse joined Thrivent as a financial advisor. He loves working with families who are focused on retirement and need an experienced partner to help guide them. Jesse specializes in investment accumulation strategies, estate protection planning and retirement income distribution. He also has a soft place in his heart for legacy and succession planning after seeing his dad retire from being a financial advisor with Thrivent. 

Jesse grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota, attended college at the University of Minnesota–Duluth and graduated from Alexandria Technical College with a degree in fluid power technology and business. After six years in fluid power technology, Jesse followed in his father's footsteps and became a financial advisor with Thrivent. 

Jesse and his wife, Krista, have three children: Addie, Lauren and Cole. They are members of First Lutheran Church in New Richmond and have gone on many international volunteer service trips over the years. Jesse enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, snowmobiling and coaching youth hockey and football. He is also a member of the New Richmond Rotary Club and is active in the New Richmond Area Community Foundation. He volunteers for the St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity and is a primary sponsor of the Western Wisconsin Health WeCare Program.  

As a financial professional with Thrivent since 2004, Joel enjoys working with clients and helping them develop financial solutions that can be used throughout their lifetime. In 2007, Joel’s father joined his business, and together they focus on managing investment portfolios. 

Joel was born and raised in Tomah, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point with a degree in computer information systems. Joel also played baseball & football for the Pointers. He and his wife, Heather, have three sons: Jackson, Haden and Carter, plus a dog named Dolly. Joel is very involved in youth sports. He coaches fifth and sixth grade boys' basketball and is president of Tomah Youth Baseball. He’s also the primary sponsor for the Toma Gridiron Club and the Tomah Baseball Club. In his free time, Joel likes to travel and grill outdoors.  

For the past 32 years, Lane has served clients in a variety of roles. He began his career as a financial advisor in 1991 and, after two years, was asked by the home office to move into a field leadership role to assist with financial advisor training and development, in addition to helping clients with complex financial needs. In 2004, Lane returned to growing the Lake Country Financial Group in Oconomowoc. That office recently joined the Capstone Financial Group team to provide enhanced service.

Lane specializes in dedicated planning, retirement income distribution, estate planning and long-term investment and tax strategies. He takes time to truly get to know his clients and develops customized strategies to help meet each person’s unique goals and objectives.

Lane was born and raised on his family’s farm in Rochelle, Illinois. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in agricultural economics. Lane attributes much of his success to the strong work ethic he developed growing up on a farm. These values are a foundational part of the business today.

Lane and his wife, Shery, have been married for 27 years and have two children, Marissa and Alan. Marissa was married in 2022 and enjoys a successful career as a project manager. Alan will complete his doctorate in pharmacy in two years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Michael joined Thrivent in early 2019 after years of managing various Walgreens stores. He specializes in helping families clearly define and achieve their financial goals through risk management, tax efficiencies and retirement income strategies. 

Michael grew up in Janesville and spent his younger years in Fort Atkinson, making him proud to serve both areas as part of Capstone Financial Group. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Rock County with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree with an emphasis in business and communication.

He and his wife of 12 years, Kelli, live in Milton with their daughter, Kayleigh, son, Maxon, and Aussie-doodle, Cooper. When not at work, Michael enjoys attending Kayleigh’s dance activities and coaching Maxon’s baseball teams. Michael’s family attends church at The Chapel’s Milton campus.

Greg started working for Thrivent in 2013 and specializes in education funding strategies, retirement income planning and life insurance. He is also a retired United States Coast Guard Officer and search and rescue pilot who is known for his service and dedication to helping others.  

Greg earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Coast Guard Academy and a master’s degree in public administration focusing on organizational leadership from National University.  

Greg and his wife, Linda, have three children: Abby, Lydia and Ben. In his free time, he enjoys biking, gardening and watching sports with his family. He also volunteers for his kids’ football and basketball teams and supports Lakeside Lutheran High School, Bethany’s Recovery House and various military organizations.  

Nikki joined Thrivent in 2020 and enjoys establishing relationships with clients to help them reach their goals and create better futures. She is passionate about helping others put protection plans in place in case they experience a loss or hardship, and she loves telling clients about the benefits of Thrivent’s generosity programs. 

Nikki was born and raised in the Tomah, Wisconsin, area. She attended Western Technical College to gain skills in office management. After college, Nikki worked as a human resources manager for 21 years.  

Along with her husband, Jeff, Nikki stays busy with family events and sports schedules. She and Jeff have two adult children, Taylor and Troy, a son, Tanner, who is in his first year of college and a 10-year-old daughter, Teygan. Nikki and Jeff are active in the community and help coach Teygan’s basketball team. You will also find Nikki soaking up free time with her five little nieces and nephews. 

Before joining Thrivent in 2022, Jeff taught seventh grade for 23 years. He helps clients achieve financial clarity and position themselves for an ever-changing future based on their current goals. Jeff enjoys getting to know people on a personal level so he can help them create solid financial plans. He also likes helping families get their children established financially. 

Jeff received his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, and his master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin–Lacrosse.  

Jeff and his wife, Mandy, have two children, Carson and Addison, and two dogs, Bucky and Reggie. Jeff enjoys many sports and has been coaching the varsity boys’ basketball team at Tomah High School for several years. In the summer, he loves spending time on the golf course with his family and friends and his favorite vacation destination is Cocoa Beach, Florida. Jeff and his family have attended Bible Evangelical Free Church for the past 15 years.  

