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A creative and collaborative team
Tap into industry-leading insights backed by ground-breaking technology and a culture of innovation at Advanced Capital Group. Getting to know you and your needs is our top priority as we provide the advice, management and solutions that achieve results.
Your trusted consultants and advisors
Principal & CEO
Charles Langowski
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: One of my favorite things is enjoying a beautiful sunset on the lake with my family.
Certifications & Education
- MBA, University of Minnesota
- BS—Finance, Moorhead State University
Principal & Director of Retirement Plan Consulting
Dan Schroeder
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I was the president of a youth hockey association and can't skate.
Certifications & Education
- Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA)
- Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC)
- BA—Math Education, University of Northern Iowa
Principal
Justin Dorsey
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I drove an over-the-road semi-truck as a job one summer.
Certifications & Education
- J.D., University of Minnesota
- BA—History, University of Minnesota
Principal, Director of Institutional Investment Management
Patrick Larson
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: My favorite travel destination is Maui, Hawaii and I'm an occasional surfer.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- MBA, University of St. Thomas
Senior Market Development Manager, Native Nations
Aaron LeClaire
Industry experience: Since 2008
Fun fact: I love the Beatles and ‘80s music.
Certifications & Education
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
- BS—Engineering, National Technical Institute of Minnesota
Office Manager
Ann Schaetzel
Industry experience: Since 2002
Fun fact: I used to barrel race horses and currently rescue Jack Russell Terriers.
Regional Manager
Bernie Heffernon
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I enjoy the outdoors including hunting and fishing, and am an avid Kansas Jayhawk Basketball fan.
Certifications & Education
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
- Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
- BGS—Personnel Administration and Communications, University of Kansas
Senior Investment Consultant
Brad Tollander
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I’m an avid musky fisherman, plus a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers and my daughter’s high school/club volleyball teams.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- BA—Finance Management, University of Minnesota
Senior Fixed Income Analyst
Brian Knapp
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: My grandfather was born during the Civil War.
Certifications & Education
- BS—Business Administration, Bemidji State University
Principal of ACG Benefits & Risk Consulting
Carol Dorn
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: My favorite quote is from G.K. Chesterton, “Great truths can only be forgotten and never be falsified.”
Certifications & Education
- Minnesota Insurance License—Health, Life, Property & Casualty
- 2-year certificate—School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas
Senior Portfolio Manager, Manager of Fixed Income Investments
Chad Rice
Industry experience: Since 2002
Fun fact: After many years of intense training and competition, I achieved a black belt in martial arts.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- MS – Business: Finance, Investment and Banking, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- BS – Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Senior Relationship Manager
Colette Ehlers
Industry experience: Since 2000
Fun fact: I currently teach group exercise including strength training and cardio classes.
Certifications & Education
- MBC, University of St. Thomas
- BS—Spanish and Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Director of Operations
Cindi Bruns
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I love going to movies and flea markets, plus doing trash-to-treasure crafts.
Senior Relationship Manager
David Schmidt
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I soloed a modified Indy car around the Chicago Motor Speedway at 150 MPH.
Certifications & Education
- Ph.D. & MA—Government & Economics, Indiana University - Bloomington
- BA—Political Science, Michigan State University
Senior Market Development Manager, Institutional Products
Dean Miller
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I enjoy traveling with my wife and am a fan of Golden Gopher basketball and golf.
Certifications & Education
- BS—Business, St. Cloud State University
Investment Analyst
Devon Triebold
Industry experience: Since 2015
Fun fact: I have hiked Mt. Fuji and have a motorcycle part named after me.
Certifications & Education
- MBA (in progress), University of Minnesota
- BBA—Economics & International Business, University of Oklahoma
Senior Investment Consultant
Jacob Fuerstneau
Financial services experience: Since 2003
Fun fact: I enjoy running around Minneapolis lakes.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- MBA, University of Minnesota
- BS—Business, University of Kansas
Senior Vice President – Fixed Income Consulting
Joe Pope
Industry experience: Since 2002
Fun Fact: For me, nothing compares to a sunny Minnesota summer day spent on the lake with my family and friends.
Certifications & Education
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Level II candidate
- BA—Accounting, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
Education Consultant
John Conway
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I am an avid downhill skier and compete in an annual, 50-hour trivia marathon.
Certifications & Education
- BA—Speech Communications, University of Minnesota
Operations Manager
Mary Nearhoof
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I like to go to estate sales and auctions searching for treasures.
Certifications & Education
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
- BS—Business Administration, University of North Dakota
Benefits Analyst
MaryKay Pewowaruk
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I have been to all 50 states in the U.S.
Certifications & Education
- Minnesota Insurance License—Health & Life
- MA—Education, University of St. Thomas
- BS—Biology, North Dakota State University
Senior Fiduciary Advisor, Head CFP®
Mathew Coyle
Industry experience: Since 1999
Fun fact: I am a former collegiate (Drake) tennis player and part-time mechanical-watch builder.
Certifications & Education
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
- MBA—Portfolio Management, University of St. Thomas
- BSBA—Finance & Insurance, Drake University
Senior Investment Consultant
Melissa St. George
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: One of my many jobs during college was driving a school bus.
Certifications & Education
- MBA, University of St. Thomas
- BBA, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Senior Investment Consultant
Michael Hoeschen
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I bought my first stock at age 12 with paper-route money.
Certifications & Education
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- BS—Accounting, St. Cloud State University
Principal of ACG Benefits & Risk Consulting
Michele Hren
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: A good day for me is watching the sun set over a mountain, from the 18th green.
Certifications & Education
- Minnesota Insurance License—Health & Life
- BA—Business, University of St. Catherine
Senior Relationship Manager
Patrick McTigue
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: My favorite quote is from Will Rogers, "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment."
Certifications & Education
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
- BBA—Finance, Iowa State University
Innovation Manager
Shelley Lutes
Industry experience: Since 2012
Fun fact: Visiting every Minnesota State Park and each presidential library are items on my bucket list.
Certifications & Education
- BA—Sociology & Spanish, Wheaton College
Senior Market Development Manager, Retirement & Financial Wellness
Stacy Allen
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I enjoy travel, golf and yoga.
Certifications & Education
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
- Plan Sponsor Retirement Professional (PRP)
- BS – Business Management, St. Cloud State University
Senior Investment Consultant
Teri Richardson
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I coach beginning cross-country skiing.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- MBA, University of Minnesota
- BA—Mathematics, University of Minnesota
Senior Portfolio Manager
Tony Albrecht
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: My favorite sport is ice hockey and I like to cook.
Certifications & Education
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA)
- BS & MS—Economics, Iowa State University
Performance Analyst
Wendy Langowski
Industry experience: More than 20 years
Fun fact: I teach kickboxing and strength-training classes at a local gym.
Certifications & Education
- BS—Finance, Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Award-winning service
PLANADVISER magazine honored our team from 2011-2017 as a Top 100 Retirement Plan Adviser. In 2017, our team ranked eighth (according to asset value of defined contribution plans supported) in the National Association of Plan Advisors list of Top DC Advisor Teams with AUA (Assets Under Advisement) Over $100 Million. Nasdaq and EVERFI also recently honored ACG at the Financial Capability Innovation Awards recognizing our efforts to improve the financial capability of Americans through unique digital learning initiatives.
