Our Team

Professional

Craig Volk brings over 20 years of experience providing wealth management services, helping multigenerational families, professionals, and business owners with integrated wealth planning strategies.

In response to client needs for more holistic financial planning and integrated wealth management solutions, Craig expanded his expertise in retirement distribution, and in 2010 earned the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Planner) designation.

In 2017, he launched Volk & Associates Wealth Management, and in 2022, partnered with Alex Wieme, CFP, Wealth Management to form Stone Arch Advisory Group, further expanding the team’s expertise and supporting multigenerational clients. Today, Stone Arch Advisory Group is a certified fee-based financial planning firm and member of the Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group providing integrated financial planning, investment management, and insurance solutions as well as alternatives, private investment offerings, and wealth distribution for qualifying clients.

Personal

Craig's personal and professional background shaped his philosophy to protect what matters most at every stage. As a young child, Craig lost his father to a car accident and watched his mother raise three young children on her own. He learned early on the vital importance of effective financial planning and life insurance protection. Because of this, Craig is committed to ensuring each family he works with is protected, taking their best interest to heart.

Craig was born in a small town in Iowa, living there for almost 24 years. After meeting in college, Craig and his wife Nicole moved to Minnesota, where they have lived for 22 years. They have three children – Reece, Macklin, and Sutton. When not coaching basketball or spending time with the family, Craig enjoys golf, dining out, watching Iowa Hawkeye and San Francisco 49ers events along with spending time with friends.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts; Double Major in Finance & Management – Waldorf University
• Retirement Income Certified Planner (RICP)
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health, and Long-Term Care Licenses
• Series 7/66/63

Professional

Alex Wieme brings over 15 years of experience successfully serving clients and making a positive impact on their lives. Along with his team, Alex helps multigenerational families, professionals, and business owners develop and execute their integrated wealth planning strategies.

Alex began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008, building a practice in St. Cloud, MN. He found his passion -- meeting new people, building relationships, and helping people make sound financial decisions. In 2021, Wieme Financial teamed Volk & Associates to form today’s Stone Arch Advisory Group.

Stone Arch Advisory Group is an expanded practice delivering value for clients through multi-generational planning and an expanded national presence. As a member of the Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group, Stone Arch delivers integrated financial planning, investment management, and insurance solutions as well as alternatives, private investment offerings, and wealth distribution for qualifying clients.

Personal

Alex was born and raised in small-town USA – Sartell, MN. He and his wife Dana, along with their three children; Jack, Sam, and Natalie, still reside in Sartell. When not spending time with his family, Alex enjoys spending his free time golfing on various courses throughout the state. During the colder Minnesota months, you can find him outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts; Accounting & Finance – St. John’s University
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health, and Long-Term Care Licenses
• Series 7/6/63

Background & Experience

Bethany started her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006 as a Financial Assistant, right out of college. In 2007, she pursued an opportunity at a real estate investment group, prior to the historical market crash of 2008.  In 2009, she found her way back to Northwestern Mutual and was able to work in multiple roles within a financial firm, over the course of a decade.  In January of 2019, she brought her experience and knowledge to Stone Arch Advisory Group (formerly known as Volk & Associates Wealth Management) to help Craig and the team develop and grow into the larger team which exists today.       

Bethany serves as the firm’s Chief Operations Officer, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing office operations, providing leadership, management, and business execution planning. Bethany is also a Relationship Manager to Craig Volk, serving as a liaison between the client experience process, planning, operations, and investment teams. Bethany is a vision driver – once a client has worked with their advisor to help define their goals, she works with the team to develop and implement the client’s action plan to help them achieve it.  

Personal

Bethany has lived in Minnesota her entire life but enjoys traveling as much as her schedule allows. She spends her free time with her family, making wine, spending summers at the family cabin, and volunteering with her two daughter’s sports—swimming and hockey.

Education/Certifications

• Associates of Applied Science; Business Administration – Minneapolis Business College
• Associates of Applied Science; Marketing Design – Dakota County Technical College
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health & Long-Term Care Licenses

Background & Experience

Carrie started her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2017, after spending two years with State Farm in Life, Health, Property & Casualty.  Prior to this, Carrie spent 18 years as a salon manager and cosmetologist.

In October of 2019, Carrie transitioned to Stone Arch Advisory Group for an opportunity to work with a growing firm.  For two years, she spent her time in the Operations department where she enjoyed managing and training colleagues.

Carrie now serves as a Relationship Manager, the liaison throughout the client experience process, and works closely with the planning, operations, and investment teams.  Once the client has worked with their advisor to define their goals, Carrie works with the team to develop and implement the clients’ action plan to help them achieve it.

Personal

Carrie grew up in Minnetonka, MN.  She moved around Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs and settled in Bloomington in 2014. She has four boys, and she keeps busy following them to football and wrestling. When she has a few minutes of free time, she enjoys long walks with her dogs, a glass of wine, and a little peace and quiet.

