Job Title: Assistant Professor of Finance,
Director of Financial Planning Certificate Program,
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Personal Finance Planning
Insurance and Risk Management
Personal Insurance
Earned Degrees:
University of Georgia, Ph.D. in Risk Management & Insurance
University of Notre Dame, MBA in Finance
Baylor University, MS in Information Systems
Shanghai Jiaotong University, B.E. in International Finance
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
American Risk and Insurance Association
Southern Risk and Insurance Association
Personal Statement:
Leon is passionate about teaching and research in the field of financial planning, insurance, and risk management. He spoke at both financial planning and insurance national conferences. He aims to maintain and constantly seek improvement in Minnesota State University Mankato's top-notch Financial Planning Certificate Program (FPCP). In his leisure time, Leon enjoys table tennis and reading.
Job Title: Financial Planner, Buck Financial Advisors, LLC
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Retirement Planning
Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Insurance Planning
Earned Degrees:
Iowa State University; B.S. – Engineering
Minnesota State Mankato; Certificate of Financial Planning
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
Other Accomplishments:
Highlighted in April 2006 Business Week. Quoted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Financial Advisor Magazine. Interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and Smart Money.
Personal Statement:
Personal Finance contributes to ones mental, spiritual, and physical well being; my goal is to help the people I come in contact with to determine their financial future. I live in Woodbury with my wife and son, enjoy a daily trip to Lifetime Fitness and traveling to places warm in January.
Job Title: Principal, Comer Consulting, LLC
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Investment Planning
Retirement Planning
Earned Degrees:
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; B.S. History
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, Committee Member
Minnesota Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, Board of Directors
Council of Independent Professional Consultants, President
Society of Financial Services Professionals, Committee Member
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
Other Accomplishments:
John has published articles in Investment News, Wealth Manager, FPA Solutions magazine and on the Financial Advisor magazine web portal “Practice Lifecycle.” He has spoken at FPA national conferences, for local FPA groups and for broker dealer groups.
Prior to his current business, John started a deposit company that grew to $3.5 billion in four years.
Personal Statement:
John enjoys running, reading and following his sons’ activities. He is passionate about enhancing the financial literacy of Americans.
Job Title:Tax Manager,Steingart & Associates, P. A
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Income Tax Planning
Business and Individual IncomeTaxation
Estate Tax Planning
Business Consulting
Earned Degrees:
St.Cloud State University, B. S. - Accouting
University of Minnesota, J. D.
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Certified PublicAccountant
Licensed Attorney
Professional Organizations:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
MN Society of Certified Public Accountants
American Bar Association
MN State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Other Accomplishments:
Derrick currently serves as the chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee within the Probate & Trust Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He has served on several committees of the MN CPA Society and the Financial Planning Association of MN over the years. He is currently raisihngmoney through a chairty called Team for Kids for the New York City Marathon, which he will be running in the fall of 2012.
Personal Statement:
Derrick enjoys participatingintriathlons and marathons, kayaking, reading, and spending timewith his Labrador Retriever, Stewie. He resides in Eden Prairie.
Job Title: Financial Planner, Bond & Devick Financial Network
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Financial Planning and Insurance
Estate Planning
Earned Degrees:
Northern State University; B.S. – Accounting
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
Other Accomplishments:
Past Chairperson for the FPA of MN
Personal Statement:
I live with my wife and two children in Plymouth, Minnesota. I enjoy playing and watching sports.
Job Title: Advisor Development/Training Consultant, Ameriprise Financial
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Will be teaching Retirement Planning Feb. 2011
Area(s) of Expertise (Practice Areas):
Retirement Planning
Financial Planning and Insurance
Earned Degrees:
Hamline University, BA - Business Administration
The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA - Masters of Science Financial Services
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor™
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
Other Accomplishments:
Adjunct faculty member and contributor of continuing education course for universities and institutions
Personal Statement:
Dan lives in Maple Grove, enjoys working out, spending time with family, and sports of all kinds
Job Title: Tax and Financial Advisor, Thomas D Jenson, Ltd.
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning for Individuals and Small Businesses
Taxation of Real Estate Transactions
Business Problem Solving
Earned Degrees:
Bethel University; B.A. – Business
Metropolitan State University; MBA
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Professional Organizations:
Minnesota Society of CPAs
American Institute of CPAs
Other Accomplishments:
Frequent seminar speaker on tax planning and the implications of tax law changes.
