About Us

Our Team

High care. High standards. Real experience.

We believe people matter more than portfolios.

Our team brings deep experience across financial planning, business ownership, private investments, and complex decision-making—experience shaped by real responsibility, not just recommendations.

The Team

We’re advisors, operators, entrepreneurs, and trusted thought partners—people who’ve built businesses, navigated risk, and made consequential decisions ourselves. That lived experience informs how we serve families and business leaders with clarity, judgment, and a long-term view.

We take the work seriously because it matters.
We don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Will Johnson, CRPC®
Partner & Advisor
Will works with individuals and families who want clarity and confidence around their financial lives—helping them align investments, tax strategy, and long-term planning so they can move forward with purpose, not just numbers on a page.

Iron Ranger.
Division I wrestler.
Undefeated on the dance floor.
Read More
+

Over the years, Will has worked closely with retirees, business owners, and multi-generational families—helping them navigate complexity with a steady, long-term perspective. As a former Division I wrestler, he brings that same discipline, preparation, and follow-through to every client relationship. That background shapes how he shows up: calm in volatile markets, intentional in planning, and committed to doing the right thing over the long haul.

Will grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota—an Iron Ranger at heart—and now lives in Maplewood with his wife and three children. His faith is central to his life, and he serves in his church's worship ministry. He and his family love to travel—always planning the next trip somewhere worth going. It's a well-known fact around Tailwinds that nobody will outwork him elk hunting in the mountains, and nobody will out-dance him at a wedding reception.

Brian Jass, CRPC®
Partner & Advisor
Brian is a partner and advisor at Tailwinds, where he works with families and individuals to build financial plans aligned with their values, goals, and vision for what's next.

Dad of daughters.
Church leader.
Still processing his curling career.
Read More
+

With more than fifteen years of experience and a finance degree from Bethel University, Brian has a knack for taking complex financial decisions and making them clear and actionable. He cofounded the firm because he believed people deserved more than generic advice—they deserved someone who cares about where they're headed and stays with them over time.

Outside of work, Brian and his wife Amanda live in the Twin Cities suburbs with their three daughters and the family dog. He's active in his local church and somehow became the head coach of his kids' soccer team despite never playing growing up. Every four years during the Winter Olympics, Brian reflects on what might have been if he hadn't stepped away from competitive curling. Nobody else brings it up. He always does.

Austin Schmitt
Partner & COO
Austin is a partner and COO at Tailwinds, where he helps families and entrepreneurs bring clarity, structure, and consistency to their financial lives.

Private pilot.
Worship drummer.
Makes checklists for his checklists.
Read More
+

His background includes building scalable systems and strong client experiences as a partner at a regional RIA and helping launch a private real estate investment offering on the Schwab platform.

At Tailwinds, Austin leads firm operations while bringing a steady, thoughtful perspective to financial planning and decision-making. If something needs a process, Austin has already built one—and there’s a checklist to prove it. He’s even been known to add things he’s already done just so he can check them off.

Outside of work, Austin and his wife Hannah have two kids who keep life busy and fun. He’s a private pilot with a deep passion for aviation, serves as a drummer on his church’s worship team, and is happiest outdoors—mountain biking, surfing, on the lake, or anywhere the weather is warm.

Skip Johnson, RICP®
Partner & Advisor
Skip is a partner and advisor at Tailwinds, where he works with families and entrepreneurs to bring clarity, confidence, and sound judgment to financial decisions that matter.

All-American wrestler.
Pretend farmer.
Tuxedo to camo in 60 seconds.
Read More
+

Skip is a partner and advisor at Tailwinds, where he works with families and entrepreneurs to bring clarity, confidence, and sound judgment to financial decisions that matter.

Over more than fifteen years, Skip has helped hundreds of families navigate retirement, steward wealth responsibly, and align financial choices with their values and long-term priorities. His experience includes co-founding and leading Great Waters Financial, launching a private real estate investment platform, and serving on advisory boards for businesses and nonprofits.

Skip brings perspective not just as an advisor, but as someone who has built companies, invested capital, and coached leaders through real decisions. As a collegiate All-American wrestler, he learned early that preparation and discipline create luck. That perspective shapes how he shows up—thoughtful, direct, and focused on helping clients think clearly when the answers aren't obvious.

Outside of work, Skip and his wife Amy lead RiverBend Refuge, a 221-acre ministry retreat center where they host gatherings for leaders and couples. He serves as a trustee at Substance Church. They have three daughters who keep life full with volleyball, basketball, and whatever sport currently has their attention. Skip enjoys the outdoors—golf, water-skiing, and bow-hunting—but his favorite might be "pretend farming" and "tractoring" at RiverBend. His wardrobe is a walking contradiction—tuxedo to Kuiu camo in a minute flat.

Cody Nadeau, CRPC®
Advisor & Director of Planning
Cody works with individuals and families on financial planning and long-term strategy—helping them steward their resources wisely and build confidence in the decisions ahead.

Spreadsheet ninja.
Guitar player.
Self-proclaimed badminton phenom.
Read More
+

With degrees in economics and mathematics, Cody is Tailwinds' resident spreadsheet ninja. He genuinely loves the numbers—running projections, stress-testing plans, and translating the complexity of an ever-changing economy into clear, practical guidance for clients.

Outside of work, Cody and his family call Hugo home. He's usually up early at the gym, outside with friends and family when the weather cooperates, in a deer stand on a crisp fall morning, and at church on Sundays. He also plays guitar—and counts catching a pick from Slash at a concert as a legitimate life accomplishment.

Conor Manning, RICP®
Advisor
Conor works with individuals and families on retirement planning—helping them understand their options, make informed decisions, and move forward with confidence.

