About Shoreline Group
The Shoreline Group is a team of experienced financial professionals and support staff. We have a range of expertise that helps us respond to our clients’ needs – including financial planning, investment advisory services, retirement planning, and more. Our team serves clients in Southern Wisconsin including; Burlington, Delavan, Janesville, Beloit, Madison, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha areas.
Giving back to the Shoreline community
We are thrilled to support local non-profit organizations, churches, and schools.
Meet Our Team
Burlington Office
Scott Herrmann
ChFC®, FIC, CKA®
Scott is the founder of the Shoreline Group, residing in Burlington. Scott joined Thrivent in 2008. He specializes in Estate strategies, Retirement income planning, solutions for businesses, Education funding strategies, Life Insurance, and Investments. Outside of the office he enjoys creating and completing home improvement ideas & plans, spending time with friends and family, serving on his church’s technology team, and cheering for the Bears. Above all, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Karla, their 4 adult children, and 7 grandchildren. Because he has been blessed, he truly believes in blessing others and looking for opportunities to give back in the community often.
- Title
Wealth Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AL , AZ , CA Insurance Lic. #0L84872 , CO , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NJ , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
- Location
Burlington, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/scott-herrmann
- Phone
- 262-757-0199
Keith Dreger
ChFC®, CLU®, LUTCF®, FICF, FIC
Keith joined Thrivent in 1984 and is the financial professional for the Kenosha office. Keith specializes in retirement income strategies, retirement guidance & estate strategies, but is equipped with a range of products and services – including insurance, annuities, and investments. He and his wife Debra, have three adult children. Keith and his family are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In his spare time, Keith strives to be environmentally friendly and enjoys all things Bond, James Bond.
- Title
Financial Consultant
- State(s) Licensed
- CO , FL , IL , MI , MN , MT , OH , TX , WI
- Location
Kenosha
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/keith-dreger
- Phone
- 262-652-8150
Katie Cavanaugh
Katie joined Thrivent in 2021 and is located in our Burlington and Waukesha offices.
My career has been steered by my commitment to connecting people with tools to help them live their best lives. For 20 years, I worked as a therapist, resource coordinator, and services manager, focusing on helping people access programs to improve their wellbeing. I joined Thrivent to continue my work in helping people create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- FL , IL , OH , WA , WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/katie-cavanaugh
- Phone
- 414-441-5952
Joe DeCiccio
Joe joined Thrivent in 2021 and is located in Delavan, WI. Joe's heart has always centered on helping people, specifically families with disabilities. Through Thrivent, Joe is able to help families by educating and walking alongside them through their financial journey. He enjoys seeing people have hope for a future where their loved ones are taken care of. Whether it involves providing protection for you and your family, planning for the future, or seeking advice on how to navigate your financial picture, Joe would love to walk with you through it and provide clarity.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- IL , NC , SC , WI
- Location
Delavan, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/joe-deciccio
- Phone
- 262-740-9040
Jason Mascitti
FIC
Jason joined Thrivent in 2015 and is located in Madison, WI and is ready to take a comprehensive look at your financial landscape to help craft a plan to help ensure you’re well positioned to reach your goals. I specialize in life insurance, retirement income planning, goal planning, and savings strategies. I am married to my wonderful wife, Julie, and we have 2 adult children. I am a Leukemia survivor and because of that support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – both financially and by volunteering. I am also heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America and the Philmont Scout Ranch. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife, fishing, and golf.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- CA Insurance Lic. #0M19831 , CO , FL , IA , IL , IN , KS , MA , MD , MI , MN , NE , NJ , NM , PA , SC , TX , VA , WI
- Location
Madison, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/jason-mascitti
- Phone
- 608-673-6130
Joel Otto
BFA™
Joel came to Thrivent in April of 2019 after spending 26+ years in pastoral ministry. He is located in our Beloit Office. Joel has found great fulfillment in helping people fully develop and pursue their financial goals and plans and has enjoyed the career transition tremendously. Joel has been developing and growing his practice working with people approaching retirement, young couples trying to get on track with plans for their future, as well as churches, church leaders, and small business owners.
Joel has been blessed that he and his wife Jeanne have three adult children, Lauren Morelli (married to David July 2020), Marissa Wenig (married to Jake Wenig August 2021), and Caleb Otto (student at University of MN, in ROTC program with the Marine Corps). Joel enjoys golf, sunsets, the beauty of nature, and is a big sports fan.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AZ , CO , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MN , NC , TX , WA , WI
- Location
Beloit, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/joel-otto
- Phone
- 608-207-3548
William Smith
Will joined Thrivent in 2020 and is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and can provide personalized financial guidance for young adults through retirement. His goal is to help you to find financial clarity and help you and your families to make your dreams a reality. During his off hours Will and his wife Bekah are kept busy with their three children Zoe, Liam, and Judah. He enjoys walking his dog to the lake, playing all manner of games with his family and friends, and is actively involved with his church Pentecost Lutheran located in Racine and various charities in the area.
