CHRIS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Client Service Associate
Amber joined Box Financial Advisors in September of 2014 with a strong background in customer service and client management.
After graduating with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Stout in May of 2005, Amber pursued her passion for hospitality. Working as an event coordinator with a high-end caterer for over five years, she enjoyed creating that "wow" event. After her time in the hospitality industry, Amber moved on to carry further roles in customer service and administrative support always striving to bring unique and superb attention to detail.
In Amber's free time she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family both here in the cities and back in Wisconsin where she grew up. Amber is a " foodie" at heart and enjoys checking out new restaurants, living in St. Paul, and exploring all the cities have to offer.
As a client service associate, Amber is the main point of contact for all of Chris's clients and is able to assist with any client service needs. Her responsibilities include:
Scheduling of Appointments
Processing and Tracking of Investment & Insurance Business
Handling Service Needs (check requests, address changes, changes to beneficiary designations and many other similar requests)
Marketing Activities
Special Projects
In addition to her client service associate duties, Amber serves as the primary coordinator of the firm's client experience, including client events. Should you have any questions about the firm's client events, please feel free to contact Amber.
Job Titles:
- Business Processing Consultant
- Operations and Business Processing
Bekah came to Box Financial Advisors in June of 2007. Bekah is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University where she received a BS in Office Administration in 1998 and has pursued further education through insurance licensing courses as well as project management courses.
Before coming to Box Financial Advisors Bekah spent three years living on the island of Guam working for a private school ministry and then five years working back at her alma mater as an office manager. As a world traveler Bekah has also visited Japan, Australia, and Hawaii.
When not working Bekah enjoys being the favorite auntie to 11 nieces and nephews, helping raise money for Metro Women's Center, volunteering at Amazing Grace Home, and greeting at her church's reception desk for Sunday services.
With only three of her nieces and nephews in the Minneapolis area, traveling to warmer weather to maintain her favorite auntie status with the rest of her nieces and nephews is a must. Six of her nieces and nephews are adopted through foster care so both foster care and adoption have a special place in her heart.
After 10 years as a Client Service Associate and 4 years as Business Process Specialist, Bekah worked with part of the BFA team to develop a Business Process Unit. In 2021 Bekah transitioned to full-time Executive Coordinator for Doug Box, CEO. Her responsibilities include:
Executive Coordinator duties as assigned
Internal and External Newsletter editing and proofreading
Onboarding of New Hires
Business Processing Consultant
Compliance Projects
Special Projects
Cyrus S. Shabaz CFP® has been a financial advisor with Box Financial Advisors since attaining his CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) designation in 2002. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Financial Management from Hamline University in 1992.
Cyrus began his financial services career in 1993 working with institutional money management firms across the Twin Cities as an investment analyst and trader. He started out buying and selling commercial paper and treasury bills. Before long, he was added as an assistant to a private placement team. Cyrus was fortunate in his career to be on the Municipal, Corporate, Options and Securities Lending trading desk as a trader. His thorough understanding of such a wide variety of investments has created a great foundation for his career as a financial planner. As an advisor, Cyrus practices in the areas of retirement, investment and estate planning. More specifically, Cyrus seeks to help people who are in "transition." People in transition are those who are planning for or in the middle of a major change in their life, such as retirement, the loss of a spouse, selling a business or estate planning for the next generation.
Cyrus was born and raised in Minnesota and now calls Lakeville, MN home. Growing up with strong Minnesota values, he combines practical advice with a conservative mindset to guide his clients.
Cyrus finds his greatest enjoyment is spending time with his two children, Sophia and Austin. His motto with his family is to "Make Every Day Count". Cyrus enjoys being an active member of River Valley Church there you will find him front and center. He says "he doesn't want to miss anything so we sit in the front seats". When Cyrus is not with his kids or involved with River Valley you may find him on the golf course at Bracketts Crossing "enjoying the whole course". Cyrus' golf motto is: "Golf is God's way to keep us humble."
*David Shabaz is not affiliated or registered with Cetera Advisor Networks LLC. Information provided by David at this site is no way related to Cetera Advisor Networks LLC or its registered representatives.
Dan joined Box Financial Advisors in 2008 with the primary responsibility of handling the firm's trading. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), as well as Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®). Dan's undergraduate degree is from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College where he majored in Bible and earned dual minors in Youth Ministry and Counseling.
Dan's passion is to be the trusted advisor for families with complicated financial needs. Especially for engaging the entire family in purposeful accumulation and distribution of wealth, while living exceptional lives. He believes in clearly explaining concepts without jargon, leveraging the best technology, and allowing people to make their own best decision. He continues to serve the firm by leading the technology strategic team.
Dan and his wife Tracy have three children - Laura 13, Leroy 9, and Levi 4. They enjoy spending time canoeing, running, biking, fishing, watching wildlife, and exploring every one of Minnesota's awesome parks. They are currently ½ way through the list if you need any ideas! Laura achieved her black belt in ATA and is working towards 2 nd degree. Leroy is on track for his black belt soon. Levi enjoys jumping off of things expecting to be caught. If you happen to be in Prior Lake on a Sunday they would love to see you here.
