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Our Team
Learn more about our amazing team of professionals.
Paul Stein
Founder & CEO
CFP®, AIF®, CKA®
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Paul Stein
PAUL STEIN, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, is founder and CEO of Advanced Retirement Resources. For more than 20 years Paul has provided insightful financial expertise guiding clients as they prepare for, transition into and navigate their retirement years. Paul is a frequent guest expert on radio, and an esteemed speaker nationally on various financial planning topics.
Paul is a shareholder in AdvisorNet Financial, a registered investment advisory firm in Minnetonka, MN. He and his wife, Jann, live in Lino Lakes and have two grown children.
Professional Involvement and Background
Current member:
- Minnesota Chapter of the Financial Planning Association
- Financial Planning Association
- Investment Management Consultants Association
Past member:
- Board of Directors, Minnesota Society of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (now the Financial Planning Association)
- Advisory Board, AdvisorNet Financial (formerly Swenson Anderson Financial Group)
- National Committee on Planned Giving
Education
- Northwestern College (1978-79)
- University of Minnesota (1979-83) – BS Secondary Math Education
- College for Financial Planning (1992-94) – CFP Professional Education Program
How did you get started in financial planning?
Jann and I returned to the Twin Cities in 1992 to be closer to family, after seven years in Chicago and Baltimore. While working as a manager with Thrivent Financial, I realized my passion for financial planning. So I interviewed with top independent financial planning firms in the Twin Cities and selected Swenson Anderson Financial Group (now AdvisorNet Financial). Looking back, I couldn’t have made a better choice.
What makes Advanced Retirement Resources unique?
We intentionally limit our client base. We’d rather have a significant impact on a few people than little impact on a lot of people. Our goal is to diligently work to provide the thorough advice each individual client deserves.
Why do people need financial guidance?
When I was in high school, my dad sold the small business he had spent most of his adult life building—on a handshake. He believed a man’s word was his bond. The buyer didn’t operate with the same integrity and ultimately only paid a small fraction of what they had agreed upon. As a result, my dad had to continue working into his late 70’s. I saw first hand the financial impact of getting no advice, or bad advice.
What is the significance of ‘PLANFULL’?
It’s a word we came up that inspired our motto. Plan Wisely. Live Fully. PLANFULL captures the idea that planning more wisely should lead to living more fully—in ways that go far beyond money.
Where is your happy place?
Lying in a hammock on an island in the Boundary Waters looking out over the lake. Of course, without any mosquitoes or black flies.
Bio
Joe Nelson
President
CFP®, AIF®
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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, serves as President with Advanced Retirement Resources. For over a decade Joe has worked with the Advanced Retirement team collaboratively designing and implementing portfolio and distribution strategies for clients pursuing their retirement goals.
Joe is a shareholder in AdvisorNet Financial, a registered investment advisory firm in Minnetonka, MN. He and his wife, Deanna, live in Nowthen with their three children.
Professional Involvement and Background
Current Member:
- Minnesota Chapter of the Financial Planning Association
- Financial Planning Association
- Investment Management Consultants Association
Education
- Bethel University (2000-03) – BA Business (Finance)
- Minnesota State Mankato (2004-05) – CFP Professional Education Program
How did you get started in financial planning?
Early in college I realized I wanted to go into financial planning. Paul had helped my grandparents for years so I approached him about doing an internship. I saw how diligently he worked and how passionately he cared. It quickly became clear we had similar values, complimented each other and made a great team.
What motivates you to help people plan for their retirement?
Without an effective strategy, I believe it’s difficult, if not impossible, to achieve your long-term investment goals. That’s why I feel so passionate about what we do for our clients.
At the end of the day what do you find most satisfying about your work?
So many people go through their careers doing ‘thankless’ work. I’m privileged to do work that’s appreciated. The past 10-12 years have been pretty scary at times, especially for retirees. But the scarier things get, I feel the more appreciative people are for our knowledge. It’s extremely satisfying.
Bio
Julian Gunnels
Financial Planner
MBA
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Julian Gunnels
Email: jgunnels@advancedretirement.com
JULIAN GUNNELS originally moved to Minnesota in 2012 to join an international wrestling team called the Minnesota Storm where he was an Olympic hopeful while also working as an educator for children with special needs. Julian has been working in the financial services industry for the past few years helping clients and is also currently volunteering with youth in the local wrestling community.
