Jared Holt

Financial Advisor

Jared is the President and CEO of Ascent Advisors. He is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with a minor in Financial Planning. Jared’s primary focus at Ascent consists of acting as the Director of Consulting. Jared holds his life insurance license, long-term care certification, as well as his FINRA Series 7 and 66 Licenses. Jared enjoys working for his clients to help them transition their farm and business, something most clients have devoted their lifetimes to the building. Jared and his wife Erika are proud parents of their daughters Lydia & McKenna and son Harvey and reside in Buffalo, MN. Jared enjoys many hobbies that involve sports and the great outdoors.

Peter Orth

Peter Orth, grew up on a farm with older parents and spent time with other older adults, so a career assisting people at or near retirement age came naturally to him. A desire to help others and a strong work ethic led Peter to build a team of professionals who operate with a high level of integrity, always keeping their clients’ best interests in mind.

Peter has been offering insurance and retirement planning services since 2006. His vision was to create a solution where people could have consultants assist them to meet their particular needs with financial plans, no matter their financial circumstances. Peter lives with his wife, Danelle, and their three girls. In his free time he enjoys camping, hunting, and spending time with his family.

Chad Weinhold

Financial Advisor

Chad began working in the financial services industry helping people with mortgages and home financing in 1999. From there he moved to personal and private banking, including life insurance and final expense planning. Eventually his experience led to the world of investments. During that time he obtained specialty certifications and was able to complete his Chartered Retirement Planning Consultant (CRPC) in 2010 and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) in 2014.

With his experience and expertise, Chad works to provide not only the education needed for clients working towards financial goals, but also the strategies to implement them and get clients on the path to reach their goals and beyond. Chad’s passion comes from educating clients on their options and available solutions for their specific circumstances. Since each clients’ experience, knowledge and understanding is unique, he believes it is essential to take the time to get to know what is important to them before making a recommendation and proposing next steps.

Chad and his wife, Dr. Gail Weinhold, have been married for over 28 years and have three grown children and four grandchildren. When he’s not working, Chad enjoys spending time with his family (and spoiling the grandkids), camping, exploring the outdoors, working in his woodshop and playing the occasional round of golf.

Ben Bernard

Financial Advisor

Ben services clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He specializes in risk management and estate planning. He is a 2005 graduate of Minnesota State – Mankato, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance with an emphasis on Financial Planning. Along with his FINRA Series 7 and 66 Licenses, Ben also holds his Life Insurance license and Long-Term Care certification. Ben’s responsibilities include researching market and economic trends, as well as finding suitable solutions for estate liquidity. Ben is motivated by working alongside his clients to truly understand the goals, objectives, and values they want to pursue, and the legacy they want to leave behind. Ben loves spending time with his wife Rebecca, and three children Brayden, Berkleigh and Bristol. He keeps busy with the various activities of an active young family. During the summer months, Ben enjoys coaching baseball, camping, and fishing, and during the winter months can be found at the hockey rink or in the gym watching gymnastics.

Thomas Koehn

Financial Advisor

Tom has worked as a licensed and registered agent in the financial industry since 2005. His resume includes experience overseeing all aspects of client interactions as Chief of Staff for an Investment Advisory firm in Minneapolis. His experience as a Senior Manager for the Life Case Design Team and a trainer for Fixed Index Annuities and Life Insurance, at Allianz Life of North America, gives him a unique perspective into the inner workings of annuity and life strategies.

As a former High School teacher and athletic coach, his life-long passion for coaching and helping people to succeed; personally, professionally, and financially. Tom defines his approach in creating strategies to meet client objectives. He works to incorporate a relaxed and educational approach to help clients feel comfortable and confident making decisions that will impact them and their families for years to come. Tom’s clients are at all stages of life and he helps them by ensuring they are making decisions aligned with their goals!

Tom resides in Lindstrom MN, on South Lindstrom Lake with his wife Sara and they have three adult children and two grandsons. One of their favorite activities is spending time in Minnesota State and National Parks for adventures in camping and hiking. As a life-long learner, in his spare time, Tom is also a novice guitar player in the learning stages of his musical journey.

Jim Leggott

Jim’s passion is to help clients create the blueprint that will guide them through their retirement years.

On a personal note, when Jim is not helping his clients with retirement planning, he loves spending time and traveling with his family, volunteering at church and fishing with his granddaughter.

• Licensed Medicare professional & Investment Advisor Representative with 20+ years experience

• Medicare

• Financial Planning

• Retirement Planning

• SSA analysis

Don Parson CFA

Portfolio Manager

Don has worked in various aspects of the financial services industry since graduating from St. Cloud State University in 1994. His experience includes 12 years at multi- strategy hedge fund Whitebox Advisors where he served as a trader and portfolio manager. It was during his tenure at Whitebox that he earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Leaving institutional money management in 2020, Don returned to retail client service which was his original and true passion. Being able to assist like individuals reach their life goals is truly rewarding, and client interactions are a highlight of Corestone experience.

Don currently lives in Big Lake, MN with his 2 dogs. Staying very active at the gym, playing golf and pickleball, and being out on the water. Growing up in Baudette, MN means that any outdoor activities are to be cherished.

Rebecca Bernard

Administration Assistant

Rebecca is the Administration Assistant for the Ascent Wealth Management division. She brings 20 years of experience in business support to our team. She has worked extensively in banking and sales management and is dedicated to customer service and the client experience. Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business/Management from MSU-Mankato. She and her husband reside in Mankato and she is a dedicated mother to their three children. Rebecca enjoys spending time on all the activities of a young family!

Anne LeBrun

Insurance Administrator and Advisor Specialist

Anne services clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.  She specializes in life, long term care, and disability insurance. Anne holds her life health and property casualty license and has several years of experience in the insurance industry. Anne’s passion is meeting with her clients, getting to know them, and finding the right insurance product to fit their needs.  Anne and her husband live in southwest MN and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.  Her hobbies are spending time at the lake in Central MN, bicycling, reading, and traveling.

Connor Todd

Insurance Advisor

Connor is a native of central IL and attended Northern Illinois University for his undergraduate degree, during which time he became Life and Health Insurance licensed. He currently holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 Licenses and is the owner of Weidner Financial. Connor specializes in retirement planning, estate planning and wealth management. Connor is a registered representative with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. In August of 2016, Connor married his wife, Ashton. Together, they enjoy being in the garden or pool at their home in rural Congerville, IL, as well as traveling, fishing, hiking, and spending time with their dog. Connor also volunteers on the board for the McLean County Golf Classic for St. Jude.