- Title
Financial Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- IL , OH , WI
- Location
Racine, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/william-smith
- Phone
- 262-234-3180
Jon Urish
Jon joined Thrivent in 2020 and is located in Beloit, WI. He enjoys working with young adults through retirees, helping them articulate their financial goals and build a strategy to succeed. He makes use of investment expertise, insurance, budgeting and tax strategies, along with two decades of work in higher education finance, to make sure than all his clients – regardless of their resources –make progress towards their goals. Outside the office, he enjoys never-ending home improvement projects, good craft beer and spending time with the love of his life, Amanda, and their five children. Most of Jon’s service is focused on his children’s activities, which provide ample opportunity to coach youth sports, volunteer at Rock County Christian School and occasionally sneak in lessons about financial literacy.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AZ , CA Insurance Lic. #4132031 , FL , ID , IL , IN , MA , MD , MI , MN , MS , NC , NM , NY , OH , PA , SC , TX , VA , WI , WY
- Location
Beloit, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/jon-urish
- Phone
- 608-322-0847
Kristen LaFranzo
BFA™
Kristen joined Thrivent in 2014. She is a Financial Advisor with the Shoreline Group and is located in our Burlington office. She holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses. Her attention to detail and ability to listen and understand is an asset to members as she works with them to achieve their financial goals. Kristen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance with concentrations in Risk, Insurance and Financial Planning. She enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband and daughters.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- State(s) Licensed
- AZ , IL , TN , WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/kristen-lafranzo
- Phone
- 262-757-0199
Rebecca Howard
Rebecca joined Thrivent in 2023 and is located in our Burlington office.
Rebecca enjoys connecting with people wherever she goes and maintains her practice out of several Thrivent Shoreline offices. Burlington Wisconsin is her home base from which she branches out into surrounding communities with her pursuit to come alongside people of all ages and stages of life, getting to know them, and sharing with them the advice and resources they need for a clear and confident financial future. Rebecca’s practice has a holistic planning approach utilizing her licenses in Series 7 and 66 to offer individuals, families, and organizations the highest level of service.
Rebecca has a heart for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and she worked in special education prior to pursuing a Thrivent career. She brings with her the same level of compassion and the ability to explain complex topics in ways that are easy to understand and apply. Rebecca continues to live out her passion for empowering people to live out their highest potential and helping them identify and reach their dreams.
Rebecca has been married to Micah Howard since 2017. They enjoy living with their four cats, Winston, Wanda, Pretzel, and Otis and daily appreciate both the comfort and activity that their fur babies bring to their home. Rebecca and Micah are actively involved in church ministry, especially working with youth and their families and enjoy hosting groups weekly in their home.
Rebecca looks forward to connecting with you soon and empowering you to achieve clarity and confidence and reach your dreams together.
- Title
Financial Advisor
- Location
Burlington, WI
- Phone
- 262-757-0199
Grant Akin
Located in the Delavan office, he is excited to partner with people in our great communities as they seek to steward their finances well. He has a passion for serving, loving, and educating his clients; helping them gain financial clarity and confidently move towards their goals. Outside of Thrivent, Grant is blessed to father 5 of the greatest kids you could ever meet. He particularly enjoys serving as the Game Master at Southern Lakes Church AWANA Club, where they attend. He also loves Christian Camp Ministries, all things baseball and has been known to pick weights up and put them down.
- Title
Associate Representative
- Location
Delavan, WI
- Phone
- 262-740-9040
Michael Bauer
Michael Bauer, HR and Operations Manager at Shoreline Group in Burlington, WI
With nearly two decades of dedicated experience in human resources and operations, I bring a wealth of expertise to my role as HR and Operations Manager at the Shoreline Group. My professional journey has evolved from a background in employee benefits and sales to a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies that drive the success of HR and Operations functions.
Married for 23 years and a proud parent of four, I understand the delicate balance between professional commitments and family values.
In my capacity at Thrivent with the Shoreline Group, I am entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of HR and Operations for the organization. Under the visionary leadership of Scott Herrmann, I lead a team of over 9 dedicated support staff across 6 offices, providing operational excellence that supports the customer service of our 13 financial advisors.
