The Minnesota Club
The Minnesota Club is a private invitation only networking group comprised of some of the most professional and honest business people in Minnesota. Each of its members focus primarily on providing their services to entrepreneurs and their executives. Membership includes just one individual in each profession. This exclusivity allows members to be open with business strategies and challenges. Each member has also professed loyalty to the other members and will turn to this group first when making referrals to their clients, colleagues, friends and family members. Each member can be assured when they refer another member the referral will be treated with the highest level of professionalism possible.
If a member in some way does not adhere to a professional level of ethics or does not refer at least 5 referrals in a year they will be asked to leave the group.
Membership in the Minnesota Club is exclusive and designed to benefit it's members and their clients.
The Founders
If a member in some way does not adhere to a professional level of ethics or does not refer at least 5 referrals in a year they will be asked to leave the group.
Membership in the Minnesota Club is exclusive and designed to benefit it's members and their clients.
The Founders
The Minnesota Club Board of Directors
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Executive Director: Gregory Sailer
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Director: Eric Froistad
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Director: Nathan Larson
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The Minnesota Club Members
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Attorney
Jon Farnsworth
Attorney at Law Company Name: Spencer Fane LLP Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education:
Industry Awards:
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Spouse: Married to Elyse Farnsworth
Children: Ayden and Bennett |
Charities/Civic Organizations:
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What I do: Jon Farnsworth is an outside general counsel to privately held companies and established non-profits. Jon’s business training distinguishes him from other lawyers. He utilizes his master’s degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) in conjunction with his law degree to provide comprehensive analysis and guidance to clients. Jon is fond of saying “an attorney should foster business, not inhibit it.”, a motto that reflects his dedication to helping clients who seek not just a simple legal opinion, but also practical insights about how legal matters intersect with the dynamics of business.
Jon works with entrepreneurs, particularly in the technology industry, counseling them from their start-up phases all the way to the sale of their businesses. He has extensive experience working with start-up companies through the initial strategy stages of raising money and financing operations, including usage of crowdfunding sources. Jon also helps clients sell during the end-stages of their businesses, including selling the company and/or transitioning ownership to family members or business associates.
Jon’s clients range from entrepreneurs and start-up companies to large corporations with international name recognition. In addition to technology companies, Jon represents clients in a variety of industries, including retail, medical, specialized manufacturing, real estate, fitness and athletics, security, consumable products and service. He looks forward to the possibility of working with you to achieve your business objectives.
Jon works with entrepreneurs, particularly in the technology industry, counseling them from their start-up phases all the way to the sale of their businesses. He has extensive experience working with start-up companies through the initial strategy stages of raising money and financing operations, including usage of crowdfunding sources. Jon also helps clients sell during the end-stages of their businesses, including selling the company and/or transitioning ownership to family members or business associates.
Jon’s clients range from entrepreneurs and start-up companies to large corporations with international name recognition. In addition to technology companies, Jon represents clients in a variety of industries, including retail, medical, specialized manufacturing, real estate, fitness and athletics, security, consumable products and service. He looks forward to the possibility of working with you to achieve your business objectives.
My Perfect Referral: Any business or established non-profit needing ongoing legal work. We also assist business executives and individuals with compensation agreements and estate planning/probate matters.
Why refer my services?: The Felhaber law firm has approximately 60 attorneys. We have many legal experts, are nimble, and cost effective. We pride ourselves in providing practical legal solutions and obtaining positive results for clients.
How I handle referrals: Email or in-person introductions/referrals are preferred. All referrals (prospective clients) are subject to a conflict of interest check before any attorney-client relationship can be established. Due to attorney-client privilege, unless the client consents, I may be unable to speak with you (the referring source) about matters involving the legal representation.
