News & Views
January 25, 2022
We Only Have One Choice: Pray and Keep Pushing Forward
By John Otte
This article written by John Otte is heartbreaking and difficult to read, yet displays the love he had for his wife.
  
“Don’t do like my mother did and wait too long to get outside help,” an acquaintance urged when I told him my bride had been diagnosed with some sort of dementia. At the time I was clueless as to…

How Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Can Lead to “Yes” Moments: An Intern’s Perspective
By Lauryn Woerdeman, Syverson Strege Intern
In case we haven’t met, my name is Lauryn Woerdeman. I am currently a junior at Iowa State University studying Business Management and Sociology. During the past six months at Syverson Strege…
New Video
Did a drone really enter the Syverson Strege office?
 
Well…not really. But our new video looks as though a flying drone camera glided through the air of our office. Check out our new video featuring Syverson Strege employees as hosts for a tour of the office!
 
New clients…if you haven’t been in the office due to the pandemic, you’ll feel like you’ve just walked through our halls and experienced a personal visit if you watch our video.
Inside Look
New Employee
Welcome Kara Knaack to Syverson Strege as our new part-time Marketing & Communications Coordinator! Kara, a skilled communications professional, has her masters of arts in communication and leadership from Gonzaga University. She is also the wife of current Associate Financial Planner, Lance Knaack. Kara will be assisting with social media and other communications projects. To learn more about Kara, click here.
 
Promotions
Congratulations to Mike Murkins, Ben Geiger, and Jerin Young! All three Associate Financial Planners have been promoted to Senior Associate Financial Planners. Thank you, Mike, Ben, and Jerin for your outstanding service to our clients!
 
To learn more about each person, click on their name.
Ryan Simpson has been promoted from Client Service Associate to Associate Financial Planner. Congratulations, Ryan!
Out and About
Senior Associate Financial Planner Jerin Young and Associate Planner Jennifer Scheck attended the Women of FPA Conversation Circle. Conversation Circles, sponsored by the Financial Planning Association of Iowa, are purposeful opportunities for women to gather and talk about topics that are important and meaningful to them. They are a space where women can encourage, challenge, and support one another. They will dive into topics such as how gender has impacted their career, interactions with clients, and lessons they have learned from their experiences.
Market Update
Watch our new 4th quarter market update video as Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel and Managing Director Lance Gunkel share how rising housing prices, lower unemployment rates, strong company earnings, and inflation have affected a strong-performing stock market and economy in 2021. Also learn what the Feds may do with interest rates in 2022 and what we feel may happen to the economy in 2022. 
Events
Syverson Strege is thrilled to be a sponsor for the upcoming DIRTT Project LIVE! along with providing an instructor, our own Chief Planning Officer Matt Roberts. And you are invited to attend!
 
What is The DIRTT Project LIVE?
The DIRTT Project LIVE! is a hands-on intensive workshop taught by professionals in farm succession planning.
Who should attend?
Families who own and operate farms, ranches, and agribusinesses in transition.
 
When?
March 2-4, 2022
 
Where?
Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, West Des Moines, IA

Why attend?
The DIRTT Project LIVE! will provide valuable guidance whether you are just beginning to think about succession planning or have already begun and need support.
 
What will you learn?
During The DIRTT Project LIVE! you will:
  • learn how to jump-start the succession planning process for your operation.
  • create a plan to ensure that your heirs and successors are ready to lead and work effectively together.
  • learn how to address family disharmony.
  • learn how to choose your professional team and hold them accountable.
  • have one-on-one access to professionals with knowledge in farm succession planning.
  • network with and learn from other farmers in transition.
  • have formulated an action plan to execute when you get back to your farm.
 
The full conference agenda can be found here.
 
Who are the instructors?
Click here to find the list of instructors.

Check out this video of Syverson Strege’s Matt Roberts talking about his role at The DIRTT Project Live.
To learn more and to register, click here.
New Website Feature
We have added a “search” function on our website to help you locate content by topic. Simply click the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner (see photo below) and a search bar will appear. Type in your keyword or topic (i.e. long-term care, investments, etc.) and all content with those words will appear in a listing. Just click on the photo below to reach our website. Have fun searching!
The Top 5 Most Popular Articles of 2021
You won't want to miss these top five, most read blog articles that Syverson Strege published in 2021!
A Syverson Strege Commentary