Cathy Juilfs CFP®, AIFA®, CEBS
Cathy is an “original” in every sense of the word. She was the first team member to join Mike Sipe when he founded AIS in 1999. She is one of only a few Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analysts (AIFA®) in Minnesota. And she’s hands-down one of the most interesting and authentic people we know.
If she’s not sleeping, she’s moving. Her passion for people, work and life is infectious, and her limitless energy and enthusiasm are the lifeblood of our office (although we do sometimes fantasize about locking her in her office until we’ve had our first cup of morning coffee).
She completed the requirements to become a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) in 2004 and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) in 2005. In addition to her financial planning work with clients, she leads our 401(k)/Group Retirement Plan Division.
When she’s not working hard, she’s playing hard—boating, traveling, volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and “getting dirty” in the outdoors. She and Darren are parents to David (entrepreneur), Amber (chemist and amazing mom) and Brittany (teacher & voice over actress). She’s also a very proud grandma to Genevieve.
Jason Hallonquist CFP®
Jason joined AIS Planning in June of 2001 to build a career as a Financial Planner and had a well-suited, non-negotiable requirement: to be empowered to serve the best interests of clients on a fixed salary, so to avoid any incentive to “sell”. Jason believed that success could be achieved by focusing on doing the right thing by each client, and in the process, build long-term, meaningful relationships with people as he serves them throughout their financial-life journey. In 2003, he satisfied the education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements to be recognized as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and two decades later, his vision, commitment, and passion has not waivered.
He is our senior planner…and by “senior,” we mean the one with the most gray hair. He is also our visionary. Most new AIS initiatives and processes are fueled by his innate ability to identify and understand relationships among issues, systems, and people. He is relentless in his quest to identify the best possible solutions for our clients and refuses to make recommendations unless confident they're the right ones.
Jason is married to Ann, a true “free spirit” and the life of any party. Together, they have proudly raised three talented and motivated children (Ally, Cameron, and Ryan). When not serving at AIS Planning, Jason is actively serving within his church and the community, or recharging at the family cabin.
Nathan Goebel CFP®
Nathan Goebel is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with a contagious laugh, vibrant personality, and passion for knowing and helping people achieve their personal and financial goals. Nathan's experience includes insurance, compliance, wealth management, and financial planning, but he longed for an environment that supported his hunger for knowledge, drive to serve others, and passion for building long-term relationships…all of which AIS Planning embodies. Nathan is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact in his clients’ lives and exemplifies what it looks like to have the "heart of a servant."
Outside of work, Nathan and his high school sweetheart, Brittney, are enjoying time with their first child, Emory, who made her grand entrance in September 2023. As a family, they enjoy traveling to new destinations (and collecting associated Christmas ornaments), gathering with friends and family, spending time with their dog, Auggie, and going on Friday date nights to Costco.
Sarah Noble
Fueled with a passion for helping women and families create financial security, Sarah brings enthusiasm and grit to the team. Her background in the financial services industry is in both operations and client-facing roles. Sarah chose to join AIS Planning because of the firm's commitment to its clients, and "service above sales" mentality. She is not afraid to take on new challenges and unlike most people - she loves public speaking!
Sarah and her three children, Alexandra, Katelyn and William live in Sartell. She and her family are involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and were awarded the "Minnesota State Big Family of the Year" in 2018. Sarah volunteers with the Saint Cloud Chamber of Commerce, the Forum of Executive Women, Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation and The Waters Church. She enjoys running, photography and traveling.
Chris Duke CFP®
Chris grew up in the state of Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech's financial planning program, then quickly passed the rigorous test to earn his CFP® designation. With that under his belt, he conducted a nationwide search for a firm that seemed like the best fit for him to learn and grow in financial planning and determined AIS Planning “checked all the boxes” in what he was looking for. Chris joined AIS Planning in 2019 and quickly created value within the organization and in client relationships through his attentiveness to client service, technical and deliberative approach to financial planning, and by applying his analytical skills within our investment committee.
In his free time, Chris enjoys pursuing opportunities to engage the community, channeling his inner Eagle Scout by being outdoors, pondering on the idea of owning a cat one day, and creatively trying or concocting new recipes in the kitchen.
