ABOUT ME: Originally from Madison WI, my wife and I stumbled into Winona back in 2012 when she first began working at Winona Health, where she remains to this day. I was a big Credit Union guy in those days and spent most of my time balancing checkbooks and refinancing debts. I never planned to get into Finance, it sort of found me by accident after studying Literature and Religion and spending most of my time leading college Bible Studies and writing. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2007 right before the housing market collapsed and figured it was as good a time as any time get married and relocate to Philadelphia. While people around me lost their homes and their jobs, Financial Literacy never seemed more important. I fell in love with coaching people through their personal money journey, whether it be building credit, reducing debt, or planning retirement. I've been with Thrivent now since 2019, just before Covid. The same not-for-profit, member-owned ethos I loved about Credit Unions I found here too, along with countless new tools to manage finances more efficiently and even generously. I've led Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, sat on the board for Riverway Learning Community, served as Elder for Community Bible Church, and now as part of the Financial Ministry Team at Pleasant Valley Church. I've volunteered with the Warming Center, Habitat for Humanity and delivered meals with Volunteer Services. With Thrivent's help we've raised thousands of dollars for these and many other organizations through matches and other giving opportunities. I now have three boys and a beautiful town to raise them in!

ABOUT MY TEAM: In 2022, Teri McNally joined with me and Tom Bjerke as part of Southeast MN Consultants. Tom has over 20 years' experience at Thrivent, as well as years of experience before that in local small business. Teri adds 26 years' experience as a teacher in the Winona Middle School. Together we run educational workshops each year around the community to improve Financial Literacy in Retirement Planning, Tax Efficiency, Social Security Timing, and Leaving a Legacy among others. We continue to serve our 2,000+ members all over the Mississippi and Root River communities with offices in Winona, Caledonia and Rushford.