Adjunct Professor in Business Department of Bethel University
Personal Statement:
Live with my wife, Laurel, and two of my sons in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Enjoy family activities with my wife, three sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Hobbies include golf, in-line skating, and reading (fiction, fantasy, history)
Member of numerous business and civic organizations.
Actively involved in a local church.
Job Title: CFP® and Investment Advisor, Focus Financial Network, Inc.
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Investment Planning
Earned Degrees:
Williams College; B.A. - Psychology
University of Hartford; MBA - Finance
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner®
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
Personal Statement:
My wife and I live in Greenwood, MN and have two grown children and four grandchildren. I especially enjoy travel and golf.
Job Title: Retired Professor of Law
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Estate Planning
Income Tax Planning
Earned Degrees:
University of California, Los Angeles; A.A., B.A. – History
Harvard University School of Law; J.D. (formerly LL.B.)
William Mitchell School of Law; LL.M. (Taxation)
Certifications:
Certified Specialist, Taxation, California (15 years)
Other Accomplishments:
Author, California Decedents’ Estates (West),
Community Property in a Nutshell, 1st and 2d (with Boykoff) editions,
Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell, 1st, 2d and 3d editions (Thomson West) and numerous articles in law publications and journals.
Personal Statement:
I live with my wife in Roseville, Minnesota. Our four children are a priest, two lawyers and a PhD. in university administration. My hobby is entering sweepstakes.
Job Title: Principal, Cahill Financial Advisors, Inc.
Courses Taught:
Retirement Planning
Earned Degrees :
Ball State University; B.S. Corporate Finance
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner®
Chartered Financial Consultant
Investment Real Estate certificate, University of St. Thomas
Professional Organizations :
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
Other Accomplishments:
Scott is a regular presenter at national industry conferences, is frequently featured in financial media and has also served as an adjunct faculty member for other local universities. He is currently perusing a specialized Masters degree in Financial Services (MSFS). Outside of work, Scott is an avid volleyball player and outdoorsman. He has earned All-American honors in volleyball, serves on the Northern Star Council Boy Scouts of America President’s Cabinet and is the chair of their Gathering of Eagles committee.
Personal Statement:
Cahill Financial Advisors (www.cahillfa.com) is an independent, fee-only wealth management firm. We provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management services for individuals, families and small businesses.
Jim is owner of O'Halloran Tax & Financial Services LLC and a Registered Representative with H.D. Vest, a non-bank subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company. He specializes in tax and financial planning for small businesses and individuals.
A graduate of Minnesota State University, Jim has a B.S. Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. He also has a MBA (finance concentration) and a MBT from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. His past work experience includes public accounting and industry positions as Vice President of a finance company, Treasurer of a manufacturing company, Tax Director, Tax Manager and Senior Corporate Accountant.
Jim is a member of the AICPA, The Minnesota Society of CPAs and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Within the FPA's Minnesota Chapter Jim participates in one of three study groups.
Jim lives and works in Burnsville, MN. His hobbies include golf, tennis, music, reading and family activities.
I own an American Express Financial Advisors Franchise. My staff and I help both individual and corporate clients reach their goals by providing objective and specific advice in all six areas of financial planning. I have been a Financial Advisor since 1990 and hold a series 7, 63 security licenses as well as Life and Health insurance licenses.
I have extensive experience training financial advisors in all areas of financial planning as a Manager for American Express from 1990 - 2000.
I have been teaching the Investment course as an Adjunct Professor with the Financial Planning Certificate Program for Minnesota State University, Mankato since 2001.
In 1989 I earned my degrees in finance, economics and business administration from The College of St. Thomas. During 1992 I earned my Certified Financial Planner designation from The College of Financial Planning. During 2000 I earned my Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College.
I am actively involved with the city of Vadnais Heights, where I live with my family, as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Dustin Smith is currently a Wealth Counselor at Wealth Enhancement Group where he works with a team of specialist to create, monitor, and adjust comprehensive financial plans. Prior to joining Wealth Enhancement Group, he created and implemented custom financial planning strategies for a Fortune 500 financial service company. He as well led initiatives to augment the financial literacy of its corporate workforce. He is a graduate from Augsburg College and holds the Certified Financial Planner ™ and Chartered Financial Consultant™ designations.