Outside of the office, my passions extend to missions and community service, reflecting my commitment to making a positive impact beyond the workplace. A strong advocate for training and development, I believe in empowering individuals to reach their full potential. However, amidst the demands of a dynamic professional life, I prioritize quality time with my family, ensuring that a spirit of fun and togetherness remains at the heart of all our endeavors.
I am thrilled to be part of Thrivent and the Shoreline Group, an organization that values both professional excellence, Christian values, and community engagement. As HR and Operations Manager, I am dedicated to fostering a workplace culture that not only drives operational efficiency but also nurtures the personal and professional growth of every team member.
Let's embark on this journey of success together, where passion, commitment, and a sense of community intertwine to create a workplace that thrives in every aspect.
- Title
Office Professional
Diane Kennedy Nopenz
Diane joined Thrivent in 2015 and is located in our Burlington office. She holds FINRA Series 7 & 63 Securities, Life & Health Insurance Licenses, and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Diane is passionate about serving clients’ financial and insurance needs. True to Thrivent’s core values, she is a Volunteer, Board Member, and former President of Side by Side Lake Geneva committed to helping families in need and Volunteer, Geneva Lake Women’s Association which supports the community through direct service projects and monetary contributions to local charitable organizations. Her favorite hobbies are cooking and 5K Canine Trail runs.
- Title
Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- IL , WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/diane-kennedynopenz
- Phone
- 262-812-8013
Robin Benskin
Robin joined the Shoreline Group in March of 2021 and she is located in our Beloit office. She enjoys serving clients with a smile and pleasant conversation. Robin loves to see the various ways that Thrivent can serve our clients, their families and future generations to come.
- Title
Insurance Office Professional
- Location
Beloit, WI
Melissa Baird
Melissa has been with Thrivent since 2015 and serves as an Insurance Associate for our Burlington and Kenosha offices. She focuses on supporting our financial professionals and clients by assisting with writing applications, processing service requests and answering any questions our clients may have. Melissa goes the extra mile to provide an extraordinary customer service experience. She enjoys traveling with her family and attending her kids activities.
- Title
Insurance Associate
Jen Grimme
Jen is the Marketing Coordinator with the Shoreline group assisting offices in Madison, Beloit, Delavan, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Fort Atkinson, and Burlington. She started with Thrivent in 2016, however she has 10+ years’ experience working in the financial industry. Jen lives in Lake Geneva with her husband John and they attend Immanuel Lutheran Church. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and is the former secretary of a local ATV/UTV club. During the summer months you will find Jen out on the northern trails.
- Title
Marketing Coordinator
Marco Mascitti
FIC
Marco is located in Madison, WI. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management from UW-Stevens Point and worked with Portage County Animal Control for several years after college. Working with diverse members of the community and witnessing the different ways people view and manage their money, Marco became interested in economics and financial literacy. He began volunteering with the Portage County Financial Literacy Center, and went on to earn the Graduate Business Foundations Certificate from UW-Whitewater
Encouraged by his dad Jason and regional director Josh Duesterbeck, Marco joined Thrivent in 2019. He was humbled and excited to join Shoreline Group in 2021. Marco finds meaning in his work by serving “people that put people first”.
Marco enjoys spending time with family and his longtime girlfriend Dacia, who is a multi-lingual elementary teacher. He is also an avid student of economics, history, literature, faith traditions, and natural science. He frequently works on conservation projects, aided by the Thrivent Action Team program.
- Title
Associate
- State(s) Licensed
- MI , MN , PA , SC , WI
- Location
Madison, WI
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/marco-mascitti
- Phone
- 608-673-6130
Laura White
Laura joined Thrivent full time in 2021 in our Burlington office acting as the social media manager and event coordinator. Her role has expanded over time and she now helps with client relations & communication, plus much more. Laura lives in Burlington,she loves spending time with her two kids and reading in her spare time.
- Title
Licensed Office Professional
Alicia Sargent
Alicia joined Thrivent in the summer of 2021 in our Delavan Office. If you call or stop in, you’ll hear her friendly voice or see her welcoming smile at the front desk. Alicia loves learning new things and is studying for her Life & Health Insurance licenses, so she can better serve our clients.
Alicia lives in Elkhorn with her husband, Jeff, and 2 girls. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, doing crafts and reading books.
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
Delavan, WI
Ashlee Hemsing
Ashlee joined the Shoreline Group this November 2021 as an Office Professional located in our Burlington office. Ashlee enjoys learning the ins and outs of the financial world and is working on obtaining her Life and Health Insurance licenses. You can find Ashlee answering phones and learning how to process back office items. Ashlee has her hands full these days with her twins, but if there is any spare time she enjoys playing sand volleyball, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
- Title
Office Professional
- Location
Burlington, WI
- Phone
- 262-757-0199