News from FPA of Minnesota

Your Partner in Planning

June 6, 2023

June Chapter Meeting: Breakfast with Louis Barajas - Working with international clients, entertainers and the underserved

Tuesday, June 20, from 7-10 a.m.

Louis Barajas, MBA, CEPA, CFP®, Business Management/CFO LAB

Financial planning for clients with vastly diverse needs is complex. Join us in June as nationally renowned author and international speaker Louis Barajas speaks about conducting meaningful financial planning discussions with anyone.

During the first hour, Barajas, LAB's CFO and business manager, focuses on his 35 years working with underserved communities nationwide. In this presentation, you'll learn his philosophy of truth, awareness, responsibility and courage, and coaching tools when working with clients of average to little means.

In the second hour, Barajas delves into his experience as a business and wealth manager for some of the most iconic international recording, television and film artists in the United States and Latin America. He'll provide useful tips in working with international clients and those in the entertainment industry.

Click here to learn more and register for the meeting.

Chapter meetings are held at Golden Valley's beautiful

Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom.

Chapter Update

Board President Bruce Lorenz

Happy June!

Meeting Recap

Last month, our chapter had a memorable programming collaboration with the MN Gift Planning Association. We learned practical tips on using IRAs, QCDs and related strategies to help our clients fulfill their charitable goals. Seeing so many of you come out for the meeting and reception was energizing!

Task Force Recommendations

With a focus on bringing value to members and partners, FPA MN's programming/partnership task force recently presented its 2024 ideas to the board. Assessment will continue as the group develops new ways for people to connect with education and networking. It's been exciting to see the creativity and passion for our chapter.

Help Shape FPA MN

There's no question about it - volunteers drive the success of our association. We count on you for committee involvement, one-time projects or for your input. If you're still determining your area of interest, please reach out to anyone on the board, and we'd be happy to help you find a place to donate some time. You'll be glad you did!

As always, the board appreciates your feedback. We're listening as you help lead us into the future of FPA MN.

Do you have recommendations? Click here to contact our board members.

I hope to see you soon at a chapter meeting or event.

Member shoutout: Bonnie Romano

This month we're shining a light on Bonnie Romano, MBA, who has been a part of the FPA MN community for only a year but jumped in with both feet!

Bonnie's experiences range from being a registered financial planner to office management, project management and operations at Stonebridge Capital Advisors. She joined FPA MN to reconnect with past co-workers as well as to meet professionals in the industry. As director of FPA MN's membership committee, Bonnie recruits and helps new members, volunteers at chapter events and represents the FPA MN membership committee at the annual ASCEND Conference. She also participated in FPA's 2022 Chapter Leaders Conference in Colorado.

"I'm excited about being a part of our membership committee. I want to connect with as many potential new members as possible and produce fun, creative ways to engage newcomers. Let's keep them fired up about FPA!"

Bonnie regularly attends meetings and influences fellow professionals to attend social networking.

"Last year, I enjoyed our get-togethers at local breweries and look forward to attending them again this summer. These networking events take place in a relaxed atmosphere – allowing for a different bonding experience where we can all learn about similarities. They also allow me to brush up on my debate skills… respectfully, of course."

Are you interested in joining the membership committee? Contact Bonnie Romano here.

KARE 11's financial segment with Ryan Antkowiak, CFP®

In NBC's news segment "My Money," FPA MN's 2021 chapter president, Ryan Antkowiak (Partner of The Brennan Jandric Antkowiak Group at Baird), discusses the power of health savings accounts. Superb interview, Ryan!

Check out Kare 11's newscast here and forward to the 8:30 mark.

2023 ASCEND Conference: Sign up now and save money

Nov. 7-8

Early registration is now open for the 2023 ASCEND Conference. Join nationally-recognized financial leaders and earn up to 14 hours of CE for CFP®, MN & WI insurance, CIMA, NASBA and CLE.

Non-member group discount rates are available. Email Jessica for discount codes.

Click here for information about conference scholarships for students and career changers. Applications are due by October 15.

Save the date for upcoming events

New Member Networking Breakfast - July 13
Chapter Meting - July 18
NexGen Casual Coffee Social - July 27
24th Annual Golf Tournament - Aug. 21
2023 ASCEND Conference - Nov. 7-8

FPA MN's Meetings and Events

Partner spotlight: June 2023

MRB - Macro Research Board is an independent top-down research firm that provides integrated, global multi-asset investment strategy as well as actionable absolute and relative return ideas. Our views incorporate a long-term outlook based on in-depth thematic research, together with a rigorous set of frameworks and forecasting models that drive 6-12 month asset market performance.

We provide clients with a clear roadmap to help them set their investment strategy. Our integrated global and multi-asset approach leads to a deeper and more holistic understanding of the forces at work in the global economy and financial markets. The result is stronger conviction, bolder calls, and more accurate investment strategy.

MRB is an independent macro research provider. We do not manage money. Our focus is idea generation, but we provide a track record for accountability purposes. For more than a decade, we have substantially outperformed the global multi-asset benchmark and with considerably less volatility.

Contact information for all FPA MN partners is available here.

FPA of Minnesota | 763.781.1212 | fpamn.org