11 North Star advisors recognized on Forbes’ 2025 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list for exemplary client service and commitment

MINNEAPOLIS—July 10, 2025—North Star Resource Group is proud to announce that 11 of its financial advisors have been recognized on Forbes and SHOOK Research’s 2025 Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list:

• Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA® – #6 in North Texas and #70 nationally
• Craig Molldrem, CLTC, RICP®, AIF®, CAP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP® – #16 in North Texas
• Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC – #5 in Minnesota
• John Williams, CFP®, CFS – #36 in Minnesota
• Wes Sharp – #49 in Minnesota
• Jon Ylinen – #12 in Wisconsin
• Tom Haunty, CFP®, RHU®, REBC, ChFC®, AIF®
• Damon Lichtenberger, CLTC – #13 in North Carolina
• Darby Affeldt, DVM, RICP®, CPFA® – #22 in Colorado
• Joey Snyder, WMCP® – #32 in Virginia

This annual ranking spotlights the leading financial professionals across the nation who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to helping clients achieve their financial goals.

“These rankings perfectly align with North Star’s holistic approach to financial planning, which emphasizes protection-based wealth planning alongside assets under management,” commented North Star CEO Ed Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®. “We believe in protecting against adversity, investing for opportunity and planning for both. In today’s world, a factual fiduciary helps ensure the client’s plan is reached by modeling it through the three major financial planning disciplines: wealth protection, wealth accumulation and wealth distribution. We are proud of all of our advisors who are among the best.”

In the North Texas region, North Star had two financial advisors appear on the list. The first was Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA®, who ranked #6 and also ranked #70 on the national Top Financial Security Professionals list from Forbes. Appearing on this list since its inauguration in 2021, McDuffee is the founder of North Star affiliate Twin Oak Advisors in Austin, Texas, which specializes in serving the medical community. McDuffee also serves in North Star’s leadership team as senior vice president and is the founder of the nonprofit Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN), which raises funds to support research and awareness initiatives about the condition nationwide.

“Being recognized by Forbes again is as great an honor now for me and my team as it was before,” McDuffee stated. “It’s a testament to the incredible group of people I have been blessed to assemble over the years, and the trust our clients have placed in us to serve as a holistic financial resource for physicians.”

The second advisor to make the list in the North Texas region, Craig Molldrem, CLTC, RICP®, AIF®, CAP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, ranked #16. Molldrem has been with the firm since 2002, consistently delivering top-tier financial planning advice to his clients. 2025 marks the fifth consecutive year he has been named a Top Financial Security Professional by Forbes, making this a significant achievement in his career.

“I am honored to be selected for this Forbes list again,” stated Molldrem. “I am committed to creating long-lasting financial plans that have a solid foundation of insurance to ensure my clients are protected while they grow to financial independence. It is wonderful to be recognized for the insurance work that is done in my practice. We are committed to serving our clients and future clients in this comprehensive manner.”

In Minnesota, North Star had three financial advisors make the list. First was Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, who ranked #5 after also ranking #5 on last year’s list, #67 on the national list in 2023 and receiving recognition as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in 2024 and 2025. He founded Gifford Financial, The MD & DDS Specialists, a division of North Star Resource Group, in 2017, which specializes in servicing the unique financial needs of physicians and dentists with excellence.

“It is such an honor to be included on this list again,” Gifford remarked. “I count myself lucky to have found a career, company, and team that helps me make a positive impact and change lives forever, every day. It is humbling to have clients place their trust in me and what we do, allowing them to protect their families and financial futures, so they can pursue their goals.”

The second advisor who made the list in Minnesota was John Williams, CFP®, CFS, who made the list for the first time, ranking #36. Williams has been with North Star since 2011 and has built a specialty practice providing specialized financial planning services to the medical and dental communities. He is also a frequent speaker at groups such as the Mayo Clinic, the University of Kansas, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University.

“Making this list for the first time alongside such respected financial professionals in Minnesota is truly wonderful,” Williams said. “Thank you to Forbes and SHOOK for this recognition and to my team and clients for helping me get to this point. You make it possible for me to do what I love!”

Finally, the third financial advisor who was included on the list in Minnesota was another first-time qualifier, Wes Sharp. Ranking #49, Sharp has been with the firm since 2013. Since then, he has emphasized being a holistic, trusted financial resource for physicians, giving them back crucial time to do what they want. Sharp is also the chair of the North Star Charitable Golf Event and a co-author of the book “Real Life Financial Planning for Physicians.”

“It’s a huge honor to make this prestigious list for the first time,” Sharp commented. “It speaks to the wonderful client relationships I’ve been fortunate to develop as well as the never-ending support from my support person, Marissa, and the entire North Star team. I appreciate you all!”

