Wealth Advisor for Thrivent-Journey Financial Consultants

I grew up as a pastor’s kid in Esko, Minnesota (just south of Duluth) and graduated from high school with the class of 1988. After high school I went on to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth for civil engineering but transferred to Concordia University in St. Paul, MN graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, Social Studies with Coaching Certification in May of 1993. Following college graduation, I enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a Psychological Operation Specialist assigned to the 13^th PSYOP Battalion out of Ft. Snelling, MN (later moved to Arden Hills, MN). Upon completion of 9 months initial active-duty service, I began teaching science and math full-time at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Edina, MN. While attending Concordia, I met Paula Vrieze of Chatfield, MN, and following marriage in 1996 we settled in Maple Grove, MN. In the fall of 1997, I was added to the Social Studies department at Wayzata Sr. High teaching American History and several different elective courses.

After one year teaching at Wayzata, I was deployed in August of 1998 for a 9-month tour to Tuzla, Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Forge. The deployment provided a unique experience working with a multinational NATO force as well as local Bosnian centers of influence to attempt to resettle different areas of the country to their pre-war status, continuing to focus on the capture of many Balkan War criminals, keeping the peace between the warring ethnic groups (Muslims, Serbs and Croatians) along with many other campaigns targeted for our unit by the US and NATO.

Upon returning from active duty, I sought a career change and began as a District Representative with Aid Association for Lutheran working primarily in the areas of the western Twin Cities suburbs. My military career ended as a Staff Sergeant (E-6) in the U.S. Army Reserve with an Honorable Discharge in July of 2001.

My wife and I reside in Arden Hills, MN with our two daughters Abbie and Emily. I have enjoyed my time leading the Sr. High Youth, serving on the Church Council and being an Elder at church. I also had the privilege to serve as head coach for my daughter Emily’s girls fast pitch softball team, and we travel around to watch her play. Playing tennis, boating, fishing, yard work, home improvement projects, reading about the economy and investments, following the MN Wild & Twins rounds out a schedule he thoroughly enjoys.

In order to better serve our clients, I am continually working at increasing my knowledge of the industry passing 30 exams thus far in pursuit of excellence. I hold the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL), Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) and Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC). To work with the full array of investment products, I also received the FINRA series 7 and 66, 6 and 63 securities licenses.

I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn or if you prefer follow my team on Facebook to see what we are up to.