It has been a great gift to work for Thrivent since 1999. I have been able to provide our clients financial clarity and confidence. Our mission is to understand our clients needs and wants and help them achieve them, while emphasizing that money is a tool not the goal.

After graduating from Wartburg college, I spent 9 years working in the banking industry in various capacities helping people with their financial needs. Since joining Thrivent I have focused on helping families find financial solutions for their financial goals and concerns. I have received specialized training as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® so I can provide guidance for a sound financial strategy.

I have been a lifelong Iowan, growing up in Carroll, IA and currently living in Manchester, IA. My wife Karla and I have raised 4 wonderful children and have 1 grandchild. I am an active member of Our Savior Lutheran church and enjoy volunteering for various Christian nonprofit organizations in the area. We enjoy spending time with family, boating, and when time allows, riding my motorcycle.

Specializations

I specialize in the following areas:

• Retirement planning
• Life insurance
• Investments
• Long-term care insurance

Giving Back

I support these charities and causes:

• Our Savior Lutheran Church
• Youth for Christ
• His Hands Free Clinic

Professional Highlights

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, a certification granted by CFP® Board,
• FIC (Fraternal Insurance Counselor), a designation granted by the Fraternal Field Managers’ Association

Education and Experience

• FINRA Series 07 General Securities Representative
• FINRA Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law
• Life & Health Insurance Licenses
• Thrivent Financial Professional since 1999
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance, Wartburg College, 1990

I was raised in Mason City, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Marketing. I have had roles that allowed me to provide extraordinary customer service since college. I am passionate for the opportunity to get to know clients on a personal level and develop a great relationship built on service and trust. 

I appreciate the willingness of the Mainstay Financial team to allow me to thrive based on my strengths and experiences.

In my spare time, I enjoy time with my adult children, grandchildren, and family and friends. You can find me carving out time to scrapbook, hitting the trails on my bike, and traveling. A trip to Hawaii is top of my list!  

Mark Beckman and Michele Traver make up Mainstay Financial Group-a team of financial advisors who want to help families, individuals and business owners through pre-retirement, retirement and beyond as well as those going through a divorce who need help with the financial impact of the life change. Driven by your goals and values, we’ll draw on our industry experience to help you map out a path to a more secure financial future. We focus on investment management, risk management for life and health, and wealth accumulation.

We view money not as a goal, but as a tool — one that can afford you a life rich in meaning and gratitude. We believe humanity thrives when individuals make the most of all they've been given. We're here to help you do just that. In addition to helping people make wise decisions with money, our goal is to inspire generosity across Eastern Iowa. Through programs like Thrivent Communities and Thrivent Choice Dollars, our members can work with us to give back to the communities we are a part of.

We serve Eastern Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion and the surrounding areas.