Current Member:
- Minnesota Chapter of the Financial Planning Association
- Financial Planning Association
Education
- Buena Vista University (2005-07)
- Briar Cliff University (2007-10) - BA Education
- Liberty University (2014-17) - MBA Business Admin
Where were you born?
I grew up in Kansas City, MO with a large family where my mother was 1 of 12 and Father was 1 of 8.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever given?
Never have a bad day, have a character-building day!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stay patient and good things will come.
Where is your happy place?
Cooking a Sunday dinner with family and friends followed by watching sports.
Bio
Sean Barrett
Financial Planner
CFP®, RICP®
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Sean Barrett
Email: sbarrett@advancedretirement.com
SEAN BARRETT, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, originally interned with Advanced Retirement in 2011-12 after graduating from the University of St. Thomas. Following college Sean pursued a career as a professional golfer playing in events around the Midwest and Southwest. After a good run Sean returned to Minnesota to join his father’s business working as an advisor in Mahtomedi. Sean has been the head golf coach at Mounds Park Academy from 2014-18 and an assistant with the University of St. Thomas from 2017 - 2021.
Current Member:
- Minnesota Chapter of the Financial Planning Association
- Financial Planning Association
Education
- Iowa State University (2007)
- University of St. Thomas (2007-10) – BA Finance
- American College (2019-22) – CFP Professional Education Program
What motivates you to help people plan for their retirement?
I enjoy walking alongside people, much like a caddie would in golf, to help them better understand their finances and increase their confidence in their future goals.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Trust the Lord and not your own judgment, always let him lead you and he will make your paths straight
Where is your happy place?
Making fun new meals with my wife Maddie, or chasing my young nieces around!
Bio
Dylan Merchant
Financial Planner
CFP®
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Dylan Merchant
Email: dmerchant@advancedretirement.com
DYLAN MERCHANT, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, grew up in western Wisconsin before moving to St. Paul for high school. After being coached by now co-worker Sean Barrett at Mounds Park Academy, Dylan went on to play collegiate golf at the University of Redlands in Southern California. There, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. During his junior year in 2019, he interned with Advanced Retirement, sparking his interest in personal financial planning. He worked with another advisory firm for over 3 years prior to rejoining the Advanced Retirement team.
Education
- University of Redlands (2016-20) – B.S Business Administration w/ Finance
- College for Finanical Planning (2023-24) – CFP Professional Education Program
What motivates you to help people plan for their retirement?
- Assisting individuals and families create a financial plan that engages them and gets them excited about the future ahead is tremendously fulfilling. Lasting relationships can create a sense of comfort around generally difficult topics and conversations.
What is an item on your bucket list?
- I love to travel, experiencing new food and culture fascinates me. It is a goal of mine to travel to all 7 continents!
Where is your happy place?
- Cooking a meal with my girlfriend Audrey or an evening round of golf with a friend.
Bio
Erik Howe
Portfolio & Operations Manager
CFP®
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Erik Howe
Email: ehowe@advancedretirement.com
ERIK HOWE, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, born and raised in Minnesota, studied engineering in college because of his natural curiosity for learning how things work and how to improve them. After college, he joined a leadership internship with The Navigators where he mentored and trained college students in leadership, character development, and life skills. During that time, he also led several teams on overseas trips and lived in SE Asia for a year. He now lives in Ramsey with his wife Corbyn.
Current Member:
- Minnesota Chapter of the Financial Planning Association
- Financial Planning Association
Education
- South Dakota State University (2012-16) – BS Mechanical Engineering
- College for Financial Planning (2020-22) – CFP Professional Education Program
What excites you about financial planning?
Financial planning combines my core desires of meaningfully helping people in practical ways, using my analytical nature to solve problems that bring improvement, and being a good financial steward of what’s been given.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
There’s more joy in giving and serving than in receiving and being served.
Thoughtful questions are the golden keys that unlock hearts and minds.
Where is your happy place?
Hiking mountains with my wife Corbyn, playing board games with friends, learning something new, or problem solving.
