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

Professional

For over 25 year, Russ Huls has provided insurance and investment guidance to his clients. He works with business owners, families and individuals with their wealth accumulation and wealth management advising. Russ has worked with clients throughout many life stages, including passing assets and businesses to the next generation. Russ has developed a solid process of helping people get to where they really want to be. His mission is to professionally impact his clients by providing customized and honest financial advice. He designs judgement free personalized plans using strong strategies and educated decisions with his client’s goals and dreams at the forefront. Russ is a financial partner who understands the big picture and has the flexibility and understanding to alter plans as life circumstances change.

Personal

Russ’ focus on financial and insurance planning started at a young age. His father Bill was a very successful and impactful NML Representative. At a young age Russ learned the advantages to setting goals, making a plan, and always moving forward.

Russ is married to Kristi. They met while in college at St. Cloud State. They raised their two children, Erin and William in Cold Spring, Minn.. Russ coached baseball at Rocori for many years. Russ and Kristi enjoy being active- especially outdoors. Biking, hiking, and fishing in Minnesota and anywhere travel brings them. Another favorite activity is weekends at Thunder Lake.

Education/cert

• Bachelor’s in Education, St. Cloud State University
• Minnesota Life Health Accident LTC Insurance License
• FINRA Series 6, 63, 7 registrations

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

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

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

Professional

Erik is a seasoned professional with over 24 years of financial services experience. His expertise includes financial planning, risk management, and an in-depth knowledge of the investment management process. He prides himself on taking complex financial information and making it easy for clients to digest. He believes in empowering people with the knowledge they need to best understand their current financial situation, what tools are available, and how they can leverage those tools to create better outcomes.

Personal

A Minnesota native, Erik loves traveling and experiencing new places. He has a particular affinity for the Western U.S. having lived in Colorado, Oregon, Hawaii, and Arizona before returning to Minnesota in 2017. Outside of work, Erik and his wife enjoy exploring the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. They are big fans of the state's many parks and love hiking with their dog and are always up to try a new restaurant or brewery. Erik also enjoys cooking, golfing, and fishing. An avid and often disappointed Minnesota sports fan, Erik also enjoys attending Vikings, Wild and Twins games.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Iowa State University
• FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 Licenses

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