Moving over to Wisconsin, Jon Ylinen made the list for a third time, ranking #12 after previously being ranked #25 on last year’s list. Since joining North Star in 2008, Ylinen has worked closely with medical professionals out of Madison, Wis. He is also a co-author of the book “Real-Life Financial Planning for Physicians” and is a regular contributor to financial columns such as “Financial Focus” for “Review of Ophthalmology” and “EM$ and Sense” for “Emergency Medicine Magazine,” along with several contributions to “Medical Economics” and “Physician’s Money Digest.”

“Making this list not just once, but three times now is something I don’t take for granted,” Ylinen noted. “It represents a wonderful achievement for my team. I’m so grateful for the hard work and support they provide as we help clients navigate their finances and pursue their goals.”

Tom Haunty, CFP®, RHU®, REBC, ChFC®, AIF®, was another first-time qualifier who was included on the best-in-state list. He is an Evans Scholar graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business and is a member of both the Financial Planning Association and the Society of Financial Services Professionals. Haunty also published the book “Real Life Planning for Young Lawyers” and has been featured in numerous articles on personal and business financial strategies.

“Making the Top Financial Security Professionals list for the first time is wonderful,” Haunty said. “I thank my clients and my support team for making what I do possible, and for the relationships I have developed over the last few decades. Being a trusted financial resource is something I take very seriously, and I appreciate playing a part in changing the lives of others forever.”

In North Carolina, Damon Lichtenberger, CLTC, ranked #13, after making the best-in-state list in 2023 and ranking #195 on the national list the same year. Since 2004, Lichtenberger has built a nationwide financial practice and has become a regular keynote speaker at various teaching hospitals and medical groups throughout the country. He has also been published in “Medical Economics,” “Dental Products Report” and “The Torch,” which showcase his dedication to serving the medical community’s unique financial needs.

“Being included on this list again is not something I take lightly,” Lichtenberger commented. “I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me get this far and who makes it possible for me to touch the lives of many. Thank you to Forbes and SHOOK for this recognition!”

Another first-time qualifier, Darby Affeldt, DVM, RICP®, CPFA®, ranked #22 in the best-in-state list for Colorado. Working for 19 years as a veterinary professional and as a financial advisor since 2012, Affeldt has created a nationwide financial practice driven by a unique behavioral finance approach. She is a co-author of the book “Real Life Financial Planning for Veterinarians” and an advisory board member for Mission Animal Hospital, a nonprofit veterinary hospital expanding to the Denver area.

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized in the latest Forbes Advisor ranking,” Affeldt added. “This prestigious recognition reflects the trust and support of my clients, firm, team members, colleagues and the broader community. I remain fiercely committed to delivering financial guidance excellence and will always uphold the standards that earned this recognition. Thank you to Forbes for this acknowledgment of my practice.”

In Maryland, James Jaderborg, CLU®, ChFC®, ranked #24, making him a first-time entry on this list. He has been a financial advisor with North Star since 2010 and has established himself as a trusted financial resource for physicians and other medical professionals. Understanding their specific financial needs, he helps them develop tailored financial strategies that help them reach the lives they desire.

Marking the last North Star advisor to make the Top Financial Security Professionals list, Joey Snyder, WMCP®, ranked #32 on the best-in-state list for Virginia. Since becoming an advisor in North Star’s Richmond office, Snyder has cultivated a diverse client base of medical professionals, dentists and attorneys who seek personalized financial solutions and education. He makes it his mission to help high-income earners make smart decisions about their money—and preserve it.

“Being recognized for this award is a huge honor, but something I do not take lightly, as all my amazing clients and their families made this possible,” said Snyder. “I am beyond grateful as my team and I continue building our practice and servicing clients who have evolved into part of my family.”

The Forbes ranking was determined based on a comparison of business practices based on both qualitative and quantitative elements in a survey conducted by SHOOK Research. Qualitative elements that SHOOK analyzed included production/premiums, death benefits, assets under management, client-related trends and data. Additionally, they also analyzed quantitative elements such as meetings with professionals, use of their team and team dynamics, level of community involvement, credentials and years of service.

To learn more about Forbes’ Top Financial Security Professionals list or to view the rankings on a national and state level, please visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-financial-security-professionals.

About Forbes and SHOOK Research
Forbes boasts 6 million readers and 116 million unique monthly visitors who rely on their research and content to plan their financial futures. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve, and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 207 full-time advisors and over 202 employees. In a network of 37 offices in over 21 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses**. To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.

**Data as of December 2024

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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ian Rich at 612.617.6076 or email him at ian.rich@northstarfinancial.com.