Bio
Lisa Tienter
Client Service Manager
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Lisa Tienter
Email: ltienter@advancedretirement.com
LISA TIENTER brings over 20 years of considerable experience in the financial and banking industry, along with a strong commitment to client and customer service. Lisa began her career in mortgage in 1982 at Banco Mortgage Company, now known as Wells Fargo, for 15 years. She joined US Bank in 1997 as an Administrative Work Coordinator for 2 years and then moved over to the Investment Area as an Investment Management Associate for 9 years and then as a Trust Advisor Associate for 9 years. She works hard and cares deeply for our team and clients.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Don't sweat the small stuff.
What inspires you?
Helping someone have a great day.
Where is your happy place?
Listening to music I can dance along with.
Bio
Josh Cabbage
Client Service Associate
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Josh Cabbage
Email: jcabbage@advancedretirement.com
JOSH CABBAGE grew up in Iowa City, IA before moving to Ames, IA to attend Iowa State University. After graduating with a degree in Business Management, he worked for Wells Fargo in the mortgage industry for 3 years. After working as a legal project coordinator at a law firm in Minneapolis, Josh joined the Advanced Retirement Resources team as a Client Service Associate. Josh enjoys building relationships to better understand how people want to move forward in life.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.
You can never really understand someone unless you consider things from their point of view.
What is an item on your bucket list?
I would enjoy seeing Italy, especially historical cites in Rome, Milan, and Florence.
What is your happy place?
In the crowd at Target Field on a beautiful day.
Bio
Corbyn Howe
Continual Improvement Manager
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Corbyn Howe
Email: chowe@advancedretirement.com
CORBYN HOWE grew up in southwest Minnesota and moved to Rochester to attend the University of Minnesota Rochester. After obtaining a degree in Health Sciences, she joined a leadership internship with The Navigators where she mentored, trained, and developed college students in various personal and spiritual capacities. After two years of working in hospital and clinic customer service roles, she excitingly joined Advanced Retirement Resources as a Client Service Associate. She enjoys using her passion for building relationships to serve both clients and our team.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Adhere to the relational covenant: “Talk to, not about. Believe the best. Stand shoulder to shoulder.”
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by hearing people’s stories: where they’re at, how they got there, where they want to go, and intentionally walking alongside them amidst it all.
What is an item on your bucket list?
I would love to go to New Zealand with my husband to explore the beautiful beaches and mountains.
Bio
Pam Johnson M.A.
Retirement Coach
LMFT
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Pam Johnson M.A.
Email: pam@thesecondhalf.org
Pamela Johnson, RETIREMENT OPTIONS CERTIFIED COACH, is owner and founder of The Second Half. In over 30 years, Pam has developed an extensive specialization in life transitions with a particular focus on preparing for and navigating the second half of life.
Pam received her M.A. in counseling psychology from Wheaton College Graduate School. Additionally, she completed the intensive clinical training program at the Brief Family Therapy Center of the Wisconsin Institute on Family Studies and has been an adjunct faculty member at Trinity International University Graduate School. Pam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Pam is married with 2 adult daughters. An avid pickleball player, she is happiest on a certain lake in the north woods of Wisconsin.
Current member:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Education
- Evangel University (1980-83)
- Wheaton College Graduate School (1983-85)
How did you get started in retirement coaching?
Paul and Jann Stein have been dear friends for 30+ years. Paul and I began to have conversations about how, in addition to the financial aspects, there is much to navigate as people retire. I address second half of life themes quite extensively in my marriage and family therapy practice so becoming a certified retirement coach was a natural next step.
What is one thing about the “second half” that people should know?
By the second half we have resources of great value - experience and wisdom. The second half can be a time where we share these resources, positively impacting lives and creating a legacy that continues.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Where is your happy place?
At our cabin on a lake in Wisconsin. I can usually be found on the boat, where I am often referred to as “Captain Pam”.
Bio
Jann Stein
Accounting and Records Manager and Professional Harpist
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Jann Stein
Jann Stein’s role at Advanced Retirement Resources is to maintain the accounting and record keeping. She is a concert harpist who performs for various events and also teaches private lessons.
Jann graduated from Northwestern College in church music and Christian education and the University of Minnesota in instrumental music education. Jann and Paul live in Lino Lakes and have two grown children.
Where were you born?
I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD in a wonderful loving Christian family environment. My parents were always very encouraging. I believe in Junior High I decided I wanted to be a music teacher.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever given?
Keep on keepin’ on.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
You can do it.
What is your life mantra?
Proverbs 3:5 & 6. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.’
How do you feel you live a life of significance?
By encouraging others.
Bio
