I was referred to Thrivent by the pastor and president of my church. I’ve been with Thrivent since September 2002 and I am enjoying my career with Emerald Financial Group. My goal is to better the lives of those who have a relationship with me, be it personally or professionally. I am married to Karissa and we have two sons. I love to fish. I would fish every day if I could.
I am a Ramsey SmartVestor Pro and am honored to be part of their network of financial professionals in my local area. The SmartVestor program connects consumers with financial professionals in their area. To join the SmartVestor program, financial professionals must meet the SmartVestor program requirements, and pay an enrollment fee that depends on the area served, plus a fixed monthly fee.
SmartVestor™ is an advertising and referral service for investment professionals (“Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions® ("RS"). Thrivent financial advisor, Eric Funk (“Advisor”) has entered into an agreement with RS under which Advisor pays RS a one-time training fee of $3,000, a flat monthly membership fee of $400, and a flat monthly territory fee of $1,250.00 to advertise Advisor’s services through SmartVestor and to receive client referrals from interested consumers who are located in Advisor’s geographic region.
Because of the arrangement described above, RS has an incentive to recommend Pros that are a part of the SmartVestor program. This incentive creates a material conflict of interest for RS, which you should be aware of and carefully consider in connection with your discussions with RS and Advisor.
The fees paid by Advisor to RS are paid irrespective of whether you become a client of Advisor and are not passed along to you. However, you should understand that all Pros that are available through SmartVestor pay RS fees to participate in the program. Further, the amount of compensation each Pro pays to RS will vary based on certain factors, including whether the Pros choose to advertise in local or national markets. RS has a financial incentive to present certain Pros that offer their services on a national basis ("National Pros") more often than other National Pros that pay lower fees.
It is up to you to interview Advisor and decide whether you want to hire them. RS introduces you to Pros that cover your geographic area based on your zip code. Neither RS nor its affiliates provide investment advice or recommendations as to the selection or retention of any Pro, nor does RS evaluate whether any particular Pro is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial situation, investment needs, or other individual circumstances. RS does not warrant any services of Advisor or any SmartVestor Pro and makes no claim or promise of any result or success by retaining Advisor. Your use of SmartVestor, including the decision to retain the services of Advisor, is at your sole discretion and risk. Advisor has completed Ramsey Pro Training and signed an RS Code of Conduct under which they have agreed to certain general investment principles, such as eliminating debt and investing for the longer-term, but RS does not monitor or control the investment advisory services provided.
Neither Ramsey Solutions nor the SmartVestor program are affiliated with or endorsed by Thrivent. Views are theirs and not necessarily those of Thrivent or its affiliates.
About Eric Funk
I was referred to Thrivent by the pastor and president of my church. I’ve been with Thrivent since September 2002 and I am enjoying my career with Emerald Financial Group. My goal is to better the lives of those who have a relationship with me, be it personally or professionally. I am married to Karissa and we have two sons. I love to fish. I would fish every day if I could.
I am a Ramsey SmartVestor Pro and am honored to be part of their network of financial professionals in my local area. The SmartVestor program connects consumers with financial professionals in their area. To join the SmartVestor program, financial professionals must meet the SmartVestor program requirements, and pay an enrollment fee that depends on the area served, plus a fixed monthly fee.
SmartVestor™ is an advertising and referral service for investment professionals (“Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions® ("RS"). Thrivent financial advisor, Eric Funk (“Advisor”) has entered into an agreement with RS under which Advisor pays RS a one-time training fee of $3,000, a flat monthly membership fee of $400, and a flat monthly territory fee of $1,250.00 to advertise Advisor’s services through SmartVestor and to receive client referrals from interested consumers who are located in Advisor’s geographic region.
Because of the arrangement described above, RS has an incentive to recommend Pros that are a part of the SmartVestor program. This incentive creates a material conflict of interest for RS, which you should be aware of and carefully consider in connection with your discussions with RS and Advisor.
The fees paid by Advisor to RS are paid irrespective of whether you become a client of Advisor and are not passed along to you. However, you should understand that all Pros that are available through SmartVestor pay RS fees to participate in the program. Further, the amount of compensation each Pro pays to RS will vary based on certain factors, including whether the Pros choose to advertise in local or national markets. RS has a financial incentive to present certain Pros that offer their services on a national basis ("National Pros") more often than other National Pros that pay lower fees.
It is up to you to interview Advisor and decide whether you want to hire them. RS introduces you to Pros that cover your geographic area based on your zip code. Neither RS nor its affiliates provide investment advice or recommendations as to the selection or retention of any Pro, nor does RS evaluate whether any particular Pro is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial situation, investment needs, or other individual circumstances. RS does not warrant any services of Advisor or any SmartVestor Pro and makes no claim or promise of any result or success by retaining Advisor. Your use of SmartVestor, including the decision to retain the services of Advisor, is at your sole discretion and risk. Advisor has completed Ramsey Pro Training and signed an RS Code of Conduct under which they have agreed to certain general investment principles, such as eliminating debt and investing for the longer-term, but RS does not monitor or control the investment advisory services provided.
Neither Ramsey Solutions nor the SmartVestor program are affiliated with or endorsed by Thrivent. Views are theirs and not necessarily those of Thrivent or its affiliates.