Member Testimonials:
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Attorney
Sonja C. Larson
Partner Company Name: Gapen, Larson & Johnson Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: BA/BSW, cum laude, University of St. Thomas JD, cum laude, University of St. Thomas, School of Law
Industry Experience: Rule 114 Qualified Neutral Industry Awards: Super Lawyers Rising Star |
Spouse: Peter
Children: Britta, Ingrid |
Charities/Civic Organizations: Tubman, Volunteer Lawyers Network
Pastimes: Yoga, spending time with my family |
What I do: I represent clients in family law matters including divorce, custody, child support issues, post-decree issues and prenuptial agreements. I also provide alternative dispute resolution services in the form of mediation, arbitration, Rule 53 Special Master, Parenting Consultant, and Parenting Time Expeditor.
My Perfect Referral: I have practiced solely in the area of family law since graduation from law school. I work with my clients to achieve a fair result in their legal matters, utilizing alternative dispute resolution when appropriate. My background in psychology and social work make me uniquely qualified to handle the complex issues that arise when working with disputes involving children and families.
How I handle referrals: Potential clients may contact me directly or my office manager, Lesley. After obtaining basic information for a conflict of interest check, I typically set up a brief phone call with the potential client and then will schedule an in-office consultation.
Member Testimonials:
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Banking Commercial
Nate Larson
Loan Officer Company Name: Premier Banks Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education:
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Spouse: Married to Tara
Children: Dog named Maya |
Charities/Civic Organizations: Humane Society of Minnesota Donor
Pastimes: I have a love/hate relationship with the game of golf and am a member of the Public Country Club (PCC). I’m an avid reader of all things business related and I enjoy learning how things work. Go Vikings! |
What I do: My mission is to help business owners, investors and entrepreneurs leverage their assets and ambitions to create, sustain and maintain profitable businesses.
My Perfect Referral: The perfect referral for me is to an established real estate investor/developer of both commercial and residential properties. That said, I work with business owners in all types of industries that need financing for equipment, business acquisitions, operating lines of credit and start-up companies.
Why refer my services?: I’m extremely passionate about what I do and my personal interests and my career go hand-in-hand. My clients can count on me to provide them with quality, realistic approaches to their needs that I carry out via my role as a banker, but through their lens as an entrepreneur.
How I handle referrals: All referrals are handled in a timely fashion and with the utmost professionalism. Referrals are typically contacted within 24 to 48 hours.
Member Testimonials:
Premier Bank and Nate have been wonderful partners with my business. Helping me with needed capital to help me build my business. -Greg Sailer
Premier Bank and Nate have been wonderful partners with my business. Helping me with needed capital to help me build my business. -Greg Sailer
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Employee Benefits Consultant
Gregory S. Sailer LUTCF, RHU, REBC, LPRT
Co-Owner/President & Managing Consultant Company Name: Sailer Benefit Services, Inc. Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: Iowa State University
Industry Experience: 25 years Industry Awards: Past President of The Minnesota Health Underwriters Association, President of the PRG, Leading Producer Round Table, The John Symanitz Lifetime Achievement Award |
Spouse: Married to Chris Sailer - 25yrs
Children: Holton (20), Garret (17), Jayden (15) |
Charities/Civic Organizations: Shriner's Hospital for Children, MN Masonic Cancer Hospital, RiteCare for Children & The Neighborhood House
Pastimes: Biking, Skiing, Boating, Wine |
What I do: My agency provides employee benefit packages and cost saving strategies for small to mid size companies. We can provide Group Medical Insurance, Ancillary Products, Retirement Plans & the administration for these.
My Perfect Referral: The perfect referral for me would be to a company with 2 to 250 employees who needs these products and administration.
Why refer my services?: We will do a full analysis for your referral to see if any of our cost saving strategies or our employee engagement programs will help your referral. We will treat your contact with the highest of professionalism and integrity.
How I handle referrals: All referrals will be contacted within 24 hours. We will schedule a time with them to meet and introduce them to our services. We will follow up with you regarding the outcome of this meeting and if they become a client of ours.