In 2005, Adam joined Thrivent as a financial advisor and is currently the director of the planning department at Capstone Financial Group. He enjoys bringing clarity and confidence to his clients through designing tax efficient financial plans based around their specific goals and values. Adam graduated from Verona High School and attended Kalamazoo College, where he majored in Economics and played tennis at the collegiate level. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and holds several professional designations: he is a is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and also holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation.

Adam and his wife, Kris, live in Monona, Wisconsin and have three daughters (Caroline, Emma, and Annika). Adam enjoys coaching their athletic activities, attending Wisconsin football and basketball games, and playing tennis. Adam and Kris have a goal of traveling to all 50 states with their daughters before they graduate from high school. 

Ben joined Thrivent in 2019 and is an important part of the Capstone Financial Group dedicated planning services team, developing strategies to help clients reach their goals as efficiently as possible. He also specializes in tax efficiency, risk management and retirement income planning.

Ben has a degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. He held various roles in forecasting and financial reporting for Fortune 500 companies before joining Thrivent.

Ben and his wife, Dana, live in Waukesha with their black lab, Mika. Ben is an avid baseball fan, and he and Dana enjoy traveling to watch the Brewers play at opponent stadiums. Ben played for the Waukesha Land O' Lakes baseball team after college. He also loves playing softball, being outdoors, golfing, fishing and hiking. Ben is involved in the Waukesha community, serving on the board of directors for the Housing Action Coalition and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Shirley joined Thrivent in 1999 and feels blessed to work with such a great group of people. She provides office support to Joel Brieske. Shirley learned the value of responsibility and hard work while helping at her parents’ sawmill and motel when she was growing up, and credits those experiences for her work ethic today.  

After high school, Shirley went to cosmetology school and worked in salons for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She married her husband, Jim, in 1983, and they have three children: Sarah (Mike), Emily and Matthew.  

In addition to spending treasured time with family and friends, Shirley likes walking, hiking, gardening and being outdoors whenever possible. She is a member at St. John Lutheran Church in Wausau and enjoys Bible studies and helping at church wherever needed. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Taylor moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2019 to escape the cold weather and has been with Thrivent ever since. She has an accounting degree from Point Park University and was president of the university’s Student Accounting Association for three years. Prior to joining Thrivent, Taylor worked at BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh for four years. 

Taylor lives with her boyfriend, Jack, and their three cats: Link, Mango and Tucker. In her free time, she loves expressing her creativity through calligraphy and watercolor painting. She also enjoys hiking, reading and watching scary movies with the lights on. 

Melanie started at Thrivent in 2020. She previously worked for a CPA firm for eight years before joining our team to support Financial Advisor Jesse Kvitek.

Melanie grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin, and now lives in Star Prairie. She graduated from the Tennessee Health Careers Certified Nursing Assistant Program in 2011.

In addition to her 13-year-old son, Jayson, Melanie’s family includes her partner, Kevin. The three of them enjoy boating, traveling and watching movies together. Melanie also likes making art (any kind) and recently started collecting local artwork. She has three rescue dogs and one rescue cat and would love to have a hobby farm someday. Melanie is an autism and disability advocate and is president of the Autism Support Group of St. Croix Valley.

Prior to joining Thrivent in 2020, Hilary worked in banking for 17 years, starting as a teller and then moving into deposit operations. She is a people person who enjoys working with clients and telling them about Thrivent’s generosity programs. She also loves hearing how clients use our generosity programs—like Thrivent Action Teams and Thrivent Choice Dollars—to make a difference in the community.  

Hilary grew up in Sparta, Wisconsin. She and her husband, Kiel, have two children, Marshall (12) and Daphne (9). Hilary loves to travel and counts Italy and Zion National Park in Utah as two of her favorite places. She also enjoys gardening and attends Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Her philosophy is to find the in good people and enjoy life! 

Before joining Thrivent in 2013, Cheryl worked for the University of Wisconsin and University Hospital for 34 years. She enjoys being on the Capstone Financial Group team and loves working part time to support Adam Schinke and his clients.  

CheryI is the middle of nine children raised on a farm outside of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She has an associate degree from Madison Area Technical College. Cheryl is a member of St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Sun Prairie and volunteers there, mostly helping at funerals. 

Anne has been with Thrivent since 2013 and has extensive experience in investment operations. Before working as an office professional, she spent two years in Thrivent’s brokerage department. Anne has a true passion for helping Thrivent financial professionals by serving as a liaison between the field and the home office. She also loves working with clients to make transactions and service requests as easy as possible. 

Anne lives in Kaukauna with her husband, Ben, two of their three children and three fur babies (a dog and two cats).  They enjoy vacations to amusement parks with the kids, pinball and family game nights.  To destress and wind down, Anne loves to craft—especially cross-stitching and embroidery. 

In 2005, Glinda started working for Lane Albrecht at the Thrivent office in Oconomowoc. She enjoys her work and the people she has met at Thrivent over the years.  

Glinda has been married for 43 years and has one daughter who passed away a year ago. Her faith is very important to her, and she likes helping others whenever needed. She also loves camping and working on do-it-yourself projects around the house.