Looking back, the path Janet and I took in life was a true blessing. We love Sioux Falls as our roots are in the Midwest. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me and taught me how to live in the Christian faith raising me in rural Nebraska. I spent a lot of time exploring the creeks and rivers of Nebraska, hiking, and camping many weekends. The love of the outdoors led me to South Dakota State University where I studied Parks Management and received a bachelor’s degree. I was hired by South Dakota Game Fish & Parks as a Park Ranger/Game Warden and worked out of Newton Hills State Park. Learning the ropes of Law Enforcement led me to the South Dakota Highway Patrol where I was a drug canine handler for 8 years in Sioux Falls. I still have many friends in Law Enforcement and respect them immensely for the service they provide.

Janet and I were married in 2001 and have four daughters. We have two attending Augustana University and two at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls. 

My Thrivent career started when I was recruited by a legend in the industry. I quickly became addicted to learning about the role and decided to pursue my CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) designation. We have since built a team around our designations and call ourselves Clarity Wealth Consultants. Our team specializes in helping people make reasonable decisions with their money. Watching our customers thrive is our main goal. We are licensed in many states and have customers all over the country.      

Janet and I have worked together at Thrivent for 18+ years. We have built many relationships around trust and accountability. Our team has many more years to continue this practice are looking forward to every moment.       

I grew up on an acreage near Canton, South Dakota, in a family that taught me hard work and integrity. After high school, I attended Augustana University, where I studied business and pursued my interest in music by playing flute in the Concert Band. After graduating with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration, I worked in the investment industry doing accounting and performance analysis of investment portfolios. 

After we had four daughters and Mark became established at Thrivent, we saw the opportunity for me to use those skills in the office, while also managing the busy schedule of a family of six. This arrangement has been a huge blessing for our family. I really enjoy the details and organization of overseeing the managed brokerage accounts. My work is mainly behinds the scenes, but I enjoy meeting the clients when I have the opportunity.

Attending the girls’ events and spending time with family are my favorite things to do outside of work. We attend family camp at Outlaw Ranch every summer and try to take our boat out as much as possible. At Peace Lutheran Church, I’ve been involved with the confirmation program and Church Council, and I also have the opportunity to play my flute occasionally. A weekly Bible study provides fellowship and helps me grow in my faith. I’m an avid reader and especially enjoy historical fiction. I took up running as an adult and have enjoyed the challenge of training for and running races. I’ve completed many half marathons and two full marathons, but I mostly run for fun now.  

I was born in Kremmling, a small mountain town in Colorado. The next 32 years of my life had my family living in a slightly larger town called Greeley. During this time, I attended the University of Northern Colorado, where I graduated with a degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Education and minors in Psychology & Sociology.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I married Jed, a high school friend who was partnering with a couple of ranchers who owned a domestic elk ranch in Platteville, CO. We bred elk and harvested their antlers during the velvet stage to make capsules for medicinal purposes. Along with ranching, Jed started coaching football at my Alma Mater, UNC, which has led us on our current path we travel today. A couple of years after marriage, God blessed us with a son, Gunner, and two years later, a daughter, Gracie.

Due to the nature of collegiate coaching, we left Colorado and over the next 10 years lived in Kansas, Nevada, and South Dakota. While in South Dakota I was introduced to Thrivent by a friend and, in 2015, was given the opportunity to join Clarity Wealth Consultants as an Office Professional. After two years of working in the office, coaching once again relocated us to St. Charles, Missouri, where I continue to work remotely for our office out of Sioux Falls.

In my current role I manage our calendar, schedule meetings, and get to visit with our clients. I genuinely care about them and enjoy getting to know our clients and their families better through each phone conversation.

Now both of our kids are in college. Gunner attends Lindenwood University in St. Charles and Gracie plays basketball at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO, both within 20 minutes from us. 

We also enjoy hosting team dinners throughout the year for the football players, and the coaches and their families. We volunteer with several organizations in our area including Operation Food, Chef Nesee Catering, St. Louis Area Foodbank, and Urban League of St. Louis. In addition to that we love playing golf at our local course, traveling to Colorado to see family or sitting on a beach in Mexico with friends.

I was born and raise right here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and am proud to call this place home. After graduating from high school, I moved to Brookings and attended South Dakota State University where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human development.

After graduation, I met my now husband, Andrew. We both worked at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire after we graduated and keep that organization close in our hearts. 10 years of marriage later, we now have two beautiful daughters, Cora and Thea, and our cat, Jupiter. Cora will be in second grade this year and Thea will be in kindergarten. Between my husband’s teaching and coaching responsibilities, our daughters’ dance schedules, and our church activities, our lives stay exciting.  When we get the chance to, we love spending time as a family outdoors and traveling.

From early on, my passion has always been to help people. I’ve been blessed with fantastic opportunities over the years to do so through non-profits and financial organizations here in Sioux Falls. Through these opportunities, I’ve been able to develop my skills in finance and compliance, which led me to my position here at Thrivent as an Office Professional in April of 2024. I am thrilled to serve our clients, learn about them and their families, and work as part of a team to help them achieve their goals. Right now, I am working towards becoming a Licensed Office Professional with the goal of eventually becoming a Certified Financial Planner. I’m excited to see where Thrivent takes me and how I can best serve our clients. 

I grew up in rural Minnesota with a herd of cats, a few dogs, and my three older siblings. I then moved to South Dakota to obtain my undergraduate degree in Consumer Affairs with a specialization in Family Financial Management and a minor in Financial Counseling. My degree allowed me to learn more about the financial tools available to an individual and the different emotions that can come with this topic.

Once I completed this degree, I accepted the position with Clarity Wealth Consultants and have continued to learn more about money and people. After three and a half years of working with our clients, another passion has become clear. I am now living in Minnesota to complete Counselor Education graduate degree at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. This degree will allow me to practice as a school counselor. Along with counseling support, I hope to provide financial education to students.

I will be able to continue assisting our clients remotely as I complete the next step in my journey. My role is now more focused on specific projects and clients requests.

Most of my free time is spent with family and friends. I enjoy playing tennis during the warmer months and coach beginners on occasion. Growing up on the farm, my siblings and I are all very close. As adults we get together virtually every week to enjoy some board games online and spend as much quality time with each other as we can. I also enjoy nature taking every opportunity I can to be outside whether that is by hiking, traveling, or sitting in my back yard with good company.