Career:
Working in the financial services industry since 1980. Specialty includes working with closely-held business owners to minimize risk, maximize wealth and create meaningful legacy plans through the application of proven and innovative financial, estate and tax-exempt planning strategies. Advisor consultant for IFC National Marketing, Inc., an independent insurance broker that provides insurance, financial concepts and complex case design support to insurance agents, CPA's, attorney's and financial planners.
Education and Designations:
Masters of Science, in Management, from the American College in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania. Designations include, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certificant, licensed with the CFP Board of Standards. Certified Advisor in Philanthropy ( CAP), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®). Chartered Life Underwriter ( CLU®) Professional Designations from College of Financial Planning, Denver, CO and the American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.
Licenses:
Securities licensed in 1983, Series 6 (Mutual Funds & Variable Products), Series 65 (Investment Advisor) and Series 26 (Limited Supervising Principal) Insurance Licensed in MN, IA, WI, ND, SD, MA, VI, MI, NE, TX for Life, Health, Disability and in MN for Property/Casualty.
Professional Activities:
Lecturer for continuing education courses in Financial and Estate Planning, Charitable Planning, Insurance Planning and Risk Management for Financial Planners, CPA's and Insurance Agents. Instructor for Mankato State University, MN and the American College, Bryn Mawr, PA for courses in the Certified Financial Planner curriculum and (LUTC) Life Underwriters Training courses. Member of the (FPA) Financial Planning Association, (NAIFA) National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the American Society of Financial Services Advisors. Serves the FPA of Minnesota on the Pro Bono Committee.
Civic Activities:
Member of the Church of the Epiphany Member of the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Planned Giving Council and the National Planned Giving Council.
Personal:
Resident of Coon Rapids, MN. Wife, Kathy is a Para in public and private schools. With 3 adult children, Tony, Megan and Eleacia, they enjoy their cabin, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, golfing, bike riding, and travel.
Job Title: Financial Planner & Investment Consultant, Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors LLC
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Financial Planning Process
Retirement Planning
Earned Degrees:
University of Saint Thomas; B.A. ’93, double major- Accounting and Economics
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Certified Public Accountant
Personal Financial Specialist
Certified Investment Management Analyst
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota -- Director of Public Relations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants -- Personal Financial Specialist national committee member
Investment Management Consultants Association
Paladin Registry
Other Accomplishments:
Has been frequently featured or quoted in publications such as the Journal of Financial Planning, USA Today, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Financial Planning Magazine, Corporate Board Member, Christian Science Monitor, and Chippewa Valley Business Report. Also had financial planning ideas included in the personal finance book, Tips From the Top, by Edie Milligan.
Personal Statement:
I am a strong believer in comprehensive personal financial planning. I believe in taking the time to help my clients define their true financial and non-financial goals in life as part of this planning. I live with my wife and three kids in Minneapolis, and am an avid hiker and bicycler.
Job Title: Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial, Inc.
Area(s) of Expertise (Courses taught):
Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Insurance Planning
Earned Degrees:
South Dakota State University, B.S. - Computer Science, Economics and Math
University of Minnesota - Carlson School; MBA - Finance
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM
Professional Organizations:
Financial Planning Association of Minnesota
Personal Statement:
I love helping individuals and families navigate through the complex world of finance to align their money with their life's passions. I live in Eden Prairie with my wife and two children and enjoy reading, hiking, travel, and golf.
Job Title: Certified Public Accountant
Area(s) of Expertise (courses taught):
Estate Planning
Tax Planning
Earned Degrees:
Concordia College; B.A. – Business Administration -Accounting
William Mitchell College of Law; JD
Certifications:
Certified Financial Planner™
Certified Public Accountant
Licensed Attorney
Personal Financial Specialist
Insurance License
Professional Organizations:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants
Other Accomplishments:
Dave is a frequent speaker and has been quoted in many magazines and newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and has interviewed on television nationally. He formed a national Family Wealth Institute and served as its executive director while working for a Big 4 Accounting Firm.
Personal Statement:
My goal is to assist my clients in achieving their dreams by creating and implementing balanced plans that accomplish their personal objectives in an economically effective and tax efficient manner.
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
