Our Profile

Baird is a special company that puts time and energy into choosing and monitoring their strategic partners. For this reason and many more Catina, Carson, Shawna and Teresa are proud to be affiliated with Baird. We spend time and energy evaluating opportunities and developing relationships with our clients.

We pride ourselves on finding the finest solutions to investment needs. It is our job to figure out where your money should be and implement the appropriate solutions. We enjoy working with and for families located in the Twin Cities with a personal responsibility for the families and community they are entrusted with. Some of our clients are building wealth to attain their life goals, while others seek to preserve and share the rewards of a lifetime of commitment to their careers, families, and causes.

See below for our team bios. Find out about the client-focused service for which Baird is so well known.

Ben Koemptgen

Client Specialist

952-838-8089

bkoemptgen@rwbaird.com

Ben’s interest in the market and investments began early—at age 10. He was fascinated by the idea of buying, owning, and selling a thing you would never see or touch. He wanted in. This interest persisted, and in high school he bought...

Carson Jones, CIMA^®

Director, Associate Financial Advisor

952-838-8067

crjones@rwbaird.com

If you’d stopped Carson on the campus of St. Olaf College in 2008 to ask about his future plans, he’d have told you he’d probably work at a bank. Then, he would’ve politely excused himself to head to baseball practice. After growing up...

Catina Koenig, CPWA^®

Managing Director, Financial Advisor

952-838-8065

ckoenig@rwbaird.com

Catina began her career in the financial services industry as a sales assistant in 1999 — despite her best efforts to talk Ken Smith out of hiring her. Luckily, he didn’t listen. Ken saw something in Catina that she did not see in...

Craig Elder

Fixed Income

Craig Elder is a Senior Fixed Income Analyst, a role in which he provides fixed income market and investment strategy to Baird's Private Wealth Management Group. He provides credit research support for corporate bonds, municipal bonds...

Erica Kroll, CLU^®

Insurance

Erica Kroll joined Baird in 2003 and has over 14 years experience in the financial services industry. As the Insurance Specialist for Baird Insurance Services, Erica supports Baird Financial Advisors in insurance planning concepts from...

Laura Thurow, CFA^®

Executive Director of Wealth Solutions and Operations

Laura Thurow is Executive Director of Wealth Solutions and Operations for Baird’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) business. In this role, she is responsible for the people, platforms and back office services that support...

Laura Ames

Wealth Strategist, JD

Laura Ames is a Wealth Strategist based out of Baird’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. Part of Baird’s Private Wealth Management Group, Laura works with Financial Advisors to help clients meet their long-term wealth management and family...

Melanie Schmieding, CTFA

Director of Baird Family Wealth

As Director of Baird Family Wealth, Melanie is responsible for the development of HNW and UHNW solutions and resources within Baird Private Wealth Management supporting advisors and their clients. She is passionate about developing...

Michael Antonelli

PWM Market Strategist

Michael Antonelli, is a Market Strategist for Baird Private Wealth Management. He educates clients and encourages clients through his writing, events and media to focus on why they started their investment journey, and not to solely...

Rick Holman, J.D. CFP^®, CLU^®

Estate Planning

Rick is a Senior Estate Planner for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group based in Dallas. In this role, he works with clients, along with their Baird financial advisors and other professional advisors, to promote the benefits...

Ross Mayfield, CFA

Investment Strategist

Ross Mayfield, CFA®, is an Investment Strategist for Baird Private Wealth Management. He provides financial education designed to help clients reach their goals, be it through investment strategy and equity research content, or through...

Scott Grenier, CFP^®, AEP^®

Manager of Financial and Estate Planning

Scott Grenier is a Manager of Financial and Estate Planning for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group. In this role, he works with clients and their Baird financial advisors on business succession, tax and estate planning strategies,...

Shawna Hurst, CRPC®

Vice President

952-838-8061

shurst@rwbaird.com

Shawna has spent more than two decades in financial services, but it’s no secret that she’s not in it for the money. For Shawna, finances have never been nearly as interesting as the people themselves. So what she lacks in fondness for...

Teresa Mattson

Assistant Vice President | Senior Client Specialist

952-857-5523

tmattson@rwbaird.com

Teresa joined Baird in 2006 and has been a critical component of the organization and leadership of the office. With more than a decade of wealth management experience, she brings a thorough understanding of the team's unique...

Tim Steffen, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA®

Director of Advanced Planning

As Director of Advanced Planning for Baird, Tim is responsible for researching, writing and speaking on important planning issues that impact the clients of Baird. This includes topics related to retirement and estate planning, tax law...

Client Centered

Whether you are investing to build wealth, protect your family, or preserve your assets, our personalized service focuses your needs, wants, and long-term goals.

Our team of professionals have years of experience in financial services. We can help you address your needs of today and for many years to come. We look forward to working with you.