Our Team
Our team consists of two professionals who are part of a larger group. As part of our affiliation with Focus Financial, we have a relationship with over 80 financial advisors specializing in various areas of financial planning. If we don't have the answer to your question, we are able to easily find it through our additional professional resources.
Matthew D Nelson, CFP®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
As your financial consultant, Matt will coordinate the financial planning process for you. He will help you to identify your goals, and work with you to implement a series of strategies that will help you to realize your vision for the future.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Matt started his career in 1998 with American Century Investments in Kansas City, MO where, along with other investing principles, he learned the intricacies of small business retirement plans. More recently, while working at Wings Financial Federal Credit Union, Matt was responsible for managing over 40 million dollars in investment assets and coordinating financial planning services for members of the credit union.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Matt graduated from Pillsbury College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Information Technology. Matt is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner since 2002. To earn the CFP® designation, Matt had to complete an approved educational program, pass a rigorous examination and meet stringent experience requirements. Matt also adheres to a professional Code of Ethics and he fulfills annual continuing education requirements to remain aware of current planning strategies and financial trends.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
As a former Eagle Scout, Matt enjoys many outdoors activities—especially competitive bicycle racing for the team he co-sponsors, Peace Coffee Racing. In his other spare time he enjoys snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with his wife Taunya and dog Moby.
Sara Jean Hanson
Administrative Assistant
Sara ensures that our clients receive the best possible service. As an administrative assistant, Sara helps with the overall management of client accounts for the team. She is in charge of processing all client account business including new account paperwork, transfers, rollovers, distributions, check processing, and all follow up to ensure transactions are completed. She will book appointments for you, and is the first person you should call if you have any questions about your financial planning process. She will ensure that the appropriate member of our team responds to your query.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Before joining the Nelson Team at Focus Financial in October of 2007, Sara worked in Public Finance at Grant Thornton LLP, a major Finance and Accounting firm in Minneapolis. In this position, she was able to hone her strong organizational, office support and administration skills which has made her an integral part of the Nelson Team.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Sara studied as a History Major at the University of Montana, Missoula and Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
In her spare time, Sara enjoys spending time with her pets, attending art events and traveling.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Because your financial situation is often complex, we often work directly with other professionals outside of Focus Financial to design and implement the strategies that will help you to achieve your goals. This network of professionals provides technical advice that may fall outside our scope of expertise.
Please see the listing of our Professional Network whenever you need an introduction. If you do not find what you are looking for, please call us. We be happy to search out a reliable professional in the area of specialty you need, and if appropriate, add to our listing for future reference. |