Andy joined Thrivent in 2022. He feels that in this ever-growing and complicated industry, if you want to be successful, you need help from an experienced team. Emerald Financial Group has that experience and the team does everything in their power to help each client reach their financial goals.
Andy and his wife, Madison, were born and raised in Rochester and are excited to raise their family in this great town too. They have three children: daughter, Evelyn, son, Isaac, and daughter Charlotte. In his free time, Andy loves being on the lake with his family or on a golf course. In the winter, the family spends a lot of time at the rink, as Andy volunteers and helps coach Rochester youth hockey programs.
About Andy Roberts
Andy joined Thrivent in 2022. He feels that in this ever-growing and complicated industry, if you want to be successful, you need help from an experienced team. Emerald Financial Group has that experience and the team does everything in their power to help each client reach their financial goals.
Andy and his wife, Madison, were born and raised in Rochester and are excited to raise their family in this great town too. They have three children: daughter, Evelyn, son, Isaac, and daughter Charlotte. In his free time, Andy loves being on the lake with his family or on a golf course. In the winter, the family spends a lot of time at the rink, as Andy volunteers and helps coach Rochester youth hockey programs.
John joined Emerald Financial Group in 2024 after relocating to Rochester from the desert of Phoenix, Arizona. He worked with the military community for 10 years helping them with their financial planning needs and now with Emerald Financial Group, he is excited to help a new community reach retirement worry free. What keeps John motivated to come into work each day is helping clients reach their goals, retire fearlessly and give generously.
About John Milliron
John joined Emerald Financial Group in 2024 after relocating to Rochester from the desert of Phoenix, Arizona. He worked with the military community for 10 years helping them with their financial planning needs and now with Emerald Financial Group, he is excited to help a new community reach retirement worry free. What keeps John motivated to come into work each day is helping clients reach their goals, retire fearlessly and give generously.
I am thrilled to join Emerald Financial Group and look forward to meeting everyone. I originally am from the east coast growing up and living in Connecticut for most of my life. After graduating college, I accepted a job at IBM right here in Rochester. After some years there as an analyst I decided to make a career change and work in the financial services industry so I can meet great people and create great relationships with people like you!
About Connor Parent
I am thrilled to join Emerald Financial Group and look forward to meeting everyone. I originally am from the east coast growing up and living in Connecticut for most of my life. After graduating college, I accepted a job at IBM right here in Rochester. After some years there as an analyst I decided to make a career change and work in the financial services industry so I can meet great people and create great relationships with people like you!
I joined Emerald Financial Group in November 2021—what an exciting time to come on board! I am a Rochester native and came to Emerald Financial Group after 10+ years working in the nonprofit community. I live in NW Rochester with my husband and two teenage children. I enjoy spending time at the family cabin in Crosslake, Minnesota, and gardening. I am proud to be part of Emerald Financial Group and grateful for the welcoming community of clients and staff.
About Annie Scholz
I joined Emerald Financial Group in November 2021—what an exciting time to come on board! I am a Rochester native and came to Emerald Financial Group after 10+ years working in the nonprofit community. I live in NW Rochester with my husband and two teenage children. I enjoy spending time at the family cabin in Crosslake, Minnesota, and gardening. I am proud to be part of Emerald Financial Group and grateful for the welcoming community of clients and staff.
I came to Emerald Financial Group after working 7+ years in the food and beverage industry as well as contract human resources! I couldn’t be happier to have such an exciting new opportunity with such an amazing company, and my coworkers have been nothing but welcoming. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but have resided in Rochester for the last 7 years. I met my husband here in Rochester and we are now happily married and have a beautiful baby boy who is our greatest adventure. We try to spend as much time with our families in Minnesota and Wisconsin as we can and we also enjoy spending time together at home with our two dogs!
About Shauna Schlagenhaft
I came to Emerald Financial Group after working 7+ years in the food and beverage industry as well as contract human resources! I couldn’t be happier to have such an exciting new opportunity with such an amazing company, and my coworkers have been nothing but welcoming. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but have resided in Rochester for the last 7 years. I met my husband here in Rochester and we are now happily married and have a beautiful baby boy who is our greatest adventure. We try to spend as much time with our families in Minnesota and Wisconsin as we can and we also enjoy spending time together at home with our two dogs!
I found my way to Thrivent when one of my previous co-workers was hired to work for Emerald Financial Group. She referred me when a position opened and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. I have been with Thrivent more than 10 years, and I’m thankful for our great clients and my caring team. I love rocks and collect them. I also love to visit my family cabin, and spend time with my husband, my kids and grandkids.
About Shauna Eastlee
I found my way to Thrivent when one of my previous co-workers was hired to work for Emerald Financial Group. She referred me when a position opened and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. I have been with Thrivent more than 10 years, and I’m thankful for our great clients and my caring team. I love rocks and collect them. I also love to visit my family cabin, and spend time with my husband, my kids and grandkids.
I have come back to the financial services industry after a nine-year hiatus as an operations manager in the retail industry. I have over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry ranging from leading mutual fund operations teams to underwriting commercial property and casualty insurance. I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Management and have a passion for building an engaged environment for clients and team members.
About Daniel Jordan
I have come back to the financial services industry after a nine-year hiatus as an operations manager in the retail industry. I have over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry ranging from leading mutual fund operations teams to underwriting commercial property and casualty insurance. I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Management and have a passion for building an engaged environment for clients and team members.