At Guardian Wealth Strategies, you don't just have an advisor, you have an advisory team. Our entire professional office will ensure that every element of your financial plan is positioned for the best outcomes. Experience the difference of a true professional partnership.
Gregg is co-founder and Managing Partner of Guardian Wealth Strategies. He has over 20 years of industry experience as a Fiduciary Wealth Advisor. Gregg graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, and received his certificate in financial planning from the University of St. Thomas while pursuing his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Gregg has a passion for simplifying complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand language that clients with diverse backgrounds can understand. His professional standard is to create a thoughtful, client-centered culture that promotes long-term relationships.
When he is not navigating through the individual variables of financial plans, Gregg and his wife can be found supporting their four children as they participate in a variety of activities including sports, music, and outdoor adventures.
Brent is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Guardian Wealth Strategies and the business manager for Guardian Tax. As a collegiate athlete, he graduated from Hamline University with a B.A. degree in Education. Brent has over 20 years of experience serving clients with college and university career backgrounds.
Brent has a unique ability and passion to integrate many different components of a client’s profile (investments, taxes, estate planning, etc.) into an efficient and holistic financial plan.
Brent and his wife enjoy spending time at their cabin on the North Shore with their two daughters. While “up north,” Brent also finds time to support and engage Guardian’s northern Minnesota clientele.
Ben is a Partner and Fiduciary Wealth Advisor with Guardian Wealth Strategies and the business manager for Guardian Insurance Solutions. He began his career in personal finance in 2002, bringing his knowledge and experience to Guardian in 2017. In addition to working one-on-one with individual clients, Ben supports businesses and nonprofits to enhance their 401(k) retirement plans.
Ben is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and a certified instructor for Adult Financial Education Services (AFES) and 567 Workshops. Ben oversees the education initiatives of Guardian to give back to the community by teaching adult education classes on topics such as Social Security, Taxes in Retirement, Estate Planning, and more.
Ben and his wife stay busy with their three children who are passionate about baseball, hockey and dance. Whenever possible, they enjoy the outdoors by canoeing, kayaking, camping and hunting in north woods of Minnesota.
Yelisey is a Fiduciary Wealth Advisor with Guardian Wealth Strategies, and an owner of All Things Financial, an insurance partner to the Guardian team. He has a master’s degree in business from Oral Roberts University.
As the proud son of two immigrants from Ukraine, Yelisey is deeply grateful to his parents for teaching him the value of hard work and discipline. He has always found ways to volunteer his time in the community and as a team leader for Habitat for Humanity, he found fulfillment in helping others. Now, as he councils those who are nearing retirement, he can truly express his gratitude and appreciation to his family.
When he's not spending time with his wife and three young children, Yelisey can be found working on his latest car or motorcycle project.
Trey is a Retirement Planning Specialist for Guardian Wealth Strategies, and a partner of All Things Financial, an insurance partner to the Guardian team. Trey, and his business partner Yelisey, oversee Guardian's Burnsville location. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Corporate Communications.
Having spent years as a director in his parents’ nonprofit, he learned that he did not want to just do "business as usual," but to do something that positively impacted peoples’ lives on a daily basis. Trey’s role as a classroom instructor, helps Guardian effect that change in the community by teaching adult education classes on topics such as Social Security, Taxes in Retirement, Estate Planning, Gifting Strategies and more.
Trey is a dedicated family man and spends much of his free time “doing life big” with his wife and three young children. He enjoys serving with his family through local and international missions, working out, traveling, playing and hiking with his dogs, and boating with his family.
Kyle Thomas is a Fiduciary Wealth Advisor with Guardian Wealth Strategies. He earned a finance degree from the University of St. Thomas and began his career in financial industry in 2017. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Kyle loves helping his clients gain confidence in their financial future by creating retirement plans that not only meet their financial needs, but honor their passions and core values.
Kyle lives in Lakeville, MN with his wife and young daughter and two cats. They are passionate about traveling, getting outdoors, and giving back to their community. To relax, they enjoy hanging out with friends and family, going to the Minnesota Zoo, and streaming the newest binge-worthy show. Kyle is always eager to talk about Minnesota sports, especially the Vikings, Wild, Twins and Timberwolves!
Ryan is a Client Associate with Guardian’s Burnsville office. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. degree and has spent much of his career in business management and corporate leadership. Ryan's professional experience with client care, communication, and strategic planning helps his clients achieve more meaningful and impactful outcomes in their retirement.