Since joining Box Financial Advisors in 2013, Eric has helped families live their exceptional lives. After receiving his B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Bethel University, Eric obtained his CPA designation with an emphasis in Personal Financial Planning (PFP). Eric has also earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
His time with Box Financial Advisors has provided Eric with a vast depth of knowledge and experience through being responsible for all of the firm's trading activities to assisting Douglas Box with his clients and their plans. Eric has learned the wealth management business from the ground up. Now with clients of his own, Eric enjoys helping individuals and families with more than $1,000,000 of investable assets with their complex financial planning needs.
Eric's responsibilities also include running the day-to-day operations of the firm as integrator. Using Gino Wickman's book, "Traction", he is working to implement the entrepreneurial operating system throughout the company to create excellent systems and processes that our clients can trust.
Faith, Trust, Excellence, and Care define the culture at Box Financial Advisors and align with Eric's own values. He married the love of his life, Emily, in December of 2017. Eric and Emily currently live in New Hope with their two children, Olive & Henry, and goldendoodle, Axel. You can find them enjoying family time at the cabin, playing a round of golf, taking a family walk and being involved at their church.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS
Box Financial Advisors is committed to the ongoing education of our advisors. All of our financial advisors maintain certain professional designations. The designations maintained among the advisors include:
Jeff Severtson has been helping clients invest money and plan for retirement since 1984. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Jeff acquired an established financial services practice which allowed him to be mentored by one of the industry's top achievers.
In 2004, Jeff affiliated with AdvisorNet Financial to grow and expand his resources. After 15 years, Jeff joined Box Financial Advisors to gain full-service support for his business and expand the offerings that he is able to provide to his clients. Embracing new technologies provided by the firm has proven to be especially valuable in 2020.
Jeff lives with his wife, Janet, in Plymouth. They have two adult children, Kiersten and Bobby (Lera), and two beautiful grandchildren, Kaliya and Alexey. Jeff's family enjoys cooking together and hosting friends. A particular passion for Jeff is year-round outdoor cooking using his Big Green Egg. He is also an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, skier, and waterfowl and upland game hunter with his beloved dogs.
Jessica joined Box Financial Advisors in May of 2021 as a client service associate. She is the main point of contact for all of Cyrus Shabaz's and Jeff Severtson's clients and will assist with any client service needs. Her primary responsibilities include:
Fostering Exceptional Client Relationships
Facilitating Service Needs - initiating new accounts, check requests, address changes, changes to beneficiary designations and many other similar requests
Scheduling of Appointments
Maintaining Client Records
As a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Jessica has a strong background in relationship management and administration including 10 years of client service in the wealth management industry. She is also a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) through the accredited programs at iPEC - the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.
With a passion for learning and people, Jessica spends her free time reading, connecting with friends, traveling, being in nature and around water. She enjoys living in south Minneapolis with her two teenagers, Justin and Kelsey, and visiting her parents in Alexandria, MN.
Jessica joined Box Financial Advisors in May of 2021 as a client service associate. She is the main point of contact for all of Cyrus Shabaz's and Dan Harrington's clients and will assist with any client service needs.
Job Titles:
- Financial Project Specialist
Joe Macken joined Box Financial Advisors as a Financial Project Specialist 2021. His primary responsibilities include:
Assisting the advisors with the development of plans, exhibits, and investment reports for regular client meetings
Special Projects for the Planning Department
Joe is a graduate of the University if St. Thomas where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Financial Management and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Studies in 2021. He plans on using his skills and education to aid the Box Financial Advisors Mission.
Joe grew up in Rochester, Minnesota and loves spending time with family and friends. Outside the office, Joe will do just about anything, but his obsessions include golfing, fishing, weekends at the cabin, traveling, and watching sports - especially MN sports teams.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Fellow
- Financial Advisor
Since he started at Box Financial Advisors in 2016, Matthew has had the goal of becoming a Financial Advisor. His time in the Box Financial Residency Program has given him the valuable knowledge and experience he needed to make this vision a reality. In 2020, he obtained the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and now works with clients of his own.
In addition to serving his own clients, Matthew assists fellow Advisor, Chris Hasling, in many of his client meetings.
Outside of the office, Matthew's interests include bowling, playing piano, and NFL football. Matthew and his wife live in Crystal with their three young children.
Job Titles:
- Planning Analyst
- Registered Administrative Assistant of Cetera Advisor
Sarah came to Box Financial Advisors in May of 2006. Sarah is a graduate of William Woods University where she received a BS in Business Management in 2006.
Sarah and her husband John share a love of animals and love to spend time with their rescue dog as well as help with Sarah's aunt's dog rescue. Sarah also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, horseback riding, and cheering on her favorite sports teams including the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Twins, and University of Minnesota men's and women's hockey teams.
Sarah is responsible for analyzing and generating most of the planning reports used for our clients. Sarah's responsibilities include:
Cost Basis Maintenance
Required Minimum Distribution Reporting
Performance Reporting
Financial plan inputs
Sarah Ta is a Registered Administrative Assistant of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
Job Titles:
- Business Processing Specialist
Zach Stockdale-Green joined Box Financial Advisors in June of 2021 as a Business Processing Specialist. His primary responsibilities include: