Board & Administration
Rick Estenson
Treasurer
Art Monaghan
Secretary
Gregory Carlson, CFP® – President
Greg is a founding principal of Carlson Capital Management, and now a Principal and Senior Strategic Advisor of Sequoia Financial Group, a wealth management advisory firm with offices throughout the country. Greg has devoted his career to championing the value of an integrated approach to wealth management that leverages the time-tested principles of a disciplined investment strategy. In his decades of service, Greg has shared his expertise in investment management, retirement strategies, estate planning, and developing integrated plans that include risk management and philanthropic giving with several hundred clients and their families–each one important to him.
Greg is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He also holds the professional designation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Greg has provided investment counsel and financial advice to clients for nearly 40 years. He has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and committees of civic, professional, and religious organizations including the Northfield Rotary Club, the Northfield Area Foundation, Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Olaf College, Mt. Carmel Ministries and TIAA-CREF Institute. Greg was also a co-founder of 5th Bridge, which has become Northfield Shares. Greg and his wife Nancy live in Northfield, where they raised their three daughters.
Rick Estenson – Treasurer
Rick was born and raised in Hector, Minnesota. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, Rick served as an auditor for the Chicago Board of Trade, working in Chicago and New York City. He returned to Minnesota in 1981 and worked with Piper Jaffray, Inc. for more than 20 years in various managerial capacities. Following his time at Piper Jaffray, Rick joined Wells Fargo Bank as an Investment Manager. Rick then served as Vice President/Business Development for First National Bank of Northfield, which was acquired by Merchants Bank during his tenure. He is active in numerous community organizations including, among others, Northfield Rotary Club, Northfield United Methodist Church, and the Northfield Chamber of Commerce. Rick is married to Kris Estenson. They have two grown children. Rick enjoys sports, travel, dogs, and history.
Arthur Monaghan – Secretary
Art is a co-founder of Granite Equity Partners, a firm that makes investments into privately-held companies headquartered in the Upper Midwest. Previously, Art was a Principal at Norwest Equity Partners, a $2 billion private equity group and one of the oldest private equity firms in the United States. Art began his career in the management consulting industry focused on advising professional sports leagues and teams. Art currently sits on the board of eight companies. He attributes his strong work ethic to the lessons he learned growing up on a family farm located in Manchester, Iowa. Art graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. In addition, Art managed to combine his love of sports and business in college. While at Notre Dame, he was the leader of a 200 member, fully student-run, athletic managers organization. He had ultimate responsibility for the entire athletic program, but focused his efforts on the football program with Coach Lou Holtz. Art resides in Northfield, Minnesota with his wife, Emily, where they have raised three sons. He is an avid world traveler.
Andrew Hauskins, CFP®
Andy Hauskins is a Vice President and Wealth Advisor with Sequoia Financial Group. Andy partners with clients and their families, providing comprehensive wealth management advice, planning, and services.
Andy graduated from Iowa State University where he was a four-year letter winner in track & field. He began his career in financial services in insurance, joined Carlson Capital Management in 2007, and became part of Sequoia Financial Group in 2025. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Andy is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and volunteers time with both the Northfield Area Family YMCA and St. Dominic School. He also serves on the Board for the Northfield Fastpitch Softball Association. Andy enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and playing on the Northfield Millers baseball team. Andy and his wife Annie have three children.
Blake Abdella
Blake began his career as a business consultant with Andersen Consulting, then went on to work in the building materials industry. During his twenty-year tenure with Andersen Windows Corporation, Blake held various director-level leadership positions in Engineering, Operations, Information Technology and Strategic Planning. In each of his roles, he was responsible for designing and implementing large-scale business improvement efforts. Blake is currently a full-time community volunteer, giving his time to family, church, and numerous community organizations. Blake is a 1982 graduate of St. Olaf College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics & Economics. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Statistics from Iowa State University. Blake has served on a number of civic and non-profit boards including 5th Bridge, Rice County Habitat for Humanity, Prairie Creek, Inc. and Northfield United Methodist Church. Blake’s wife Beth is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at St. Olaf College. Blake and Beth live in Northfield where they have raised their three sons.
Jim Weinzettel
Jim Weinzettel is a longtime Hastings, Minnesota, resident and active community volunteer. He attended the University of Minnesota where he obtained a degree in animal science. After graduating from college, he worked as a management trainee for a solid waste organization. Over his 20-year career with the company, he rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as president and owner. The second half of Jim’s career was spent in the banking industry. When he retired, he was serving as a vice president at Premier Bank in Hastings. Jim and his wife, Paula, have five children and six grandchildren. In addition to spending time with his family, his interests include real estate investing, golf, and travel. He is an active member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Afton, Minnesota, and the Hastings Rotary Club, where he serves as Treasurer of the Hastings Rotary Foundation.
Gresina Cole, FPQP® – Administrator
As the Administrator for the American Center for Philanthropy’s Charitable Gift Funds, Gresina is happy to help you. Gresina holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP®) designation from the College for Financial Planning®. She assists donors with account change requests, funding, transfers, and helps with all questions related to submitting and processing grant requests. Gresina can assist with anything you might need related to your current account, as well as questions you might have about opening a new account. She can be reached at 507.321.4027 or by email.