Ryan has lived in Minnesota with his wife for the past fifteen years. They have three daughters and a son, along with one cat, one dog, one hamster, and two gerbils. He loves spending as much time as possible with his family, but still makes time to volunteer in his community, and serves on advisory boards and in ministry. Together, Ryan and his family camp, play music, dance and “try to laugh as much as possible”.
Mason is an Investment & Operations Specialist with Guardian Wealth Strategies. He studied finance and accounting at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and was a defenseman for the Royal’s hockey team. Mason oversees the day to day investment trading and many of the operational activities for the firm. As a member of Guardian's investment committee, he is an avid consumer of financial research, and his analysis provides timely insights for Guardian's advisory team.
Growing up in Eagan and spending a lifetime playing sports, Mason learned valuable lessons in team-work and is especially adept as keeping a level head in chaotic situations – qualities which serve him extremely well in the investment world he now lives.
Mason is an avid golfer. He and his wife, Lauren, love playing hockey together, spending time at the cabin, and enjoying a variety of other outdoor activities with their dog, Surly.
Norma Jo is the Director of Client Service and, despite her youthful good looks, boasts 50 years of industry-related experience. She attended the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and studied Business Management.
Norma Jo brings an incredible depth of knowledge to the Guardian team and loves working on complex projects. She has a natural ability to connect with clients and help simplify many of the processes involved with client servicing. She prides herself on transparency and the pursuit of excellence.
To relax, Norma Jo loves to cook, bake and spend time in her garden; especially when she gets to share those activities with her son, Chris. Norma Jo also enjoys volunteering her time and giving back whenever she can.
Aya (pronounced: eye-ya) is a Client Service Specialist with Guardian Wealth Strategies. With more than four years professionally working in the financial industry, she takes pride in helping each client have an amazing experience.
Aya immigrated from Kazakhstan in 2016 with her mom and is fluent in Russian.
Aya enjoys traveling and exploring new places and new cultures. She serves as a leader for her Bible study small group at her church and lives out her faith in all aspects of her life.
Liza is a Client Service Specialist with the Guardian Wealth Strategies Burnsville team. She came to the team with eight years of administration and management experience.
Liza is originally from Minsk, Belarus and is fluent in Russian. She and her husband have two cats and a Dobermann puppy.
Kristine is a Medicare Specialist with Guardian Wealth Strategies and the owner of Minnesota Medicare Solutions, an insurance partner to the Guardian team. She graduated Cum Laude from Cardinal Stritch University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management.
With approximately 15 years of insurance experience, Kristine has a deep knowledge of navigating the many Medicare and individual health insurance options, as well as being proficient with life insurance and long-term care insurance policies. Kristine enjoys keeping the insurance process simple and straight-forward for her clients.
In her spare time, Kristine loves spending quality time with her husband William and their dog and two cats. They look forward to seeing their daughter Ruby when she comes home to visit from college.
Jim is a Tax Advisor with Guardian Tax and oversees all aspects of Guardian's tax team. He studied accounting at the University of St. Thomas, and received his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in 1993.
With nearly 30 years of tax and accounting experience serving individuals, businesses, nonprofits, trusts and estates, Jim's knowledge and expertise help provide strategic tax planning outcomes for Guardian's clients.
When not focused on client cases, Jim loves spending quality time with his wife and two daughters.
Matt is a Tax Advisor and Accounting Specialist with Guardian Tax. He began his career in finance in 2009 when he graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Economics. He continued his journey in personal finance by earning the prestigious Fraternal Insurance Counselor designation (FIC). This gave him the expertise on how to use insurance products and other financial instruments to enhance estate planning endeavors.
Matt is an Enrolled Agent and can advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and any entity with tax-reporting requirements. This is the highest credential awarded by the Internal Revenue Service.
Matt and his family enjoy sports and spending time at their cabin in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Barry is a co-founder and Tax Advisor with Guardian Tax. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington State University with a B.A. in Finance and Accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Barry brings more than 20 years of accounting and investment experience to Guardian's tax team. With his unique background in both disciplines, Barry’s experience is invaluable with tax projections and strategic tax planning.
Outside the office, Barry enjoys golfing, tennis and going on hikes with his dog, Jasper, in his home state of Washington.