I'm the founder of SCM Investment Services in Lake Elmo, MN — a fee-only, fiduciary advisory firm built on one belief: everyone deserves honest financial advice from someone legally required to put their interests first. My path here started on the trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade, where I transacted over $1 billion in US Treasury Notes daily and later served as VP and Director of Discretionary Trading Operations. With degrees in Computer Science and Chemistry, I've always approached investing as a hard science — not a sales pitch. I earned my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the epicenter of evidence-based investing. No commissions. No exceptions. I've been quoted as a financial expert in CNN Money, Fortune, the Chicago Tribune, US News, and Investment News.

Sam Schuette is a seasoned wealth advisor with over two decades of experience helping individuals and families plan for financial security and life milestones. As Vice President and Wealth Advisor at GreenUp Wealth Management, Sam works with clients to develop financial strategies tailored to their goals — including retirement planning, investment guidance, and overall wealth management.  Before joining GreenUp, Sam spent more than a decade at Scottrade, Inc., where he built strong client relationships and led teams of investment professionals. He also served in financial advisory and wealth planning roles at several other firms, bringing a depth of practical experience across markets, financial planning disciplines, and client service.  Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture & Food Business Management with a focus in Finance from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, outdoor activities, and community engagement.

Peter O'Brien is a financial advisor with MPM Financial Corporation in Maplewood, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has worked at MPM Financial Corporation since 2005 and previously held roles at Voya Financial Advisors and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. In addition to his advisory work, he is a licensed agent involved in the sale of fixed insurance products. MPM Financial Corporation provides discretionary asset management and advisory services to individual clients and qualified retirement plans. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios to clients’ goals, time horizons, and risk tolerances, and offers financial consulting on retirement, insurance, budgeting, and legacy planning at no additional cost.

Justin Munger is a financial advisor at VIP Financial Associates with 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Premier Capital Management, LLC dba VIP Financial Associates since 2016 and previously at Sawtooth Solutions LLC. In addition to his advisory role, Munger is an independent life and health insurance agent licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin and owns a pet sitting and cleanup services business. VIP Financial Associates provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm’s investment process focuses on individualized asset allocation and uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, relying on third-party model managers and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Thomas Thompson is the principal of Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. in White Bear Lake, MN, with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and securities licenses Series 63 and Series 65. Thompson has a background that includes roles at SagePoint Financial and Kristi Seifert, LLC, and he also works as an independent insurance agent selling life insurance, long-term care, and annuities. Additionally, he assists with tax preparation and serves as power of attorney managing investments and financial affairs for a family member. Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory approach, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, with discretionary trading authority and direct management of insurance contract assets alongside platform-based solutions.

James Wilkinson is the principal of Wilkinson Capital Management, LLC, an independent investment advisory firm based in St. Paul, MN. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 23 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Wilkinson has managed his own advisory business since 2016. Wilkinson Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm focuses on long-term, customized portfolio construction using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, with portfolios managed on a discretionary basis tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Jesse Sell is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Prevail Financial Partners, LLC since 2019. Prior to founding Prevail, he worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 11 years. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Treasurer and Secretary for his neighborhood Homeowners Association in West Lakeland, Minnesota. Prevail Financial Partners is a state-registered independent advisory firm that provides portfolio management, investment advice, and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $63.7 million across 70 client relationships, employing a client-driven investment process that includes asset allocation, dollar-cost averaging, and both long- and short-term trading, with a focus on non-discretionary account management.

Jay Radke is a financial advisor with Investors Choice in Stillwater, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Investors Choice from 1999 to 2018. In addition to his advisory role, Radke has been a licensed life insurance agent since 1984, providing insurance products to clients as needed. Investors Choice is an independent firm offering financial planning, investment advisory, and portfolio management services to individual clients. The firm manages approximately $1.41 million across a limited number of accounts, using a customized investment approach that incorporates various analysis techniques and a range of instruments, including mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, options, CDs, and annuities. The firm also sells insurance products and offers fixed and variable annuities, combining fee-based advisory and insurance services.

David Hammer is a financial advisor and principal of Hammer Advisory Services, Inc. in Woodbury, MN, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations and has led his independent firm since 2010. Hammer Advisory Services provides portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm oversees approximately $51 million in non-discretionary assets across about 72 client relationships, using fundamental analysis and long-term strategies implemented through mutual funds, ETFs, equities, fixed income, and government securities.