Member Testimonials:
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Executive Recruiter
Renee Frey
President Company Name: TalentQ Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: BS in Sociology, University of WI-River Falls
Industry Experience: 16 years Industry Awards: |
Spouse: Married to Dustin Frey
Children: Aubrey and Elena |
Charities/Civic Organizations: Active Mentor at TeamWomenMN
Pastimes: Boating, Golf, Downhill Skiing, Reading, Wine enthusiast |
What I do: TalentQ, Inc is a nationwide executive recruiting firm specializing in Supply Chain/Operations and Information Technology. TalentQ is an industry expert in retail, distribution and manufacturing. TalentQ’s Optimized Interview Method ™ and data analytics empower the team’s ability to delivery results in record time, without wavering on quality and cultural fit. The TalentQ team is fully fueled to uncover invisible talent in the marketplace for your organization. Lean on TalentQ for your retained, contract and direct hire needs.
My Perfect Referral: My perfect referral is any leader in a hiring capacity within Supply Chain/Operations, Information Technology and Human Resources.
Why refer my services?: Why should we refer you? TalentQ is built on over 35 years of corporate experience (Target experience!) At TalentQ we guarantee that qualified candidates will be presented within 5 business days, clients receive concierge level service, and we recruit gainfully employed leaders.
How I handle referrals: Simply send an introductory email to hiring leaders in your network and copy Renee.Frey@TalentQ.net. Simple as that! We follow up immediately and schedule a time for us to connect. We handle referrals and our clients with white gloves, providing exemplary service.
Member Testimonials:
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Financial Advisor
Eric Froistad
Financial Advisor Company Name: Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: St. Mary’s University
Industry Experience: 16 years Industry Awards: Baird’s Executive Council |
Spouse: Married to Angela Froistad
Children: Jack (5), Nate (2) |
Charities/Civic Organizations:
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What I do: My team oversees the financial affairs for a group of families in the area.
My Perfect Referral: An individual or family with at least $250,000 of investable assets who is either in a transitional phase in their life, or is simply interested in having a second set of eyes review their overall financial picture
Why refer my services?: With over 8 years spent as an accountant prior to my career in wealth management, my clients enjoy a process-oriented experience designed to clarify and organize their financial lives. We incorporate investment consulting, advanced planning, and relationship management to ensure that there are no gaps in our client’s financial lives.
How I handle referrals: All referrals are contacted within 24 hours. We schedule an introductory meeting with the purpose of simply sharing information, to help each other determine whether or not there is merit to exploring a long term relationship. We will follow up with you if they become a client of ours.
Member Testimonials:
You can trust Eric. He will be patient and ethical with the people you refer to him. He has help some personal friends and clients of mine. All were thankful I referred them to Eric. -Greg Sailer
You can trust Eric. He will be patient and ethical with the people you refer to him. He has help some personal friends and clients of mine. All were thankful I referred them to Eric. -Greg Sailer
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Life & Disability Insurance
Coltin Brehm
Associate Financial Advisor Company Name: Northwestern Mutual Life Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- University of Wisconsin Stout
Industry Experience: 5 years Industry Awards: |
Spouse: Nicolette Brehm
Children: Not yet |
Charities/Civic Organizations: We partner with Alex’s Lemonade Stand as well as the helping the homeless kids of Eau Claire. I have also been an assistant wrestling coach at the high school in Menomonie, WI
Pastimes: Hunting, Fishing, Wrestling, Traveling |
What I do: We have the ability to be at the center of our client’s lives, but first, we need to understand where you’re at today and where you’re trying to get to. Our team’s primary focus is to help our clients transform distant financial dreams and visions into realistic, attainable goals. Once we understand where you’re trying to go, we firmly believe that it’s our job to help you turn those dreams and visions into reality through a well thought out, strategic financial plan.
Backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual, we have the ability to create personalized financial plans that are derived from our client’s beliefs that address their hopes and dreams. These plans are designed to be flexible so that they can evolve with our clients as life throws them curveballs. Our team is here to serve our clients as they strive to become better professionals, parents, and spouses.
Backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual, we have the ability to create personalized financial plans that are derived from our client’s beliefs that address their hopes and dreams. These plans are designed to be flexible so that they can evolve with our clients as life throws them curveballs. Our team is here to serve our clients as they strive to become better professionals, parents, and spouses.
