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.

Mark Austin is a financial advisor at Liniam Capital, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at North Sky Capital for eight years before joining Liniam Capital in 2018. Liniam Capital provides investment management and financial consulting to individual and institutional clients, including trusts, retirement plans, public funds, and Taft-Hartley accounts. The firm combines portfolio management with tax, estate, and insurance advice, often using ETFs, individual securities, and option strategies to generate income and manage risk, and integrates accounting services through an affiliated CPA.

Aimee Hatlestad is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience and is the principal advisor at The Hatlestad Group. She previously worked at Bond & Devick Wealth Partners and Bgm Trunorth Wealth Partners, Llc. She serves as Treasurer for the Ripley Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The Hatlestad Group provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional and fiduciary entities. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods to tailor portfolios to client objectives and risk tolerance, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Paula Lilly is a financial advisor at Ramsey Hill Asset Management LLC with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Ramsey Hill since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she is a non-voting member of Mojave Color, LLC, a technology and software development company. Ramsey Hill Asset Management provides discretionary investment supervisory and portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis and uses long- and short-term trading strategies to build individualized portfolios aligned with clients’ objectives.

I’m a financial planner who helps business professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—especially those with equity compensation—take control of their finances and design a life that feels truly authentic. Life isn’t just about numbers or following a traditional path. It’s about figuring out what you really want and building a plan to get there. That’s why I started Authentic Life Financial Planning—to help people align their finances with their goals, whether that means retiring early, launching a new career, or simply feeling more confident about their future. I offer personalized, one-time financial plans and ongoing planning services, helping clients navigate the complexities of equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and more—all with the goal of creating a life they love. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll probably find me sailing, checking out live music, or planning my next travel adventure with my wife Annie. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with your finances, I’d love to chat!

Britt Clanton is the principal of Clanton Financial Partners, LLC in Saint Paul, MN, with 21 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at MML Investors Services, LLC and Transamerica-affiliated firms. Outside of his advisory role, Clanton serves as Chief Financial Officer for Visibility Innovations, providing financial consulting services. Clanton Financial Partners is a state-registered investment adviser offering customized investment management and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and ERISA retirement plans. The firm utilizes fundamental analysis with a primarily long-term investment strategy while allowing tactical adjustments and sponsors a wrap-fee program that consolidates custodial, trading, and administrative costs.

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.