Our team listens to your needs. We are interested in and care about your personal and financial well being.
To help you reach your goals, members of the WFG team draw on multiple areas of expertise and experience. Each team member is a top notch professional with strong values and the ability to make a positive impact over a long-term relationship.
JERRY WADE, CFP®, CFS
Chief Wealth Advocate
jwade@wadefinancialgroup.com
"We feel people choose WFG based upon our FEE-ONLY objectivity and the special attention we pay to our clients.”
Career Summary: Mr. Wade is president of Wade Financial Group, Inc. (WFG), an independent, FEE-ONLY advisory firm in Minneapolis which provides comprehensive financial planning services, tax planning, investment management and estate planning for high net worth families located across the U.S. A native of New Castle, Indiana, Mr. Wade is a 1981 graduate of Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications. While at BSU, Mr. Wade was a collegiate swimmer and worked in radio.
Before founding WFG in 1994, Mr. Wade spent 10 years associated with American Express Financial Advisors. During his tenure with Amex, Mr. Wade functioned as a financial planner, trainer and strategic consultant to IDS/Amex senior management.
Role at WFG: Mr. Wade chairs the firm’s Investment Committee, supervises the delivery of all services and is integrally involved with the strategic planning to help clients achieve their financial objectives.
Professional Credentials: Mr. Wade is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner and a Certified Fund Specialist. He is a member of NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), which advances FEE-ONLY planning. He is also a member of NACFC (National Association of Christian Financial Consultants).
Accolades: Mr. Wade has been chosen by Worth Magazine as one of the best 250 Advisors in the U.S. each year from 1998 to 2002 and in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He was also chosen as one of the top estate planning experts in the U.S. according to J.K. Lasser's book “New Rules for Estate Planning and Tax," 2001 and as one of the best 150 financial advisors for doctors by Medical Economics Magazine in November 2006.
Media Exposure
Radio & Television
Mr. Wade has appeared on the following: CBN’s “700 Club”, Public Television’s “The Financial Advisors”, KARE 11, KMSP Channel 9, KCCO and WCCO with Dark Star and Rita Maloney. Jerry Wade was also the host of the financial talk show, "Make Money Now" with Jerry Wade on 1570 AM the Patriot II in Minneapolis.
Print - Published
Mr. Wade has had articles published in MN Business & Opportunities, The Minneapolis Star and Tribune, Mutual Fund Magazine, RIA News, St. Paul Pioneer Press and Financial Planning Practitioner. He is also a contributing author to “Building Your $1,000,000 Nest Egg” by Aspatore books.
Print – Contributions
Mr. Wade has been quoted in, contributed to or featured in: Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Bloomberg Financial, Mature Outlook, Black Enterprise, The Robb Report, RIA News, Mutual Fund News, Financial Planning Magazine, Dow Jones Investment Advisor, “Sound Money” newsletter, Journal of Financial Planning, Smart Money Interactive, Investment News and Financial Planning Interactive.
BOB SMREKAR, CFP®, AIF®
Wealth Advocate
bsmrekar@wadefinancialgroup.com
"I enjoy working with a variety of clients helping each of them meet the goals that are unique to their individual situation."
Career Summary: Mr. Smrekar is responsible for meeting with clients and developing plans with strategies that deal with retirement planning, investment planning, stock option planning, maximizing employee benefits, diversifying concentrated stock options and minimizing tax liabilities. Mr. Smrekar was an advisor with Stephens Foster Financial Advisors and prior to that he served as a financial advisor at Wings Financial Federal Credit Union and Greater Midwest Financial Group. He was also with Analysts International Corporation for ten years working in the areas of accounting and finance.
Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, Augsburg College. He is a Certified Financial PlannerTM Practitioner and also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).
Association Involvement: National Association of Professional Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Minnesota Fiduciary Roundtable, Suburban Hockey Referees' Association, Various Committees at River Valley Church, Lakeville Fastpitch Softball Association Board Member
Volunteer: FANS Race Volunteer, Girls' Softball Coach
DIANE PARK, CPA, PFS, CFP®
Manager - Tax Planning Services/Wealth Advocate
dpark@wadefinancialgroup.com
“I enjoy helping individuals identify and formulate plans to meet their goals.”
Career Summary: Ms. Park’s responsibilities include planning to minimize clients' taxes, as well as working directly with clients as a financial advisor. Before joining the WFG team, Ms. Park spent six years at large accounting firms specializing in comprehensive financial planning for individuals and three years at local financial planning firms as a Financial Planning Manager.
Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner and also has her CPA and PFS designations.
Media Exposure:
Print - Contributions
Ms. Park has been quoted in Investment News and The Wall Street Journal.
Association Involvement: American Institute of CPAs
Volunteer: Member of Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Dinner at Your Door
ROY CHEW, CFA®
Associate Investment Manager
rchew@wadefinancialgroup.com
"As a member of the portfolio management team, I keep myself updated on the latest news affecting financial markets and stay current on the latest financial innovations to ensure clients have portfolios that not only meet their needs but are sufficienty diversified."
Career Summary: Mr. Chew is responsible for assisting with the management of client investment portfolios at WFG. He spent two years at Target as a Senior Investments Analyst for pension and 401(k) plans. Prior to that, Mr. Chew spent five years as an Operations Manager in the settlements/prime brokerage department for Wells Fargo Investments.
Professional Credentials: Masters of Finance from the Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester in New York; Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
KELLY FISCHER
Chief Operating Officer
kfischer@wadefinancialgroup.com
"The diversity of my position within WFG allows me to focus on what I love, people. This position gives me the opportunity to assist both the clients and the team of WFG in reaching their goals."
Career Summary: Ms. Fischer is responsible for leading and managing WFG with Jerry Wade. She has over nine years of experience in operations management. Her most recent position before joining WFG in 2006 was with Park Nicollet Health Care Systems. Prior to that, she worked for Lund's Food Holding Corporation.
Professional Credentials: Master's Degree in Business Management, Hamline University; Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a Specialization in Management and Economics, Augsburg College.
Volunteer: United Way, March of Dimes, Feed My Starving Children
HEIDI OWATA
Client Relations and Marketing Manager
howata@wadefinancialgroup.com
"My position allows me to be the first point of contact for our clients and to help them with their day to day needs."
Career Summary: Ms. Owata handles the majority of the client service responsibilities for Wade Financial Group. She assists clients with paperwork and is the primary liaison between Schwab and clients. She also serves as Mr. Wade's Executive Assistant. Prior to joining WFG, Ms. Owata worked for 10+ years in the financial industry for RBC Dain Rauscher as well as Wells Fargo Securities.
Volunteer: FANS Race volunteer, Meals on Wheels, American Cancer Society, Feed My Starving Children
KAY STRAND
Director of First Impressions
kstrand@wadefinancialgroup.com
“I appreciate the consideration and personal touches WFG shows its clients while still maintaining a very professional atmosphere.”
Career Summary: Ms. Strand is in charge of all client communications, including the website, mailings, client events and meeting scheduling. Prior to joining the company in 2004, she spent nine years at Stephen Donnelly Company and four years at Gabberts Furniture in sales and design work. Ms. Strand is also co-owner of a custom scrapbooking business.
Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Science in interior design and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from South Dakota State University.
Volunteer: Girls' Volleyball Coach, Bloomington Lutheran/Living Hope Church and School—various committees
GRETCHEN SIMMONS
Human Resources/Office Manager
gsimmons@wadefinancialgroup.com
"I enjoy working with a team that is dedicated to their clients and the success of Wade Financial Group."
Career Summary: Ms. Simmons is responsible for human resources and office management functions at WFG. Prior to relocating to Minnesota in 2008, Ms. Simmons had worked in similar positions for two other small businesses in the Detroit metro area for the past five years.
Professional Credentials: Bachelors Degree in Business Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
Volunteer: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
NEAL GOSMAN
Consulting Paralegal - Manager of Estate Planning Services
ngosman@wadefinancialgroup.com
“My training, life experience and position at WFG allow me to help our clients consider, design and prepare comprehensive and reassuring estate plans.”
Career Summary: Mr. Gosman helped design WFG's Estate Planning Service and has twelve years of experience in estate planning and implementation for high net worth families. His prior experiences include adult education, IRS Taxpayer Service, executive management of local non-profit organizations and entrepreneurial enterprises in print and community TV media. Mr. Gosman is a consulting paralegal (epis.net) for WFG, and also is a part-time officer for TSA-US Department of Homeland Security.
Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania; Paralegal Certificate, Minnesota Paralegal Institute. Various certificates from advanced professional seminars.
Association Involvement: Minnesota Paralegal Association; Minnesota Bar Association (non-attorney member).
Volunteer: Twin Cities Schools Telecommunications Group, Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace