ASCENTIAL WEALTH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Your Team
- CFP® Financial Advisor
Alex understands the value of what comprehensive planning can do for one's financial goals. He believes each stage of life brings its own unique financial opportunities and having the right strategy in place is key to providing for future stability.
Before becoming a member of the Ascential Wealth team in 2019, Alex worked for another independent advisory practice in Minneapolis. While there, he received the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certification after completing the CFP® Board's educational, experience, examination and ethical requirements. As a CFP® professional, Alex is a fiduciary, which requires him to act in a client's best interest. Being held to this high standard provides for true objective financial service.
Alex is a graduate of Minnesota State University - Mankato where he received a bachelor's degree in finance with a concentration in financial planning and insurance. While there, he received his personal financial planning certificate from MSU's CFP® Board registered program. Originally from Superior, Wisconsin, Alex now resides in Duluth with his wife, Sara. Away from the office Alex enjoys playing a round of golf, cooking and bird hunting in the fall.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Your Team
Alison's objective is to understand each client's unique situation and goals, to integrated with technical expertise in to customized strategic plans and advice. She values getting to know people and developing long-term relationships.
Before joining the AWA team, Alison spent 15 years working in the corporate sector, most recently as a Strategic Account Manager at Minnesota Power. She graduated from Winona State University with Bachelor Degrees in both Communication and Finance and earned her MBA from the College of St. Scholastica.
Alison and her husband Caleb live in Esko with their two boys and three girls, who keep them busy at home and with activities. Having lived in Northern Minnesota most of her life, Alison enjoys spending time outdoors mountain biking, Nordic skiing and running. She also enjoys volunteering her time to serve her community as a board member for the Damiano Center in Duluth.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Your Team
- Operations Manager
Barb has a passion for helping organizations maximize their potential, focusing on efficiency, effective financial management, and sustainability to ensure long-term stability and performance while also providing the best possible client experience. She has managed operations and finances for a variety of organizations in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors and is excited to bring her broad range of experience to the Ascential Wealth team.
Prior to joining Ascential Wealth Advisors, Barb worked as an Operations & Account Manager at a local insurance agency and as an Operations & Finance Manager at a non-profit private school in the Duluth area. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership & Management from Concordia College and currently holds Series 7, 66, and 24 securities licenses as well as life, health, and variable annuities licenses.
Barb is a Minnesota native and spent her childhood in the beautiful north woods of Finland, MN. After a brief stint in the Colorado mountains, she returned to Minnesota to settle in the Twin Ports area and has been a proud Duluthian ever since! In her free time, Barb likes to hike, camp, and generally enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. She loves her Duluth community and enjoys getting involved whenever she can, serving as a Board Member for local non-profit organizations, participating in area volleyball leagues, enjoying the local music scene, and exploring the amazing parks and beaches that the Twin Ports has to offer!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Your Team
- Registered Client Service Manager
Barb makes client satisfaction her number one priority. She knows that our clients' time is valuable, so she strives to address their requests in the most timely, efficient and accurate manner possible to help them accomplish their goals with less stress.
Barb brings extensive customer service and industry experience to her role, assisting clients with a broad range of administrative needs. She is here to help clients with things such as: establishing new accounts, asset and funds transfers, client information updates such as address or beneficiary changes, and assistance with online access, banking and gathering of tax documents.
Barb has been in customer service for over 35 years and began her financial services career in 2004 with Smith Barney. She holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, and is a notary public. Barb joined Raymond James in 2009, where she held numerous positions, including registered client service manager, office manager and registered operations associate.
Originally from Two Harbors, Minnesota, Barb is a true "Northern" girl. In 1988, she relocated to Duluth where she has lived with her husband of many years, Tony. Together, they raised four well-rounded boys, who have blessed them with 10 amazing grandchildren. In her free time, Barb appreciates spending time with her family, simple gardening, cooking, music festivals of many genres, and appreciating the true beauty of Northern Minnesota as a free spirit on a Harley-Davidson.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Your Team
Trustworthy and empathetic, Brad is dedicated to helping our clients use their wealth to confidently pursue and support their financial goals and the future they envision.
He applies his skills as a financial analyst to determine the impact that "what if" scenarios such as working part time, giving to charity, purchasing a vacation home, or completing a bucket list would have on a client's financial situation.