My Perfect Referral:
- Young families with HH income of $175k+
- Business owners and/or people with a high net worth. (buy sell agreements and estate planning)
Why refer my services?: Being in an industry where trust is an extremely high priority, I feel it’s important to be honest and straight forward with our clients. Clients ask this question all the time and my answer is always the same- I come from a blue collar family and grew up on a farm. Hard work is in my blood and we’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done to ensure that you and your family/business is/are taken care of.
Northwestern Mutual has the highest financial strength ratings of all financial institutions in the country. Being a representative of Northwestern Mutual allows us to have exclusive access to their products while still having the ability to place products from different companies if Northwestern isn’t the right fit.
Northwestern Mutual has the highest financial strength ratings of all financial institutions in the country. Being a representative of Northwestern Mutual allows us to have exclusive access to their products while still having the ability to place products from different companies if Northwestern isn’t the right fit.
How I handle referrals: We ask that the nominator reaches out to the nominee first.
Say that we’re good friends with (nominator) and that they spoke very high of (nominee) and that we’re reaching out to introduce our team to see if there’s anything we can do to add value to their current situation.
Say that we’re good friends with (nominator) and that they spoke very high of (nominee) and that we’re reaching out to introduce our team to see if there’s anything we can do to add value to their current situation.
Member Testimonials:
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Real Estate
Jay Fletch
Broker/Realtor Company Name: Jay Fletch Realty Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education:
University of St Thomas: MBA in Business Administration - Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Emphasis University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI - Bachelor of Science - Business and Economics |
Children: Daughter, Lucia
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Charities/Civic Organizations:
Pastimes: |
Industry Experience:
2004-Present Edina Realty, Inc. Woodbury, MN MN/WI Broker Associate ~ Real Estate Consultant
2001-Present J Fletch Real Estate Group, LLC Woodbury, MN Owner/Small Real Estate Business Consultant
2000-2004 WhiteRidge Real Estate, LLC Hammond, WI Owner/Broker
1997-2000 Midwest Bankers Trust, Inc. Eagan, MN
Industry Awards: Edina Realty’s Chairman’s Circle (2014)
WWRA Board of Directors (2011 - 2013)
Edina Realty’s Master’s Circle Award (2013)
Edina Realty’s President’s Circle Award (2004-2009)
Edina Realty’s Leadership Award (2010-2012)
2004-Present Edina Realty, Inc. Woodbury, MN MN/WI Broker Associate ~ Real Estate Consultant
2001-Present J Fletch Real Estate Group, LLC Woodbury, MN Owner/Small Real Estate Business Consultant
2000-2004 WhiteRidge Real Estate, LLC Hammond, WI Owner/Broker
1997-2000 Midwest Bankers Trust, Inc. Eagan, MN
Industry Awards: Edina Realty’s Chairman’s Circle (2014)
WWRA Board of Directors (2011 - 2013)
Edina Realty’s Master’s Circle Award (2013)
Edina Realty’s President’s Circle Award (2004-2009)
Edina Realty’s Leadership Award (2010-2012)
What I do:
My Perfect Referral:
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Member Testimonials:
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Personal Insurance Sales
Scott Gohmann
President Company Name: Saint Croix Valley Insurance Contact Information
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Background
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Family
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Activities
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Education: Business Econ Degree from St Cloud State University
Industry Experience: 25 years in Insurance Industry Industry Awards: |
Children: 3 Daughters
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Charities/Civic Organizations: Children’s Hospital, The Rotary Club of Hudson Daybreak
Pastimes: Golf, Fishing, and Kids events |
What I do: Provide people with a better value for their insurance dollar. It is not always the price that an insured pays but the coverage’s they need to insure their assets are protected. We don’t sell insurance as everyone has it, but we provide a way for people to move to our agency.
My Perfect Referral: We like to work with referrals that understand the need for insurance to protect their assets. It is not just about the cost of coverage but the need for the right coverage.
Why refer my services?: We take the need to provide proper coverage and service to our clients as the top priority. We work for our clients to provide the very best value for the money they pay for their insurance needs. We are not always the lowest priced option but we will never cut corners on price to gain a client.
How I handle referrals:
Member Testimonials:
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Occupation
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Industry Experience: Industry Awards: |
Spouse: Married to
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