James Kalina

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.

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.

Thomas Ottman is a financial advisor with Aquinas Capital Advisors LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has managed his own practice and worked with firms including Advanced Advisory Group, LLC and EFS Advisors. Aquinas Capital Advisors provides non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and limited-scope ERISA 3(21) retirement-plan advisory services primarily to individuals and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on client goals and risk tolerance, incorporates both fundamental and technical analysis, and offers public educational seminars as part of its service model.

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 Mehrman is a financial advisor at Valor Wealth Management LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at The Investment Councel LLC and Trailhead Cycling. Outside of advising, he was involved with Valor IT Deployment Solutions LLC for nine years. Valor Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, charities, and pension or profit-sharing plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, focusing on customized portfolios primarily composed of exchange-traded funds, stocks, and bonds tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances.

Carter Michaelson is a CFP® and Series 66-registered financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at illumiFI Wealth, an independent firm based in Blaine, MN. His prior experience includes roles at Thrivent Investment Management, Thrivent Advisor Network, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. illumiFI Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients, offering discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning services such as tax, business, retirement, student loan, and estate planning. The firm's investment approach integrates Modern Portfolio Theory with a blend of passive and active strategies, focusing on tax efficiency and regular portfolio reviews.