Former pastor.
Dad of five.
Die-hard Steelers fan.
Read More
+

Before becoming a financial advisor, Conor spent thirteen years as a pastor. While the work is different today, the heart of it remains the same: listening well, asking good questions, and helping people think through decisions that matter. He brings more than twenty years of experience walking with people through major life transitions and holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation from the American College of Financial Services.

Outside of work, Conor and his wife Danielle have five kids—which means life stays full. He coaches football, snowboards when he can, and works out regularly. As a lifelong Steelers fan, he's convinced he supports the greatest franchise in sports history and isn't interested in hearing otherwise.

Megan Nadeau, CRPC®
Senior Client Experience Advisor
Megan works directly with individuals and families at Tailwinds—helping them make informed financial decisions with clarity and confidence.

Perfectionist in the best way.
Designer of spaces.
Creator of the "Megan Font."
Read More
+

From day-to-day planning to retirement strategy, she makes the process feel organized, thoughtful, and genuinely personal.

With over ten years of experience across advising, compliance, and operations, Megan is a perfectionist in the best sense—she loves organizing the moving pieces of a financial plan into something uniquely tailored to each family. One of her favorite parts of the job is the moment when everything finally clicks for a client.

If the Tailwinds office feels warm and well-designed, that's Megan. She has an eye for making spaces and experiences feel intentional—and a handwriting so distinctive and beautiful that colleagues have suggested the "Megan Font" deserves to be enshrined in Microsoft Word.

Outside of work, Megan and her husband, Cody, share the unique experience of working together at Tailwinds and still enjoy each other's company. They have two little girls who keep life full. If it's above freezing and sunny, they're outside—walking, at the park, or creating chalk masterpieces in the driveway. The floors are usually full of crumbs, and the windows full of fingerprints, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Jamie Nadeau
Office Manager
Jamie serves as Office Manager at Tailwinds—often the first point of contact for clients and the force behind the scenes who keeps everything running smoothly.

Fourteen years in dental.
Turkey hunter.
Minnesota Wild superfan.
Read More
+

She oversees day-to-day operations, coordinates client events and educational seminars, and ensures every interaction feels organized, thoughtful, and confidence-building from the first conversation.

Before entering the financial industry, Jamie spent fourteen years in the dental field, where she developed a deep appreciation for attentive service, clear communication, and getting the details right.

Outside of work, Jamie enjoys time with her family, serving at church, turkey hunting, and getting lost in a good book. She’s also a devoted Minnesota Wild fan—you’ll likely find her cheering (and occasionally yelling at the TV) during hockey season.

Skip Johnson, RICP®
Financial Operations Specialist
Mandy keeps the financial operations at Tailwinds running smoothly—managing transactions, reconciling accounts, and ensuring the day-to-day details that matter most are handled with care and precision.

Lives in Wisconsin.
Backyard games champion.
Washed-up athletes beware.
Read More
+

Skip is a partner and advisor at Tailwinds, where he works with families and entrepreneurs to bring clarity, confidence, and sound judgment to financial decisions that matter.

Over more than fifteen years, Skip has helped hundreds of families navigate retirement, steward wealth responsibly, and align financial choices with their values and long-term priorities. His experience includes co-founding and leading Great Waters Financial, launching a private real estate investment platform, and serving on advisory boards for businesses and nonprofits.

Skip brings perspective not just as an advisor, but as someone who has built companies, invested capital, and coached leaders through real decisions. As a collegiate All-American wrestler, he learned early that preparation and discipline create luck. That perspective shapes how he shows up—thoughtful, direct, and focused on helping clients think clearly when the answers aren't obvious.

Outside of work, Skip and his wife Amy lead RiverBend Refuge, a 221-acre ministry retreat center where they host gatherings for leaders and couples. He serves as a trustee at Substance Church. They have three daughters who keep life full with volleyball, basketball, and whatever sport currently has their attention. Skip enjoys the outdoors—golf, water-skiing, and bow-hunting—but his favorite might be "pretend farming" and "tractoring" at RiverBend. His wardrobe is a walking contradiction—tuxedo to Kuiu camo in a minute flat.

Who we are

Faithful Stewardship

We handle resources, relationships, and responsibilities with care and integrity.

Long-Term Games with Long-Term People

We build lasting partnerships with people we trust and respect.

Authentic Connection

People are seen, heard, known, and loved.

Authentic Connection

People are seen, heard, known, and loved.

Faq
01
Who sets it up?
+

Our charging solutions are designed for user-friendly setup. Depending on your preference, you can choose to set it up yourself with the help of our clear installation guides, or you can opt for professional installation services provided by our trained technicians. We offer flexibility to ensure a hassle-free setup that suits your needs.

02
Do I need an app?
+

Yes, for enhanced user experience and control, we recommend using our dedicated app. The app allows you to monitor charging status, schedule sessions, and receive real-time updates. While the charging stations can be operated without the app, it provides additional features to optimize your charging experience.

03
Where can I get help?
+

Our support team is ready to assist you. If you have any questions or encounter issues, you can reach out to our customer support through the contact details provided on our website. Our knowledgeable and responsive team is committed to ensuring you have the assistance you need at every step.

04
What about customization?
+

We understand that every user and setting is unique. That's why we offer customization options for our charging solutions. Whether it's adapting to specific energy needs, integrating branding elements, or tailoring the user interface, our team can work with you to create a solution that aligns with your requirements. Contact our team to discuss the customization possibilities available for your charging infrastructure.

Start with a no-cost, no-obligation Clarity Visit.

Ready to bring clarity to what’s next?

Begin with a Clarity Visit