Brad holds Series 7, 9, 10 and 63 securities licenses and life, health and variable annuities insurance licenses. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Before joining Raymond James in 2011, Brad served as a financial advisor and branch manager at UBS. He also served as a financial advisor at Piper Jaffray and Smith Barney, and began his career in 1991 as a financial analyst at Maurices, Inc.
Active in the community, Brad was a member of Duluth Rotary Club 25, where he served as chair of the finance committee and youth services. He is also a past board member of First Witness Child Advocacy Center.
Brad is from Duluth, where he and his wife, Jean, live today. They have two children, Susan and Peter. In his free time, Brad enjoys hunting, fishing and woodworking.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Your Team
Dan believes in listening to clients and tailoring an experience to meet their needs. Every person's needs are different. Whether it's investment management, planning for retirement, managing income, giving to charity or passing along wealth, he wants to create a strategy custom to you.
His career began in 2007 and has spanned both institutional investment management and private wealth management. Prior to joining Ascential Wealth Advisors in 2015, he worked in trading operations for global alternative asset manager Whitebox Advisors LLC and Waterstone Capital Management, LP.
Dan earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a focus in financial markets. After finishing his bachelor's degree, he successfully completed the graduate-level Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) program and earned his CFA® charter. He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses along with life and health insurance licenses.
Dan is active in the Duluth community, serving as president of the Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club (DXC) and as an active member of the Rotary Club of Duluth. He believes in giving back and volunteers to help youth and the underserved. In his free time he cherishes time with his wife and two children. He enjoys outdoor pursuits including skiing, mountain biking, running and fishing across the region.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Your Team
Dave provides counsel to help clients make smart decisions regarding financial matters and pursue their goals with confidence. He has extensive experience as a financial services professional, with in-depth knowledge of financial planning, estate planning, investments, risk management and company retirement plans.
Dave began working with our team in 2003 at Piper Jaffray and transitioned with them to Ascential Wealth Advisors in 2011. Earlier in his career, he was the finance director at maurices, Inc. Dave holds Series 7, 66 and 31 securities licenses as well as life, health and variable annuities licenses. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota.
Active in the community, Dave serves on the board of the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, and is a member of the Harbortown Rotary Club.
Dave was born and raised in Duluth and lives here today with his wife, Nancy. They have three children, Tim, Anna and Jessa. In his free time, Dave enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing and travel.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Manager
- Member of the Your Team
Lori is a dedicated and committed employee. She genuinely looks forward to heading to the office every morning. Growing up on a dairy farm, her parents modeled the value of integrity and a strong work ethic and Lori brings that to work every day. She responds to clients' requests as soon as possible and strives to deliver a positive client experience. It brings her joy to go above and beyond for a client - sometimes surprising them with a song-filled birthday greeting.
Originally from Halma, Minnesota, Lori graduated from Mayville State University in December of 1992 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. She jumped at the chance to move to the beautiful city of Duluth a month later. Her first job opportunity as a wire operator in the Shearson Lehman Brothers office started her 26-year career in the finance industry. She was working at UBS, formerly PaineWebber, before joining Raymond James in 2011.
Lori enjoys living next to Hartley Park, with her husband, Wade Rasch, and their four children, Ella, Erin, Laura and Connor. She enjoys running, mountain biking, volleyball and volunteering in the children's activities. She is active at Kenwood Lutheran Church, where she has taught Sunday school, directs musicals for the youth, and sings in the Praise and Worship Band.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Member of the Your Team
Mike believes the key component of the advisor-client relationship is trust. He is committed to helping clients reap the benefits of their years of hard work, serving as a trusted advocate in their corner. Mike has extensive knowledge of financial planning, estate planning, investments and risk management. He holds Series 7, 9, 10, 63 and 65 securities licenses, along with life and health insurance licenses. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major of finance and economics from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Mike has been with Raymond James since 2009. Before joining Ascential Wealth Advisors in 2016, he was a financial advisor and branch manager with Raymond James and affiliated with Lake Superior Financial Services. Previously, he was a financial advisor at Smith Barney and a senior financial analyst at Pillsbury. Earlier in his career, he was a senior financial analyst and auditor at The Musicland Group.
Active in the community, Mike is the former president and current board member of the Cloquet Education Foundation, former president and board member of Cloquet Country Club, and former board member and volunteer coach for the Cloquet Youth Basketball Association.
Mike and his wife, Jen, make their home in Cloquet with their daughters, Hailey and Kate. In his free time, Mike enjoys golfing, boating, hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with his family.
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