Education/Certifications

• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health and Long-Term Care Licenses
• Series 6/63

Background & Experience

Tamara started her career in Northwestern Mutual’s St. Cloud office in 2011, as an intern. Shortly thereafter, she graduated college and went to went to work for Sam’s Club in their marketing department.

In 2012, Alex Wieme approached Tamara and asked that she come back to Northwestern Mutual to work on his team exclusively. For over ten years, Tamara was a key component to Wieme Financials’ success. She has served in multiple roles, managing day-to-day client service, investments, scheduling, planning, and operations.

Wieme Financial and Stone Arch Advisory Group merged in March of 2022, forming one solid practice. Tamara continues to play a crucial role as Alex’s Executive Assistant. She also now serves as a Relationship Manager, the liaison between the client experience process, planning, operations, and investment teams. Once the client has worked with their advisor to define their goals, Tamara works with the team to develop and implement the clients action plan to help them achieve it.

Personal

Tamara is Minnesota born and raised! She grew up in Cold Spring, MN and went to school in St. Joseph, MN. Tamara now lives in Rice, MN with her husband and two children, Josie and Beau. In her free time she enjoys ‘thrifting’ with her sister, attending happy hour with friends, fishing with her husband, and reading.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts In Communication – College of Saint Benedict
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health Licenses

Kristin joined the team in February 2012. Kristin is a graduate from Minnesota State University - Mankato receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and a minor in Business Administration. She also completed a successful basketball career playing four years at Mankato. Kristin comes to the team with a background in event planning, fundraising, marketing and sales.

Kristin manages Craig's calendar, as well as networking/referral opportunities for the firm. Please contact her to schedule a meeting with Craig, or if you know of someone would who benefit from working with our team.

In her free time, Kristin enjoys playing basketball, exercising, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and spending time with family. Kristin is Craig's sister, and she and her family live in Iowa, close to where her and Craig grew up.

Background & Experience

Parker started his career while attending college at the University of St. Thomas, majoring in actuarial science. His first position was after his Sophomore year, where he worked for an insurance company on their product development team.  During his Junior and Senior year, Parker became part of the financial advisor internship program with Northwestern Mutual, prior to transitioning to a full-time Financial Advisor role upon graduation in May 2011.

Parker realized his strengths would be better served in a planning capacity and moved into managing Northwestern Mutual’s financial planning department in the downtown Minneapolis office, which served multiple financial advisors, and ultimately how he met Craig Volk.

In May of 2013, Craig hired Parker to work exclusively with his team. For over eight years, Parker has been working within the Stone Arch Advisory Group firm, molding and developing the financial planning department to what it has become today.    

Parker serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer, playing a crucial role in overseeing company financials, forecasting and projections, providing leadership, and management. Parker also serves as the Director of Advanced Financial Planning, overseeing the financial planning department and working with clients to build modeling for both business and personal financial planning.

Personal

Parker was born in South Dakota, and as a young child was moved to Stillwater, MN. He has been a Minnesota resident ever since, although -- he does cheer for the Packers. He and his wife Kristin welcomed their first child, Ella, in 2021; adding to their existing furry children, Rocco and Coco. In his spare time, Parker enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing golf, soccer, and hockey.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science; Actuarial Science – University of St. Thomas
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP),
  Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP)
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health and Long-Term Care Licenses
• Series 7/66

Background & Experience

Charlie started his career with Stone Arch Advisory Group in May of 2021, joining the financial planning department as a Financial Planning Associate. Prior to this, Charlie worked in Medicare sales for UnitedHealthcare. Charlie’s background knowledge has helped give the planning team some additional insight on Medicare and expenses our clients should anticipate, as they plan for retirement.

If you are meeting with your advisor to review the results of your financial plan- more than likely, Charlie helped in the development of the plan. He occasionally attends client meetings with the advisors to dive into the analytics and reporting. Charlie plays a crucial role in supporting our advisor team, developing tools and resources to help our clients plan and accomplish their goals.

Personal

Charlie was born and raised in Minnesota. He and his wife Gabrielle were married in 2021, and currently live in Woodbury, MN. In his free time, you can find Charlie on a golf course, actively enjoying the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, or up north at the cabin.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts; Economics – St. John’s University
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health and Long-Term Care Licenses
• Series 7/63

Background & Experience

Michael has been working in finance over the last 20 years. He started out working for American Express after college in their mutual fund department. He moved departments and started working for a financial advisor as a paraplanner, where he learned he enjoyed focusing on investments and business retirement plans. Michael eventually moved into a role first with US Bank as an Investment Specialist and then became a Senior Portfolio Manager with Empower Retirement. During this time, he also obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Michael was introduced to Craig Volk through a mutual friend at US Bank, and they kept in touch.

