Business Planning Team
Jared Holt
President and CEO
Jared is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Ascent Financial. 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 Wealth Management and being a Business Planning Consultant for our transition planning team. 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 and McKenna and son Harvey, and reside in Buffalo, MN. Jared enjoys many hobbies that involve sports and the great outdoors.
Craig Borchardt
Consulting Director
Craig is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. Craig’s focus at Ascent involves acting as the Consulting Director and transition planning for clients and their business. Before joining Ascent Financial, Craig operated a consulting practice focused on corporate finance, international trade, securities, alternative investments, and continuous improvement.
Marv Siekman
Business Planning Consultant CFP®, Seeking Solutions, LLC
Marv draws on 40+ years of experience in financial and business planning, working with over 2,000 farm families, to guide clients as they make key decisions that will impact their families for decades into the future. He was raised on a small dairy and crop farm in Illinois. He has an M.S from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Financial Planner. Marv strives to blends sound economics, a “manage by the numbers” style, and a lot of care to help his clients achieve their objectives.
Cassie Monger
Business Planning Consultant
Cassie brings extensive knowledge and background in the agriculture industry. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Central MN, she followed her roots back to the family business as the COO & CFO. Working alongside her family as they transitioned their business, she has learned how important it is to set realistic expectations, manage priorities, and let go when necessary. She realizes how crucial setting goals are for successful transitions and expansion of any business.
Cassie lives in Foley, MN, with her husband, two daughters, and son. Summertime is her favorite season of the year. She enjoys spending time with family and friends at the lake and beating her husband at golfing as much as she can.
Al Bennett
Business Planning Consultant CFP®
Al recently retired from Compeer Financial after 12 years. Al provides Succession Planning, Business Planning, Retirement & Estate Planning, Financial Management, Human Resources Development, Alliance Development, Litigation Support, and Conflict Resolution services to the private agri-business sector. Al farmed for twenty-three years on the family farm and was President of Bennett Farms, Inc., a corn and soybean operation in southern Minnesota, until January 2001. In 1995, Al was elected to represent District 4 in Blue Earth County on the Board of Commissioners. He served for ten years in that capacity before resigning in July 2004 to pursue another business opportunity.
Before joining the Compeer team in November of 2006, Al worked as a mediator with the University of Minnesota Extension Farmer-Lender Mediation Program. His work was focused on farm families that were in financial distress and/or had defaulted on a secured debt. Currently, under MN Rule 114, Al mediates dissolutions, workplace disputes, family conflicts, drainage issues, and property disputes.
Rachel Bork
Business Planning Consultant
Born and raised in Central Minnesota, Rachel spent 12 years at General Mills where she held multiple roles including operations, transportation, and sourcing. She is a graduate of St. Cloud State University where she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in business. Rachel is living her own transition plan as a 5th generation farmer. She knows the rewards and challenges involved and wants to help others ensure their legacy continues for generations to come. She lives with her husband Josh near Foley, MN along with their son Isaac, steers, and honey bees. In their spare time, they work on farm improvement projects and enjoy spending time hunting, fishing, and with family.
Jeanne Scharf
Business Planning Consultant
Jeanne offers her clients a wide array of experience garnered from over 30 years of agricultural and commercial lending services. She has assisted clients in various agriculture and related businesses across the United States. This, coupled with her own entrepreneurial experience, is allowing her to achieve her passion: “Making a solid, positive difference in the lives of her clients and their businesses.”
Jeanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and she is certified in Credit Risk with the Risk Management Association. Jeanne and her husband, Mark, make their home in Madison Lake. Together they enjoy being with family and friends, traveling, and spending time outdoors.