Michael Heflin is a financial advisor with YES Wealth Management in Minnetonka, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Capital Markets Corp., GMB Capital Partners, and S Capital Wealth Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, Heflin is the founder and CEO of Class Action Connection, a firm that assists individuals and businesses in recovering compensation from class action settlements. YES Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes fundamental analysis, risk-managed asset allocation, and long-term portfolio management, with capabilities including the use of derivatives and 3(38) discretionary retirement plan services.

Brian Peterson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Endurance Financial Group since 2020 and previously spent six years at SagePoint Financial. Endurance Financial Group serves individual, high-net-worth, and business clients with fee-only investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm integrates quantitative models and fundamental analysis under a Modern Portfolio Theory framework and is notable for including held-away accounts in household asset calculations using a dedicated third-party platform.

Kyle Playford is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Freedom Financial Partners LLC. His prior roles include positions at AdvisorNet Wealth Management, Pine Grove Financial Group, and JPMorgan Chase. Outside of advisory work, he is involved with FFP Insurance LLC as a licensed insurance agent. Freedom Financial Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension/profit-sharing plans with portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and insurance advisory services. The firm’s investment approach combines active and passive strategies guided by Modern Portfolio Theory and customized investment policy statements.

James Heflin is a financial advisor at YES Wealth Management in Mahtomedi, MN, holding a Series 65 credential with 10 years of industry experience. He has been with S Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2016. YES Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes fundamental analysis and risk-managed asset allocation, utilizing ETFs, low-cost mutual funds, individual securities, and tailored financial planning.

Stefan Liiste is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Lions Gate Sovereign Capital, LLC. He has worked at Context Financial Group since 2005. Lions Gate Sovereign Capital is a small advisory firm serving individual investors, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and a multi-format web-based education program called Rapid Transformation Wealth, emphasizing cyclical and technical analysis with primarily non-discretionary portfolio management.

Darin Pilacinski is a financial advisor with True Vision Financial Advisors in Woodbury, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 23 years of industry experience. His prior positions include roles at LPL Financial, Gladstone Wealth Partners, and Financial Engines Advisors. True Vision Financial Advisors provides discretionary wealth management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm employs a long-term investment approach using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and offers customized portfolio construction, ongoing supervision, and coordination with clients’ other professionals.

Christine Thomas is a CFP® professional with seven years of experience in financial advising. She is currently with True Vision Financial Advisors and has previously worked at Berger Financial Group and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Outside of advising, she is the owner and president of MY BOOK, LLC, a publishing company focused on self-help topics, and also works as an independent consultant selling cleaning products. True Vision Financial Advisors provides discretionary wealth management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm manages approximately $271.7 million across about 367 client relationships using a long-term investment approach that incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, employing a range of investment vehicles and customized portfolio strategies.

Kathleen Liiste is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Lions Gate Sovereign Capital, LLC. She has worked at Context Financial Group since 2005. Lions Gate Sovereign Capital is a small advisory firm that serves individual investors, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, ongoing asset management, and a multi-format web-based education program called Rapid Transformation Wealth, which is available to clients and non-clients. Its investment approach emphasizes cyclical and technical analysis, focusing on concentrated exposure to asset classes in long-term uptrends, with primarily non-discretionary trade implementation.

Brian Lahr is a financial advisor at One Life Financial Group, Inc. with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Clover Financial Technologies, LLC and managed the Lahr Family Farm. He has been with One Life Financial Group since 2015. One Life Financial Group serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and other business entities, providing wealth management, financial life planning, education account management, coaching, and consulting services. The firm customizes investment programs based on clients’ goals, time horizons, and risk tolerance, employing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Michael Koob is a financial advisor with Koob Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Koob Wealth Management since 2013 and has also maintained a relationship with LPL Financial since 2010. Koob Wealth Management provides investment advisory and planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts and estates. The firm emphasizes individualized portfolios and written investment policy statements, using fundamental analysis and a mix of long-term and short-term strategies, and sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program through LPL Financial.

Samuel Emmer is a financial advisor at Endurance Financial Group with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he held positions at Bunker Hills Golf Club and Carbones Pizzeria. Endurance Financial Group serves individual, high-net-worth, and business clients by providing ongoing investment management and comprehensive financial planning on a fee-only basis. The firm’s investment approach combines quantitative ranking models and fundamental analysis within a Modern Portfolio Theory framework and is notable for incorporating held-away accounts into household asset calculations.