In 2016, Michael took on the Director of Investments role with Stone Arch Advisory Group (formerly known as Volk & Associates Wealth Management). His involvement in the firm has grown the investment practice to be what it is today.

Michael serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer, where he plays a crucial role in overseeing the company’s investment strategies, constantly keeping up on the current market conditions and environments, and delivering Private Client Group offerings in private equity, real estate, hedge funds, to clients. He also manages the investment department and is consistently educating the team and advisors on investment products and offerings.

Personal

Michael was born and raised in a small town in Minnesota and has been a Minnesota resident ever since.  Over 21 years, Michael served our great country in the US Army and was part of the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He enjoys spending time at their cabin on Lake Shamineau with friends and family, where he especially enjoys fishing.  Michael also enjoys hunting, spending time with his wife and daughters Lyla and Ruby, and their COVID rescue dog Ollie. 

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts; Quantitative in Economics – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health Licenses
• Series 7/63

Background & Experience

Jason has been working in finance since 2011. He started out working for Wells Fargo Private Bank after college in their service department. From there, he spent some time at RBC Wealth Management, as a Senior Associate. During this time, Jason also obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

In 2020, Jason found his way to Northwestern Mutual where he served as a financial advisor. His natural talents and experience led him to pursue a position with a focus specifically on investments, which brought him to Stone Arch Advisory Group in 2022.

Jason serves as the firm’s Investment Analyst, where he plays a crucial role in supporting the CIO and investment department. He manages the firm’s investment strategies, tax loss harvesting, keeping up on the current market conditions and environments, and supports the offerings in investment alternatives.

Personal

Jason was born and raised in a small town in Wisconsin north of Eau Claire. After college he met his wife, and they were married in 2014. In 2015, they moved to Minnesota and have been residents ever since.

They enjoy taking time to go back to Wisconsin often to spend time with family. He and his wife have a 2-year-old daughter and bulldog, which keeps them very busy.

In his free time, Jason enjoys various outdoor hobbies including fishing and hunting, and has a passion for woodworking.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts; Business Administration – University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant 
• Certified Investment Management Analyst® certificant
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health Licenses
• Series 7/66

Background & Experience

Becky started working for Northwestern Mutual’s St. Cloud office in 2015, as an operations team member. She took pride in helping new financial advisors start and manage their businesses.

In 2018, Alex Wieme hired Becky to work exclusively with his team. During that time, she developed and managed the entire insurance operations division of Wieme Financial.

Wieme Financial and Stone Arch Advisory Group merged in March of 2022, forming one solid practice. Becky serves as the Insurance Operations Manager, overseeing and managing the day-to-day insurance operations division for the practice. Becky also plays a crucial role in new client onboarding and implementation. 

Personal

Becky lives with her husband and three children in Sauk Rapids, MN. Her children are active in many sports, and she enjoys being there to cheer them on. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Education/Certifications

• Associate in Arts Degree; Liberal Arts and Sciences – Century College
• Minnesota Life, Accident, Health Licenses

Aaron Pliska recently transitioned from a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual to joined the Stone Arch Advisory Group Operations team in October. He is incredibly excited and eager to learn more about the financial industry to be the best financial resource for his clients, his friends, and his family. Building a career helping others is something that Aaron is extremely passionate about and is happy that he has found a team that shares these values

 

Aaron grew up in small town in central Wisconsin and went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville majoring in both Criminal Justice and Theatre.  Over the course of his college years, he had the chance to study abroad in London, England on two separate occasions and he fell in love with the big city life. After graduation, Aaron set his sights on Minneapolis and has lived here for over three years now.  In his free time, Aaron enjoys spending time riding his motorcycle, attending concerts, and exploring one of the many breweries around town.

 

Education/ certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Double major in criminal Justice and Theatre

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Minnesota Life, Accident, Health, Long-term care Licenses

Series 6/63

Background and Experience

Jenna Allerson has over 15 years of marketing experience and likes to refer to herself as a marketing generalist. Jenna has experience in a variety of marketing specialties including strategic planning, digital marketing, website design and usability, paid advertising, and event planning. The majority of Jenna’s career has been spent in the non-profit sector and at higher education institutions.

Most recently, she was the Communications Consultant at CAREI at the University of Minnesota. Prior to this, she was the Marketing Brand Manager at the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Digital Project Manager at the University of St. Thomas.

Jenna serves as the firm’s Marketing Director where she oversees all marketing, client communications, and promotions. Jenna began her journey at Stone Arch Advisory Group in September 2022.

Personal

Jenna and her husband Matt live in Lakeville, Minn. with their three kids – Owen (7), Gus (5), and Adeline (1). They also have a 10-year-old fur baby, Lucy, who is 10.  Her hobbies include reading, working out (she is a certified barre instructor), and going to concerts.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science: English with a Creative Writing Emphasis
• Master of Science: Technical Communications
• Professional Certification: Project Management