Tami Mayers
Wealth Management
Tami joined AIS Planning in January 2022 and quickly demonstrated her uncanny ability to learn and add value by identifying and implementing operational efficiencies in processes and client service. Driven by her innate sense of responsibility, and passionate “can do” attitude, she provides dependable support to our personal planning and wealth management division. Tami doesn't see obstacles, she simply seeks ways to serve, support, execute and go above and beyond for the good of the team and our clients. Tami is our “go to” first-responder whenever there are operational needs associated with our efforts to serve clients.
When not excelling at AIS Planning, Tami enjoys serving within her church, reading, knitting, and spending time camping, kayaking and hiking with her husband Nathan and their miniature schnauzer Emmy. Tami and Nathan are parents to Makayla (a residential designer and drafter) and Josie (currently attending ministry college).
Teresa Bawden
Retirement Plans
Teresa joined AIS Planning in July 2021 to assist Cathy in providing personalized service to our retirement plan clientele. Through prior jobs, Teresa developed expertise working with IRAs, retirement plans, and commercial lending, and was naturally attracted to the financial planning industry as an outlet to express her enjoyment of helping people and working with numbers. Teresa is intentional toward personal and professional growth, signified by achieving her Series 65 designation and desire to continually learn and bring added depth of knowledge and service to our retirement plan participants.
Teresa relentlessly supports the retirement plan division with her skills in organizing, executing, and delivering dependable service to our trustees and retirement plan participants. Her natural ability to adapt also facilitates the efficient implementation of new ideas and growth within this division.
When not in the office, she is busy spending time on motorcycle rides with her husband Dave, engaging with their children and grandchildren, experiencing adventures with friends, or continuing her 35+ year “2nd career” in volleyball leagues.
Sydney Meyer
Sydney joined AIS Planning in February 2022 to pursue her passion for connecting with people and seeking ways to make a positive impact through our unique approach to financial planning. Prior to AIS Planning, she spent seven years in financial services in client service and support roles. This experience inspired her to seek an environment and path that would support her desire to continually “do the right thing” as she pursues becoming an advisor. Sydney brings her natural energy and genuine charm to every interaction while demonstrating a sincere desire to learn, grow, and build lasting relationships.
Sydney plays an instrumental role in supporting the household planning and wealth management division and seeks opportunities to help clients fully experience our services.
Sydney grew up on a family farm in west central Minnesota then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Communication Studies. She now lives with her husband Karle and newborn son Levi on a hobby farm in Foley, where she has a love-hate relationship with their 20+ chickens and expanding line-up of animals. She enjoys any opportunity to travel and explore the outdoors with friends and family.
Ellen Schmidt
With a degree and background in teaching English to middle and high school students, Ellen decided to make a career change to join AIS Planning in August 2023 to pursue becoming a financial planner. Ellen had been meeting with an advisor regarding her own 403(b) and financial goals, and those conversations ignited a deep appreciation for financial wellness and the benefits of having a trusted advisor to lean on for guidance.
Ellen’s natural curiosity, desire for constant personal and professional growth, and new-found passion for financial planning, have made her a great fit on the AIS Planning team. Ellen demonstrates daily her commitment towards developing the skills and knowledge necessary to become an advisor and make a positive impact through her desire to learn, educate, and act with the heart of a servant.
Ellen is a faith-filled initiator and motivated planner, exemplified by her interest to constantly try new things and serve others by creating unique and quality experiences with her family and friends.
Janet DeZurik
Janet joined AIS Planning with over 40 years of experience in the banking industry, working primarily in Wealth Management and Private Banking. Janet is the “voice” of AIS Planning as she fields incoming calls and proactively reaches out to clients to schedule appointments. Janet is also the “mom” of our team as she thoughtfully and passionately seeks opportunities to support others and keep everyone organized. Janet loves working with clients and the team, which is obvious by the bright smile and positive energy she brings to the office every day.
Janet has been married to Chuck for 45 years and together they have raised 3 boys, Aaron, Josh and Joe - plus 4 beautiful grandchildren. Janet enjoys the outdoors and spends her free time at her home on the lake, biking, floating, fishing or knitting on the deck…usually accompanied by a glass of wine.
