He was also driven into financial services when his wife, a registered nurse, was let go from her job after 20 years of helping patients. Mark says, “Neither of us could believe it when she lost her job. It seemed unfair because she had spent the better part of her life taking care of people and their loved ones. Then, a system that is so integral to the health of a community, downsized and released people who not only provided excellent care but also needed their jobs to provide for their families. Now knowing how all-too common that is, I want to help workers prepare for that possibility so if it ever happens, they have the financial resources they need to protect themselves.”

If you’ve met Mark, you might also know that his enthusiasm is contagious, and it only grows with every opportunity to help a client. He is driven by the feeling of understanding a goal and knowing what it will take to pursue it, and he chases that feeling each day when he walks into the office. Mark says, “There’s a moment when you can see something click for a client, whether that’s the simple understanding of their goal or the knowledge that we’ve put a plan in place that we truly believe gives them the best chance to achieve it. That’s what brings you back to the office each day.”

Finally, his motivation is what truly sets him aside, and knowing the weight of his responsibility drives him to continue learning and adapting to new conditions in the market.

“I wake up each morning knowing that I have the chance to make a difference, but I also respect the power I have when it comes to someone’s financial future. I consider myself lucky to have that power and to be able to affect a client’s future in such a profound way, and it pushes me to educate myself on the latest developments in the market and the newest innovations and solutions for a portfolio,” Mark says.

Having grown up in Wisconsin, this state and the people who live here are extremely important (to Mark). In his free time, he enjoys exploring parts of Wisconsin he has never seen and meeting new people. He is also an avid fisherman and loves to travel and try new restaurants. “The kindness that everyone talks about in the Midwest is clear as day when you live here, and I’m proud to help my neighbors and friends protect their futures,” Mark says.